Essaouira: Morocco’s Coastal Gem Captivates New York Times Travel Column

The New York Times has devoted an article to Essaouira, which was published as part of the "36 Hours" column. The newspaper provides through this column information on how to make the most of a 36-hour visit to a tourist destination. The author of the article, Seth Sherwood, highlighted the tourist assets of the Moroccan city. "Camels roam the city’s beaches, and in the evening, the sunset casts its glow on the crenellated ramparts," writes the reporter. He notes that it "is not surprising that productions like Orson Welles’ "Othello" (1951) and HBO’s "Game of Thrones" were filmed here".

Other tourist attractions: art galleries and elegant guest houses. They "add more charm to the landscape, while summer music festivals like the Gnaoua and World Music Festival set the rhythm". "The Rue de la Sqala takes you on a stroll along the ramparts that offer stunning views of the coast, while the Bayt Dakira museum revisits the heritage of Essaouira’s former Jewish community".

Seth Sherwood also mentioned the traveling exhibitions of Moroccan artists, as well as the most fascinating galleries in Essaouira which "are as pleasantly winding as the city itself". He cites in particular the Le Real Mogador gallery, "a grand mansion housing traveling exhibitions of mainly Moroccan contemporary artists, such as the folkloric Mostafa El Hadar and the abstract painter Said Ouarzaz". Any tourist is also invited to visit the restaurants where seafood dishes or a succulent lamb shoulder are served.