Essaouira: The Corsair City that Became an Artists' Muse
Published on 10 juillet 2026
Fortified as Mogador in the 18th century, Essaouira today charms visitors with its ramparts, Gnaoua music and artistic atmosphere.
On the Atlantic coast, a few hours' drive from Marrakech, Essaouira has an atmosphere quite different from the Red City: that of a wind-swept fortified port, where Gnaoua music has resonated for generations.
From trading port to fortified city
Founded in 1765 under the name Mogador by Alaouite Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, the town was designed as a port open to European trade, protected by fortifications designed by French engineer Théodore Cornut. The port also became a point of arrival for ships linking West Africa, which helped Gnaoua culture take root in Essaouira — a music and spiritual tradition with sub-Saharan roots celebrated worldwide today. In the 1960s–70s, the town also drew a generation of international artists and musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, who spent a brief stay in Essaouira in 1969.
The Sqala, a stone sentinel facing the ocean
An emblem of the seafront, the Sqala du Port spreads its ramparts and Spanish and Dutch bronze cannons across Place Moulay Hassan. This 18th-century artillery platform once protected the corsair city from sea attacks; today it offers one of the finest views over the fishing port and the waves crashing against the walls. The visit is easily combined with a day trip from Marrakech.
Continue the discovery
The Essaouira destination page brings together all the town's sites available to book.
Practical information
Essaouira is reached within a few hours' drive from Marrakech, as a day trip or a longer stay. The year-round wind makes it a favourite with water-sports enthusiasts; pack a light sweater even in summer.