The bustling old medina and port of Essaouira is one of Morocco’s most attractive towns and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. A lot more laid back than Marrakech or Fes, the souks and markets will absorb you for hours.
It is only 20-30 minutes away (£7 in a taxi) and you will visit at least a couple of times. It is famous for its wood carving done mainly under the sea ramparts that protect the town from the pounding Atlantic.
Essaouira also has a fabulous choice of restaurants, many based on seafood. And whilst many other parts of Morocco have adopted European prices it is still possible to eat well at great prices.
There are also a number of patisseries and ice-cream cafes surrounding the main square and this makes a great place to watch the world go by.
Essaouira has a fascinating working fishing harbour and you can mingle on the jettys as nets are repaired and catches unloaded along with Essaouira’s resident population of fish-loving cats.
Outside the town there are many things to see and do. A visit to an argan oil co-operative is well worth it as well as wine tasting and spotting tortoises and the famous goats in the Argan trees.
A new golf course opened in 2009. Designed by Gary Player, the first 18 holes are now open and the course is well located between Rebali and the town.
Piste pour ID Mbarek, Sidi Kaouki, Morocco
Rebali is located in the village of Sidi Kaouki 10 miles south of Essaouira and 100 miles west of Marrakech and 70 miles north of Agadir. The easiest way to get there is to fly direct to Essaouira and then you are just 15 minutes from paradise! There are direct flights from London Stansted, Paris and Casablanca. You can also fly to Marrakech and we will arrange a driver to pick you up - it is around 2.5 - 3 hours. Agadir is the same distance but a longer journey. You can also come by bus to Essaouira and then a 25 minute taxi journey (£7).