Meet your guide at Bab Sba in the late morning to begin your 3-hour food and art tour of Essaouira. This fascinating city often flies under the radar of visitors, and so the streets are filled with authentic cultural delights just waiting to be discovered.
Start with a visit to the oldest pastry shop in the city, and sample traditional Moroccan pastries made with time-honored family recipes. Continue walking onto the city ramparts. These fortifications offer a glimpse into how the old seaport village was once protected against invasion. Stop at an old watchtower, and enjoy panoramic views from a little-known lookout point away from the tourist crowds. Gaze out at the city as your guide points out all the must-see landmarks.
Next, make your way into the center of all the action: the Medina of Essaouira. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed area is an outstanding example of late-18th-century fortifications in Morocco. Wander around the colorful souks and meet local artists to check out their art.
After getting your art fix, head to the bustling seaside fish market, where fishermen haul in their daily catch. Sit side-by-side with locals at a wooden table for a savory lunch of grilled fish (usually sardines, a local favorite). For dessert, head to a shop just outside the medina to try a typical Moroccan treat. Then, wash it down with a cup of aromatic tea at a traditional herbalist's shop.
Your tour ends near Bab Doukkala. Your guide will be happy to give you recommendations on other things to do and see in Essaouira, or offer directions back to your hotel.
