Essaouira Holidays

Essaouira has been a muse to many. This unassuming town on Morocco’s Atlantic coast is where Orson Welles shot his version of Othello in the 1950s, it’s where Ridley Scott filmed Kingdom of Heaven over a decade ago, and – more recently still – it provided a suitably enchanting backdrop for scenes in season three of Game of Thrones. The town’s enduring appeal can be traced back to its melting-pot mixture of Arab, African, and European influences. Chic hotels sit alongside traditional riads, boutique gift shops next to sprawling souks, and carefully-curated art galleries by kerbside craft stalls.

It all centres around a bohemian blue-and-white medina that’s strikingly gift-wrapped in huge stone fortifications. Small wonder then, while its name translates to little picture, Essaouira is no stranger to the big screen. Of course, any windsurfer worth their salt will already be familiar with Essaouira. The same year-round Atlantic trade winds, or vents alizés, that have successfully shielded the city from mass tourism, also provide the perfect conditions for anyone brandishing a board, a boat, or a kite.