Once a bohemian retreat for the surfers and artists of the 20th-century, Essaouira’s colonial charms now attract a chic crowd in search of luxurious escapism.
Exceptional villas curated by our experts
From a 19th-century palace to your own elegant Riad, you’ll find a wealth of lavish properties to choose from in this windswept city on Morocco's western coast. At once exotic yet familiar, colonial-era buildings and whitewashed domes of the medina rise above ancient ramparts that once staved off foreign invaders.
Stroll the splendid expanse of sand outside the city, soothing swathes of golden shoreline and wind-whipped waves coveted by wind and kite surfers the world over. Drive the desert dunes by quad bike, or head inland to explore the wild interior at foothills of the mighty Atlas Mountains.
Spend balmy Arabian nights strolling the Moorish maze of the old town, bartering for a bargain in one of the bustling souks, or unwind with a traditional Hammam massage. Linger over an aperitif in the courtyard of your colonial Riad, echoing with the call to prayer, savouring the sensation that you’ve stepped into another world, or indeed another time.