An Evening Wander Through Essaouira’s Medina
and feel those very special vibes that you won't find anywhere else
DISCOVER ESSAOUIRA
An Evening Ritual: Our “Medina Bath”
After a long day of work, there’s one thing we always look forward to. We call it our medina bath. A simple ritual. A reset.
We leave the car in the car park near Océan Vagabond. And we start walking. Along the beach. Sand underfoot, wind in our hair, dogs curled up asleep. It’s bracing. Slowly, life comes into view: children kicking a football, couples strolling hand in hand, Moroccan women gathering to chat about their day.
Entering the Medina: Bab Marrakech
We always enter through Bab Marrakech. Always. A quiet gate, easing us gently from the seafront into the old city.
Suddenly, the street opens up. The light shifts. This is where they appear again: women with cones of henna in hand, balloon sellers in neon colours, sometimes a musician with a makeshift banjo, the police pretending not to be there. We cross without rushing. You have to walk all the way to the far end of the medina — where it feels a little rougher, a little more real.
The Soul of the Souk: Sounds, Colours and Bargaining
Souk life is in full swing. Fruit stalls, fish laid out on tarpaulins over the cobblestones, clothes spread out in every direction. It’s bustling. You catch snippets of negotiations, often sealed with a friendly slap of the hand.
We buy mint for tea , bread for breakfast , fresh figs , and sometimes a linen shirt for Patrick.
In Essaouira’s medina, shopkeepers don’t push for a sale. They smile. They joke, if you’re willing to play along, and sometimes invite you to come and share couscous at their place, the ultimate persuasive move. A few words are exchanged, a laugh, a bit of bargaining. A burst of simple, lively energy.
We say see you soon, and more often than not, we mean it.
A Tasty Break: Essaouira’s Street Food
Before heading back, we grab something to eat . We love the whole Essaouira street food vibe.
A crisp, golden pancake, a fish burger infused with Moroccan flavours, a healthy toast at Mandala Café.
We eat standing up, or sitting on a bench if one happens to be free.
The Way Back: The Sea and Nightfall
We always walk back . The seafront is still buzzing, even late in the evening. The air is cooler. We reach the car feeling calm, grounded.
Sometimes, on the way home, we stop by Aziz’s little grocery shop by the roadside. At first, we were a bit hesitant to go in. Now, it feels like home.
We pick up a couple of courgettes or some eggs for the next day. Nothing more.
That moment is our daily dose. A vibration. The sea. Smiles. Energy .
Time for bed.
If there’s just one thing to do in Essaouira’s Medina, make it this: wander aimlessly at the end of the day. Keep your eyes open. Buy a loaf of bread from a handcart, some fruit, a shirt — or give in to the temptation of a haircut or a shave at the corner of a small shop.
Simply for the pleasure of exchanging a few words and, little by little, finding your way into the rhythm of the country. Accept that it’s different. Let yourself feel slightly unsettled. And realise that, in the end, it all works beautifully.
At Riad Eucalyptus , we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.