Essaouira, two hours drive west of Marrakech, is probably the most attractive of Morocco's coastal resorts and makes a relaxing holiday destination. Formerly known as Mogador, Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A long wind-swept beach leads up to a walled town enclosing narrow streets of white and blue painted houses. Through the elegant arched gateways you enter a charming coastal town with a relaxed atmosphere.
It is well known for its craft workshops which produce a variety of wooden objects made from thuja, a local coniferous tree. The beaches are popular with surfers (it can be windy here!), but it is a great place just to come and wander along the ramparts, or in the souks, and to enjoy some fresh seafood at the harbour too.