Essaouira (formerly Mogador) — Atlantic port 3h bus from Marrakesh. Perfect weekend after intense Marrakesh. **Getting there** **Supratours** or **CTM** bus from Marrakesh, 3h, 90-120 MAD. 6 daily runs. Essaouira station 15 min walk to medina. **What to see** **UNESCO Medina** (2001) — white-and-blue, smaller than Marrakesh, well-designed (won't get lost). Main squares: Moulay Hassan, Bab Doukkala. **Skala de la Kasbah** — Portuguese/French fortifications with cannons. Atlantic view. Sunset hour = crowded but worth it. **Fishing port** — morning, blue boats, fish return, market in shed. Fresh grilled sardines 30 MAD/portion. **Essaouira Beach** — 8 km of sand, Alizés wind all day → kite/surf mecca. Schools: Explora, ION Club. **Île de Mogador** — small island 1 km from shore, tern colony. No regular boats, take private 100 MAD. **Where to stay** • **Heure Bleue Palais** (150 EUR) — Relais & Châteaux, rooftop with view • **Riad Mimouna** (60 EUR) — on the beach, right on ocean • **Baladin Hostel** (15 EUR) — backpacker, rooftop **Where to eat** • **Port** — grilled fish, straight from boats, 60-100 MAD • **Chalet de la Plage** — colonial classic on ocean • **La Table by Madada** — Moroccan-French fusion, 300+ MAD • **Restaurant Elizir** — Italian-Moroccan fusion, one of the country's best **Practical** • **Climate**: 22°C year-round, evenings cool due to wind. Bring jacket. • **Wind**: strong 300 days/year, kite/surf ideal, but classic beach sunbathing hard (sand in eyes). • **Season**: year-round, most pleasant April-October. • **Gnawa Festival** (June) — Afro-Berber music, crowded, book riads early.