Things to do — Essaouira

In Essaouira, the setting already steals half the show. Start with the UNESCO-listed medina: a labyrinth of white-and-blue alleys, scored by the sound of waves slamming against the ramparts. The Skala de la Ville — the cannon platform overlooking the Atlantic — offers a striking panorama, particularly at the end of the afternoon when the Atlantic light gilds the old brass mouths. From there, walk down to Moulay Hassan square, the living heart of Essaouira, for a mint tea while watching the local life roll past, before heading to the port where the blue barques and the seagulls compose a postcard palette.

The fishing port deserves a long stop: you watch the morning auctions, pick fish and shellfish from the stalls and have them grilled on the spot. It is one of Morocco's most authentic culinary experiences, and one of the essential pleasures of a stay in Essaouira. The vast beach stretching south of the medina, hammered by the trade winds, is in turn the playground for sporty visitors: surf and kitesurf schools train beginners and advanced riders throughout the season. The steady winds blowing from April to October make it one of the most respected board-sports spots in North Africa. For those uninterested in water, a horse or camel ride along the shore remains a memorable moment, especially at sunset.

Essaouira's creative dimension is just as rich. The thuya marquetry workshops — this scented, golden-grained wood drawn from the surrounding forests — punctuate the medina alleys; some artisans gladly welcome curious visitors and explain their craft. Contemporary art galleries, photographers, gnawa musicians improvising in a square corner: the town has long attracted creators, and that cultural vitality is palpable on every street corner. For day-trippers, the Oualidiya sand dune or the argan trees of the hinterland — sometimes seen with goats balancing in their branches — make excellent half-day escapes from Essaouira. In June, the Gnaoua and World Music Festival turns the town into an open-air stage mixing Sufi traditions with jazz and blues influences — a moment of grace not to be missed if your calendar lines up.