Port of Essaouira

A walk through the port of Essaouira is an important experience. A large boat parking area all painted blue because, apparently, sardines are particularly attracted to this color and so help fishermen in their work. In the pier there are many stalls of fish caught the night before where you can buy and have it prepared. Located right there is the rudimentary shipyard where boats will one day be sent off on fishing operations. The seagulls fill the air with image and sound in search of their livelihood among the fish waste.

The fishing port, located southwest of the medina just off the Skala de la Ville, is one of the attractions of the city of Essaouira. There are plenty of old and small boats with multicolored nets. The fish market, easily located by its strong smell is best visited between 3pm and 5pm every day except Sunday, when the fish auction takes place. Entry costs 10Dh. A colorful place (predominantly blue in boats, since it is assumed that is the best camouflage for sardines), and picturesque images many cheeky seagulls come and approach the market and fishermen to steal some food.

Sometimes you can’t appreciate when the mass of blue boats end. Most notably beautiful at sunset.

The port of Essaouira is a pretty tranquil and charming place, with its port of magnificent boats, its lively little streets, its colorful doors, the permanent groups of flying seagulls and its typical fresh fish restaurants. The port of Essaouira is a unique place that will never lose its charm.