Scala du Port

One of the things I liked most about our visit to Essaouira was everything about the sea, its lookout points, the fishing port and especially the Steps of Port or Skala du Port. The Steps of the port (Skala du Port) is located right next to the fishing harbor and it has great views of the bay of Essaouira, the Medina and the fortified Mogador Island right in front of the Steps of Port (which is less than 1 mile away). This location is a continuation of the wall of Essaouira, which is composed of two rectangular fortified towers.

Scala du Port is probably the main attraction in Essaouira. It's an old French rampart build on the city walls overlooking the churning Atlantic crashing against the rocks. As you approach it, you can notice the atmosphere getting progressively more touristy: nicer knick-knacks, prices in Euros instead of Dirham, fixed prices, etc. I, personally, wouldn't suggest shopping at most of these places for small items as most of them were being sold for European prices and can be found much cheaper in the souks in the center of Essaouira.

The best part of Scala du Port, for me, were the views.

The Skala port is a bastion that defended the city in the eighteenth century and entry for visitors now costs 10 dh. But it's worth a visit. In addition to the beautiful views of the port, the Medina and the beach you can see from its highest tower, we were surprised to find that all of the bastion guns were manufactured in Seville around 1750. In the tower we met an Australian girl ve was doing a long tour through Morocco and was then going to visit different Spanish cities. There are people from all types of background here. A very interesting place.

Essaouira (formerly called Mogador) was founded by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century just like many of the other Moroccan cities on the Atlantic side. The fort is very well preserved and the canons can still be seen pointing outside of the walls. The city of Skala is a raised platform on a wall with ramparts that once defended the port. There are wonderful views of the sea and the medina of Essaouira from this spot. The collection of eighteenth century canons is also worth seeing. Parts of the film Kingdom of Heaven directed by Ridley Scott was recorded and in other parts of the city.

But when you start walking around the port you fall in love with it.