Then a ten day trip up the coast to sample three towns – Essasouri, Safi and El Jadida.

Wooden boat building has long been a part of Essasouri’s maritime identity. Since the establishment of the port in the 18th century, generations of master shipwrights have built boats by hand.

It is also the location of the fish markets, where you can buy fish and have it cooked on location too!

Looking back across Place Moulay Hassan square to the Skala ramparts.

Then the other way towards the cannon wall.

Another corner of the Medina wall – the bastion of Bab Marrakech (19th century). Originally an ammunition warehouse, and then stables. Now a cultural centre.

From the roof.

One of the many gates into the Medina.

The Medina is a medium size but very busy with shops, restaurants, riads, and just about anything a tourist might buy.

It’s a charming town but on the list of every tour group.

Tea for anything that ails you.

Very fragrant mint

I did buy the tiny blue shoes as a souvenir!

Found some quiet back streets in the Jewish corner.

Very beautiful beach just outside the Medina gates.

Walk, sunbathe, surf, windsurf, ride a camel or a horse…

Cats enjoying some fish

Another bastion and gate that opened on to local food markets

My Riad’s very friendly cat in ‘her’ common room

My patio

Then it was a two hour bus trip north to Safi.

More fortifications.

A short downtown corniche (promenade) on the rocky shore.

In the evening the locals would bring a chair and perhaps a coffee from the mobile shop

There was a large surfing beach but it was about 2 km away along a busy road.

Unfortunately there was a large inaccessible industrial port right in the prime location of the waterfront.

Across from the port was the Medina. Mainly residential except for a Main Street.

Portuguese Cathedral (16th century) but closed for repairs.

From my Riad terrace I could see the main square (with the small mosque) that was the main entrance to the Medina.

But this is where you could see the devastation from the December 2025 flood.

In minutes, a meter of water and mud poured down the Main Street, flooding buildings and killing 47 people.

The king pledged a strong commitment to restore the area, and dozens of workers were busy. They estimate six months to finish.

My Riad (18th century) was further back so was spared.

The pottery at breakfast was a local design. The town is famous for all kinds of pottery.

The national museum of pottery.

A wall of pottery pieces.

World’s largest tagine!

When on the coast…fish tagine, calamari and a wonderful St Pierre fillet. Fried sardines are very popular at the street stands, but too fishy for me.

Shopping streets

A roundabout with pottery while leaving Safi and heading another two hours north on the bus.

Taxis are interesting. You just flag them down, and they will take you along with others if you are headed in the same direction. They have multiple meter settings. A 10-15 minute ride was about 10 dirham (Cdn$1.50)

Pit shop on the bus.

Then El Jadida with great beaches, walks and lots to explore but no tourist groups. Though I did meet some long term visitors from France and Italy.

The weather has been about 20 oC, which is a nice average from my 15-25.

Dozens of soccer games along the beach every morning.

Newer hotels too further out. It’s a very popular summer destination for Moroccans.

A smaller Medina that was mainly residential except for churches, mosques and a fort.

Portuguese Church of the Assumption (16th century) is now a theatre.

Grand Mosque of Mazagan (original name of the city) 1859

The fortress was built by the Portuguese starting in 1514.

Walking up on the walls gave a great perspective of the area.

Looking across to the square with a sundial.

The Portuguese Cistern is closed for repairs, and could take years. A cistern doesn’t sound that exciting, but pictures showed it similar to one I saw in Istanbul, with gorgeous arches.

Downtown with the theatre.

Bus station.

May 1 was Labour Day with traditional protests and a strong police presence.

Street and supermarkets

If you look, there is a scale to weigh yourself – before and after the pastries!

Tagine again. And something different for lunch.

And a change from riads! A balcony and a view!

I really enjoyed my beach holiday after the busy cities. I would also come back to El Jadida for a long stay.

Morocco has been a great trip. And such warm and welcoming hospitality, especially in the smaller places.

Now it’s a train trip to a Casablanca airport hotel, and a flight to Tunisia.