Essaouira: Morocco’s Wind City
Formerly known as Mogador, the breezy and bright Medina of Essaouira is renowned for its coastal serenity. Known as the “Wind City of Africa”, it is a hotspot for windsurfers between April and November. Following its name which means “little picture”, Essaouira is a fairy tale locale with a vibrant white and blue inner walled city (Medina), imposing stone gates (Babs) and amazing tourist attractions.
Get the best view of the city by the ocean in Skala Du Port where you can see a small island with the remains of a historic fort. Argan trees are popular in this city, so visitors particularly enjoy the spectacular view of tree-climbing goats. Music lovers revel in the exceptional Gnaoua Festival of World Music which is regularly held in the last week of June. Named the “Moroccan Woodstock”. It lasts for four days and attracts thousands of spectators.
Experience the peculiar Portuguese architecture of Essaouira, and its streets lined with handmade textiles, colourful pottery and leather goods. Relax in the Essaouira riads, hotels, and enjoy the amazing cuisine.
Wander through the jaw-dropping palm-lined avenues and the spice-scented lanes of this fortified medina in autumn and spring, browse the many boutiques and art galleries. Or, pay a visit to the most incredible sights in Essaouira.
- Sqala du Port and Sqala de la Kasbah fortifications
- Picturesque gates: Bob Manjana with clocktower, Port de la Marine
- Tagart beach with its sand dunes
- Sidi Mogdoul lighthouse
- Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption catholic church
- Ben Youssef Mosque
- Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum
Kumasi: Heart of Ashanti Culture
The beautiful capital city of the Ashanti region, a historical and very important centre in Ghana; Kumasi is the industrial, commercial and cultural capital of Asanteman. Kumasi is unsurprisingly dubbed as “The Garden City” because of its terrific species of flora and fauna. Explore Kumasi’s four public recreational parks – Abbey’s Park, Heros’s Park, Jackson’s Park and Rattray Park.
Kumasi is well known for its wealth of culture, and it’s known to be dripping with Ashanti traditions. It remains the seat of the Asantehene (Asante King) and the site of the Golden Stool, a symbol of unity and royal authority. Kumasi also houses the Manhyia Palace Museum, the Mframabuom Cave and the Bobiri Forest Reserve.
Take a stroll to the surrounding Kumasi villages where artisans specialise in crafts such as wood carving, goldsmithing, cloth printing and weaving. Pankrono is the best place to visit for pottery, Ahwiaa for woodcarving, Bonwire for the trendy kente cloth and Ntonso for adinkra cloth.
The huge Kejetia market is the heart of Kumasi, and it throbs just like a traditional talking drum, spilling its wares into the city, so that no matter your location in Kumasi, you still feel the ambience of the marketplace.
Agadir: Sun, Sea, and the Kasbah
Nestled on the coast of Morocco and at the base of the Atlas Mountains, Agadir is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Morocco. This cultural city is well known for its wide crescent beaches, golf courses, and seaside promenade lined with restaurants, cafes and bars. One of the tourist’s highlights of this city is the Timitar festival, a festival of music and Amazigh from around the globe, which is held in Agadir every summer.
Perched atop a hill in Agadir’s oldest district is the Kasbah, an array of fortifications built in 1541. You can take a hike up to it for a stunning view of Arabic architecture. Unlike the beaches in Essaouira which are battered by Atlantic winds, the famous beautiful Agadir beaches are tranquil and welcoming. Get properly pampered in the Argan Palace where people wash and socialize.
Take a walk to La Medina d’Agadir, an open-air, a life-size recreation of Agadir’s former medina which was destroyed in the earthquake. The Souss Massa located south of Agadir is a park where several exotic birds come to breed, and it is the only place in the world where the northern bald ibis can be seen.
Africa is a beautiful continent, covered with stunning landscapes, cultures, legends, and exotic wildlife.
Is your passport ready?
Roland Ogundipe
Afrikagora Magazine
