• Experiences
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • About
Menu

Gastronomad

Immersive culinary travel experiences
  • Experiences
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • About

Ruins on the beach

April 17, 2019
beachcamel.jpg

Essaouira in Morocco reminds me of my home town of Carpinteria, California. Carpinteria is famous for its gently sloping beach, which means that you can walk out into the surf 30 yards and still only be waist-deep in water.

Essaouira's beach is far bigger, wider and more gradual. You can walk out 100 yards here and only be waist deep.

Better still, the water in Essaouira is warmer, and there's no tar to step on.

The only two downsides compared with Carpinteria is that in Essaouira you'll encounter trash in the water.

And also: camel pellets.

That's right. Some enterprising local camel and horse owners will take you on rides on the beach. Riding camels on the beach is actually a must-do activity if you ever make it to Essaouira.

You can also rent a quad bike and do donuts in the sand. And Essaouira is notoriously windy, and so it's a kite-surfing paradise.

Amira and I like to take long walks on the beach whenever we can. And Essaouira is great for walking. You can walk for miles on the sand. One curiosity along the way, just south of the town is what appears to be a rocky formation on the beach. Upon closer inspection, it looks like a man-made structure completely fused with natural rock.

The structure is called Bourj El Baroud, an 18th-century watchtower for a castle built for the Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah. That tower was destroyed by a flood in 1856. And it was built on a Phoenician structure.

Anyway, it’s great to be on the beach here in Essaouira. It’s just like home — plus ancient ruins and camel pellets.

Check out the Gastronomad Experiences
Tags Morocco, Essaouira
← Why this glass of wine came with an empty can of CokeMy office today: the patio of some hotel off the main drag →
Screenshot 2018-09-18 at 11.35.49 AM.png

Love the blog? Buy the book!


Latest & Greatest

Featured
Apr 27, 2025
A farewell to the El Salvador Gastronomad Experience
Apr 27, 2025
Apr 27, 2025
Apr 19, 2025
It’s time for something extraordinary
Apr 19, 2025
Apr 19, 2025
Mar 5, 2025
Inside the Sophisticated World of Mexico City’s Haute Cuisine
Mar 5, 2025
Mar 5, 2025
Jul 29, 2024
Why Oaxaca feels like a dream
Jul 29, 2024
Jul 29, 2024
Jun 13, 2024
What Sicily's volcano brings to the table
Jun 13, 2024
Jun 13, 2024
May 20, 2024
Sleepless in Spain
May 20, 2024
May 20, 2024
May 1, 2024
Living a life of adventure, discovery and purpose
May 1, 2024
May 1, 2024
Apr 18, 2024
Eat and drink only the very best chocolate. Here’s why.
Apr 18, 2024
Apr 18, 2024
Apr 15, 2024
The surprising joy of joyful surprises
Apr 15, 2024
Apr 15, 2024
Apr 13, 2024
On the wonder and beauty of pulque, the Mexican drink that’s always local
Apr 13, 2024
Apr 13, 2024
Get the Gastronomad newsletter!