essaouira - taghazout

Sidi Kaouki - Paradis d'Amis - 14 november 2025

Sunrise breakfast on the roof terrace. Yesterday's storm is over and we want to take a look around Essaouira before we leave for Taghazout.

In November 2019 we stayed a few nights at Hotel Tangaro, so it was fantastic to revisit all our favorite spots in Essaouira.

In the afternoon we pick up our friend Ank and her sweet little dachshund Billie at Paradis d'Amis, to travel further south along the coast together for another mini-vacation in Taghazout.

A road diversion due to flooding from the storm makes the journey even longer than we expected, but there is plenty to see and admire along the way.

On the way we stop for a coffee break near Imsouane. You'll find the trunk-style coffee cafes all along the road in Morocco. This cafe with beige Renault 4 is especially fun and the guy is super friendly!

In Tamri we make another stop in the peaceful valley. It's famous for its tropical climate, banana trees, and fertile lands where local farmers grow bananas and pumpkins all year round. And of course we buy a bunch of delicious organic mini bananas.

At the end of the afternoon we arrive in Taghazout.

marrakech my love

Marrakech - 30th of March - 36 degrees celsius - 20438 steps

Breakfast accompanied by peaceful birdsong on the green roof of Chambres d'Amis

Medinawalk via Mellah to Palais El Badi [The Incomparable]
Even though I've been there at least 20 times and I know every corner of the palace and the huge courtyard, somehow I always have to go there for the magical atmosphere. Surprisingly spectacular, over and over again...

Freshly squeezed orange juice, because it's hot and we need to stay hydrated

We continue our walk through the Kasbah and Bab Agnaou, towards the Koutibia Gardens

Time for lunch in natural shade at Foundouk Gargaa

Revisit of the Medersa Ben Youssef, an Islamic madrasa (college). We were here in April 2012, so it's high time for another visit. In recent years the medersa has undergone a beautiful renovation. The basics are of course still the same. A large courtyard with carvings, zelliges tiling and plasterwork, which makes the Arabic Moroccan architecture so special.

Off to Chambres d'Amis to relax with a drink on the roof terrace

Sunset rituals with a coke and verbena tea on the front row at Djemaa El Fna theater at Cafe de France

Dinner at Cafe Des Epices, where the dozens of stalls have been cleared and peace has returned