If you’re anything like us this time of year, scrolling Skyscanner for cheap flights is a daily ritual.
The UK is grey and cold, so soaking up the sun in warmer climes isn’t just a want; it’s a need.
However, before you start planning trips to Italy or Spain, know that November holidays take a little more research.
Many European destinations are starting to see rain, while daily highs rarely climb above 19°C. Mostly, it’s colder.
This is Morocco comes in — less than four hours from London and still basking in summer temperatures.
Today, we’re looking at Essaouira, a port city on the Atlantic coast with a pretty harbour, a golden beach, and a UNESCO-listed Old Town full of galleries and spices.
Even better, Ryanair flies from Stansted to the North African city for just £15 in November, where 22°C is the norm. Let’s explore.
@salmamasrour The views + the live music + the food were 10/10 😍 #essaouira
♬ original sound – Salma | UK Travel Creator
The beach in November? Yes, please
Essaouira is a coastal city, and it has a beautiful beach.
Seriously, the wide, sandy crescent is just under two miles long, and wraps around the old Medina and harbour, where traditional blue fishing boats bob on the water.
Deckchairs can be hired and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants along the promenade for lunch.
Not into flying and flopping? Essaouira goes by another name: the ‘City of the Winds.’
Its Atlantic location creates perfect conditions for watersports, from windsurfing and kitesurfing to regular surfing.
Beyond the beach: spices and souks
You’re in Morocco, one of the oldest countries in the world. It would be rude to sunbathe all day.
Essaouira received UNESCO status in 2001 for being an exceptional example of a late-18th-century fortified seaport town.
The Old Town, or Medina, isn’t as chaotic as its counterparts in other Moroccan cities.
Rather, it’s designed in a structured grid layout and is traffic-free, with white-washed buildings and pretty blue shutters to boot.
Deep in the Medina, you’ll find locals selling arts and crafts, from homemade argan oil to pottery, spices, and rugs.
This area is a melting pot of cultures, shaped by Amazigh (Berber), Arab, European, Jewish, and sub-Saharan African influences.
Game of Thrones fans might recognise the ‘Ramparts and Sqala du Port,’ an 18th-century maritime bastion on the edge of the fishing harbour that was used for filming.
A musical city
The Gnaoua and World Music Festival is where Essaouira lives up to its multicultural reputation.
The annual event was founded relatively recently in 1998, and today hosts local and international artists.
Every June, the city comes alive with three days of music, from jazz, blues, rock, reggae, and world music.
@teganvoros If I had 1 day in Essaouira, Morocco i’d start my morning on a rooftop and end it dancing – plus add a few fun things in between 🐟🌞🥁 Here’s what i’d include: • Rooftop views at your hotel (stay at Chill Art Hostel!) • Coffee to go from Brotherhood • Local baking class in town or tea and pastries at Pumpkin, l’atelier or Mandala Society • The port for seafood (price by weight, you pick!) • Beach walk for sunset • Dinner and a show at Le Love Caravane (book ahead!) • Dancing at rooftop club Taros, Mega Loft, or the Roof Top by the beach Save this for your Morocco trip ✨ #essaouira #moroccotravel #morocco #moroccotrip #solotravel
♬ original sound – tegan | travel & remote work
Performances are held across several venues, including the lively Moulay Hassan Square, on the beach, and in historic zaouias, traditional Islamic buildings.
Open-air stages throughout the Medina are free to attend. However, three-day passes to the main Moulay Hassan stage cost 1,200 MAD (£92).
Full of culinary delights
Morocco is a fascinating place for food, thanks to a geographical location that effortlessly blends Amazigh (Berber), Arab, Andalusian, and Mediterranean traditions.
Think slow-cooked tagine stews, couscous and aromatic spices.
And in Essaouira, there’s something for everyone.
Head to the harbour for open-air grills serving fresh seafood catches. Or, indulge in street food culture with M’semen flatbreads and sugary Sfenj (that’s Moroccan doughnuts to us).
And, because the area produces world-class argan oil, be sure to spread some amlou on your flatbread, a paste made from roasted almonds, argan oil, and honey.
Or, if you prefer sweet treats, the city is home to an array of French-influenced patisseries, where you’ll find fresh croissants, baked almond cookies, and sweet baklava.
November: sorted.
Getting to Essaouira and where to stay
It’s never been easier (or cheaper) to holiday in Essaouira.
Throughout November, Ryanair is flying from London Stansted for as little as £15 one-way. The journey takes 3 hours and 40 minutes.
It’s off-season, so hotels are more affordable, too.
Stay at the beautiful Riad Al Madina just 200 metres from the beach for £66 per night. It features a central courtyard with a fireplace and an on-site hammam with massage.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling like splashing out, book the Mama Lova Hôtel, Riad, Restaurant & Spa for a steeper £367 per night.
The boutique hotel is located in the heart of the medina, with sweeping city views and a bohemian chic vibe.