The white walls of artisans' workshops make up Essaouira's unmistakable landscape. Also known as Mogador or the Pearl of the Atlantic, it is a town located in southern Morocco, 170 km from Marrakech and 170 km north of Agadir, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean towards the Canary Islands.
Its main attraction is certainly the Medina , an excellent example of 18th-century European military architecture built in North Africa, perfectly preserved.
Essaouira is a fishing town ; every day, hundreds of boats offer not only the spectacle of the colors that pop in the harbor, but also a dip in the flavors and aromas of the sea. Essaouira's port is a lively and somewhat chaotic place, but it represents the true soul of the city. The views offered by Essaouira, with its beaches and historic walls, lend themselves to numerous activities.
An ideal place for those seeking aquatic adventures , but also horseback riding , evocative sunset tea rituals , camel rides or hiking excursions to discover a wonderful territory.
Our Ranch de Diabat offers a wide range of activities to do in Essaouira , with the possibility of overnight stay , for anyone who wants to spend dreamy nights under the stars of the African sky enjoying the fresh breeze of the Atlantic Ocean.
Argan oil production
The Essaouira (and Agadir) region also boasts another unique feature: hundreds of thousands of hectares of land are covered with argan trees , famous above all for their oil production. Argan oil is obtained from the oily kernel of the fruit , a type of small, hard yellow plum that is harvested in summer.
When the oil is intended for cooking , which is widely used in Morocco, the almonds are toasted, while they are pressed raw when the oil is intended for cosmetic use. Two to three kilograms of almonds are needed to produce one liter of oil . But, also because of its uniqueness, nothing is wasted in its production: the fruit pulp and the leftover almond paste are fed to animals, while the bark is used for heating.
Beneficial properties of Argan oil
Among the many uses of argan oil, the culinary one is certainly worth mentioning, thanks also to its richness in essential fatty acids (linoleic acid 34%), which give it nutritional value. With its nutty flavor, it is very popular in cooking to enhance the flavor of fish dishes, couscous, tagines, or dressings . Furthermore, when mixed with toasted almonds and honey, it becomes amlou , the equivalent of peanut butter.
Above all, however, argan oil is famous for its numerous beneficial properties linked to its cosmetic use . It cleanses the face if applied in the evening; it relieves rheumatic pain if gently rubbed into the affected area; it prevents dry skin if used before and after bathing or showering; it stimulates tired or sagging areas of the body by applying a few drops and gently massaging them in; it is also useful in nail care, to strengthen them, and in hair care, to restore vigor. Furthermore, argan oil is also used in Morocco for its healing properties in the treatment of chickenpox and juvenile acne .
In short, there are plenty of reasons to come to Essaouira, whether it's to immerse yourself in the local culture, its many activities, or our famous and inimitable argan oil.
