With its blue fishing boats, 18th-century ramparts, and salty Atlantic breezes, Essaouira is Morocco’s laid-back coastal gem. The medina’s white-and-blue alleys hide artisan workshops and jazz bars, while the harbor’s grilled seafood stalls lure foodies. Surfers flock to its waves, and the annual Gnaoua Music Festival fills the air with hypnotic rhythms. Chill, artsy, and effortlessly charming, Essaouira feels like a permanent escape.