Visiting Essaouira? Be sure to check out the Sqala du Port, even if it’s just from the outside. We took our best photos of the city from the top of its walls. The panoramic terrace also offers a view of Mogador Island.
In this article, check out our photos and all our tips for making the most of your visit to the Sqala du Port.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why Visit the Sqala in Le Port
Is La Sqala du Port worth it? Our take:
Yes, the Sqala du Port is worth a visit; at the very least, it’s definitely worth seeing from the outside. We actually found the admission price a bit steep for what there really is to see inside. The fort is empty, with no furnishings or exhibits; only the walls and cannons bear witness to its past. In our opinion, the main attraction is the panoramic terrace, where the view of the harbor, the city, the sea, and the island is particularly beautiful. So come here for the view and to take photos, not for a museum-style tour. In any case, it remains one of the must-see attractions in Essaouira.
WHERE TO STAY IN Essaouira
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the medina
Hotel Salut Maroc! – see pictures and availability
On the seafront
Hôtel Atlas Essaouira Riad Resort – Check photos and availability
In the hinterland
Hôtel Jardin des Douars – Check photos and availability
Why is the Sqala du Port famous?
The Sqala du Port owes part of its fame to its distinctive architecture, with its shape jutting out over the sea like a ship’s prow and its bronze cannons lined up facing the Atlantic. It is, in fact, one of the city’s most photographed viewpoints. We also know that it has served as a backdrop for several film productions, including the series *Game of Thrones*, which in recent years has attracted visitors eager to recognize the filming locations. While on the terrace, we ran into travelers trying to spot the angles used in the series.
Our favorite moments
Our favorite part is, without a doubt, arriving at the panoramic terrace after climbing up to the fort. The view suddenly opens up to the fishing port and its blue boats, the medina and its ramparts, the ocean, and the island of Mogador offshore. We also enjoyed watching the activity in the harbor below from this lookout point—from the fishing boats returning from their trips to the comings and goings of the fishermen.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN MOROCCO
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Not too wide
- A good engine
- For more choice, book early.
History in brief
The Sqala du Port is Essaouira’s southern defensive platform, built in the 18th century under the direction of French architect Théodore Cornut. Here are the key dates and facts to remember:
- 18th century: Construction of the Sqala du Port under Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, as part of the city’s fortifications
- Designed by French architect Théodore Cornut, who also designed the layout of the medina and the city walls
- Original purpose: a coastal defense battery, with bronze cannons pointing toward the Atlantic
- More recent use as a filming location, notably for the series *Game of Thrones*
Directions: Sqala du Port, Essaouira
Where is the Sqala du Port located?
- In downtown Essaouira, at the southern end of the city walls
- At the far end of the fishing port, which it overlooks directly
- Above the fish market and in the medina
- This should not be confused with the Sqala of the Kasbah, which consists of the ramparts and a small fort located at the northern end of the medina
A LITTLE MORE PATIENCE
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How to get there?
The Sqala du Port is accessible only on foot, either from the medina or from the fishing port. However, it is located near the port’s parking lot. We recommend combining your visit with a stroll through the fish market or a guided tour of the medina.
Parking
There are two parking lots nearby: one near the port and one near the Bab Marrakech gate.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
Any time of day is good for visiting the Sqala du Port, though since it closes at 5 p.m., you won’t be able to watch the sunset there. The site is never really overrun with crowds. However, we recommend avoiding the hottest part of the day, as the terrace has no shelter and very little shade.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 15 to 30 minutes for the tour. The site has stairs and is not accessible to people with limited mobility.
Advice on how to visit
Since the site is small, you can explore it freely without a set route. We recommend taking advantage of the first outdoor climb up to the fort to take photos of the city, then entering the fort and heading up to the terrace.
DISCOVER Essaouira
Visiting with children
The site is quick to tour and poses no particular difficulty for young children, aside from the stairs. The view from the terrace and the cannons might appeal to the little ones. But overall, it’s a very contemplative experience. At least the tour is short.
Schedules and rates
- Opening hours: open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Prices: Adults 60 DH, children under 12 30 DH
Guided tours
The Sqala du Port can be included in a guided tour of the city. Book your guided tour of the Sqala du Port, the ramparts, the medina, and the fish market here.
Catering
There are no dining options on the premises. The grilled fish stands at the fishing port, located right nearby, are a great way to extend your visit with a simple meal. For more ideas, check out our article on the city’s best restaurants.
A fort with walls steeped in history
During our visit, we took the time to soak up the history of the Sqala du Port before heading up to the terrace. Built in the 18th century under the direction of French architect Théodore Cornut, this defensive platform was part of the fortifications commissioned by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah to protect the city and its port. The bronze cannons that still line the walls serve as a reminder of this military purpose, from a time when Essaouira—then known as Mogador—played a leading commercial role on Morocco’s Atlantic coast.
We must be honest with you, however: once inside, there’s nothing else to see but these walls and these cannons. There are no furnished rooms, no exhibits, and no detailed on-site explanations. The building has remained just as it was, empty, which partly explains our reservations about the balance between the admission price and what the tour actually offers. That said, walking along these walls gives you a concrete glimpse into 18th-century defensive architecture, and you’ll quickly understand why this site continues to attract both history buffs and lovers of beautiful scenery.
A panoramic view of the harbor, the city, the sea, and the island
In our opinion, the highlight of the visit is the climb up to the fort and the terrace of the Sqala du Port. From this vantage point, the view stretches out over the fishing harbor and its blue boats huddled close together, the medina and its ramparts running along the coast, the Atlantic Ocean as far as the eye can see, and the island of Mogador, visible offshore on a clear day.
We enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of the harbor below from this terrace—with its moored boats and fishermen coming and going—a scene that changes depending on the time of day. It only takes a few minutes to take in this view, but we recommend lingering a bit to take in the different elements of the landscape: the Sqala of the Kasbah to the north, the white rooftops of the medina, and the comings and goings of the trawlers in the harbor. Keep in mind, however, that there is no shelter or shade on the terrace, which makes a visit less pleasant during the hottest hours of the day.
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Sqala” mean?
In Morocco, the word “sqala” refers to a bastion or fortified platform used for coastal defense. This term is used in several cities across the country, such as Casablanca and Rabat, to describe these structures, which were built primarily during the Alawite era to protect ports and city walls from attacks coming from the sea. In Essaouira, two sqalas remain: the Sqala du Port, which we discuss in this article, and the Sqala de la Kasbah (free admission), at the northern end of the city walls.
Sqala du Port or Sqala de la Kasbah—what’s the difference?
The Sqala du Port is located at the southern end of the city walls, at the end of the fishing port, and there is an admission fee. The Sqala de la Kasbah, on the other hand, is located at the northern end of the ramparts and consists of the ramparts as well as a small fort; admission is free.
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