Essaouira, former Portugese colony is 180 kms away from Marrakech, near the ocean is a trendy destination and is well known for its spring gnawa festival. Essaouira is Marrakchis preferred week ends destination. Fresh fish, medina visits, etc... A great place for a daily visit. Riads in Essaouira are very Portugese style oriented. Its former name was Mogador.