Beautiful but Underrated Cities to Visit Before They Become Tourist Hotspots

City Twenty-Three: The Coastal Soul of Essaouira, Morocco

Windswept and endlessly photogenic, Essaouira sits quietly on Morocco’s Atlantic coast—its blue-and-white medina wrapped in sea air and centuries of maritime history. Once a favored haunt of Jimi Hendrix and Orson Welles, the city maintains its bohemian pulse beneath the surface of laid-back charm. Unlike the frenzy of Marrakech, Essaouira invites you to slow down: stroll its fortified ramparts, watch fishermen haul in their daily catch, and sip mint tea as gulls swoop overhead. The scent of grilled sardines fills the salty breeze, and gnawa music echoes through sun-drenched alleys. A haven for windsurfers and creatives alike, this is a place where rhythm replaces rush. Go now—before the secret’s fully out.