With tree-lined streets and whitewashed villas, Safi is one of Morocco’s most enchanting cities. As well as relaxing on its sun-drenched beaches you can also explore its medieval sea castle, get lost in bustling souqs and stock up on colourful Moroccan pottery. Safi is also a mecca for surfers seeking out some of Africa’s best breaks on sunny beaches.
Things to do in Safi
With vibrant colours and gleaming brass inlays, Safi pottery is world-renowned. There’s no better place to pick up an original piece of art, with plenty of shops, studios and galleries. If you want to learn more about the art of pottery, you can discover the history of this practice at the National Ceramics Museum.
In downtown Safi, you’ll find a walled medina filled with a maze of narrow streets and twisting alleyways. Most of the action is centered along Rue du Souq, a busy thoroughfare lined with pottery stalls, tea houses, and smoky shisha cafes.
Cathédrale Portugaise towers above the medina and offers a fascinating glimpse at Morocco’s Portuguese roots. The crumbling Ksar El Bahr castle is another historic highlight, built by the Portuguese to defend the city.
From fragrant tagines to delicate almond pastries, Safi is a fantastic place to enjoy Morocco’s tantalizing cuisine. You can find some of the best restaurants in the medina, as well as along Safi's clifftop promenade.
Getting around Safi
Unless you’re exploring the old town on foot, the easiest way to get around Safi is by taxi. Most travellers fly into Marrakesh before driving between two and three hours to Safi. Long-distance trains and buses make it easy to reach other major cities such as Casablanca, Rabat and Fez.