Safi brings together the old Medina, local crafts and the coast as distinct aspects of a city visit. If you are looking for a place to stay, you can first decide what matters most to you: a walk through narrow streets, pottery-making and collections, or views of the harbor and Atlantic Ocean? The places and themes offer different perspectives on Safi and can be prioritized according to your interests.
Medina: a route between the coast and narrow streets
A stroll to explore the old Medina follows the boulevard along the coast from Place de l’Indépendance to Rue du Souk. This main street of the Medina runs through the city to Bab Chaâba. This creates a sequence of named landmarks: from the boulevard to Rue du Souk and onward through the city to the gate. The narrow, labyrinthine streets also invite you to take a walk and offer a different way to explore the Medina than following the main streets. If you want to take the route described, check its current course before setting out.
Panoramic views from the Kechla
A semicircular tower of the Kechla offers panoramic views of Safi, especially the harbor, the Medina, the minaret of R’bat and Colline des Potiers. Visitors can also view the old Medina from the Kechla. This offers two perspectives: the view from above shows prominent landmarks in context, while a walk through the narrow streets explores the Medina at street level. In Safi, the Kechla has high crenellated walls, magnificent towers and old cannons overlooking the Atlantic.
Ceramics: from the work process to the collection
On Colline des potiers, master artisans work as potters, ceramicists and weavers. Their skills shape the city’s local crafts. At the school of the Safi artisans’ cooperative, you can follow the making of pottery step by step: from preparing the clay through throwing, drying and dipping to decorating and glazing. Here, the focus is on the production process.
The Musée National de la Céramique in Safi offers a different way to explore the subject. Its significant collection of Moroccan pottery and ceramic objects includes archaeological and ethnographic pieces. The school focuses on individual stages of the work, while the museum focuses on objects and the collection. The National Ceramics Museum in Safi is located in the City of Arts and is dedicated to preservation, research and public education. In Safi, traditional techniques of shaping, glazing and firing are used alongside gradual technical adaptations. In Safi, knowledge of pottery is passed down within families, cooperatives and training institutions.
Beaches in the Safi area
Safi’s city beach is described as a Blue Flag beach. Since its status may change, check the designation before your trip if needed. Lalla Fatna beach in the Safi region is described differently: high cliffs protect it from the wind. The stated features therefore distinguish the two beaches: the designation is the main feature of the city beach, while Lalla Fatna is sheltered between cliffs.
Discover more destinations: Azemmour, El Jadida, Souira Kedima, Douar El Fersane, Bou Azza, Sebt Gzoula, Oualidia, Sidi Bouzid
For the overview of the wider region: Doukkala-Abda.
