ART RETREAT in MOROCCO - ESSAOUIRA by the sea - Luxury accommodation with a pool.
🇲🇦 NEW 2026 AZENART PAINTING HOLIDAYS ART RETREAT DESTINATION!! 🇲🇦
Painting holiday (also drawing) on the gorgeous seaside of ESSAOUIRA. Sightsee, paint, wine and dine with new friends in Morocco for a week!
What’s included in this North African art holiday?
👉 Ensuite accommodation with a pool.
👉 All restaurant meals included (except on the free day) with local and contemporary cuisine, wine at dinner. Breakfast only option also available.
👉 Tuition for participants of all levels - BEGINNERS WELCOME!
👉 Art materials provided. Paints, paintbrushes/pencils (if drawing), aprons, small accessories like tape etc.
👉 Art Equipment is provided on this Morocco painting holiday. Board and stool. Optional easel. CHOICE OF MEDIUMS: Recommended: Watercolours, drawing or gouache. More experienced artists: Pastels, acrylics or oils.
👉 Gorgeous painting sites with sightseeing in Essaouira.
👉 A free day to explore the surroundings, shop, or simply relax by the pool, swim and paint.
👉 Group airport pick-up and drop off.
Book your spot today! Join this art holiday with AZENART!
DATES AND PRICES:
🗓️ June 11 - 18 2026 - PLACES AVAILABLE
Payment: £175 at booking. The remainder 120 days prior to the holiday or within 4 working days after booking if less than 120 days to the holiday.
Please note: A knee surgery or a son’s wedding could pop up after you book! This is why our booking payments are transferrable for a period of 12 to 24 months after the date of purchase under our Terms.
Accommodation: ENSUITE ROOMS at a luxury hotel with a pool just minutes from commodities.
👤🎨 You are a solo traveller (like most participants). ENSUITE ROOM in Single Occupancy:
£175 Booking payment + £1990 for the week. ALL RESTAURANT MEALS INCLUDED (except on the free day).
£175 Booking payment + £1790 for the week: BREAKFAST ONLY. (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).
👤🎨 You are a solo traveller (like most participants). DELUXE ENSUITE ROOM (larger room) in Single Occupancy:
£175 Booking payment (paid at booking) + £2190 for the week. ALL RESTAURANT MEALS INCLUDED (except on the free day).
👤👤🎨🎨 You are coming with a PAINTING friend or partner and wish to share a TWIN ENSUITE ROOM in Double Occupancy:
Per person: £175 Booking payment + £1690 per person for the week. ALL RESTAURANT MEALS INCLUDED (except on the free day).
Per person: £175 Booking payment + £1490 per person for the week: BREAKFAST ONLY. (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).
👤👤🎨🎨 You are coming with a PAINTING friend or partner and wish to share a DELUXE ENSUITE ROOM in Double Occupancy:
Per person: £175 Booking payment + £1890 per person for the week. ALL RESTAURANT MEALS INCLUDED (except on the free day).
You wish to come with a NON-PAINTER? Please contact us.
Not included: Meals on the free day in the All Meals plan. City tax (£1.50 per night pp), minibar consumptions if applicable, personal travel insurance. Drinks or snacks outside of meals.
Welcome to ESSAOUIRA, Morocco! This town is a remarkable example of a well-preserved fortified sea-port town from the mid-18th century, exhibiting strong European influence adapted to a North African setting.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE for our Morocco art retreat:
Day 1: Group pick-up at ESSAOUIRA AIRPORT at 5.00 PM. If arriving earlier, you can take a taxi and drop your luggage off at the hotel. Tutor and group meet up at the accommodation’s reception at 6.00PM. Group dinner. Let the fun begin!
Day 2: Late morning, followed by a buffet breakfast at your own pace. 10.00 AM materials and equipment hand out, followed by a PARTICIPATIVE DEMO for beginners at watercolours. Higher level participants who have chosen other mediums can test out materials and paint along side the demo. Lunch, followed by a painting outing out by the magnificent OLD FORTRESS / RAMPARTS on the coast. Free time. Group dinner.
About the port of Essaouira: The Medina's historical significance as an international trading seaport is undeniable, as it connected Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa with Europe and the rest of the world for centuries. Additionally, the town exemplifies multiculturalism through the coexistence of various ethnic groups since its founding. The Mogador archipelago, closely linked to the Medina, encompasses numerous cultural and natural sites of Outstanding Universal Value. Its relatively late establishment in comparison to other North African medinas was initiated by the Alaouite Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah, who sought to transform it into a royal port and a major Moroccan commercial hub open to the world.
Day 3: Buffet breakfast. Practice of techniques seen during the demo (optional) / time to finish off yesterday’s paintings. Sightseeing at the MEDINA. Lunch. Painting outing near the MADINA.
Founded in the mid-18th century, the Medina of Essaouira has largely preserved its authenticity in terms of conception, outline, materials (such as the local stone called manjour), and construction methods. This authenticity remains despite some instances of inadequate use of modern materials for repair and reconstruction. Despite the sea swell and dampness, the fortifications and urban fabric largely maintain their original configuration. Enclosed by its ramparts since the 19th century, the Medina of Essaouira possesses all the essential components for its integrity. The town retains its original distinctive style through a harmonious ensemble associated with natural elements, such as the Mogador Archipelago, and high-quality cultural elements. Despite slight alterations to its integrity, such as the degradation of buildings in the Mellah district, the overall significance of the property remains uncompromised. The state of conservation of the Medina of Essaouira continues to improve because of the efforts of local authorities and the vigilance of those directly involved in its protection and presentation.
Day 4: Buffet breakfast, followed by sightseeing at the fish market. Lunch. Painting Essaouira’s famous BLUE FISHING BOATS BY THE PORT. Free time. Dinner.
The blue fishing boats of Essaouira are a specific shade that you see everywhere in the city. The color is inspired by the city's three thousand years of murex production; a lovely bluish purple that's painted on every wooden boat that fishes the Purple Islands each morning. It's quite a sight!
Day 5: Buffet breakfast. FREE DAY to enjoy the city. On the free day, participants group up in small clusters or in one big group and elaborate a day made of relaxation, meals, or fun escapades. You can take a bus ride (or taxi) to visit near-by villages and markets, or even take a cooking class (optional). No meals except for breakfast on the free day.
Day 6: Buffet breakfast, followed by a visit of GALLERY LA KASBAH, a local art centre in Essaouira where you’ll get a feel of local Moroccan art vibes and practices. Lunch, followed by a painting session in the area.
Gallery la Kasbah, situated in a beautifully restored 18th-century Riad, hosts prestigious art exhibitions showcasing a wide range of artistic styles. Exhibitions spans 400 m² on the ground floor, with three additional floors which offer panoramic views. Each room/space is dedicated to different art movements, including Realism, Abstract, Impressionism, Surrealism, Symbolism, and Calligraphy, featuring a total of 100 national and international artists.
Painting by MEDART.
Day 7: Buffet breakfast. You will have a free morning or time to finish off any unfinished paintings with the help of your tutor. Lunch. Painting session at ARBAA IDA OUGOURD (market which occurs only on Wednesdays). Picturesque Moroccan social meet up and trade.
Despite the constant development of urban planning and large retail outlets, weekly souks are not about to disappear in Morocco. They feature a whole range of small, sometimes centuries-old trades. The Ida Ougourd souk takes place on the equivalent of ‘our’ Wednesdays. Generations pass and nothing changes in these fabulous souks where authenticity and tradition transcend time without aging!
