Rabat- Essaouira has ranked among the top 10 retirement destinations in 2018 for foreigners to retire by the French website Retraite sans Frontieres.
Morocco continues to attract foreigners from all around the world with its rich and colorful culture, mesmerizing landscapes, and hospitality.
Morocco’s Atlantic port city, Essaouira, came tenth in the list of “Top 10 Overseas Paradise Escapes for 2018.” Another North African city, Houmt-Souk on the Tunisian island of Djerba, made it to the list.
The list includes Portugal’s Cascais ranking ninth, Houmt-Souk eighth, Indonesia’s Ubud seventh, Dominican Republic’s Boca Chica sixth, Greece’s Paros fifth, Thailand’s Ao Nang third, Mauritius’ Trou aux Biches second, and Portugal’s Tavira first.
Like every year, the site bases its judgment on specific criteria suitable for retirees: The cost of living, security and stability, infrastructure, natural and cultural heritage, climate, and environment.
The survey notes the widespread use of the French language by Moroccans which makes it easier and comfortable for French retirees to communicate with the locals, in addition to the country’s geographic proximity to Europe.
Essaouira’s charm lies in its combination of beach and desert, “its narrow streets, vivid colors, white houses with blue shutters … its medina and fish markets, fabrics and spices,” the website states.
Read Also: 8.7 Million Tourists Visit Morocco in First 8 Months of 2018
Essaouira is nicknamed both “Morocco’s windy city” and the “Atlantic Blue Pearl.”
Enamoured with its charm, American actress Halle Berry and Canadian actor Keanu Reeves are currently exploring the city while shooting their action/thriller franchise, John Wick 3.
“I’m free here, I’m me here,” Berry wrote of Essaouira next to an Instagram photo while enjoying a camel ride, among other photos of the star and the city.
Keanu Reeves is also enjoying Essaouira. The Hollywood star shared photos of him and his fans in the city and magical moments in Essaouira’s breathtaking desert.
Morocco received 8.7 million tourists from January to August 2018, according to the latest statistics by the Ministry of Tourism.
Tourist arrivals from Italy made the most considerable increase between the first eight months of 2017 and 2018, rising 14 percent. German tourist numbers increased 10 percent, French 7 percent, and Dutch 6 percent.
