What is the Skala de la Ville in Essaouira?

The Skala de la Ville is a sea bastion on the northern rampart of the Essaouira medina, an 18th-century artillery platform lined with a row of old European brass cannons overlooking the Atlantic. It is part of the fortifications built under Sultan Mohammed III.

Is there an entry fee for the Skala de la Ville?

No. The Skala de la Ville is a free, open-air rampart walk reached on foot through the medina lanes. There is no ticket to walk along the cannon platform.

Was the Skala de la Ville used as a film location?

Yes. Essaouira's fortified ramparts and skala were used in the third season of Game of Thrones as the city of Astapor, and the town was a filming base for Orson Welles' 1952 adaptation of Othello.

What can you see from the Skala de la Ville?

From the rampart you look out over the Atlantic Ocean and the surf breaking on the rocks, along the line of brass cannons, and back over the whitewashed, blue-shuttered rooftops of the Essaouira medina.

Skala de la Ville - Essaouira: Photos, Access & Tips 2026

Why visit

Skala de la Ville is the sea bastion on the northern wall of Essaouira's medina, where a long row of old European brass cannons points out over the Atlantic.
It is part of the 18th-century fortifications built under Sultan Mohammed III, when the port town was laid out as a fortified trading base.
The rampart walk is free and open air, giving wide views of the ocean, the medina rooftops, and the surf below.

What to expect

A raised stone artillery platform running along the seaward wall, with cannons mounted at intervals facing the ocean.
Steps and ramps lead up to the walkway from the medina; the crenellated towers and battered surf below are the classic photo spots.

Best time

Late afternoon is best, when low sun lights the walls and the cannons for photos and the sea breeze eases.
The platform is exposed to the strong Atlantic wind Essaouira is known for, so it can be cool and gusty even on sunny days.

How to combine

Pair the Skala de la Ville with a walk along the seaward medina walls and the nearby Skala du Port fishing harbour.
The medina souks, art galleries, and the beach promenade are all within a short walk, making an easy half-day in Essaouira's old town.

Practical tips

The rampart walk is free to enter and can be reached on foot through the medina lanes near the Skala.
The stone is uneven and there are steps and low parapets, so wear sturdy shoes and mind children near the edges.
Combine it with the fishing port and the medina souks, which are a short walk away.