If you are coming to Morocco, you donât want to miss the beachy town of Essaouira. Just three hours from Marrakech, Essaouira is a must-see destination with lots of things to do. The âBride of the Atlantic,â Essaouira, Morocco, is equal parts culture hub and boho resort town. Set along the countryâs central Atlantic coast, the cityâs known for its fresh seafood, beautiful beaches and relaxed medina experience.
Essaouira, one of Moroccoâs best places to visit, is a breezy oceanside destination perfect for culture connoisseurs and relaxation-seekers alike. Its Old Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its cultural significance. Then the cityâs namesake beach draws surfers and kiteboarders, especially in summer when the Atlanticâs trade winds are at their strongest. Essaouira is also an excellent destination for foodies, with fresh seafood and a bevy of local and international restaurants.
Essaouira Port
Essential Information for Travelers
- Population: Approximately 80,000
- Location: Situated around a small Medina, 3 hours from Marrakech. It is a fishing port and popular kite surfing beach on the Atlantic Sea.
- Languages: French and Arabic, but finding someone to speak English or to help with translation is easy.
- Currency: MAD Moroccan Dirham - ATM machines are easily found. Barid Bank ATMs are often found at Poste Maroc locations.
- Weather: The beauty of Essaouira is that the temperatures are very similar all year round. July and August are the windier months. November to February are the wetter months.
- Best Time to Visit: March to October are the best months to visit.
Top Things to Do in Essaouira
This list covers everything we saw and did in Essaouira and we hope it helps you select a few things to do too. Some places on this list of things to do in Essaouira are a little tricky to find as they are unmarked on the map.
1. Explore the Medina of Essaouira
Essaouiraâs medina is unique among Moroccoâs historical trading hubs. Whereas the souks (traditional Moroccan markets) in cities like Marrakech and Fes are known for their lightning pace, boisterous vendors and labyrinthian alleys, the Medina of Essaouira is quieter and comparatively hassle-free. The medina of Essaouira is a truly unique place and unlike anywhere else we visited in Morocco. The walls are painted bright white and the doors are bright blue. The medina was built in the late 18th-Century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is completely pedestrianised with no vehicles other than the odd moped.
Read also: What to Wear: Morocco Edition
You can stroll through the markets at your own pace, taking in the variety of local artwork, craft goods, spices and more while engaging with traders and artists in a more relaxed setting. You can find a lot of locally made souvenirs (and often meet the artists themselves when you find an item you like). Some sections of the medina border Essaouiraâs lovely coastline, too.
2. Discover Port Essaouira
More than anything, Essaouira is a port city, and a significant portion of Moroccoâs seafood comes through the fisheries here. But the portâs real draw is the series of ramparts and walls that line Essaouiraâs shores. Many of the battlements date back to the colonial era, yet stand remarkably well-preserved hundreds of years later. You wonât find a better view of the ocean almost anywhere else in the city. There are also plenty of restaurants where you can plan your day around sunset to snag a spot by the water over drinks.
Heading through the gates of the citadel, youâll reach the Port of Essaouira, famous for its iconic blue fishing boats. Wandering round the port, youâll see the wooden boats coming and going, fishermen unloading their catch, people repairing nets, and others building boats.
Fishing Boats in Essaouira Port
3. Surf at Essaouira Beach
Most surfers visit Agadir and its surrounding beaches further south to take advantage of the Atlantic trade winds. But Essaouira also benefits from these winds. Theyâre particularly strong in July and August, and may be a little too rough for some beginners. Otherwise, consistent waves and a soft, sandy beach are great for beginner and intermediate surfers throughout the rest of the year. Plus, there are a ton of places offering surfing lessons and rentals.
Read also: Morocco Time Information
Essaouira is the kitesurfing capital of Morocco, so if you are interested in embracing the wind rather than fighting it, it's a good place to learn.
4. Explore the Ramparts and City Walls
The city walls are a great way to dive into the history of Essaouira, and a walk along the ramparts reveals canons, watch towers, and expansive views. The walls are incredibly well preserved, and instead of crumbling ruins, they give visitors an authentic glimpse at what they looked like at the height of their 18th-century glory. Aside from the stunning scenery, this is one of the best things to do in Essaouira for any Game of Thrones fans since the city walls were featured in the series as Astapor, home to the Unsullied.
5. Quad Biking Adventure
One of the best things to do in Essaouira is take a quad tour to get the lay of the land. We rode along the beach, ripped across giant sand dunes, and cruised through undulating vegetation, with gorgeous views the entire time. A sunset tour is particularly magical when you can watch the sky change colors as you coast along the shore.
6. Horseback Riding
An incredible sight in Essaouira are horses galloping along the beach. If the urge to partake in rugged adventure is appealing, horse trekking is one of the best things to do in Essaouira. Riding a horse along the wide sweeping beach of Essaouira is truly a bucketlist activity. The horses are well looked after and in good condition, and the guides are very experienced.
7. Relax at Ocean Vagabond
Ocean Vagabond is an institution and among the quintessential things to do in Essaouira. Itâs the perfect setting for a beach bar at the far end of the sand, with a large area to hang out, drink, and watch the camels go by.
Read also: Drivers of Conflict in Nigeria
8. Experience a Traditional Hammam
When youâre ready for some R&R, Essaouira has a few stellar hammams to choose from. A hammam is a traditional Moroccan bathhouse where you can indulge in scrubs, massages, and a nice deep steam. If you want to try public hammam, youâll be stripped down to your underwear and bathe with many other women (or men) in a similar state of attire.
9. Shop for Local Crafts
I found Essaouria to be one of the best places to shop for local crafts in Morocco. The medina is teeming with talented artists grinding away at their workshops. Since itâs a much smaller place and more laid back in general, itâs easier to score deals in Essaouira than in cities like Marrakech or Fes. Remember to start lower than youâre willing to pay and keep a poker face while bargaining.
10. Explore Art Galleries
Another great thing to do in Essaouira is visit the many galleries. Showcasing bright, poppy canvases depicting technicolor daily scenes, the galleries are all over the medina, each one offering something special.
11. Visit Dar Sultan Palace ruins
The Dar Sultan Palace ruins are tucked away in the dunes near Diabat and are a great place to discover regional history. The crumbling ruins were once a majestic home for the king of Mogador during the mid-1800s.
12. Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum
In the heart of the medina, in a 200 year-old riad, youâll find the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum. Over two stories you will find items on display that share a little history of Essaouira. You will receive a brief explanation as you enter in English in the form of a photocopied A4 sheet of paper. However the rest of the signs are in Arabic and French.
We actually preferred the Bayt Dakira Museum which is the Jewish Museum AND itâs free. This small space was once a synagogue and has been beautifully restored. It gives a great account of Jewish Moroccan history.
13. Sidi Kaouki Day Trip
What sets Sidi Kaouki apart from Essaouira beach first of all is the fewer number of people and tourists. One of the main reasons people visit Essaouira is to hang out by the beach. However, it can be crowded and feel a bit built up. Instead, head to Bab Doukkala and hop aboard the #2 bus. Youâll pay just 8 Dirhams, and in about 45 minutes youâll arrive at Sidi Kaouki. Itâs the last stop on the line and is a cool surf town where the waves are awesome and the beach is absolutely stunning.
14. Ida Ougourd Local Market
One of our more unique recommended things to do in Essaouira is to catch a Lima Bus or Grand Taxi to the local market in Ida Ougourd on a Wednesday. This is around 45 minutes from town by bus and is interesting if you are looking to see a little more culture and tradition. Be sure to dress modestly as this is very much a local market and therefore itâs important to maintain a respectful standard of dress. There is very little else happening here in Ida Ougourd unless itâs a Wednesday - so be sure you have the right day of the week.
15. Argan Oil Cooperative Visit
One of our favourite experiences in Morocco was our visit to a womenâs argan co-operative. The land surrounding Essaouira is one of the only places in the world where argan trees grow. Youâll also get the chance to sample the products, including a huge variety of cosmetic products. You will try edible argan oil, argan butter, and argan honey too.
16. Cooking Class
Learning to cook a tagine or cous cous is something of an art, but also easily learnt. I highly recommend taking a cooking class while in Essaouira. Your guide will take you through the local markets before your lesson to purchase everything youâll need to cook a quality Moroccan feast. In these markets you will learn about local flavours and spices, and also the best local haunts for food and produce.
17. M'semen Tasting
Mâsemen can be best described as a multilayered bread, fried in oil on a hot plate. Stalls in Av. Whatâs best is that dinner of a soup and mâsemen will cost you no more than 20-30 dirhams in the Essaouira medina.
18. Sunday Market Outside Bab Doukkala
The Sunday Market outside Bab Doukkala is a great place to witness local life in action. The street Av.
19. ATV Tours
Many leave from Diabat and head south along the beach to the remote beaches of Essaouira. This was one of the things we didnât do while in Essaouira. Mainly because we were kept so busy with all the other activities we tried. We did see many groups going out on ATV tours at the far end of Essaouira Beach.
Moroccan Tagine
Where to Stay in Essaouira
Weâd highly recommend staying in the medina. This will allow easy access to the beach and all the main attractions within Essaouira.
- Best Budget Option - Dar Halima - The rooms were comfortable and the suite was truly âInsta-worthyâ.
- Best Mid-Range Option - Riad Lyon-Mogador - This riad is located in the heart of the medina, with a rooftop terrace with amazing views over the sea.
- Best Luxury Option - Casa.b Mogador - Located in the medina, just 400m from Essouira Beach, Casa.b Mogador is a stunning accommodation.
Additional Tips for Visiting Essaouira
- Essaouira has 300 days of sunshine a year and doesnât suffer from the extreme temperatures of other Moroccan cities due to its coastal location.
- Essaouira does suffer from extreme coastal winds, particularly in the months of July and August.
- To get to Essaouira from Marrakech, you can either arrange a private transfer, or take a public coach.
Weather in Essaouira
Compared to the rest of Morocco, Essaouira enjoys a relatively mild climate year round. The average temperature in winter is around 60â, while summerâs highs range in the high 70s. Rain is only common between November and March, and even then itâs sporadic and generally light. Essaouira is sometimes known as the âWindy City of Moroccoâ because of Atlantic trade winds that peak in July and August. Most of the year, itâs not enough to be an issue. But itâs something to keep in mind if you want to lounge on the beach.
Essaouira is a beautiful little town with plenty to fill your time. Itâs also the perfect place to base yourself for a while to unwind and live the slow life.
Essaouira is one of the most beautiful and unique coastal towns in Morocco. Itâs a perfect year-round destination with so much to do. We hope youâve enjoyed reading this list and weâve given you some fun ideas for your trip to Essaouira.