Exploring Historic Mogador: Essential Travel Guide to Essaouira

Looking for the best things to do in Essaouira or highly recommended places to stay? Discover the ideal time to visit, tips for getting around and the best Essaouira tours in this essential travel guide.

Positioned on Morocco’s windswept Atlantic coast, the laidback town of Essaouira feels a world away from the chaotic energy of nearby Marrakech. It’s definitely one of my favourite places to visit in the country.

Within the whitewashed walls of this former Portuguese trading hub, there are great cafes, incredible street art and all the energy you’d expect of a Moroccan medina.

Whether you want to test your skills windsurfing, get lost in the labyrinthine lanes or simply sip mint tea while soaking up the chilled-out vibe, Essaouira is the place to be. With its artistic community, lively fishing port and invigoratingly windy beaches, this coastal town offers an enchanting escape from the frenzy of Marrakech.

In this Essential Travel Guide to Essaouira, discover everything you need to know to experience this coastal destination to the fullest, from the best things to do and incredible riad stays to my top Essaouira tour recommendations. 

If you’re travelling independently, this two week itinerary from Essaouira takes in many of Morocco’s highlights. It takes in the Atlas Mountains, the kasbahs of Ouarzazate and the Sahara Desert.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission when you make a purchase. Affiliate links cost you nothing and ensure my content stays free!

Best things to do in Essaouira

Get lost in the medina

Setting out on foot to explore the winding lanes of Essaouira’s UNESCO-listed medina is the best way to get your bearings. And perhaps get lost along the way!

I can spend hours wandering the whitewashed streets, admiring the street art and beautiful doorways, as well as the stalls piled hire with traditional handicrafts. 

On Avenue de l’Istiqlal (the medina’s main thoroughfare), you’ll find everything from colourful spices to terracotta tajines and the freshest seasonal fruits. The last time I was there the strawberries were sublime!

This is also where one of my favourite Essaouira cafes, Mandala Society, is located. I’d recommend popping in here if you’re craving western cafe fare or are looking for vegan-friendly food.

Dotted throughout the medina are countless art galleries where you can browse the work of local creatives. You’ll find everything from surrealist and naive paintings to gorgeous calligraphy. 

You can also find hole-in-the-wall galleries run by independent artists. Sometimes the galleries double as studios where you can watch them at work.

If you’re an art lover visiting Mogador, be sure to check out this list featuring 10 of the best art galleries in Essaouira.

Feast on fish at the port

The port is the heart of Essaouira’s fishing industry and an essential stop while exploring the medina. It’s located just beyond beautiful Bab El Marsa – walk through Place Moulay Hassan and follow your nose!

Rows of brilliant blue fishing boats bob gently in their moorings while fishermen tend to their nets nearby.

If you visit in the morning, the docks are bustling with activity as fishermen unload the day’s catch, ready to be sold at the adjacent fish market. Here you’ll find everything from octopus and calamari to eels and the freshest sardines you’ve ever seen!

On the edge of Essaouira’s fish market are several barbecues set up where you can take your seafood and have it cooked just the way you like it. There are tables and chairs where you can eat. The small cooking fee usually includes freshly baked bread and a Moroccan salad to complete the meal. What more do you want?

Only have one day to explore Essaouira? Check out my recommended itinerary here.

Venture beyond Bab Doukkala

Marking the northeastern entrance to the medina, Bab Doukkala is an impressive gate with three arched entrances and a crenellated top.

Passing under its shadow, you can reach a peaceful Christian cemetery with colonial-era tombstones watched over by swaying palms. Farther on, the Jewish cemetery’s orderly lanes contain thousands of weathered headstones memorialising a once-thriving community.

If you head left after passing through Bab Doukkala, you can walk down onto the sands of Akskis Beach and view the medina’s walls from below. Last time I was there, the Atlantic Ocean was really wild! It gave me a new appreciation for just how impressive these walls were to have lasted so many centuries.

Check out the exhibitions in the Tower of Bab Marrakech

The rounded tower of Bab Marrakech is hard to miss, located on the eastern edge of the medina. It has served multiple functions over the centuries – as a powder magazine and a munitions warehouse, as well as a stable for horses during the French colonial period.

Today, this UNESCO-listed building has been transformed into an art gallery, with changing exhibitions taking place throughout the year. Last time I visited, they were in the process of installing a new exhibition, so there was nothing to view. But the building is worth a wander in itself.

Head to the rooftop for wonderful views across the medina and walls. There’s also an open-air stage here where concerts are occasionally held.

For more cultural inspiration, check out this list of the best museums in Essaouira.

Watch the sunset from the ramparts of Skala de la Kasbah

Perched on a rocky outcrop north of the port, the honey-hued walls and towers of the Skala de la Kasbah rise majestically above the Atlantic Ocean. It once protected the city from invasion. More recently, it played the role of the city of “Astapor” in “Game of Thrones”.

Aside from being an essential stop for fans of the series, its ramparts are now the place to watch the sunset in Essaouira.

As the sun slowly sinks towards the horizon, both locals and tourists gather here to stroll and perch between the 18th-century Portuguese canons that dominate the walls. It’s a great place for people watching while reminiscing on a memorable day spent exploring Essaouira. 

Visit an argan oil cooperative

If you’re interested in seeing how Moroccan argan oil is produced, be sure to visit a traditional cooperative while in Essaouira. While many medina stalls have oil presses out the front that are sometimes in operation, there’s nothing quite like experiencing it surrounded by argan trees.

Not only can you watch the women cracking open the nuts and manually grinding the kernels but also pressing the oil by hand. This process unfolds in open-air workshops and provides an authentic glimpse into Morocco’s long-established argan oil traditions.

At the end, you can sample the finished product or purchase oil to take home with you. Though the cooperatives’ products sometimes come at a premium, I think they’re worth the extra cost.

Witnessing the craft firsthand in one of these living museums offers invaluable insight into the labour behind argan’s “liquid gold.”

A stop at a women’s argan oil cooperative is included on this highly-rated guided forest walk and village visit near Essaouira.

Attend the Gnaoua World Music Festival

Every June, Essaouira ignites with the sounds of the Gnaoua World Music Festival. This four-day extravaganza draws thousands of music lovers from around the globe.

It’s an incredible opportunity to experience the hypnotic melodies and rhythms of the Gnaoua (also spelled Gnawa) people, who were originally brought to Morocco as slaves from the Sahel. We were lucky enough to go one year and it was incredible!

During the festival, jazz, pop and rock artists from around the globe also perform, blending modern genres with the traditional music of the Gnaoua. Many shows are free and held on open-air stages, drawing huge crowds, while others are ticketed and more intimate affairs.

If you’re visiting Essaouira during the Gnaoua World Music Festival, be sure to book your accommodation well in advance. In 2026, it will be held from 25 to 27 June and you can find more info here.

Music lovers should check out my article detailing some of the best music festivals in Morocco.

Learn to kite surf

It’s no secret that Essaouira is a windsurfer’s paradise. This Moroccan beach town sees northwesterly winds all year round, making it a prime spot for kite- and windsurfing enthusiasts. That being said, winter can bring big swells and is best for experienced surfers only!

In the summertime, Essaouira’s curved bay shelters novices from the full wind force. Meanwhile, the sandy shallows create a safe space to learn. Even when water temperatures hit 20°C at the height of summer, wetsuits are a must as you need to factor in the wind chill.

There are plenty of surf shops and schools in Essaouira, offering lessons and everything you need to get out on the water. Venture south to Sidi Kaouiki or Imsouane for more options. The latter is particularly popular with longboarders due to its (seemingly) never-ending wave. 

Top tours in Essaouira

While you can easily explore Essaouira’s medina independently, there is a great range of guided tours that venture further afield. Quad biking, camel rides and horseback trips are incredibly popular along the surrounding coastline, particularly in the late afternoon as sunset arrives.

Viator and GetYourGuide both offer immersive cultural tours in Essaouira, complete with reviews from previous travellers so you can make an informed decision. Some include visits to argan forests and women’s oil cooperatives while others are focused on Essaouira food experiences.

Two-hour quad ride in Essaouira

Explore the dunes and forest backing Essaouira’s coastline on this action-packed two-hour quad ride.

Horse riding on the beach at sunset

Experience an unforgettable sunset over the Atlantic Ocean on the back of an Arabian horse during this two-hour experience.

L’Atelier Madada Moroccan cooking workshop

Prepare a two-course lunch with the help of a skilled Moroccan chef at one of Essaouira’s most innovative cooking schools.

Visit the traditional Amazigh village of Sidi Mbark

Combining a visit to an argan oil cooperative, a walk to a cascade and tea in a village, this half-day experience is a great way to explore beyond the medina.

Camel ride at sunset

Clamber atop a camel for a memorable sunset ride, taking you along a beach, through the dunes and to the village of Diabat.

How to get to Essaouira

Fly to Essaouira Airport

Mogador Airport is the laid-back gateway to Essaouira and is located just 15 kilometres from the medina. Compared to the big aviation hubs of Marrakech and Casablanca, it’s a breeze to fly in and out of.

A handful of European cities offer direct flights to Essaouira. Four times a week, Transavia France jets in from Paris Orly. Meanwhile, Londoners can catch one of Ryanair’s two weekly Stansted-Essaouira flights. And from Brussels South Charleroi and Marseille Provence, Ryanair operates two nonstop services apiece.

Fly to Marrakech Airport

Flights to Essaouira are limited, so it might be more feasible to fly to Marrakech Airport. As a major aviation hub, flights to Marrakech abound from cities across Europe and beyond. Once you arrive, Essaouira is a scenic 2.5 to 3-hour drive westward toward the coast.

For more info about visiting Marrakech, check out my detailed travel guide to Marrakech.

How to travel from Marrakech to Essaouira

Getting to Essaouira from Marrakech is simple – you just need to choose between bus, taxi or private transfer. Unfortunately, there’s no train line connecting the two cities, not at this stage anyway.

Private transfer

The most comfortable and convenient way to get from Essaouir to Marrakech is by booking a private transfer, especially if you’re travelling in a group. You’ll get door-to-door service directly to your hotel or riad. This avoids the hassle of lugging bags to a bus station or negotiating fares with taxi drivers.

Private transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech or visa versa

Grand taxis

If you want to save some dirhams, grand taxis run between Marrakech and Essaouira for a fixed rate. Head to the taxi rank at Marrakech Railway Station to catch one.

Bus

For maximum savings, board one of the buses that run multiple times a day between Marrakech and Essaouira. The three-hour journey usually includes a 20-minute break at the halfway point. Bus tickets can be purchased directly from the companies or you can compare options (and book tickets) at 12Go.

How to travel from Agadir to Essaouira

If you’re coming from Agadir, it’s a picturesque, three-hour journey along the coast to Essaouira. For surf lovers, be sure to stop at Taghazout and/or Imsouane to experience the world-class waves en route.

While a private transfer from Agadir to Essaouira is the most convenient option, public transport is the most affordable. Daily buses from Supratours and CTM connect Agadir to Essaouira in around 3.5 hours. Tickets can be booked directly with the companies or you can compare options at 12Go.

Private transfer from Agadir to Essaouira or visa versa

Best places to stay in Essaouira

From charming riads tucked away in the medina to high-end, contemporary hotels along the coast, Essaouira has accommodation options to satisfy every taste. With so many choices crammed into this compact seaside city, deciding where to lay your head can be a challenge.

To help you out, I’ve put together a list of my favourite stays, with something for all budgets. For more inspiration, check out my article featuring some of the best hotels in Essaouira or these luxury villas in the surrounding countryside.

Luxury places to stay in Essaouira

Heure Bleue Palais

Forming part of the esteemed Relais & Châteaux collection, this luxury Essaouira hotel boasts a rooftop pool, a spa and a gourmet restaurant.

Mama LOVA

With its spacious suites, stunning rooftop terrace and co-working cafe, this boutique Essaouira hotel is a great choice for digital nomads.

Le Jardin des Douars

Surrounded by walled gardens, this gorgeous country property features two pools, a hammam and several sun-drenched terraces.

Mid-range places to stay in Essaouira

Suite Azur Hotel

Featuring contemporary suites and a rooftop terrace with a plunge pool, this is a great option for a summer escape in Essaouira.

Riad Chbanate

Located in a quiet corner of the medina, this romantic riad comes with fireplace suites, suspended beds and swinging chair hammocks.

Baberrih Hotel

Boasting a clifftop setting to the north of the medina, this oceanfront Essaouira hotel has been sustainably designed for an eco-friendly stay.

Affordable places to stay in Essaouira

Hotel Emeraude

Offering breezy rooms with views across the medina, this budget Essaouira hotel is located a stone’s throw from Bab Marrakech.

Riad Le Khan Mogador

Located near Bab Marrakech, this affordable Essaouira riad features colourful rooms and a plant-filled rooftop terrace.

Riad Al Manara

Located just off one of Essaouira’s main thoroughfares, this budget-friendly riad features beautifully decorated rooms set around a central courtyard.

Best time to visit Essaouira

With an average of 300 sunny days and mild temperatures throughout the year, Essaouira is a great destination no matter when you visit. While it does get the occasional rainy or drizzly day (especially from December through February), heavy rainfall is rare.

The coolest months are January and February, with average highs around 18°C – perfect for a rejuvenating dose of winter sunshine! Summer sees averages of around 25°C and the sea breezes keep things comfortable when the mercury climbs. Inside the medina, temperatures are warmer, while the beach is cooler….and windier.

Speaking of wind, Essaouira has earned its nickname “Windy City of Africa” for good reason. Last time I visited, it was incredibly windy and breakfast on the rooftop of my riad was a challenge!

Once you’re down in the protected medina, the wind is less troublesome. On the flip side, it does create ideal wind and kitesurfing conditions. The least windiest months tend to be September and October, although there are no guarantees.

The best times to visit Essaouira to avoid crowds are outside of the peak tourist months, which are June, July and August.

About Me

I’m Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I’ve developed an intense love for Morocco, its incredible landscapes, storied cities and the exceptionally generous hospitality of its people.

Malika in Morocco is a place to share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. As a resource for travellers visiting Morocco, I want to encourage others to experience this captivating destination the way they desire, whether that’s independently or under the expert guidance of local tour operators.

I believe strongly in supporting responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives while inspiring travel experiences that are life-impacting and mutually beneficial for both travellers and locals.