Positioned on Morocco's windswept Atlantic coast, the laidback town of Essaouira feels a world away from the chaotic energy of nearby Marrakech and is one of my favourite places to visit in the country. Within the whitewashed walls of this former Portuguese trading hub, a bohemian spirit reigns supreme.
Whether you want to test your balance while surfing, get lost in the labyrinthine medina or simply sip mint tea while soaking up the chilled-out vibe, Essaouira is the place to be. With its eclectic artistic community, striking seascapes and rich trading history, this coastal town offers an alluring escape from Morocco's urban frenzy.
In this Ultimate 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, including the Atlas Mountains, the kasbahs of Ouarzazate and the Sahara Desert.
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BEST TOURS IN ESSAOUIRA
Don't have time to read the whole article? These are my top Essaouira tour recommendations:
Things to do in Essaouira
Get lost in the medina
The winding alleys of Essaouira’s UNESCO-listed medina provide an immersive experience of Moroccan culture. I can spend hours wandering the whitewashed streets, admiring the cats lounging in the shade and the stalls piled hire with traditional handicrafts.
Within the labyrinthine souk, you’ll find everything from colourful spices to terracotta tajines and the freshest seasonal fruits. Dotted through the medina are countless art galleries where you can browse the work of local creatives, from surrealist and impressionist paintings to gorgeous calligraphy.
Things to do in Essaouira
Visit an argan oil cooperative
If you’re interested in seeing how Moroccan argan oil is produced, don’t miss the opportunity to visit a traditional cooperative in Essaouira. Surrounded by argan trees, watch as women use time-honoured techniques to handcraft the treasured oil - meticulously cracking open the nuts, manually grinding the kernels and pressing the oil by hand.
This elaborate process unfolds in open-air workshops, providing an authentic glimpse into Morocco's long-established argan oil traditions. Though the cooperatives' products come at a premium, witnessing the craft firsthand in this living museum offers invaluable insight into the labor behind argan’s "liquid gold.”
Feast on fish at the port
The harbour is the heart of Essaouira's vibrant fishing industry. Rows of brilliant blue fishing boats bob gently in their moorings, ready to head out to sea at dawn's first light. If you visit in the morning, the docks are bustling with activity as fishermen unload the day's catch, eager to bring their bounty to the crowded fish markets - we’re talking the freshest sardines and sole you'll ever taste!
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 set up and the small fee usually includes freshly baked bread and Moroccan salad to complete the meal. What more do you want?
Essaouira travel guide
Watch the sunset from the ramparts of Skala du Port
Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the harbour, the honey-hued walls and towers of the Skala du Port rise majestically above the scene below. It once protected the city from invasion and more recently 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 into the Atlantic Ocean, watch as fishing boats bob gently in the waves below while raucous seagulls wheel overhead. There’s no better place to soak up the majesty of the Moroccan coastline and reminisce on a memorable day spent exploring Essaouira.
Attend the Gnaoua World Music Festival
Every June, the seaside town of Essaouira comes alive with the vibrant sounds of Gnaoua music during the annual Gnaoua World Music Festival. This four-day extravaganza draws over half a million music lovers eager to immerse themselves in the hypnotic melodies and rhythms of the Gnawa people (originally brought to Morocco as slaves from the Sahel).
At this unforgettable festival, jazz, pop and rock artists from around the globe perform for massive crowds, blending modern genres with the traditional music of the Gnawa. Many shows are free, allowing visitors to sample the diversity of sounds. For an exhilarating musical experience, be sure to time your visit to Essaouira during this world-renowned gathering of talents.
Music lovers should check out my article detailing 11 of the Best Music Festivals in Morocco.
Marvel at Bab Doukkala
Step through the grand horseshoe archway of Bab Doukkala and be transported back in time. This impressive city gate, with its ornately tiled roof, stands sentinel at the entrance to Essaouira's walled medina. But Bab Doukkala is more than just a gateway into the medina—it's an open door inviting you to discover Essaouira's rich history and culture.
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.
Essaouira travel guide
Learn to kite surf
Essaouira is a windsurfer's paradise. This Moroccan beach town sees constant northwesterly winds all year round, making it the prime spot for kite- and windsurfing enthusiasts. The winds pick up in the summer, so beginners should head out early to avoid getting blown away! Winter brings big swells, luring experienced surfers from near and far.
Essaouira’s curved bay shelters novices from the full wind force, while the sandy shallows create a safe space to learn. Even when temperatures hit 20°C in summer, wetsuits are a must - the water stays cold year-round.
There are plenty of surf shops and schools in Essaouira, ready to outfit you with everything you need and train beginners. Venture south to Sidi Kaouiki or Imsouane for more options, with the latter particularly popular with longboarders due to its never-ending wave.
Top tours in Essaouira
Essaouira travel guide
How to get to Essaouira
Fly to Essaouira Airport
Essaouira Airport is the laid-back gateway to Morocco's alluring coast. Locally known as Mogador Airport, this petite airstrip puts you just 15km from Essaouira's enchanting medina. Compared to the hustle of Marrakech and Casablanca, it's a breeze to fly in and out of.
A handful of European cities offer direct flights, so you can easily escape to Essaouira's windswept beaches and winding lanes. Four times a week, Transavia France jets you in from Paris Orly. 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 tourist hub for Morocco, 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 Ultimate 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 these cities and renting a one-way car isn't possible.
Private transfer
The most comfortable and convenient option is 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, avoiding the hassle of lugging bags to a bus station or negotiating fares with taxi drivers.
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 Train 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 includes a 20-minute break halfway.
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 transit is the most affordable. Daily buses from Supratours and CTM connect Agadir to Essaouira in around 3.5 hours. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride along what is a gorgeous stretch of the Moroccan coastline.
Essaouira travel guide
Best places to stay in Essaouira
From charming riads tucked away in the old medina to high-end, contemporary hotels, Essaouira has accommodation options to satisfy every taste and budget. With so many choices crammed into this compact seaside town, deciding where to lay your head can be a challenge. To help you out, I've put together a list of my favourite stays.
For more detail, check out my article featuring the Best Riads and Hotels in Essaouira (for every budget)
Luxury places to stay in Essaouira
Mid-range places to stay in Essaouira
Affordable places to stay in Essaouira
Essaouira travel guide
Best time to visit Essaouira
With an average of 300 sunny days per year, Essaouira is a great destination no matter when you visit. This historic coastal city enjoys mild temperatures year-round thanks to its prime location on Morocco's Atlantic coast. While Essaouira 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 sun! Summer sees highs around 25°C in July and August, though the sea breezes keep things feeling comfortable. Inside the medina, temperatures are warmer, while the beach is cooler and windier.
Indeed, Essaouira earned its nickname "Windy City of Africa" for good reason. The steady Atlantic winds make Essaouira's beaches ideal for surfing and kiteboarding. But don't let a little breeze scare you away - the winds die down considerably in September and October.
The best times to visit to avoid crowds and strong winds are the shoulder seasons of April-June and September-October. The weather is pleasant and you'll beat the peak tourist rush. Keep in mind that Ramadan 2024 falls from around 9 March to 8 April.
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