Is June a good time to visit Essaouira? For music lovers, culture vultures or water sports enthusiasts, June is one of the best months to visit Essaouira. In 2025, it will be marked not only by Eid al-Adha (“Festival of the Sacrifice”) but also the Gnaoua World Music Festival - an intoxicating celebration of West African rhythms.
June marks the start of the high season in Essaouira but you won’t experience the heaving crowds of July and August when many Europeans are on their annual summer break. The temperatures are warm enough for being at the beach (and not scorching like in Marrakech) and the Alize winds are starting to ramp up, creating ideal conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Essaouira in June really has something for everyone, whether you’re into the arts, outdoor pursuits or want to experience Moroccan religious traditions. Over the course of a few weeks, the medina transitions from being dead quiet during the Eid closures to being absolutely packed to the rafters as the Gnaoua festivities ignite the city.
In this article, discover everything you need to know about visiting Essaouira in June, from the weather to crowds and special events. I’ll also share with you some of the best things to do in Essaouira in June to help you plan a seasonally suitable itinerary.
Planning a longer Moroccan escape? Discover everything you need to know about travelling to Morocco in June here.
For more information about visiting Morocco's "Windy City", check out my Ultimate Travel Guide to Essaouira.
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Essaouira weather in June
While much of Morocco swelters under scorching summer heat in June (temperatures regularly climb above 35°C in Marrakech and Fes), Essaouira remains refreshingly mild and pleasant. The town's enviable location along the Atlantic coast means it is consistently cooled by ocean breezes, keeping average daytime temperatures around a very comfortable 23°C (73°F) and nighttime lows around 18°C (64°F). Occasionally, the mercury will climb above 30°C (86°F), but those days tend to be outliers.
June in Essaouira usually means sunny skies and no rain, although the wind is definitely starting to pick up. While you can find calm, breezeless days, there are also those where the beach seemingly whips up into a sandstorm, drawing kitesurfers and windsurfers to take advantage of the ideal conditions. On rare occasions, Essaouira becomes enveloped in a dense sea mist that limits visibility along the beach - an atmospheric phenomenon that creates a really mystical atmosphere.
Visiting Essaouira in June
Is June a busy time in Essaouira?
June marks the start of the peak tourist season in Essaouira, although the crowds aren’t anywhere near as thick as in July and August. During these months, European and Moroccan school holidays bring a surge of tourists and the medina can feel crowded. June weekends can still draw sizeable crowds to Essaouira, especially when there's little wind and the beach conditions are ideal. The crowds tend to concentrate on the stretch of beach closer to the medina, so if you're seeking a more tranquil experience, head to the quieter southern end.
If you’re visiting Essaouira for the Gnaoua World Music Festival (June 19 to 21 2025), you definitely won't have the medina (or beach) to yourself. This beloved festival floods the city with half a million visitors for what is a really exhilarating few days - we have been once and absolutely loved it! But with accommodations scarce (and expensive) and the city's infrastructure stretched to the max, crowd-averse travellers may do well to steer clear during the festival and opt for early or late June instead.
Best things to do in Essaouira in June
What’s on in Essaouira in June
Gnaoua World Music Festival
Each June, the coastal city of Essaouira bursts to life during the Gnaoua World Music Festival, a three-day event honouring the Gnaoua people. This Indigenous group from the Maghreb has a rich musical heritage that includes call-and-response chants, dynamic percussion and the evocative tones of the guembri lute. However, the festival is not limited to Gnaoua music; it showcases an impressive array of artists across various contemporary genres, resulting in an exhilarating blend of cultural sounds.
In 2025, the Gnaoua World Music Festival will take place from June 19 to 21. If you’re planning to attend, be sure to book your accommodation well in advance as this is the busiest time to be in Essaouira!
Discover more of Morocco's best music festivals here!
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is an eagerly awaited Islamic celebration that will take place from June 6 to 10 2025 and is celebrated in cities, towns and villages across Morocco. Families honour the occasion by sacrificing a sheep, commemorating Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son Ishmael. The festival is marked by three days of feasting, prayer and community festivities, making it a really wonderful time to visit Essaouira.
That being said, some businesses will close for a few days and activities may be on pause while locals celebrate with families and friends. In Morocco, Eid al-Adha is officially a two-day public holiday, with banks, post offices and government offices closing their doors. Some shops and restaurants will also close (many for as long as five days), although in tourist-oriented destinations, such as Essaouira, it may only be one (or even half a day).
You should expect closures on the first morning of Eid when locals are attending special prayers at the mosque and sacrificing their sheep. In the afternoon, some businesses will reopen. Alcohol-selling establishments typically close at least two days prior to the celebration and reopen two to three days afterward. Most hotels will be operating restaurants and bars as normal, so you can always head there for a meal or a drink.
Learn more about what to expect in this article: Travelling to Morocco During Eid al-Adha.
Is June a good time to visit Essaouira?
Best things to do in Essaouira in June
No visit to Essaouira is complete without strolling the narrow streets of the old medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with artisan shops, art galleries and historic buildings. Don't miss the Skala de la Kasbah, an 18th-century coastal fortress featuring historic brass cannons and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean - it’s the ideal spot to watch sunset in Essaouira.
The city also boasts some fascinating museums, focused on everything from cultural heritage to contemporary arts. These are the perfect place to retreat to if the midday heat gets too much. For seafood lovers, a visit to the port for lunch is essential; you can select your fish and have it grilled at one of the nearby barbecue stands (they’ll provide a Moroccan salad and bread to complete the meal).
In June, the wind can be intense, whipping up sand that makes hanging out at the beach less than ideal. These days are perfect for kitesurfing and windsurfing (Essaouira is famous for both), with several shops where you can either rent gear or book in for a lesson. On calmer days, you can enjoy a beachfront stroll or even a swim in the refreshing waters of the Atlantic Ocean. If you want to swim but don't like the wind, I'd recommend finding an Essaouira hotel with a pool!
In 2025, June is also going to be a wonderful time to experience Moroccan culture, particularly over the festive days of Eid al-Adha. The two days prior to the celebration are exceptionally busy in the markets as locals stock up on produce for their feasts and experiencing this buzzing energy is fantastic. On the first day of Eid, locals will don their traditional djellabas to attend the mosque for prayers and sermons before returning to their homes to sacrifice a sheep. While this is definitely not for everyone, it’s worth mentioning that the sacrifice is done with great respect for the animal and every part of the sheep that can be eaten is.
For music lovers, the best thing to do in Essaouira in June is attend the Gnaoua World Music Festival, with many of the concerts free for everyone. The streets of the medina really do feel electric during these days, with parades of musicians in what feels almost like a carnival. If you love music but not crowds, there are also paid performances with more of an intimate feel and designated seating.
Is June a good time to visit Essaouira?
Is June a good time to visit Essaouira?
June can be an amazing time to visit Essaouira, whether you’re craving a relaxed exploration of the medina or want to experience all the buzz of the Gnaoua World Music Festival. During the first half of the month, you can expect idyllic weather for wandering the whitewashed streets, dining alfresco at the cafes and shopping in the artisan markets. The temperatures are usually warm enough for some time at the beach, but whether that’s swimming and sunbathing or kitesurfing/windsurfing will depend largely on the winds.
June also falls just before the peak tourist season of July and August, so while the city is lively, it's not as crowded as it can get later in the summer. The only exception to this is the few days of the Gnaoua World Music Festival when the city is absolutely packed to the rafters and accommodation books out well in advance. Plan your visit a few months in advance if you want to visit between 19 and 21 June 2025 or avoid Essaouira during these dates if crowds aren’t your thing.
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About the author
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 majestic landscapes, storied cities and the incredibly warm hospitality of its people. As the owner and content creator of Malika in Morocco, I share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. I am passionate about helping others plan their Moroccan travel adventures to ensure they get the most out of their North African experience.