Essaouira is an ancient fortified city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, where artists, fishermen and sports enthusiasts meet. Its white and blue streets, its ramparts facing the ocean and the richness of its crafts make it a destination in its own right in Morocco. We were seduced by its relaxed atmosphere, quite different from the hustle and bustle of the country’s major metropolises.
Discover our ideas for what to do in Essaouira, illustrated with photos that will make you want to go. Bonus: useful tips and additional activities.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
1. Getting lost in the medina
Why visit?
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Essaouira’s medina is one of the best preserved in Morocco. Founded in the 18th century by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, it was designed according to a regular plan by French architect Théodore Cornut, giving it a unique character among the country’s medinas. Its cobbled alleys, whitewashed facades and blue doors form an unmistakable backdrop. We loved getting lost in the city’s many artisan workshops and art galleries. Essaouira is indeed a lively artistic city, where painters, sculptors and musicians rub shoulders with thuya wood, metal and fabric craftsmen. You’ll be amazed by the density of creativity that emanates from its alleyways, around every corner.
Practical advice
- Length of visit: 2 hours to half a day, depending on your pace
- Opening hours: accessible at any time, stores and workshops are generally open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Difficulties and PRM access: narrow cobbled streets, difficult access for people with reduced mobility
- Rates: free access
- Access: on foot from the city’s main entrances, Bab Doukkala to the north or Bab Marrakech to the east
- Parking: parking lots outside the ramparts
- Eating out: numerous cafés and restaurants in the medina and on Place Moulay El Hassan
- Book your guided tour of the medina now to discover the secrets of the city!
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2. Enjoy the beach and corniche
Why visit?
Essaouira’s beach stretches for several kilometers along the Atlantic, offering generous space for swimming, strolling or simply contemplating the ocean. We also enjoyed the corniche that runs along the seafront. Ideal for an early-morning stroll or bike ride, which can be rented in town. In the northern part, deckchairs and umbrellas are available for hire, so you can relax when the wind dies down. You can also ride along the beach on horseback or camelback in the southern part. Excursions on quad bikes through the dunes offer a different way of discovering the coastline.
Practical advice
- Length of visit: 1 hour to half a day, depending on the activities chosen
- Opening hours: accessible at any time
- Difficulties and access for disabled people: accessible ledge, beware of the wind which can blow up sand.
- Rates: free access; bicycles and e-bikes available for hire nearby; deckchairs available for a fee in season
- Parking: on the corniche and near the beach
- Catering: restaurants and cafés on the corniche, street vendors in high season
- Book your beach activities in Essaouira!
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3. Admire the fishing port and its fish market
Why visit?
Essaouira’s fishing port is one of the city’s liveliest scenes. Its blue boats huddled at the foot of the imposing Sqala du Port form an emblematic image of Morocco’s Atlantic coast. We loved spending time here early in the morning, when the fishermen were unloading their catch under the cries of the gulls. The fish market lining the ramparts is an authentic place where you’ll find freshly caught sea bream, octopus and rock fish. You can enjoy grilled fish right on the spot, at one of the tables set up next to the stalls. It’s a simple, no-frills culinary experience that we’ll always remember fondly.
Practical advice
- Visit duration: 45min to 1h30
- Opening hours: morning fish market from 8am to early afternoon, daytime entertainment.
- Difficulties and PRM access: paved ground and uneven terrain, difficult access for people with reduced mobility.
- Prices: free access; expect to pay between €5 and €15 for a grilled fish meal on site
- Parking: nearby parking lot
- Catering: grilled fish stands on site
- Book your guided tour of the city where the port is a stopover!
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4. Surfing and kite-surfing
Why visit?
Essaouira is an internationally recognized spot for surfing and kite-surfing. The trade winds that regularly blow along the coast create ideal conditions for these sports, attracting enthusiasts from all over the world. Numerous schools and specialized stores offer equipment rental and lessons for all levels, from beginners to advanced surfers. We also noticed that the destination offers a number of other outdoor sporting activities, including sandboarding in the dunes and quad-biking excursions for thrill-seekers.
Practical advice
- Length of visit: varies according to activity, from 1 hour to half a day
- Opening hours: surf schools and service providers generally open from 9am to 6pm
- Prices: surf lessons from around €30; equipment hire available by the hour or day
- Access: schools and service providers on the beach, within walking distance of the medina
- Parking: corniche parking lot
- Catering: restaurants and snack bars on the corniche
- Book your surf or kite-surf lesson now!
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5. Shopping in the souk
Why visit?
Essaouira’s souk extends throughout the medina, whose main thoroughfare is the Avenue de l’Istiqlal, extended by the Avenue Mohammed Zerktouni. Here we saw all facets of Moroccan craftsmanship: colorful ceramics, hand-woven tapestries, hammered metal objects, silver jewelry and pieces made of cedar wood, the region’s emblematic local species. We spent long moments strolling past the stalls, attracted by the precision of the craftsmen’s gestures in their small workshops open to the street. If you like something, don’t hesitate to haggle. It’s a time-honored tradition in Morocco, and one to which shopkeepers are accustomed. You can also talk to the craftsmen, who are happy to share their know-how. The souk also sells all kinds of everyday items, from clothes to kitchen utensils.
Practical advice
- Tour duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Opening hours: stores generally open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., some close on Friday mornings.
- Difficulties and PRM access: narrow cobbled streets, difficult access for people with reduced mobility
- Prices: free access; prices to be negotiated according to purchases
- Access: in the heart of the medina, main entrance via Bab Doukkala or from Place Moulay El Hassan
- Parking: parking lots outside the ramparts
- Eating out: numerous cafés and gargotes in the medina
- Book your ticket here: free admission, no reservation necessary
6. Walk along the ramparts to the Kasbah Sqala
Why visit?
Essaouira’s ramparts, built in the 18th century under the direction of Théodore Cornut, encircle the city with an impressive wall that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A walk along these fortifications to the Sqala de la Kasbah, a defensive platform to the north of the medina, is recommended to all visitors. Unlike the Sqala du Port, access is free. From the top of the ramparts, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the medina and the Atlantic, particularly beautiful in the late afternoon when the light changes. We enjoyed watching the waves play on the stones from this natural belvedere. The ancient cannons lining the walls are another reminder of the strategic past of this fortress-town, once Morocco’s commercial gateway to the Atlantic.
Practical advice
- Length of visit: 30min to 1h for the walk on the ramparts
- Opening hours: accessible at any time
- Difficulties and PRM access: stairs and uneven ground, difficult access for people with reduced mobility but possible at the Sqala of the Kasbah
- Rates: free access to the Kasbah Sqala and ramparts
- Access: from the medina, follow the northern ramparts towards the ocean
- Parking: parking lots outside the ramparts
- Restaurants: cafés in the medina nearby
7. Marvel at the Centre d’Art Le Real Mogador
Why visit?
Nestled in the heart of the medina, the Centre d’Art Le Real Mogador is a private venue run by an owner with a passion for art. The place is unique. A gallery-museum, it houses works of art for sale, as well as stunning furniture. We were surprised by the uniqueness of the collection and the superb colors of the site. You’ll be amazed by the unusual sculptures and unexpected installations. We think it’s well worth the visit! This center exemplifies the artistic soul of Essaouira, a city where art permeates even the most unusual spaces. It’s a visit that’s well off the beaten tourist track, and one we’d recommend.
Practical advice
- Tour duration: 30min to 1h
- Opening hours: 3pm to 7.30pm, closed on Sundays
- Difficulties and PRM access: old building with several levels, difficult access for people with reduced mobility
- Admission: free, but 50DH to take photos and access floors
- Access: in the Essaouira medina
- Parking: parking lots outside the ramparts
- Eating out: cafés and restaurants nearby in the medina
8. Visit the Sqala du Port
Why visit?
The Sqala du Port is Essaouira’s southern defensive platform, built in the 18th century. It juts out into the sea like the prow of a ship, with its bronze cannons lined up to face the Atlantic. This former coastal defense battery is one of the city’s most photographed viewpoints, especially at sunset. Access is subject to a fee, but there’s not much to see once inside the tower. Only the panorama of the port, beach and medina is interesting. In fact, Sqala has been used as a backdrop for several film productions, including the famous Game of Thrones series. You’ll also notice the architecture of the tower itself, which bears witness to the military know-how of the time and the influence of French architect Théodore Cornut.
Practical advice
- Tour duration: 15 to 30min
- Opening hours: open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Difficulties and PRM access: stairs, difficult access for people with reduced mobility
- Admission: 60DH
- Access: at the end of the fishing port, south of the medina
- Parking: nearby parking lot
- Catering: grilled fish stands in the nearby harbour
9. Enjoy local gastronomy
Why visit?
Essaouira’s gastronomy is all about the sea. From the tents set up on Place Moulay El Hassan to the rooftop restaurants, the offer is wide and covers all budgets. We particularly enjoyed Restaurant Salut Morocco, where you can enjoy freshly caught fish with a beautiful view of the Atlantic. A simple, tasty moment. For more sophisticated cuisine, the Restaurant Umia is one of the city’s top addresses, as is the bistronomic restaurant atHôtel Le Jardin des Douars in the hinterland. You can also opt for the small outdoor restaurants in the fishing port, whose informal atmosphere and modest prices are their appeal. In addition, some local operators offer cooking workshops, a fun way to learn how to prepare Moroccan specialties. Book your culinary workshop in Essaouira here.
Practical advice
- Local gastronomy based on seafood products
- Prices: from €5 for a popular meal at the port to €30 in more bistronomic restaurants
- Read our article on where to eat in Essaouira here
10. Relax in your riad or hotel
Why visit?
Accommodation in Essaouira is itself part of the city experience. Small riads nestled in the heart of the medina embody the charm of traditional Moroccan architecture, with their interior patios and rooftops overlooking the medina and the Atlantic. For those who prefer more contemporary comfort, hotels by the sea or outside the ramparts offer swimming pools and modern services. For example, we stayed at theHôtel du Jardin des Douars, which we recommend for its calm and tasteful decor. The hammam, an essential part of Moroccan culture, also deserves your attention: you’ll find numerous establishments offering traditional treatments. It’s an ideal way to recharge your batteries after a day of discovery.
Practical advice
- Types of accommodation: riads in the medina, modern hotels by the sea, boutique-hotels or resorts inland.
- Times: check-in generally from 2pm, check-out before 12pm
- See our article on where to stay in Essaouira (coming soon) for ideas on where to stay.
11. Discover a women’s argan oil cooperative
Why visit?
The Essaouira region is one of the few places in the world where the argan tree grows, an endemic tree with well-known properties. Venturing inland to visit a women’s argan oil production cooperative is an excursion we highly recommend. These collective structures, run exclusively by women, enable us to discover the artisanal stages of oil extraction: sorting the nuts, grinding with a stone millstone and pressing by hand. We were impressed by the precision of this work, which requires patience and know-how. You can also buy argan oil for cooking and cosmetics directly from the source, often at lower prices than in town. These cooperatives also play an essential economic and social role for the women of the region, adding an extra dimension to the visit.
Practical advice
- Duration of visit: 1 to 2 hours on site; allow for travel time from Essaouira
- Opening hours: generally open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; please enquire before visiting.
- Access: by car from Essaouira, on the Marrakech road; some cooperatives are 15 minutes from the town.
- Catering: often none on site; plan a meal in Essaouira before or afterwards
12. Visit the Bayt Dakira Museum
Why visit?
The Bayt Dakira Museum is a free museum in Essaouira’s medina. It traces the city’s history, highlighting the long coexistence between the Jewish and Muslim communities that have shaped Essaouira over the centuries. Essaouira, once known as Mogador, was an important commercial center where Jewish, Muslim and European merchants lived side by side. We found this historical approach particularly interesting for understanding Essaouira’s uniqueness within Morocco. Everyday objects, period documents and photographs illustrate this shared memory.
Practical advice
- Tour duration: 30min to 1h
- Opening hours: 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., closed on Saturdays
- Difficulties and PRM access: historic building, access to be checked on site
- Admission: free
- Access: in the Essaouira medina
- Parking: parking lots outside the ramparts
- Eating out: cafés and restaurants in the medina nearby
What to do in Essaouira: other ideas
What to do in Essaouira with children
Essaouira lends itself well to family trips. The large beach offers a play area for children. Dromedary or horseback rides on the beach will delight young and old alike. The medina, less densely populated than Marrakech’s, remains just as accessible and stimulating for curious young travelers. We also recommend an excursion to an argan cooperative for an original educational experience.
What to do in Essaouira when it rains
On rainy or windy days, there are several options. Museums such as the Bayt Dakira Museum or Le Real Mogador Art Center are good alternatives. The hammams in hotels and riads are also ideal on cooler days for a wellness break. Last but not least, the medina’s craft stores and cafés invite you to take a leisurely stroll.
Excursions around Essaouira
Essaouira is a good starting point for exploring the region. Here are a few ideas for excursions:
Beaches around Essaouira
Near Essaouira, there are a number of wild beaches in the immediate vicinity of the city, less crowded than the big urban beach. Sidi Kaouki beach, some 25km south of Essaouira, is undoubtedly the best-known. This long ribbon of sand bordered by dunes is permanently exposed to the trade winds, making it a popular spot for kite-surfing and windsurfing. A small village has sprung up nearby, offering inns, cafés and surf schools for visitors. The Sidi Kaouki marabout, a white mausoleum visible from the beach, lends the area a unique atmosphere. Swimming is not recommended, however, due to the currents and strength of the waves. We advise you to come here for water sports or for a stroll.
Further north of Essaouira, the beaches of Sidi M’Barek and Diabat, which can be reached along the coast from Essaouira, are appreciated for their tranquility and dunes. The village of Diabat, a few kilometers south of Essaouira, is also known for having played host to Jimi Hendrix in the 1970s, a fact that has earned it a certain notoriety among travelers.
Marrakech
Around 3 hours’ drive away, Marrakech is the imperial metropolis most accessible from Essaouira. Its souks, lively medina and palaces make it a must-see on any trip to Morocco. Book your excursions from Essaouira here.
Agadir
Around 3h30 south of Essaouira, Agadir is the major seaside resort on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Completely rebuilt after the 1960 earthquake, it stands out from other Moroccan towns for its modern architecture and seaside atmosphere. Its long sandy beach, one of the busiest in the country, stretches for several kilometers along a corniche bustling with restaurants and cafés. We found Agadir useful as a base for rest and relaxation, even if it offers less historical cachet than Essaouira. The Kasbah Agadir Oufella, a former Ottoman stronghold overlooking the bay, is well worth a visit for its panoramic view of the town and ocean. The El Had souk, one of Morocco’s largest markets, is also a good reason to make the trip.
Book your private car transfer here.
Taghazout
About 2h30 south of Essaouira, Taghazout is a small fishing village that has become one of Africa’s most famous surf spots. Its long, steady waves attract surfers from all over the world, from beginners to experts. We love the relaxed atmosphere of the village, whose colorful lanes lead straight down to the beach. The accommodation and restaurant offer has developed well in recent years, while retaining a village spirit that contrasts with the gigantism of the neighboring seaside resort of Agadir.
Book your private car transfer here.
Useful tips for visiting Essaouira
Where is Essaouira?
- Essaouira is a coastal town in Morocco, on the Atlantic coast, in the Marrakech-Safi region.
- Essaouira to Marrakech: approx. 3h drive
- Essaouira to Agadir: approx. 3h30 drive
- Essaouira to Casablanca: approx. 4h30 drive
- Here’s a map to help you find your way around Essaouira:
How to get to Essaouira?
Essaouira has a small airport about 15km from the town center, offering domestic flights and some international connections. Check out our flight offers here.
From Marrakech or Agadir, a car is the most comfortable option. CTM (more info here) and Supratours (more info here) buses, usually air-conditioned, are a valid alternative. Remember to book in advance in high season.
Parking in Essaouira
As the medina is closed to cars, parking lots are located outside the ramparts. There are two main ones: Parking Bab Marrakech and Parking de la place Moulay El Hassan, near Bab Doukkala. Parking attendants are on hand to keep an eye on things for a small tip.
Getting around Essaouira
Essaouira is best visited on foot, as the narrow streets of the medina make it impossible to get around by car. Cabs are available to reach accommodation outside the ramparts. We advise you to ask for the fare before getting into a cab, or to ask the driver to activate the meter to avoid unpleasant surprises. Bicycles and e-bikes are also available for hire, for riding along the corniche or exploring the surrounding area.
Where to eat in Essaouira
Essaouira offers a wide variety of dining options, from popular restaurants to rooftops overlooking the Atlantic. We were particularly taken with Restaurant Salut Morocco, whose grilled fish served high up in the sky is a memorable experience. Restaurant Umia is one of the most popular addresses for fine dining. For a less formal experience, the grilled fish stalls in the port and the tents in Place Moulay El Hassan are also well worth a visit.
Find our selection of Essaouira’s best restaurants here.
Visiting Essaouira in winter
Essaouira can be visited all year round. In winter, temperatures remain mild on the Atlantic coast, often between 15°C and 20°C. The city is less crowded, so you can enjoy the medina and port in a quieter atmosphere. We particularly appreciate this season for the quality of the light and the tranquility of the alleyways. Surfing and kite-surfing are also possible, thanks to regular wind conditions.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Morocco
- Best of
Must-See Places in Morocco
Most Beautiful Riads
Most Beautiful Cities
Most Beautiful Medinas
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Landscapes
Most Beautiful Gardens
Best Museums
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Beaches
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in Morocco
Driving tips
Where to Stay in Morocco
- The must-dos
Marrakech
Casablanca
Fez
Meknes
Chefchaouen
Essaouira
Rabat
Tangier
Tetouan
Agadir
The Sahara Desert
