Have you decided to visit Essaouira in 1 day? Excellent idea, you won’t have time to get bored!
With its authentic port and UNESCO-listed medina, we were seduced by this pearl on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Essaouira is prized for its charm, immense beach and waves perfect for surfing. With its vibrant artistic life and seafood-focused gastronomy, it’s sure to meet all your expectations!
In this article, we suggest detailed itineraries to visit Essaouira in 1 day and not miss a thing! Check out our practical tips and our many photos to make up your own mind about this destination.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Practical tips for visiting Essaouira in 1 day
The weather in Essaouira
Essaouira is one of Morocco’s most beautiful cities. A constant wind blows here, earning it the nickname “City of Wind”. As soon as we arrived, we appreciated the salty trade winds from the ocean. The heat sets in from May onwards. Average summer temperatures fluctuate between 22°C and 26°C, with peaks of up to 30°C. In the off-season, temperatures remain pleasant, generally between 15°C and 20°C. Don’t hesitate to visit us during these quieter periods!
WHERE TO STAY IN Essaouira
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the medina
Hotel Salut Maroc! – see pictures and availability
On the seafront
Hôtel Atlas Essaouira Riad Resort – Check photos and availability
In the hinterland
Hôtel Jardin des Douars – Check photos and availability
Getting around on foot or by public transport
In the medina, you get around on foot. Many alleyways are too small for car traffic. Equipped with comfortable shoes, we made our way along the cobblestones of the old town with no problem. You can also choose to walk along Essaouira’s 2km-long promenade. On the southern part of the beach, you can also travel on horseback or camelback. You can also rent bicycles, buggies or scooters. Outside the medina, you can also take a cab. In Essaouira, they’re inexpensive and recognizable by their blue color! We advise you to state your destination and ask for the fare before getting in, as cab fares can sometimes be haggled over. If you’ve rented a car, there’s a pay parking lot in front of the city walls.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Maroc
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Adapt your choice of vehicle to your itinerary!
- For more choice, book early.
Read our tips (coming soon)
Crowds in Essaouira
Essaouira attracts many tourists, although not as many as Marrakech. The peak season is from June to September, when the city welcomes the most visitors. Despite this, the destination remains pleasant all year round. We went there in May and found it peaceful. The beach is so large that it’s not crowded. There’s room for all types of tourism: sports, family and holiday.
Map of tourist attractions in Essaouira
Essaouira is a dynamic city with many tourist attractions. Here’s a map to help you find your way.
Where to sleep in Essaouira
There are several options for accommodation in Essaouira. In the medina, you’ll find charming riads, often with rooftops offering breathtaking views. We loved the colors and authenticity of these establishments! Along the coast and beach, hotels and lodges offer modern comfort. Inland, beautiful, quiet hotels offer views over the countryside. We particularly liked the Hôtel Jardin des Douars, a magnificent establishment, a haven of peace and beauty.
Find our selection of hotels and riads here.
WHERE TO STAY IN Morocco
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Morocco (coming soon)
- The most beautiful riads in Morocco
Select by city:
Option 1 – Essaouira’s must-sees in 1 day
Fancy a 1-day tour of Essaouira? Between the authentic port, the historic medina and the beach promenade, you’ll love discovering this windy city!
10h-10h30: Discover the port and the fish market
Start your day with an emblematic image of Morocco: the sight of blue fishing boats packed like sardines! At the foot of the stone ramparts, the fish market is a typical place where you can watch the daily fishing returns. Small fishermen’s stalls offer freshly caught local species. We were charmed by the local atmosphere!
10:30am-11am: Visit the Port Sqala
Overlooking the port is the Sqala du Port, an imposing fortification built in the 18th century by French architect Théodore Cornut to protect the town from sea invasions. The walls bear witness to Essaouira’s military past, with fortified architecture reminiscent of Saint-Malo in Brittany, France. There is a charge for admission, but it allows you to enter the bastion and access the terrace. We enjoyed the panoramic views. From there, you’ll find an interesting spot for great photos of the ocean and the city! There’s not much to see inside apart from an empty stone building, but the view is worth the detour.
11am-12pm: Walk along the citadel ramparts to the Kasbah Sqala
At the other end of the citadel, you can discover the Sqala de la Kasbah. Pass Place Moulay El Hassan and enter the city walls. Walk along the wall and up to the Kasbah. Along the way, why not stop off at the foot of the ramparts at one of the stalls selling marquetry, ceramics and traditional clothing? Once there, you’ll see a building that echoes the Sqala du Port. A battery of cannons is deployed along the battlements. We also enjoyed the view from this part of the fortifications, which is freely accessible.
12pm-2pm: Taste Moroccan cuisine on a rooftop
Essaouira’s cuisine is all about the sea, offering Moroccan-style fish and seafood specialties. What could be better than tasting this while admiring the ocean? That’s what we did on the rooftop of Restaurant Salut Morocco, and we loved it! The city has plenty of other great spots. Don’t miss out on this feast for the eyes and taste buds!
2pm-4pm: Stroll through the medina and souk
Essaouira’s historic medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a maze of colorful alleyways. It is home to a large number of stores that make up the town’s souk. If you’re looking for the souk’s main thoroughfare, head for Avenue de l’Istiqlal, which continues into Avenue Mohammed Zerktouni. We discovered all the facets of Moroccan craftsmanship. From colorful ceramics to finely woven tapestries, objects in hammered metal or cedar wood, the region’s emblematic local species. You’ll also find all kinds of objects and gadgets, from branded tracksuits to kitchen utensils. If you like something, don’t hesitate to haggle – a tradition in Morocco! The city is also home to many artists. You’ll be seduced by the colorful canvases that brighten up the streets.
17h-18h30: Stroll along the beach promenade
Enjoy the 2km long promenade along the beach. Lined with palm trees, this pedestrian zone invites you to take a stroll. You can also rent a bike, buggy or scooter to explore the area. We loved watching the people surfing and kite-surfing! In the distance, you’ll see Mogador Island, the former name of Essaouira.
6.30-7 p.m.: Cocktails in front of the sunset
At the end of the day, stop off at one of the beachside restaurant-bars for a sunset cocktail. We particularly enjoyed the surf and vacation atmosphere!
A LITTLE MORE PATIENCE
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay at Maroc a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
Coming soon!
Option 2 – A day of sport and art in Essaouira
Essaouira boasts a vibrant sporting and artistic life, which can be found on its waves and in its galleries. We’ve put together this unique itinerary especially for you!
9:30am-12:30pm: Take a surf or kite-surf lesson
Essaouira is renowned for its waves and trade winds. Why not start the day with an introduction to surfing or “kiteboarding” as the pros say? Surfing and kite-surfing lessons are easily accessible for all levels. We also saw many stores specializing in beach sports equipment, offering both rental and purchase. You can also try your hand at sandboarding and ride down the dunes on a board. Yoga classes on the beach will please those looking for a less slippery activity… We assure you, Essaouira is an ideal sports destination!
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Testing a seafood cuisine
Once you’ve completed your activity, try a beach restaurant. Traditional or more Western cuisine, the choice is yours. You can also have lunch in the harbor, at the fish market. We particularly appreciated the friendly atmosphere of the little improvised restaurant at the foot of the fortifications. Tables are set up next to the stalls where you can enjoy grilled fish directly. A simple yet indisputably tasty culinary experience! In the medina, we also found a number of small restaurants worth trying.
2:30-4pm: Searching for the city’s artists
Art is everywhere in Essaouira! We loved admiring it on the street, but also in the workshops and galleries scattered throughout the city. This artistic effervescence gives the city a unique character. Take the time to talk to the artists, who, like those we met, will surely be delighted to tell you about their practice.
4pm-5pm: Visit the Centre d’Art Réal Mogador
One of the city’s most interesting galleries, in our opinion, is the Centre d’Art Le Réal Mogador. Don’t hesitate to visit it after sampling the art scattered around the streets. It’s a one-of-a-kind private place. This brightly-colored riad, transformed into a museum-gallery, is owned by artist and art enthusiast François Real. Admission is free, but if you want to take photos or visit the floors, you’ll have to pay a fee to respect the artists’ copyrights. On the first floor, we contemplated works of art brut, and on the upper floors, we discovered highly creative and colorful furniture.
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Option 3: Discover Essaouira with your family
Visiting Essaouira with the family? Here’s an itinerary for young and old alike!
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.: Beach activities
Essaouira beach offers plenty of family activities! In the southern part of the beach, you can take a camel or horse ride. This one-hour horseback ride is also suitable for younger children. For the more adventurous, we recommend trying out sandboarding, or taking a surfing course suitable for both children and adults. Finally, why not take a quad bike ride together in the dunes? It’s a great way to enjoy some family time together!
12pm-2pm: Lunch along the beach promenade
Once you’ve had a thrilling morning, settle into one of the friendly restaurants along the beach promenade. The relaxed atmosphere and varied menus are perfect for the whole family!
DISCOVER Essaouira
- Things to do in Essaouira
- Best hotels (coming soon)
- Best restaurants
- Itinerary: 1 day
- How to get there
2pm-2.30pm: Nose to the fish market
A short visit to the fish market will interest young and old alike. We enjoyed observing the fishing returns, hearing the cries of the stalls and the blue colors of the boats squeezed together as if in a tin can. An authentic and colorful dive!
2:30 – 4:30 pm: Getting lost in the medina’s souk
Go on a family treasure hunt in the medina’s souk! The bright colors of the stalls and facades will appeal to the whole family. In this maze of authentic alleyways, you’ll find traditional Moroccan games, colorful clothes for all ages, embroidered babouches, chased metal lanterns and many other surprises. We loved this immersion in local craftsmanship.
16:30-17:30: A snack of oriental pastries
Snack time! Several stores sell delicious pastries in the medina. Enjoy Moroccan specialties such as gazelle horns with orange blossom and other oriental delights. Parents can enjoy a cup of mint tea, while children can indulge in honey and almond sweets.
17h30-18h: Walking in the footsteps of the guards on the Sqala ramparts
End the day in style on the ramparts of Sqala! Children can see the cannons, watch the ships in the distance and keep watch behind the walls. We found it to be the perfect place to watch the sunset with the whole family.
Other ways to discover Essaouira and the surrounding area
Along the coast
The area around Essaouira is full of surprises, especially the coast. Beautiful surfing and swimming beaches line the coastline. We recommend the Plage de Sidi Kaouki or the Plage d’Iftane. You can also take the time to stop off at picturesque fishing villages like Tafedna. Further south, the village of Imsouane, a small surfing paradise, is well worth a visit.
Discover the hinterland
In the hinterland, we enjoyed the colors of the landscape. From the ochre and red mountains to the gentle cliffs that slope down to the sea, all enhanced by the green of a special tree. This region is home to the argan tree, endemic to southwest Morocco and growing nowhere else in the world. And goats love it! Take the opportunity to visit a women’s argan oil production cooperative. We found it very interesting to visit such places! Women’s cooperatives will take you through the entire production process, from picking the fruit to extracting the fabulous oil.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Morocco
- Best of
The most beautiful landscapes in Morocco
What to do in Morocco (coming soon)
The most beautiful riads
The most beautiful cities
The most beautiful medinas
The most beautiful gardens (coming soon)
The best museums (coming soon)
The most beautiful beaches in Morocco (coming soon)
- Practical advice
When to go? (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Morocco (coming soon)
Driving tips (coming soon)
Itineraries (coming soon)
Where to stay in Morocco (coming soon)
- The must-dos
Marrakech
Casablanca
Fès
Meknès
Chefchaouen
Sahara Desert (coming soon)
