Essaouira in Morocco is a far cry from the bustling imperial cities. Situated on the coast, directly west from Marrakech, Essaouira is a melting pot of alternative lifestyles, arty shops and cafes, and home to some of the freshest seafood in the country! We spent a few days exploring and relaxing in Essaouira. Read below our guide for the 6 best things to do in Essaouira!
6 best things to do in Essaouira
Time to visit: You can see everything on this list in a day, but we recommend 2-3 days to experience the city properly. Essaouira is a laid-back seaside city, where temperatures rarely drop below 25 degrees, even during the winter! Taking the extra time to relax and enjoy Essaouira’s seaside, its artistic streets and hipster community will allow you to soak up the vibes fully!
1. Explore the Medina and its many artistic shops
You can easily spend a full day exploring the narrow streets and markets within the medina, constantly finding new colourful and artistic shops around each corner. The medina is home to many artisanal professionals, argan oil vendors, crafting carpets, paintings and ceramics. If you want something really one of a kind for back home, the centre of Essaouira is the place to shop for it!
When spending money abroad we always use our WISE international debit card. You can withdraw up to 200 euros in cash per month free of charge and won’t pay any conversion fees on transactions. Check out the WISE international debit card here.
2. Watch sunset from up on the city ramparts
The grand ramparts surrounding the medina of Essaouria, the ancient Mogador, were built in the 18th century to protect the city from foreign invasions and pirate attacks. Along the promenade, you can see the old cannons that were used to defend the city. he old city walls that made up the fort are still around today and make a great spot to sit and watch the sunset over the Atlantic ocean and the nearby port. The area is also home to a number of cafes, restaurants and art shops selling souvenirs.
These ramparts have also been used for filming in a number of hollywood blockbusters such as Game of Thrones and many other movies. Pieces of art are now on display along the walls, which can be viewed while strolling and enjoying the surrounding landscape.
3. Try some local seafood at the fish market of “Sqala du Port”
Essaouira is famous all over Morocco for its seafood, and nowhere is this more evident than the fish market of “Sqala du Port”. The port is home to hundreds of boats and fishermen that brave the Atlantic ocean everyday to bring back fresh seafood to sell. There are a number of restaurants on the seafront here where you can order a seafood dinner, or sample some of the local oysters raw. Just be prepared for the smell before you arrive! If you are vegetarians, you can still have a look at this very particular and interesting place.
4. Take a walk at the beach or try surfing
The Plage d’Essaouira is a 3 kilometre long beach that stretches from the old part of town along the coastline. Due to its position on the western coast on the Atlantic ocean, the area has large waves making it a popular destination for surfers. This is the ideal place in Morocco to try surfing and even kite surfing from a number of the beachfront cafes and restaurants. Many places offer equipment hire and even lessons if you want to give it a go. Check out Kite and Surf Essaouira which is very popular for those wanting to surf. Alternatively you can sit back and enjoy a meal or drink and watch the kite surfers from afar. Our favourites were Ocean Vagabond or Beach and Friends Restaurant.
Travel insurance is a must for any holiday abroad, especially when doing extreme activities. Although problems rarely occur, it is better to be covered in case they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world. Check out SafteyWing here.
5. Eat your way around Essaouira
In Essaouria we had the best meals in the whole Morocco! We ate at some very local delicious restaurants, and recommend trying some of the places less geared towards tourists for an authentic experience. Don’t miss “Chez Fatima” restaurant! It is a very cheap and authentic restaurant, in a hidden tiny alley of the medina, where we had the best vegetarian tagine in Morocco!
For something more fancy, check out Dar Baba. This restaurant pops with colourful décor and a menu of Euro-Moroccan tapas. It is one of the more instagrammable spots in town and the food doesn’t disappoint either!
Those looking for a lively terrace with sunset view can go to Le Taros. This is one of the city’s most famous nightspots, and has a booming rooftop bar with live bands, D.J.s and drinks aplenty.
6. Give your skin some TLC with some locally produced Argan Oil
Argan oil is produced from the kernels of the argan tree, which only grow in Morocco. This oil is world famous in skin and hair care, and carries a number of health benefits. Whilst Argan oil might set you back 30-40 euros in Europe, in Morocco you can pick it up for much cheaper (around 10 euros) from one of the many Argan oil cooperatives that operate in this region. These cooperatives are usually run by local women, and employ a number of people creating female jobs and putting money back into the local economy. Whether it’s skin cream, shampoo, lip balm or even cooking oil, anything you could want is available to purchase.
Many of the cooperatives you can visit will also walk you through the process of grinding and refining the argan kernels into the oil, and you can even have a go yourself in some! Here are some of the Argan oil cooperatives around Essaouira we recommend visiting;
Best time to visit Essaouira
Located along Morocco’s coast, Essaouira invites you to experience its diverse temperatures through the seasons. Spring (March to May) and autumn (from September to November) bring mild days and cool nights, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C, perfect for exploring the city’s streets. Summer (June to August) heats up with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C, softened by the refreshing sea breeze that dances through the air.
Winter (December to February) brings tranquillity, offering mild days and cool evenings with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 20°C, ideal for a winter break! (We were there in January and we got 3 days of full sun and 28 degrees during the day)!
The shoulder seasons are the best period to be in Essaouira. They offer a balance between avoiding the peak summer temperatures and the cooler winter evenings. Additionally, the city is likely to be less crowded during these times, allowing visitors to enjoy a more relaxed and authentic experience.
Anyway, whatever the season, Essaouira gets 300 days of sunshine a year, inviting you to savour its unique charm at any time!
Where to stay in Essaouira?
There are no shortage of great places to stay in Essaouira, with prices to suit all budgets. All of our recommendations below are properties within the medina rated 8+/10 and the majority include breakfast!
Hotels in Essaouira View all
Getting to Essaouira
The closest big city to Essaouira is Marrakech, about 3 hours away by car. There are a number of buses per day from Marrakech and some other cities in Morocco, but depending on your point of origin you may need to change a few times. You can check bus times and prices here. In our opinion the easiest way to visit Essaouira is with your own car or a rental. You can check car rental prices for Morocco here.
Note: Travel insurance is a must for any travel abroad, especially when renting a car. Although problems rarely occur, it is better to be covered in case they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world.
If you don’t have your own car, or can’t rent one, we recommend booking an organised tour. There are many tour operators in cities around Morocco offering all inclusive tour packages to visit Essaouira. Booking a tour takes all the stress out of using the slow and often unreliable public transport options. You can book these in advance online before you arrive. See below for some tour recommendations from different parts of Morocco.
From Marrakech
We recommend: This day trip from Marrakech including guided tour of the medina, and visit to a womens Argan oil collective!
By bus: Takes 3 hours and costs around 10 euros. Check times and book in advance here!
From Casablanca
We recommend: This day trip from Casablanca including a tour of the medina and sightseeing stops along the way!
By bus: Takes around 5 hours and costs around 15 euros. Check times and book in advance here!
From Agadir
We recommend: This day trip from Agadir that stops at a women’s Argan oil collective and includes a guided tour of the city!
By bus: Takes around 3 hours and costs around 10 euros. Check times and book in advance here!
When booking train and bus tickets abroad, we always use 12go.asia. You can check timetables and prices online and it’s often cheaper than booking in person! Check our 12go.asia here.
Where to go after Essaouira
After exploring the beautiful seaside town of Essaouira you can head north to Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. Travel time is around 4 hours and there are many things to see and do. Check out our full article on what to see and do in Rabat here.
Alternatively you can head inland to Marrakech, the beating heart of Morocco. Check out our article on the best tours from Marrakech here. From Marrakech you can easily access the Atlas mountains to do some hiking and check out the breathtaking scenery. Read our article on the top 7 things to do and see in the Atlas mountains here.
If you have any suggestions or comments, don’t hesitate to let us know by leaving a comment!
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