The 10 Best Things to do in Essaouira Morocco

This guide to the Top 10 Things To Do in Essaouira will help you plan an incredible visit to this picturesque beach town on Morocco’s coast.

Whether you’re planning to spend several days in Essaouira or just taking a day trip to Essaouira, you’re going to be impressed with this beautiful laid back city.

During my trip to Morocco, Essaouira was just the break I needed from the intensity and chaos of Marrakesh. Trust me, after a few days in the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh you’ll know what I mean.

In many ways Essaouira is the opposite of Marrakesh, which makes it all the more important that you see the city for yourself. While Marakesh is loud, Essaouira is mostly quiet, which is one of the primary reasons I loved it here so much.

I put this Essaouira travel guide together to help you plan the best visit possible, I hope you love it as much as I did.

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Things to do in Essaouira Morocco

If you’re looking for a change of pace from the typical beach vacation, Essaouira Morocco is the perfect addition to your Morocco itinerary.

This vibrant coastal town is known for its stunning architecture, delicious seafood, and friendly locals. Plus, it’s a lot more affordable than some of the other popular Moroccan destinations.

Often called “the pearl of the Atlantic”, this coastal town is a favorite destination for travelers looking to explore North Africa.

Anyone who has ever traveled knows that there are some destinations you just have to see in your lifetime. Morocco is one of those places.

While most people think of Marrakech when they think of Morocco, the smaller coastal town of Essaouira is worth a visit as well. Here are five reasons to add Essaouira to your travel list.

1. The scenery is beautiful – the combination of the ocean and the desert makes for an amazing view.
2. It’s a lot less touristy than Marrakech – which means you can actually experience Moroccan culture without being surrounded by hordes of other tourists.
3. There’s good food – if you love seafood, you’ll be in heaven; there are also plenty of restaurants serving typical Moroccan cuisine if that’s more your thing.
4. It’s affordable – compared to other North African destinations, Essaouira is very affordable; you can easily find accommodation and eat out for under $50 per day.
5. The weather is great – unlike Marrakech, which can be quite hot during the summer months, Essaouira has a temperate climate thanks to its coastal location meaning it’s perfect for a summer getaway.

How to get to Essaouira

Before we get to all the top things to do in Essaouira, we’ve got to get you there first.

The easiest way to get to Essaouira from Marrakesh and most other nearby towns is to drive. From Marrakesh, the drive will take about two and a half hours.

The roads to Essaouira are flat and in good condition, so if you’re comfortable with renting a car, this should be an easy drive. 

If you prefer, you can also arrange to take a shuttle or bus from one of the bus companies operating in Morocco. The busses and shuttles run regularly between Essaouira and most other major surrounding cities.

For more information on the shuttle times and rates, check out CTM or Supratours. Fares with either company should run about 70 Dirhams (about $7.70 USD) per person each way plus a few Dirhams extra for luggage. 

If you don’t want the hassle of reserving a shuttle, you can catch a taxi from the Marrakesh airport. The taxi will cost about $100 USD each way. 

Another popular option is to take a guided day trip to Essaouira from Marrakesh. These are full day tours and include pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Marrakesh.

Day trips from Marrakesh are a popular way to experience nearby destinations around Morocco. They are usually quite affordable and take the hassle out of planning.

The day tour to Essaouira is around $25 USD per adult at time of writing. The group size of these tours is usually around 10 to 15 people or less.

1. Explore the Medina of Essaouira

One of the most popular things to do in Essaoura is to explore the Essaouira medina.

Located in the westernmost city of Morocco, the Essaouira medina is a must-see for anyone visiting the country. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to a wealth of historic architecture, including the 18th century Skala de la Ville fortress and the beautiful Attarin Mosque.

The medina is also a great place to shop for traditional Moroccan goods, such as carpets, pottery, and spices. Also be sure to try some of the local cuisine at one of the many cafes and restaurants. With its stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Essaouira medina is an unforgettable experience.

The Essaouira medina is a must-see for any visitor to Morocco. The Essaouira medina is also home to a number of historical sites, including the 18th-century ramparts and the atmospheric Old Port.

With its relaxed atmosphere and wealth of things to do in Essaouira, the Essaouira medina is the perfect place to relax and soak up the atmosphere of this fascinating city.

You could easily spend an entire afternoon exploring the Medina, so be sure to leave yourself enough time so you don’t feel rushed.

If you’re looking for some unique textiles for your home, this is the perfect place to find them.

You also do not need to worry about getting lost in the medina here, it’s not as big or confusing as the one in Marrakesh.

Be sure not to miss seeing Place Moulay Hassan, one of the most beautiful squares in the city. It’s located between the port and the entrance to the Medina

2. Visit the Fish Market

Essaouira is known for it’s seafood, which isn’t surprising given its location along the Atlantic.

If you enjoy seafood, be sure to make your way over to the fishing port and stop by the fish market.

Several of the stalls in the fish market will allow you to select a fish from their catch that day and cook it fresh to order right in front of you.

It’s a truly unique experience and likely some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever eat.

Even if you’re not a fan of seafood and fresh fish, it’s still worth a trip down to the fishing port.

The fish market in Essaouira is one of the most lively in the country, and you don’t want to miss it.

3. Explore the Citadel

Adjacent to the medina, you will find a pathway leading up to the citadel.

Essaouira citadel is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Morocco. The citadel is a fortified city that was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. It is located on a small island off the coast of Essaouira and is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

The citadel has many features such as a defensive wall, a castle, a mosque, and a lighthouse. Visitors can explore the citadel and learn about its history. There are also many shops and restaurants located within the citadel.

Essaouira was built like a fortress to protect it from invaders and most of the fortifications remain in place today. If you walk up the pathway you will find a beautiful view of the ocean and surrounding city. This is a great place for photos too.

There are lots of small lookouts and arches to pose with, so walk around for a while and just enjoy the view. 

4. Sample the Pastries

Before you leave the medina, make sure you stop into Patisserie La Bienvenue for something sweet.

Patisserie La Bienvenue is a local bakery selling a variety of fresh Moroccan pastries.

I recommend getting a box with a mix of everything. Honestly, most of them were delicious.

Traditional Moroccan pastries are made from ingredients such as honey, almonds, pistachios, and dates. The ones with the honey were my favorite.

While these did not make it back to our hotel, I believe these would be perfect with coffee or a fresh mint tea the next morning if you can manage to save a few.

5. Walk Along Essaouira Beach

One of the most peaceful things to do in Essaouira is to head to the beach. You’ll find the Essaouira beach adjacent to the old town, just a few minutes walk away.

Spend some time walking along the beach after you’ve finished at the medina. The beaches in Essaouira can be very windy due to regional trade winds, but they’re beautiful.

If the weather is right, this is a great place to spend the afternoon. The beach and water is fairly clean, so you should have no problem going for a swim if you like.

Just be mindful of the waves, if the water seems to rough, you may wish to enjoy the view from the sand.

You’ll find a few areas with beach chairs and umbrellas available, which are available to rent for the day for just a dollar or two. There are also small shops and vendors selling food and drinks.

Both windsurfing and kite surfing are extremely popular activities here. If you have the time, you may wish to join in the fun.

6. Visit the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum

You’ll find the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum in the Medina of Essaouira. The museum is housed in a beautiful former mansion that dates back to the 19th century.

The museum itself features art and artifacts, such as clothing and musical instruments, that tell the story of Morocco’s history and culture.

Visitors to the musuem will have the opportuntiy to learn more about the Berber culture as well, with many artifacts used in Berber rituals on display.

The Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum is open daily. Hours vary but they usually open by 9:00 a.m. and close at either 5:30 p.m. or 9:00 p.m., depending on the day of the week.

7. Try Kitesurfing

If you’re looking for adventurous things to do in Essaouira, consider kitesurfing.

Essaouira is an incredibly popular destination for kitesurfers and windsurfers. The main reason these activities are so popular is that, as beautiful as Essauoira is, it’s a windy city.

So while it may not be the best destination for sunbathing, it sure is perfect for water sports.

In fact, people come to Morroco’s Atlantic coast from all over the world just to go surfing, kitesurfing, or windsurfing.

Even at the airport you’ll see tons of people hauling their gear through the terminal.

If you’re coming to Essauoira and you’re looking to try kitesurfing or windsurfing for the first time, that’s fine too. You’ll find stands along the waterfront offering lessons and gear to rent.

Prices are affordable, but don’t forget to bargain for a good price.

8. Grab lunch at La Fromagerie

When visiting Essaouira you also don’t want to miss some of the area’s best restaurants. One of the more unique things to do in Essauoira is to grab lunch at the popular restaurant La Fromagerie.

As the name suggests, La Fromagerie specializes in delicious cheeses. And yes, they also serve wine.

You can order a variety of different cheese plates and the staff are happy to recommend a good wine pairing.

In addition to the cheeses, they also serve fresh salads, pastas, and seafood.

The setting is beautiful as well. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. If the weather is right, I recommend sitting outside on the patio. It’s a great spot to get some pictures.

La Fromagerie opens daily at noon. They do not have a website that I have been able to find, but Google tells me they close at midnight.

If you plan to arrive in the evening, I would call ahead to make sure they are open.

9. Listen to Live Music

One of the most fun things to do in Essaouira is to find live music. Live music is not hard to find in Morocco since many of the local restaurants will feature live music in the evenings.

You may also stumble across live music as you’re exploring the Essaouira Medina.

If you’re looking for local live music over dinner, here are a few suggestions:

• Restaurant D’Jazy
• Le Relais
• Restaurant Le Sirocco
• Taros

I am not linking to the restaurants above because they do not have websites to link to. If you enter the restaurant names in Google Maps you’ll be able to see their location, hours, and read some reviews.

Music is a big part of the culture in Morocco, so you won’t have any trouble finding some.

In addition to finding music at many of the local restaurants, there is also an annual Gnaoua World Music Festival held annually in Essaouira.

The festival’s website describes the event as follows:

Deeply rooted in North African styles, sounds and traditions, the festival is a vibrant and immersive experience, filling the city’s streets, squares, docks and performance venues with a fantastic extravaganza of sound and colour. 

The dates for the 2020 Gnaoua Festival have not yet been announced, but you can find more information by visiting the event’s website.

10. Tour an Argan Oil Cooperative

There are many argan oil cooperatives across Morocco, including one about 20 minutes outside of Essaouira.

If you’re interested in learning about how argan oil is processed and made into popular products, be sure to stop into Marjana Cooperative for a quick tour.

Visitors can participate in a short tour of the facility, see the argan oil being processed, and meet some of the women working there.

The tour ends in the coop store, where you can purchase a variety argan oil products. Proceeds from the sale of the argan oil products go back into the coop. There is however, no pressure to buy.

I am unsure if this cooperative is actually owned by the women who work there.

I have read that many of the women’s argan oil coops in Morocco are actually owned by men who just employ women to work there.

However, I did find it worth my time to learn more about the uses of argan oil and how it is produced.

I also found that some of the smaller items and products made excellent gifts to bring back home for friends as souvenirs.

Many of the smaller items are priced quite reasably, so you can pick up quite a few products for very little money.

11. Essaouira Sand Dune Quad Bike Tour

If you’re looking for adventurous things to do in Essaouira Morocco, consider booking a quad bike tour. The quad tours take you out to the sand dunes just outside the city.

The quad bike tours are half day tours lasting around three hours. They also include pick up and drop off in Essauoira.

Where to stay in Essaouira

You can find accommodations in a range of budget options in Essaouira. I’ve listed an option from each price point below to give you an idea of what’s available:

Budget

Surf Essaouira Hostel: Located in the Medina in Essaouira, features a rooftop terrace and free breakfast. Single, double and triple rooms available. This hostel also offers surfing packages if you’d like to take lessons while you’re here. 

Moderate

Hotel Sofitel Golf and Spa: This hotel features a large pool, several restaurants, a spa, and all rooms face the ocean. The hotel is located on a hill about a five to ten-minute drive to the medina and the beaches. 

Luxury

Heure Bleue Palais: This five-star hotel features elegantly appointed rooms, a gorgeous rooftop terrace with a swimming pool, and a fantastic restaurant. The hotel is located within the Medina and is walking distance to the beaches. 

If you’re looking to explore Morocco a bit further, consider visiting Ait Ben Haddou.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my post about things to do in Essaouira and that you’ve found it helpful in planning a trip of your own. If you liked this post, please consider sharing it. It really helps me a lot. Thanks for reading.

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