Essaouira is a city of about 78,000 located on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. In the past, fishing and the production of purple dye from murex shells were major industries here.
Today, tourism is an important part of its economy, as people from around Morocco and the world come to this laid-back city to enjoy the beaches, desert adventures, music, and history.
It’s also a great city for exploring Moroccan cuisine, with super fresh seafood and everything from upscale European-inspired dining to simple, casual, and inexpensive cafes serving all the local favorites.
Whether you stay here for a few nights or visit for a few hours as part of a day trip from Marrakech, you are sure to enjoy the mild climate, the charming old city, the delicious food, and the welcoming culture.
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Things to Do In Essaouira, Morocco
Walk Through the Medina
One of the highlights of Essaouira is its old city, with narrow streets, ancient buildings, arched doorways, and wide ramparts. You’ll find plenty of places to stop, including small shops, cafes, restaurants, and galleries.
You will also have a great view of the ocean, since the medina is perched right on the shore. Essaouira tends to be more laid back than the much larger Marrakech and Fez medinas, so you will often find that shopkeepers are less pushy and the streets are quieter.
Galerie la Kasbah
For art lovers and those fascinated by craft and design, Galerie la Kasbah is a must-see. Spread across eleven rooms in a restored 18th century riad – in itself a work of art – are paintings, sculptures, ceramics, woodcarvings, calligraphy, and more.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to see work by respected Moroccan artists and appreciate a range of modern and traditional artistic styles.
If you make a purchase, you can have it carefully packaged and shipped home for a unique souvenir.
Stroll, Surf, or Ride at the Beach
Essaouira has a long, wide, flat beach that is popular for walking, riding horses and camels, swimming, windsurfing, and surfing.
There are plenty of opportunities to do these activities, either organized by your hotel or through an independent tour operator (there are many in Essaouira).
If you favor a relaxed visit, simply make your way down the beach on foot, stopping for snacks and people watching along the way.
Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum
This small museum tells about the history and culture of Essaouira with exhibits of musical instruments, clothing, textiles, jewelry, and metalwork.
It also provides background on the history and culture of the region, including the different peoples who have lived there and the city’s importance for trade.
The signs are only in French and Arabic, but the entry fee is just 10dh (about $1), so it can be a nice pause even if you don’t stay long.
Gnaoua Festival
Every year in June, Essaouira hosts the world-famous Gnaoua World Music Festival. Gnaoua is a traditional style of music that originated in Morocco and is very popular there today.
Masters of the genre invite jazz, pop, rock, and contemporary world musicians to the festival, with the goals of offering an incredible line up of performances (many are free!) and creating a space for dialogue between musicians from around the world.
It draws a crowd of up to 450,000 and is always a wild, colorful, fun experience.
Read more here on the official website
Excursions and Day Trips
Essaouira is a great base for day trips and excursions into the desert and other nearby natural areas. You can travel by camel, horseback, quad, or air-conditioned van, depending on the trip, so there’s an option for every type of traveler.
Essaouira is also close to the stunning Paradise Valley, where emerald green rivers wind through red canyons, and you can eat lunch by the water after a refreshing swim.
Where to Eat in Essaouira, Morocco
Triskala Café
This little place has a wonderful laid-back vibe that invites you to relax after enjoying a delicious meal. Dishes such as falafel, grilled fish, mixed Moroccan salads, and apple tart are reasonably priced and artfully presented.
Triskala is full of cozy corners and warm candlelight, giving it a charming and homey mood. Located on Rue Touahen in the Medina.
The Loft
The Loft is a fun alternative to traditional restaurants, since it offers a handful of Moroccan classics as well as seafood, a sautéed noodle dish, and vegetarian options.
The décor is cute and quirky, and the live jazz music adds a cozy, romantic touch. Service is professional and friendly and the restaurant is very clean
Des Arcades de Mogador
This small, inexpensive restaurant has a terrace overlooking the street below and a menu including fun dishes like goat cheese-filled savory pastries, grilled sardines, orange and carrot salad, beef tagine, apple crumble, and fig tart.
It is simple, unassuming, and friendly, with good value for money. Located at 3 Avenida Istiqlal.
La Table by Madada
If you want to include an upscale dining experience while in Essaouira, make a reservation at La Table by Madada, a seafood restaurant and lounge.
With a good selection of fresh seafood dishes, Moroccan classics, lovely desserts, a wine list, and a cozy atmosphere with soft lighting,
it’s a great choice for a special night out. Located at 7 Rue Youssef El Fassi •
Riad Malaika
Riad Malaika is another great option for an elegant meal. White tablecloths, candles, fresh flowers, and food that arrives looking like art make eating here a memorable experience.
Try the lamb or fish tagine, pastilla, fish of the day, crab ravioli, eggplant dip, fresh fruit, flan, or Moroccan pastries.
Where to Stay in Essaouira, Morocco
Riad Etoile d’Essaouira
This riad is a great choice for inexpensive accommodations in the heart of the city just minutes from the ocean.
The hotel is clean and simple, with bathrooms and showers available in the rooms, a rooftop terrace, free wifi, and continental breakfast included (a selection of breads, jams, and butter).
The surrounding streets can be busy and common areas in the hotel are limited, so it’s perfect as a base of exploration around the city, but not a place to relax for hours during the day.
Hotel les Matins Bleus
Les Matins Bleus is another good option for affordable lodging in the city center.
Located within the medina, this hotel is run by a family and offers friendly service, free breakfast, a roof top terrace, delicious home-style meals in the restaurant, and rooms that are clean, cozy, and simply but thoughtfully decorated.
The building itself, a restored riad, is beautiful and full of traditional decorations.
Riad al Zahia
This charming hotel offers everything you would expect from a Moroccan riad experience – a lovely old building, a rooftop terrace overlooking the old city and the ocean, free breakfast and wifi, friendly service, and a convenient location on a quiet street in the medina.
It is just across from the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum. Located at 4 Rue Mohammed Diouri.
Riad Baladin
Riad Baladin is a perfect choice for combining an upscale stay with classic Moroccan style and hospitality.
Special touches including concierge service, a multi-level terrace, tasteful decoration and comfortable furnishings throughout, a hot tub in the courtyard, and a delicious breakfast make Riad Baladin stand out among medina hotels. Located at 9 Rue Sidi Magdoul.
Riad Malaika
Riad Malaika is a perfect place to stay for a combination of traditional Moroccan hospitality and boutique luxury.
The rooms are tastefully decorated in black and white motifs, a terrace gives you a stunning view of the old city, and attentive service ensures every need is met.
Riad Malaika also offers spa packages, gastronomy packages with cooking classes and guided visits to the souk, and assistance in arranging excursions by camel, horse, quad, or 4×4.
The fact that one of Essaouira’s best restaurants is part of the hotel is a great perk, too. Located at 17 Rue Zayan •
When to Go
Due to its coastal location, Essaouira enjoys a relatively mild climate year round, varying from highs of 65˚F/18˚C in the winter to 72˚F/22˚C in the summer.
Nights are almost always cool. It will be driest throughout spring and summer (March to October), with almost no rain from May to September, so most people prefer visiting during this time.
The famous Gnaoua Festival occurs in June, making that weekend either the perfect time for your trip, or, if you are not interested in attending, a period to avoid since the town will be packed.
Generally, visiting between November and February is not ideal, since it will be chilly and rainy with shorter daylight hours.
However, if you don’t mind the weather (which is still relatively mild), you’ll find that it’s quieter and cheaper.
Getting to and Around Essaouira
There is no train station and relatively few flights to the airport, so Essaouira is most easily reached by bus, taxi, or personal vehicle.
Essaouira can be reached by bus from most major cities in central and north-central Morocco, including Marrakech, Casablanca, and Fes.
The bus ride from Casablanca takes about six hours, and the ride from Marrakech takes just 2.5-3. From Marrakech, bus tickets will cost 80-110dh (check CTM.ma and Supratours) and a place in a shared taxi will cost around 80-100dh.
If taxis, regular bus routes, or renting a car do not appeal to you, look into tourist transfer services such as Essaouira Transfert , which can bring you to Essaouira from Marrakech in a small, air-conditioned van.
You can also consider visiting with an organized day tour group departing from Marrakech.
If you are staying in the center city, you can reach most tourist destinations on foot. In fact, the inner walled city is closed to automobile traffic, so it is easy to get around there (but do watch out for zippy mopeds).
If you need to get somewhere farther away, take a petit taxi. They are quite inexpensive.