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Are you planning a trip but not sure what to do in Essaouira? Our Essaouira bucket list will come in handy during your next trip to Morocco, revealing cool hidden gems and top attractions in this relaxed coastal city.
This post was written for us by someone who has lived in Essaouira since January 2023. They know all about the best things to do in Essaouira and how to create the perfect itinerary. As an added bonus, they will share cool hidden gems that many people don’t even know exist.
Use our local’s guide to quickly and easily see everything Essaouira has to offer. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of this charming beach town, home to a traditional port, a relaxed Medina, and some of the freshest and best seafood in Morocco.
Cool Things to Do in Essaouira
Many travellers come to Essaouira because they love the town’s low-key vibe and want to escape the chaos of nearby Marrakech.
But some people get bored in Essaouira because they feel there isn’t much to do. Well, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
There are actually a ton of amazing things to do in Essaouira if visitors know where to look. So, use this list to help you discover this exciting town on the Atlantic Coast of Morocco.
Stay at a Riad
A riad is a traditional Moroccan-style building in which all the rooms are located around a central courtyard. The courtyard can be open or closed and can include tile mosaics, fountains, gardens, and pools.
Riads are unique to Morocco and tend to feature beautiful, old-world decor, making them excellent places to stay during your trip. The riads in Essaouira are especially amazing because the service is exquisite, and the rooms are stunning.
In particular, Ryad Watier is an excellent place to stay. The riad is well-located in the Medina, and rooms are spacious since the building was once a madrasa (school). The decor is also gorgeous, and the staff go out of their way to make guests feel like they are part of the family. A sumptuous breakfast feast is included with every booking, as is access to a large roof terrace with comfortable sun loungers.
Seafront Salut Maroc! is a slightly more splurge option, with an enviable location on the city walls in the Medina. You’ll get stunning sea views from the restaurant, many of the rooms, and the rooftop terrace. A blend of traditional Moroccan design and contemporary style plus warm and friendly staff make this a great option if you’re celebrating a special occasion in Essaouira.
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Have Breakfast at Al Jazira
This is one of the best restaurants in Essaouira and the place to go for an authentic Moroccan breakfast in the city. Travelers will know it’s good because it is always packed and difficult to find a table. There is also no English on the menu, and they run out of food by 10am.
Additionally, meals are not served with silverware. However, the food is amazing, and visitors can enjoy gorgeous views from their tables.
Menu highlights include batbout (traditional Moroccan bread) with olive oil, cheese omelettes, harira (North African soup), bissara (fava bean soup), mint tea, coffee, etc. Just don’t expect top-notch service since this hole-in-the-wall spot is super casual.
To visit, type “Snack Al Jazira” into Google Maps since there isn’t a big sign out front, and this place can be difficult to find.
Explore the Medina
Essaouira’s charming blue and white Medina is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a walk along these historic cobblestone streets and uncover a wealth of ancient buildings from the 18th century.
Unlike the Medina in Marrakech, the Medina in Essaouira is much smaller, with streets laid out in a grid-like pattern. So, you won’t have to worry about getting lost or harassed by street vendors since the people in the Medina are very chill.
The beating heart of the Medina is Place Moulay Hassan, a large pedestrianised square where you find the perfect people-watching spot at one of the cafés, which all have outside tables and chairs.
Take your time wandering through the streets and shopping for cool souvenirs. If time allows, stop by Mandala Society for a nice coffee or head to Pâtisserie Driss for dessert. Just watch out for stray cats looking for a snack since the Medina is filled with friendly felines who like to join travellers for a bit of al fresco dining!
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Walk to Diabat
Many people don’t know that Essaouira is within walking distance of Diabat. It is a tiny town that became famous when music legend Jimi Hendrix stopped by in 1969.
Visitors can walk from the Medina to Diabat in about 45 minutes. Just be sure to eat before you visit since there aren’t many restaurants and cafés in Diabat. Or, stop on the way at the very cool Ocean Vagabond for a beachside lunch.
Visitors should only really stop at the Jimi Hendrix Café to grab a drink, admire the decor, and see where the legend once stood since the food isn’t very good.
Afterwards, go camel riding, horseback riding, quad biking, or explore Dar Sultan Palace. The palace is a great place to take photos because it has many ruins and old mosaic floors covered in sand.
Finally, head to the beach and gaze out Al Jazira Island as you watch tourists ride by on camels.
Visit Sidi Kaouki
Another great day trip from Essaouira is Sidi Kaouki. This cute beach town is about a 30-minute drive from Essaouira, but the bus is the best way to get there.
You can catch the number 2 bus from Bab Doukkala. Tickets cost 8 Dirhams per person, and the trip to Sidi Kaouki, the final stop, will take around 45 minutes.
Once here, visitors can try surfing since the waves are a bit stronger than those in Essaouira. They can also try horseback riding, quad biking, or camel riding before relaxing beneath an umbrella on the beach.
Finally, grab a delicious mint tea from Surf Station or get off the beaten path at La Mouette. It’s a great place to grab lunch since the café overlooks a quiet stretch of beach along the coast.
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Visit the Top of the Skala du Port
Another historic building to visit in Essaouira is the Skala du Port (skala means ladder). This structure also dates back to the 18th century and offers guests sweeping views of the port, the ocean, and the Medina.
Like the Old Skala, this tower was also featured in the hit series, Game of Thrones. Unlike the Old Skala, the Skala du Port is only open from 9am to 5pm. Visitors will also have to pay 50 Dirhams ($5.00) to enter unless they visit on Fridays when admission is free.
Afterwards, visit the local fishing port. The fish auction that takes place every afternoon as the blue wooden fishing boats return with their catch, and it’s a real spectacle. But be prepared – this is not a chi-chi fishing port in the European style. This is a working port and there are fish blood and guts underfoot, seagulls everywhere, people shouting and jostling – you get the picture!
Buy some fresh seafood from the market and head to Place Molay Hassan at the entrance to the port, where one of the restaurants can prepare and cook it for you.
Do a Bit of Surfing or Kite Surfing at Main Beach
Because Essaouira is located on the Atlantic coast, it experiences a lot of wind daily, hence it’s nickname ‘the wind city of Morocco’. Yes, it can be a bit annoying, but the good news is that this wind makes Essaouira Beach an excellent place to try surfing and kite surfing.
Sure, the waves here aren’t as big as the ones in Sidi Kaouki. However, Essaouira is a good place for beginners to try surfing. Alternatively, advanced surfers may want to try kite surfing instead.
The pros at Moga Surf include world-class athletes happy to share everything they know about these high-adrenaline sports. Just put on a wet suit, grab a board, and hit the waves.
After the lesson, relax at their on-site coffee shop and order a Moroccan Noss Noss. It’s basically an espresso with a little bit of milk and a little bit of foam on top.
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Watch the Sunset from the Old Skala
This military structure, built inside the Medina in the 18th century, offers visitors unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean. The best part? It’s free to visit and is open daily from 9 a.m. to just after sunset. No, really. The sun goes down, and authorities immediately ask visitors to leave!
Anyway, the best time to visit is at sunset since the sky above the ocean turns beautiful shades of pink. You can also see cute blue fishing boats returning to the port. Just be sure to arrive early since this spot is very popular at this time of day.
Otherwise, travellers can examine one of the nineteen different cannons on display and see where various scenes from the series Game of Thrones were filmed.
Plan an Adventurous Activity
If you’re still looking for that extra something to complete your trip, there are loads of organised activities on offer in Essaouira. From quad biking, desert safaris and camel riding to water sports, sand buggying and horse riding, there’s something here whatever your bag!
Top Tips for Visiting Essaouira
Before visiting Essaouira, read and use these local tips when planning an itinerary. This will make the entire trip planning process a lot easier.
Book Riads Well in Advance
Many riads in Essaouira are quite small and have a maximum of ten rooms. To avoid disappointment, you should book your room at least two months in advance if you want to stay in a specific riad.
Safety Isn’t a Big Issue
Essaouira is a very safe city, and women can walk alone by the beach at night without any problems. Solo female travellers may encounter unwanted male attention, but it is usually harmless.
Secret police are also present in the Medina and are always on the lookout for scammers and pickpockets. Therefore, take normal safety precautions and have an amazing trip.
You Can Wear Shorts!
Many places in Morocco are very conservative, and showing any skin above the knees and elbows (both men and women) is frowned upon.
However, Essaouira is a liberal resort town, and people regularly wear swimming shorts and bikinis on the beach. But, that doesn’t mean you can wander into town in this attire as you might elsewhere.
Shorts and T-shirts are fine, but loose trousers and tops or long floaty dresses are much kinder in the hot weather and protect you from the sun.
As a general rule, be mindful about how much skin you show, and don’t wear things like hot pants or bras as outerwear!
Do Not Rent a Car and Drive to Essaouira
The drive from Marrakech to Essaouira is boring, so visitors won’t want to stop along the way. Travelers also don’t need a car in Essaouira since the city is very walkable.
You can travel between Essaouira and Marrakech by Supratours bus. The trip takes three hours, and buses depart at least five times a day. The Supratours bus also drops visitors off right outside the Medina, and tickets only cost around 100 Dirhams ($10.00).
Alternatively, arrange a private transfer from Marrakech with a local driver in an air-conditioned minivan for only a few dollars more per person.
Taxis in Essaouira are Great
Essaouira is a small, walkable city. However, if travellers need a taxi, a ride costs 8 Dirhams ($0.80) regardless of where you go. Don’t worry about getting overcharged by taxi drivers since that doesn’t happen here.
Dress Warmly and Get Ready for the Wind
Due to Essaouira’s location on the Atlantic Coast, it is a very windy city. The wind is especially strong in August, and the temperatures within the city feel quite cool. So, pack warm clothes, even in the summer, since daily highs reach 28°C (82°F), but the actual temperature feels more like 22°C (72°F).
Don’t Underestimate the Sun
Pack a hat and plenty of sunscreen since the sun is very strong here. The sun can get burned even during the winter. If visiting in the summer, it’s best to go outside in the early morning or in the late afternoon when the sun isn’t as strong.
Check to Make Sure Your Hotel Has Heat in the Winter
Heat is not standard in hotels in Morocco, especially in older riads inside the Medina. So, always check that a hotel has heat before booking a room since Essaouira can get quite cold in the winter. Also, pack warm jackets, hats, scarves, and gloves if visiting Morocco in the winter since evenings can get much colder than most travellers think.
Conclusion
Visitors to Essaouira can see that there are a ton of amazing things to do. No, there aren’t as many landmark sites here as in Marrakech. But, travellers using this guide will have no trouble spending a few days in Essaouira.
They will also enjoy the relaxed, Bohemian vibe of this sleepy little beach town since Essaouira is a great place to recharge after a busy couple of days in Marrakech. So, don’t be afraid to sleep in and sit with a mint tea while petting a stray cat and watching the world walk by.
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