Visiting Essaouira: Top 10 things to see and do

You plan to travel to Morocco and visiting Essaouira Are you still looking for the must-see and must-do things in Essaouira for a long weekend? Then this article is for you!

Essaouira is enchanting and can only seduce anyone who visits it for the first time. What a contrast with Marrakech or the other cities of the Kingdom… The storks of the red city make way for the goélands that flutter in their hundreds in the fishing port and all around the fortifications of Esssaouira, this city that almost resembles Saint Malo.

After The must-see and must-do things in Marrakech, We went for a change of scenery to find some peace and quiet, some spacious open spaces, and to fully enjoy the Atlantic coast. Our first stop was Essaouira!

These vivid colors are breathtaking; white and blue are the dominant colors in this magnificent painting. It’s no wonder that many international artists have decided to settle there…

There is also this mixture of powerful scents where the iodized air swept by the sirocco blends with the subtle scents of the medina’s streets with woody notes accompanied by the scents of orange blossom or jasmine. There is also this surprising and spectacular marine decor that amazes us at every moment…

Did you know that the Medina of Essaouira Is it listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List? Whether it’s the fishing port with these hundreds of blue boats crammed together, or the walls of the old city with the Atlantic Ocean in the background, it’s a feast for the eyes…

When it comes to flavors, we are far from being disappointed, especially if you’re a fan of fish and seafood!

Stick your ear out and you’ll hear the singing of the seagulls on the ramparts, but also, in the squares and at sunset, the sound of African percussion that echoes through all the alleys of the medina… Yes, Essaouira also lives to the rhythm of the Gnaoua music, famous worldwide. Moreover, the Gnaoua Festival Essaouira attracts many visitors every year.

Note it down in your calendars, The 23rd edition of the Gnaoua festival in Essaouira will take place from June 25 to 28, 2020!

This port city of 70,000 inhabitants is also renowned for the quality of craftsmanship of artisans who work with thuya wood, leather, and copper.

The artistic side of Essaouira was also revealed with numerous art galleries where local artists are exhibited, not to mention the beautiful street art installations in the alleys of the medina.

If you are still looking for things to see and do in Essaouira, here are our favorites for enjoying the best of this city.

At the end of the article you’ll find lots of information and practical tips on transportation, the budget, and much more. Have a good trip!

Do you want to do other activities? Here is a link to book them Activities in Essaouira

Wandering around the port of Essaouira

Essaouira port is one of the most spectacular and lively places in the city, especially during the return of the fishermen. Imagine the scenery: there are dozens of fishing boats in the shipyard and many blue wooden boats moored in tight rows in the large basin of the port.

The fishermen deliver and negotiate on the quay their freshly caught fish and seafood, and there are countless goelands and seagulls arriving in hundreds to feast on the leftovers around the pier!

A genuine, friendly buzz that disconnects you from reality. A major attraction of the city that you simply must not miss!

Once the sailors return to the port, they deliver their merchandise not only in the restaurants of the city but also in the numerous huts located between Moulay Hassan Square and the port. Finistère, Morbihan, Quimper, Brest—they all have very original names!

You just have to choose the fish and seafood you want to enjoy, and the vendors prepare them in front of you, grill them on the barbecue, and bring them to the table.

A treat at a good price for less than 150 Dirhams per two people, and the guarantee of enjoying fresh products throughout your stay.

One piece of advice: observe the huts where the locals go and remember to negotiate the prices.

Admire the view from the walls of Essaouira

You can't leave Essaouira without visiting the famous fortress walls to admire the sunset and the Atlantic Ocean raging…

A wonderful show! For our first evening in Essaouira, we had some sandwiches made in the main alley of the medina, to enjoy them later on in the ramparts. We have an unforgettable memory of the experience; the setting is magical and it’s a luxury that has no price.

Historically, the city's first fortifications were built by the Portuguese in the 16th century to protect the Castelo Real fortress from French, Dutch, and Spanish invaders.

The Mogador city (the old name of the city) was a commercial port of high importance… After the destruction of the first fortifications in the 18th century, it was Théodore Cornut, a pupil of the famous architect Vauban, who built, along with the medina of Essaouira, the fortifications that we can see today.

You will always find the old Portuguese cannons all aligned facing the ocean. At the foot of them, on the medina side, you can find many small shops selling local crafts, but also the Mega Loft bar and restaurant that we particularly loved…

Where to go out at night in Essaouira?

The Mega Loft

Even though the food is quite good, we didn’t go to the Mega Loft for the food but for the retro and vintage decor, the friendly atmosphere and a bit of a hipster/alternative vibe of the place!

Othman, the owner of the place, has collected many items from the markets to create a unique 1960s-70s-style decor, adding also elbow grease to make unique DIY furniture. We love the old cash registers, the old colorful phones with circular frames that our grandparents had, the old cameras mounted on the wall, the ceiling painted with a light fixture made from audio cassettes, the industrial-style furniture, the benches made with wooden pallets, etc… In short, we love it.

Every evening, local singers and musicians perform on a small stage, but don't expect to witness a traditional music concert; instead, you'll find a friendly get-together with music by Patrice, Keziah Jones or Selah Sue.

I highly recommend this address; you will have a pleasant time in this establishment that exudes creativity, originality, and brings an alternative touch by enhancing Essaouira’s identity.

The Café Taros

If you’re looking for a bit of ambiance, head to Cafe Taros, located on the corner of Moulay Hassan Square. From the multi-level terrace you can enjoy panoramic views of the square and the harbor.

In the evening there are many live music performances. Admittedly, there is a large majority of tourists, and the prices are similar to those in Europe, but the atmosphere remains nice and friendly.

One piece of advice: don’t go there for dinner, but rather to have dessert, have a drink, and enjoy the music groups.

Getting lost in the alleys of the Medina of Essaouira

The best way to discover the medina is to wander through its many alleys, and I can assure you that the walk will remain an unforgettable experience, especially at night.

Keep in mind that it is quite easy to find your way around the old town because it is not a maze like in other cities, but rather a grid-like structure due to the influence of the French architect who designed the site.  

You discover small shops, art galleries, antique dealers, bookshops, grocery stores; you wander, take your time, chat with passersby; you encounter schoolchildren wearing white blouses who go to school by bicycle; you raise your eyes to observe these beautiful white facades with blue shutters that contrast with the colorful carpets that enhance dozens of street corners and small squares.

The atmosphere is much calmer than in some parts of the medina of Marrakech, but hey, it’s different!

What to see and do in the Essaouira region?

Diabat

The first stop on the road trip is Diabat, a whole Small village located 3km south of Essaouira, known for its ranch that houses about thirty horses for horseback riding on the large beach, but also known for having hosted many hippies and singers in the 1970s, including Jimi Hendrix who stayed there for 3 days.

He was also inspired by the dilapidated palace «Dar Sultan» to write the song «Castle Made Of Sand». There is a very colorful bar with many paintings depicting the famous guitarist. It’s worth stopping by to watch 😉

Sidi Kaouki

Surfers, kite surfers, windsurfers, or simply looking to disconnect in an atypical village on the Atlantic coast?  

Rent a car or take a bus/taxi to Sidi Kaouki A nice, peaceful little village located about thirty kilometers south of Essaouira, which will take you back in time to the 1970s!

Don't be surprised if you see Moroccans with dreadlocks, a surfboard under their arm, smoking a firecracker while listening to Bob Marley's Redemption Song or the Rolling Stones' Sympathy For The Devil!

After enjoying water sports, horseback riding or camel rides, you can enjoy a glass of mint tea on the terrace of a café while watching the sunset over the ocean.

Tip: Be careful when swimming; the currents are quite strong. If you want to spend the night there, you can stay in charming little guest houses.

Tafedna

We continue further south and, at a bend in the road, we come face to face with this spectacular view that dominates the valley below. Bay of Tafedna, a charming little authentic fishing village that has only one café and a few «hanout» (small shops).

I loved strolling through this desert village in the early afternoon, through these blue boats stranded on the vast beach. There was no noise, it felt like we were the only people there and time really seemed to stop…

Traditional markets around Essaouira

Every day there is a genuine and very lively market in the villages located around Essaouira, where the villagers come to buy groceries or sell their harvest. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself more deeply in local life, away from the tourist circuits.
Monday: village of Tafetachte
Tuesday: Village of’ El Hanchane
Wednesday: Village Ida Ougourd
Thursday: village of Meskala, village of Tidzi
Friday: Village of Sidi Ishak
Saturday: Village of Kouraimate, village of’Akermoud
Sunday: village of Smimou, village of’Had Draa

Sports or leisure activities in Essouira

One cannot talk about Essaouira without mentioning water sports! Surfing, Kitesurf, Windsurfing, catamarans, paddle boarding, etc… Essaouira is a popular destination for windsurfers, and there are many agencies / Surf Camp in the medina or on the large beach, where you can rent equipment and take individual or group lessons.

If you don’t have a nautical bent, you can still enjoy a beautiful ride on a quad bike, motocross, mountain bike, on a dromedar, or on horseback; no doubt you’ll have a great experience, especially at sunset in the dunes and on the beach!

Visiting the argan oil cooperatives

If you want to buy food or cosmetic argan oil, I recommend you go outside the city as far as possible from the tourist routes to visit a women's cooperative specialized in the extraction of argan oil.

It’s quite difficult to find a good quality oil because it’s cut up into other oils most of the time. Try to spot the ones that have a BIO and ECOCERT label, This way, you will have a better chance of finding oils of higher quality.

For our part, we are crazy about food grade argan oil, You can add it to your cooked dishes at the end of cooking, in salads, or simply enjoy it with a piece of fresh bread.

Transport from Marrakech to Essaouira

Marrakech Essaouira by bus with Supratours

We took a bus from Marrakech to Essaouira with the company Supratours for only 8€ per person. The journey takes 2h30 and we stopped for a break halfway through the trip in the town of Chichaoua (beware, it’s a tourist trap).

There are about 4 to 5 departures per day; the seats are comfortable; the bus is air-conditioned and even has a Wi-Fi connection. The departure is at the central train station in Marrakech and the arrival in Essaouira is located on the left of Bab Marrakech, the square located at the entrance of the Medina.

You can also take the local bus, which takes longer to reach the two cities, is also less comfortable than Supratours, but costs only 4€ per trip.

Marrakech Essaouira by car

3 years ago we rented a car through Ada to travel from Marrakech as well as to be able to enjoy the surroundings of Essaouira more freely and discover the Atlantic coast passing through charming fishing villages like Tafedna

Marrakech Essaouira in taxi

There is also the option of taking a taxi from Marrakech to Essaouira, but I don’t think that’s the most interesting solution. You can negotiate your seat for about 80 Dirhams, but you’ll be 6 in the taxi, plus the driver! Comfort: Average, especially if it’s hot…

Where to sleep in Essaouira?

Our tips for a trip to Essaouira

• Youth hostel in Essaouira

You can expect between 4 and 10€ per night to sleep in a youth hostel in the heart of the medina. This is a great opportunity to meet backpackers from all over the world and discover the city together!

• A riad in Essaouira

Riad accommodation is not really a shortage in the medina of Essaouira. There are options for all budgets and tastes, starting from 15€ per night in a small, simple riad up to 180€ for the Relais & Chateaux L’heure Bleue riad. The average price for a good quality riad in Essaouira is 50€ per night.

• A hotel in Essaouira

As with the riads, there are many hotels inside and outside the medina for all budgets and all tastes, whether you are traveling as a family, as a couple, among friends, etc…

I stayed for two nights at Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa, probably the most beautiful hotel in the region, located 6km south of Essaouira, after the village of Diabat.

The natural setting is magnificent, the lobby is luxurious and elegant, a beautiful fusion of contemporary design and local identity. This 5-star hotel features a high-end spa, two large swimming pools, one of which features natural filtration with plants.

The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and the famous Sofitel bedding is always a real treat; you feel like you’re floating on air… Prices start at about 140€ per night for a superior room. Considering the quality of the accommodation and the services offered, the price remains very attractive.

Good deal to stay connected in Morocco 

If you wish to use your phone during your trip, we recommend that you order one. a Morocco SIM card on the Holafly website, The world's specialist in SIM cards. To give you an idea, the 7-day/2GB SIM card costs 29 euros, and the 30-day/5GB SIM card costs 42 euros. We have a promo code that offers you a 5% discount on your order: TRAVELMEHAPPY 

Have a good trip to Morocco!