What to do in Essaouira?

Located about 180 km west of Marrakech, the city known as the Wind City is a true gem to discover in Morocco, by the Atlantic Ocean! This charming coastal town is renowned for its beauty and breathtaking surroundings. If you're wondering what to do in Essaouira, this guide will show you how to enjoy relaxed days in Morocco by traveling just a few kilometers from Marrakech

Like any Moroccan city, wandering through the alleys of the medina is a must-do activity. Essaouira's medina is no different, as all the alleys lead to the central square and are filled with artisan shops, tiny squares, souvenir stores, and small street food stands to try out quickly

Often, you'll come across old houses and buildings exuding authentic charm! To navigate, simply follow the main street lined with shops on both sides. Then you'll come across a small square surrounded by restaurants, and continuing to the right, you'll find a shopping avenue.

Plan for about 2 hours at most to fully explore the medina. This UNESCO World Heritage marvel since 2001 definitely deserves some time spent on it!

If you're looking for activities to do in Essaouira or more generally what to do in Morocco, you won't be disappointed. A hot spot for kitesurfing and surfing in Morocco, this is where you should head for a beginner's lesson! But if you prefer land activities, you can also embark on numerous adventures, including discovering the Sahara Desert, whether by quad or camel Of course, you can also participate in various activities within the medina itself, like cooking and dance classes, tastings, etc. However, you must remember to book in advance

For shopping enthusiasts or those looking for gifts, the souks of the medina are filled with a variety of products. You'll find a wide range of clothing, accessories, jewelry, ceramics, tea sets, handmade leather goods, and many other artisanal products...

If you prefer food, the souks of Essaouira hold delightful discoveries such as spices, fruits, vegetables, and street food stands. In another section, there's the meat souk, and especially, the fish souk, which is the most essential!

The ramparts of Essaouira are unmissable! Once, they served to protect against invasions as the city was the main commercial port of the country, so fortifications were necessary. These were built at the request of Sultan Mohamed Ben Abdallah by Théodore Cornut

During your visit to Essaouira, the fortifications can be explored in two parts! As you walk along the beach toward the old town, you will pass the ramparts overlooking the Atlantic. This is where you can admire abandoned boats and about twenty Spanish cannons directed toward the ocean...

The second part is located inside the city with its immense gates! By the way, don't forget to climb to the top of the tower for breathtaking views of the ocean and the entire old town You can obviously visit these two parts by yourself or on a guided tour of the fortifications and the medina of Essaouira.

The Old Port of Essaouira was once the most important port during the 18th century. Formerly known as the Port of Timbuktu, it offered many advantages with low customs fees allowing for an international monopoly in addition to its connection via trans-Saharan routes!

During this time, many precious goods such as spices, ivory, almonds, argan oil, and even gold passed through the port! However, over time, other ports with simpler access due to their deeper waters quickly ousted the port of Essaouira from the maritime market.

Taking the time to discover the fishing port and knowing its history will enrich your experience in Essaouira! It revolves around two sections: the boats and the shipyard. On one side, you'll see small blue boats and trawlers, and on the other, the shipyard built when the port was established

If you're wondering where to enjoy the beach in Morocco, then head to Essaouira! This beach stretches for several kilometers connecting the south of the city to the fortress that houses the medina. Essaouira beach is known to be one of the best spots for kitesurfing in Morocco and a great place to relax with a drink

Indeed, there are plenty of sunbeds and comfort facilities lining the beach. These facilities belong to the nearby restaurants and bars. If you have the time and desire, feel free to take a seat and savor Moroccan specialties, sip on mint tea or a cocktail while enjoying the horizon...

Depending on your desires or how much time you have, add some fun to your stay in Essaouira by participating in a surfing or kitesurfing lesson! The Atlantic waves are coveted by surfers, so why not learn to catch the waves and glide while advancing?

For a long time, up until the 19th century, Essaouira was home to a significant Jewish community that left behind many architectural traces such as the synagogue of Simon Attias

In the neighborhood of La Mellah, a term designating an area where Jews lived, you can admire this remarkably well-preserved building. The synagogue covers an area of about 500 square meters and has three floors. You can also see a lovely mezzanine that was once reserved for women.

This place, also called Bayt Dakira, or House of Memory, aims to preserve the legacy of Judaism through its walls. I highly recommend this little cultural visit

Depending on how long you stay in Essaouira, taking a trip to the Moroccan desert will be an opportunity to discover new landscapes and embark on an adventure! Whether it's on a quad excursion, a buggy safari, or even a camel ride, several circuits are offered to raise adrenaline levels and have fun

As you head to Essaouira, you'll encounter a lot of argan trees along the way, and in some of them, you will even see goats climbing them It's quite a funny sight

The argan tree is a fruit tree endemic to Morocco; its fruits yield the famous argan oil, which is mass-produced by Berber women in cooperatives in the region known as the Essaouira-Tiznit-Taroudant triangle >>. Argan oil is certified organic and is very famous for its benefits in cosmetics, but know that it is also edible and used by top chefs ‍

If you usually use these products, I strongly encourage you to buy your products on-site to contribute to the earnings of these Berber women. Moreover, they will also take the time to explain the artisanal transformation processes. For reference, it takes 35 kg of fruits and 20 hours of work to produce 1L of argan oil

Visiting Morocco without trying a traditional hammam is to miss out on a truly iconic activity of Moroccan culture! In Essaouira, just like in any Moroccan city, you'll find a multitude of hammams! In hotels and riads, they are generally very modern, but for a bit more authenticity, head to a public hammam

The hammam ritual purifies both body and mind; it has literally existed forever and is even a cornerstone of social life in Morocco. There are, however, some rules to know before going to a public hammam, such as the separation of sexes. There is always a hammam for women and another for men. However, both young and old are welcome at this sacred moment in Moroccan culture!

You will also have the opportunity to get a massage or a scrub at the hammam for a small additional cost, which has nothing to do with what you would pay in France for the same service

Moroccan cuisine is one of the best in terms of flavors, in my opinion! Tajine, couscous, pastries, and green mint tea are dishes that you must absolutely try during your stay In the souks or in restaurants, you will always find at least one of these specialties, but my favorite spot is Helle Campana. It's a restaurant that serves only fresh and local products; you can be sure to eat truly Moroccan! Plus, Helle Campana offers a house specialty, cactus couscous

For appetizer, main course, and dessert, you'll never exceed €10, which is quite good! However, during peak season, there might be a lot of people, so arm yourself with patience or opt for another activity related to Moroccan cuisine: a Moroccan cooking class with a local You will learn all the customs and cook three typical dishes that you will then enjoy over a cup of green mint tea Plan for around €65 per person.

From France, numerous low-cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair operate flights to Essaouira-Mogador Airport. As for prices, you can find round-trip tickets at a good rate! By booking early enough, expect to pay between €50 and €70, not bad at all

Essaouira Airport is located about 18 kilometers from the city center, so you can easily reach your accommodation by taxi or by driving if you've booked a rental car.

For travelers looking to reach Essaouira from Marrakech, you can opt for a guided tour that includes round-trip transportation or take the bus. Bus companies like Supratours and CTM offer affordable prices for about €9 - €12 for a Marrakech-Essaouira trip!

Finally, driving is one of the best ways to get to Essaouira from Marrakech. The road is relatively simple to follow as it is a straight line. Expect about 3 hours of drive.

To save you time, I also suggest discovering three accommodation options where to stay in Essaouira from my recommendations!

Riad Borj El Baroud boasts an ideal location just 300 meters from Essaouira beach and a few minutes' walk from the medina. The rooms are bright, spacious, and tastefully decorated! Available from €94 per night, with breakfast included.

Dar Ness is a beautiful traditional riad run by a friendly staff just a few minutes from the beach and the medina. The rooms are pleasant, and the property features a very nice central green patio. For one night, plan to pay from €53 with breakfast included.

You now know all the activities to discover and do in Essaouira during your stay! Whether for a few days on a road trip in Morocco or for several weeks of relaxation, Essaouira can meet all your expectations