Marrakech go
Marrakech go
Marrakech go
Marrakech go
Marrakech go
Marrakech go
Marrakech go
Marrakech go
Marrakech go
Marrakech go
Marrakech go
Marrakech go
Marrakech go

Essaouira

Essaouira Beach is in the ancient city of Mogador, a quiet seaside town encircled by old walls, filled with pretty houses painted white and blue, and home to a UNESCO World Heritage–listed medina.

You can explore Essaouira Beach and Mogador as part of a half-day, full-day, or multi-day private or group tour. Many tours leave from Marrakech and include opportunities to enjoy homegrown Gnawa (Gnaoua) music at cafés of Moulay El Hassan square, explore handicraft markets, and even learn how argan oil is made at a women’s cooperative. Tours may include roundtrip transport from Marrakech, entrance fees, and food and drink; check specific tours for details.

The best value distinations 2024

WHAT TO DO IN ESSAOUIRA ?

The Top Tourist Attractions

  • Explore the medina. Slightly crumbly whitewashed buildings. Narrow alleyways. Colorful artisanal souvenirs. Unusual smells and flavors.
  • Buy argan oil. The world’s most expensive cooking oil, which is also used in luxury cosmetics, comes from the UNESCO biosphere reserve near Essaouira.
  • Check out the fishing port. The blue boats, cats, and salt-worn fishermen backed by the Sqala du Port are a visual treat (not so nice on the nose, though) and a photographer’s playground.
  • Souvenir shop. If you missed your chance of buying a carpet in Marrakech, luckily you’ll find many shops selling carpets and other handicrafts in Essaouira.
  • Go to the beach. Ride camels, horses, or ATVs on it. Walk up and down it. Or lie on it if the wind’s calm.

Active, Interactive, and Adventurous Things to Do

  • Beach walk to Sidi Kaouki. Get a full dose of beach, dunes, and sea by walking 5 hours along the coast to the next village, having a great meal, and taking a bus or taxi back.
  • Learn to kitesurf. You can’t stop the wind in Essaouira, so you might as well enjoy it.
  • Explore Essaouira’s new town. Get a feel for everyday Essaouiran life and a taste of some good lunches and tasty pastries in this local neighborhood behind the beach.
  • Travel Back in Time to Had Draa’s Sunday Market. This market of camel traders, 20-cent-a-kilo vegetables, and haircut tents is a blast from the past. And a blast to explore.
  • Do some Moroccan wine tasting. Visit Val d’Argan winery or do an informal tasting at Riad Zahra.
  • Learn to cook. Shop for the spices and ingredients and make local dishes like tajine and briouates.
  • Sunset drinks at the beach. Head to the row of businesses at the southern end of the beach to drink beers and watch camels and kite surfers as the sun goes down.
The town 2024
Essaouira mogador

GETTING TO ESSAOUIRA

CHECK OUR PRIVATE TOURS TO ESSAOUIRAA

Recent reviews from experiences in Essaouira

Maria_m
Maria_M
★★★★★
Best tour guide
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We had the best tour guide and the best experience in Essouira, Morocco. It was a very comfortable travel and very informative. We learned a lot about the moroccan and berber culture. We’ve been shown the best places to see in Morocco and took is to IL-mare, a very good sea food restaurant. Mo was very friendly and looked after us so well. We even asked him for a half day tour after our Essouira experience. 10 star rating and well recommended.
Elinas
ElinaS
★★★★★
AMAZING
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The private tour was amazing, loved it. Very comfortable ride, couple stops on the way made even better, highly recommended
Filza_z
Filza_Z
★★★★★
Amazing!!
Read More
It was an amazing experience. Essaouira is better and more quieter and less expensive city. Our tour driver was lovely and our tour guide for the city was very friendly and he was very informative about the city and the attractions
Richard_b
richard_b
★★★★★
well worth a visit
Read More
Good trip and also stopping off to see the goats in the tree on the way to Essaouira. Nice fish meal while there very peaceful after Marrakesh enough time time to see Essaouira before coming back
Krista_p
Krista_P
★★★★★
Fantastic Tour
Read More
Great day trip from Marrakech! Transported in air conditioned luxury van, Aziz was a great driver — stopping for snacks & photo opportunities and we were able to see the goats in the trees and camels en route. Very accommodating as were we a large group with small children. Our tour guide in Essaouira, Ahmed, was exceptional. He was very informative, friendly and knowledgeable. He definitely made the experience memorable. Would highly recommend!
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Top Tours & Attractions

Frequently asked questions about Essaouira

Essaouira is not only safe, but it is more relaxed and laid-back than larger Moroccan cities. In general, Moroccans are welcoming and very respectful people and – unlike some other countries – you will see a lot of local women out and about getting on with their daily lives
The weather in Essaouira is dry, moderate, and windy all year round. In the heat of summer (July and August), highs don’t exceed 30°C / 86°F and lows are below 20°C / 70°F in the evening, so you’ll need a light jacket, especially because of the wind. In the winter (January and February) highs don’t exceed 20°C / 70°F and lows drop to 12°C / 52°F. It feels particularly cold because of the wind and lack of indoor heating.

When it’s not so cold and windy you need to wear a jacket and pants:
Guys: Plenty of Moroccans have embraced the surfer dude style, so shorts, flip flops, and tank tops by the beach is no issue. Cover your shoulders in town.
Girls: Unless you’re lying on the beach, showing bare legs and shoulders is frowned upon. People do it, but you might be stared at.

Essaouira mogador

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