Sqala du Port d'Essaouira
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Essaouira: Guide to the Best Things to Do


Essaouira is one of the best beach towns in Morocco and with good reason. With a laid back vibe you’ll find a slower pace that makes this list of things to do the perfect way to spend a few days in Essaouira. From numerous art galleries, to fishing ports, and even day passes to incredible pool days – you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained in this amazing beach town.

Happy travels to Morocco!

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Is Essaouira worth visiting?

Essaouira was easily my favorite stop on my 2.5 week trip to Morocco. It’s a fishing and beach town with amazing food, cheaper prices, and less hustling. The medina is beautiful with picturesque architecture and cliffside views well worth a stroll. 

But depending on your travel style and what you’re looking to get out of your trip to Morocco the seaside port can seem slow. (Personally, after going hard I needed the slowness.) There are a few area attractions but most of your day will be spent contemplating your next meal and less time at major attractions.

I spent 3 nights here and after that I don’t know how many more things I’d have to occupy my time but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have enjoyed staying longer either.

How to get to Essaouira from Marrakech

There are a few ways to get to Essaouira from Marrakech but the cheapest and easiest is the SupraTours bus. The bus runs from Marrakech to Essaouira and takes 3 hours (including one stop). It’s air conditioned and only costs about $10 USD each way to ride with a designated seat. You have to pay extra for baggage in the storage, which is 5 Dirham per piece (or $0.50 USD).

Where to stay

Essaouira is a small port town with two main areas to stay: inside the medina and outside near the beach. Both locations have their advantages and disadvantages but because the town is so small it’s still easy to get between the two areas. 

We chose to stay in the medina for the convenience of restaurants and attractions. And loved our stay at the Villa Garance. The location, staff, and design made our stay incredible. Honestly, I can’t wait to go back.

Staying in the medina gives you access to a lot of fantastic places to eat and all activities are easily within a flat, 20-minute walking distance. Most of the hotels in the media are smaller with less than 15 rooms and are in older buildings with a lot of character, too. 

>> I love the riad selection in Essaouira. Be sure to check out my budget-friendly guide to where to stay to help you find the best place for your budget!

If you’re really looking for a beach getaway, staying in a larger hotel near the beach might be the better choice. You’ll find luxury hotels with pools overlooking the beachfront along the coastline. From these hotels the medina is a 15-30 minute walk, depending on your hotel’s location. 

What to do in Essaouira

Visit the Beach

Essaouira has two public beaches. The main beach is located just south of the old medina walls and is perfect to watch windsurfers on the sea and locals sunbathing with their families, too.

There is a beach located north of the media as well, which is rockier with tidal pools you can explore when the tide is out. The beach to the north has more trash piled along the shoreline but has fewer tourists. 

Explore Jewish history at Bayt Dakira

Morocco had a sizable Jewish population until the 1960s. The Jewish population brought a rich history and culture to Morocco. Their impact is seen throughout the towns and cities today. At Bayt Dakira you can visit the lasting impact of the Jewish community in Essaouira.

The museum is free to visit but be sure to bring your Google Translate (none of the displays are in English).

Snag some antiques at the local Sunday Market

Not much is written on the Sunday Market. The market is located north of town on Moulay Hicham , about 30 minutes north of the medina. Here you’ll find locals selling anything from fresh fruits and vegetables to clothes to antiques. The market itself is extremely local and if you’re in need of a rug or vintage Moroccan items this is a great place to get a fair price.

Shop along the medina

The small town medina has a variety of shops perfect for finding unique souvenirs. Yes, there are shops selling the usual pottery and leather goods. However, I found more variety for unique items compared to the other medinas in Morocco.

Some shops to check out are historie de filles (unique clothing and accessories at high-end prices), l’Atelier-Café Boutique (adorable souvenirs and food products), Basma Boutique (clothing and shoes), and Chez Touriya Arganisme (cosmetics).

Visit coffee shops made for everyone

Oftentimes the coffee culture of Moroccan can be intimidating for women traveling through. After all, most men don’t allow (yes, this statement comes from many local men I spoke with about it) women to visit coffee shops. However, Essouira has made a welcoming environment for women with unique coffee shops that serve baked goods and oftentimes have small boutiques inside as well.

Some favorites include KAHWA Cafe, l’Atelier-Café, and Sisterhood Coffee. 

Get a day pass to a pool

There are few hotels with pools inside the medina walls but if you want to stay in one it doesn’t mean you can’t visit some of the lovely poolside hotels near the city center. Many hotels offer pool day passes, where you can pay a flat fee and enjoy the pool for the day.

Some favorites include Villa Beldi, La Medina Essaouira Thalassa Sea & Spa, and Heure Bleue Palais. And, if you need a towel, head to one of the many vendors selling turkish towels in the medina and snag one for about $7 USD. 

See the fisherman coming in to port

If you head to the fishing port before 9:00 AM you’ll see boats returning and organizing their fresh catch of the day. It’s a nice way to visit local life without the crowds of tourists, too. Here you’ll find small boat fishermen but also larger, commercial ships organizing their ropes and nets from the day’s work, too.

Buy a fish for lunch at the port

A favorite activity is picking the best fish to buy and bring to a local restaurant to prepare it from the port. You can either buy fish directly from the restaurant or choose to buy from the docks directly (this tends to be a bit cheaper). Fish is based on the day’s catch but you can usually find anything from red snapper to monkfish to crab and lobster.

The fisherman will weigh your choice and you’ll pay based on the total weight of your choice. Then the restaurant will offer a flat rate fee to cook for you.

See the Game of Thrones filming locations

There are two main Game of Thrones filming locations that are fantastic, free things to do in Essaouira, too. The Ramparts and docks areas both offer stunning views. 

Pro tip! Visit the Ramparts early in the morning or at sunset. The crowds are fewer in the mornings but many locals love to watch the sunset over the Ramparts in the evening.

Check out the local art galleries

Essaouira is home to many beautiful art galleries showcasing the best artists in the area. You’ll find both the buildings and the arts a stunning display. Keep in mind that nothing has a price but typically the galleries are pretty good at working with your budget. 

Some of my favorite ones visited include La Grotte Des Arts, Le Real Mogador, and Gallery Kasbah.

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