Things to do and see in Essaouira Morocco

Essaouira, formerly Mogador, is a beautiful port city in western Morocco, and unlike the bustling Casablanca and Marrakech, a haven of peace for tourists used to the hustle and bustle of the big Moroccan cities. Essaouira is full of sights to see, and strolling through the streets of its Medina you’ll discover souks and colourful corners that contrast with the blue of the sea and the white of the facades.

Other must-see sights in the city include the Fish Market and the impressive Skala, a bastion that watches over the city as it has done for five centuries. Essaouira is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Morocco, which is why we’ve prepared this post to tell you everything you need to know. Discover with Passporter what to see in and around the city and many other travel tips that will surely be of great help.

What things to do in Essaouira, Morocco?

1. The Medina, the city centre

The Medina is the name usually given to the part of the cities inside the city walls, i.e. the city centre. The centre of Essaouira is a real delight. A conglomerate of pure Moroccan-style streets with white façades overlooked by colourful souks full of souvenirs to take home, such as handicrafts, carpets and ceramics. Don’t miss the image of the Medina with the blue sea in the background.

2. The Harbour Skala

The Skala is the largest and most visited monument in Essaouira. It is a bastion built around 1500, while Essaouira was a Portuguese colony, and served as protection for the city from pirates and enemies. The Skala today offers one of the best views of the city, the wall and the island of Mogador.

Price of admission: 10 Dirhams (€0.90)

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 to 17:30.

3. Essaouira Beach

Besides its beauty and authenticity, Essaouira is known for its magnificent beaches. The so-called Essaouira Beach is characterised by its fine golden-coloured sand and waters ideal for water sports such as surfing and windsurfing. From the beautiful beach you can see the whole bay as well as the islands of Mogador, the lighthouse and the Mausoleum of Sidi Magdolul.

Among the activities available on the beach are horse riding (from 10€-20min), camel riding (from 10€-20min), yoga sessions (from 10€-1h), quad bike tours (from 30€-1h) and surfing lessons (on request).

4. Port and Fish Market of Essaouira, two must-see places

The port of Essaouira is one of the most lively places of Essaouira. It’s one of the points where its activity is concentrated. Here you can get to know the purest essence of the city and its inhabitants. The port’s main activity is fishing, as evidenced by the countless blue wooden boats that constantly bring fresh fish to the coast. Moreover, just a few metres from the port is one of the most typical and essential places in Essaouira, its Fish Market.

At the market, as well as choosing the fresh fish you want to try, you will live an unrepeatable experience. The crowded port, the vendors trying to get customers everywhere, the delicious food…. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the local gastronomy at the grills, where the fish is cooked on the spot.

5. Essaouira’s workshops

Essaouira’s craft workshops are an essential part of the city’s cultural identity. Renowned for their refined woodwork, these workshops produce a wide variety of items, from carved furniture to decorative carvings and small handcrafted objects.

Essaouira’s most skilled craftsmen are also known for making guembri, a traditional Moroccan musical instrument. Visitors can explore the workshops, observing up close how these wonderful works of art are created, and many workshops even offer the opportunity to buy and take home authentic souvenirs of Essaouira.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see and do around Essaouira?

1. Diabat Beach

Located a few kilometres from Essaouira (approx. 15 minutes by car) is one of the beaches rich in history and culture due to its ancient ruins such as those of the old Portuguese city of Almohad and for being one of the least crowded and quietest beaches. This beach is ideal for travellers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a quiet and beautiful place.

2. Isle of Mogador

Just 1 kilometre off the coast of Essaouira, exactly in front of Skala, is the island of Mogador, the name Essaouira used to have. It is the largest island in the archipelago of the Purple Islands. This curious name is due to the fact that when the Phoenicians arrived there, they found an enormous quantity of the mollusc that was used to obtain the valuable purple pigment.

The Purple Islands are currently a nature reserve and therefore inaccessible. However, there are boat trips departing from the port of Essaouira that circumnavigate the beautiful island of Mogador. From the boat, as well as being able to spot birds such as the endangered Eleanora’s hare, you can see the remains of an old 19th-century prison.

3. Marrakech

At the foot of the Atlas Mountains and only 190 km from Essaouira, we find one of the most special and important cities in Morocco: Marrakech, a unique and vibrant city with a lot to see and enjoy.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jamaa el-Fna Square, the first stop in Marrakesh. This square is the nerve centre of the city: everything revolves around it. Here you will find a wide variety of stalls selling local products. Here you will find the best souvenirs of Marrakesh. And in case you didn’t, don’t worry, this beautiful city is full of souks, which flood the streets with colourful carpets, lamps and ceramic plates. The most important souk is called Laksour and is located in the Medina. You can also see the main mosque, the Koutoubia, from Jamaa el-Fna Square. Although it is forbidden for non-Muslims to enter, we recommend that you go there and walk along its palm-lined promenade, even if you do not practise this religion.

There are many companies that offer day trips to Essaouira from Marrakech and vice versa. So, if you’re visiting one of these two cities with enough time to spare, we recommend you take the opportunity. Price: from €18

If you want to learn more about beautiful Marrakech, read on in Things to do and see in Marrakech Morocco

How to get to Essaouira?

The city of Essaouira has its own airport, Essaouira-Mogodor Airport (ESU). It receives direct flights from some European capitals and from other cities in Morocco. The airline operating these flights is Royal Air Maroc. However, the most common way to get to Essaouira is from Marrakech.

The distance between the two cities is only 191 kilometres, or about 2 hours and 45 minutes by road. There are a number of different companies that constantly take you from one city to the other without a fixed timetable. It’s best to go directly to the bus station in Marrakesh and buy a bus ticket. The price per journey is 60-100 MAD (5.74-9.56€).

Another option is to hire a car, although be aware that the signs are written in Arabic, so you’ll need to take a GPS. If you’re travelling in your own car, you’ll need to contact your insurance company to include the country on your policy.

If you don’t want the hassle, you can always take a taxi with several other people. The price of both options will depend on what you agree with the rental company and the driver.

What to see in Essaouira in 1 day?

It is possible to see Essaouira in 1 day, in fact, you can book an excursion from nearby cities such as Marrakech. However, many tourists prefer to spend more time on the coast, enjoying the beach and surrounding attractions.

In any case, these are the sightseeing points you should not miss on your visit:

• Walk through the Medina: stroll through its narrow streets and visit its souks
• Eat at the Fish Market and stroll through the Port
• Visit the Skala of the Port
• Watch the attend on the beach of Essaouira

Where to eat in Essaouira?

Due to its coastal location and important fishing activity, it is not surprising that fish is the main ingredient in the city’s dishes. It is usually eaten grilled, and the best place to do so is the port. And if you’re not a fish lover, that’s OK, you’ll find more local and international food options in the city.

Here is a list of our favourite restaurants in the city:

• Essaouira Fish Market: This is, without a doubt, one of the best places to eat you’ll see in Essaouira. Next to the port you’ll find this market where, as well as selling fish, the freshly caught fish is cooked. Go to one of the market’s many crowded stalls and choose the fish you want to eat yourself. It’s a delicious and authentic experience.
• La Cle de Voute: A beautiful fusion Moroccan-French restaurant with unbeatable service. Price range: €8-15
• Restaurant Adwak: A fantastic restaurant where you can try the most traditional Moroccan cuisine with tasty and hearty dishes. The ideal place to order couscous and tajine. Price range: €8-15
• D’Orient et d’Ailleurs: Attentive staff and delicious food in a quiet and cosy restaurant. On the menu you can find Moroccan, French and Middle Eastern dishes. Price range: €8-20

Where to sleep in Essaouira?

In Essaouira, you can choose from a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets, from budget riads in the medina to luxury hotels overlooking the sea. Here are some of the accommodations that have left a good taste in our mouths on our travels.

• Riad Kafila: On the beach front, this beautiful riad is located, where in addition to the comfort of the rooms and the beauty of its sea views from the terrace, the kindness and helpfulness of its owners reigns. Average price: €50
• Riad Saltana: In the Medina and a 10-minute walk from the beach, this fantastic riad is located. It is decorated in a typical oriental style and a full breakfast is included. Average price: €44
• Hotel Le Médina Essaouira Thalassa sea & spa – Mgallery: A 5-star hotel with an excellent location on the seafront and 5 minutes from the port. It has a swimming pool, spa, a private beach area and tearoom. Average price: €108

Tips for your trip to Essaouira

• The Moroccan currency is the Moroccan dirham (1 MAD = 0.096€)
• Carry cash, not all shops have credit card facilities.
• Bring your money beforehand, currency exchanges at airports are very expensive.
• If you decide to go to see Essaouira in summer, always carry: water, hat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen. Avoid going out during the hottest hours.
• Always drink bottled water and don’t put ice cubes in your drink.
• Bargaining is almost institutional in Morocco, so don’t be afraid to always negotiate for the best price.
• A large part of the population speaks French in Morocco.
• Be prepared for medical emergencies: travel with insurance.
• Wear light, but discreet clothing, preferably long and loose-fitting, and warm clothes for the evening.

How to plan what things to do in Essaouira?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travellers what to see in Essaouira.

If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about Essaouira