Essaouira, Morocco: travel guide
Windy Atlantic port with sea ramparts, fish grills and blue boats
A breezy fortified Atlantic port town of white-and-blue medina, sea ramparts, fresh seafood grills and world-class windsurfing.
About Essaouira
Essaouira is a walled port town on Morocco's Atlantic coast, where steady breezes and a sea-facing old town create a distinctive laid-back mood. It has a long history as a trading port and an arts scene that continues today.
The medina is compact and pleasant to wander, with workshops making thuya wood crafts and small galleries. Walk the sea ramparts, where old cannons point toward the ocean, and visit the harbour where blue fishing boats unload, with grills selling fresh fish on the quay. The long beach is known for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
It suits couples, water-sports fans and those wanting a break from the inland cities. Spring to autumn is the best time to visit Essaouira, though the wind can be strong in summer.
- Country
- Morocco
- Currency
- MAD
- Time zone
- Africa/Casablanca
- Nearest airport
- ESU
Last updated
Top places to visit in Essaouira
Skala de la Ville
sea rampart · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The 18th-century sea bastion and rampart walk lined with old brass cannons above the crashing Atlantic — the ramparts that stood in for Astapor in Game of Thrones.
Skala du Port
port bastion · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
The fortified harbour bastion with its Portuguese-built gateway and cannon platform, overlooking the busy blue fishing boats and the Iles Purpuraires.
Essaouira Medina
medina · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A UNESCO-listed 18th-century fortified medina laid out by a European engineer — straight, walkable lanes of thuya-wood workshops, art galleries and white-and-blue houses.
Place Moulay Hassan
square · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The elongated main square linking the medina to the port, lined with cafes and buskers — the heartbeat of Essaouira and its Gnaoua music scene.
Essaouira Beach
beach · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A vast crescent of Atlantic sand sweeping south from the medina, famous for steady trade winds that make it a world windsurfing and kitesurfing hub; also camel and horse rides.
Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum
ethnographic museum · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
A small ethnographic museum in a 19th-century mansion showing Essaouira's crafts, jewellery, Gnaoua instruments and regional costume.
Bab Marrakech
gate · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the grand original gates in Essaouira's sea walls, opening onto the spice market and mellah — a fine example of the medina's military architecture.
Things to do
- Windsurfing or Kitesurfing Lesson Water Sports · 2 h · from MAD 500 per person
- Essaouira Medina & Ramparts Walking Tour Tour · 2.5 h · from MAD 200 per person
- Camel or Horse Ride on the Beach Outdoor · 2 h · from MAD 350 per person
- Essaouira Seafood & Medina Food Tour Culinary · 3 h · from MAD 300 per person
- Argan Oil Women's Cooperative Visit Cultural · 2 h · from MAD 150 per person
- Surf Lesson at Sidi Kaouki Water Sports · 3 h · from MAD 400 per person
Day trips and tours
- Essaouira Coast, Argan & Countryside Tour 5 h · from MAD 300
Where to stay in Essaouira
- Medina about MAD 650 per night
The compact walled town — riads and boutique guesthouses within the ramparts, minutes from the port and beach.
- Beach & Dunes about MAD 800 per night
The seafront and southern beach quarter — surf/kite schools and airy sea-view stays a short walk from the medina.
Hotels
- Heure Bleue Palais 5-star · MAD 2,600 to MAD 4,500 per night
- Villa Maroc 4-star · MAD 1,400 to MAD 2,200 per night
- Madada Mogador 4-star · MAD 1,200 to MAD 2,000 per night
- Riad Chbanate 3-star · MAD 700 to MAD 1,200 per night
- Essaouira Hostel MAD 110 to MAD 450 per night
Where to eat
- La Table by Madada Seafood, Moroccan, Mediterranean · about MAD 400 per person
- Restaurant La Decouverte Moroccan · about MAD 130 per person
- Grillades du Port Seafood · about MAD 120 per person
- Umia Mediterranean, Seafood · about MAD 200 per person
- Elizir Moroccan, Italian · about MAD 200 per person
- Triskala Cafe Vegetarian, Moroccan · about MAD 90 per person
Getting to Essaouira
Airport: Essaouira (ESU)
How visitors arrive in Essaouira
- Bus from Marrakech By road from Marrakech · common
Supratours and CTM coaches run from Marrakech; booking ahead is advised as seats can sell out. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus from Agadir or Casablanca By road from Agadir / Casablanca · common
CTM and local intercity buses connect Essaouira with Agadir and Casablanca. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Flight into Essaouira-Mogador airport By air from Europe · possible
The small airport has flights from several European cities, mainly on low-cost airlines. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Grand taxi By road from Marrakech · possible
Grand taxis can be hired whole or shared from Marrakech. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Local bus from Essaouira airport unconfirmed
Bus no. 2 links the airport with the Bab Doukkala stop near the medina. Some runs stop at the main road junction, so confirm with the driver that it goes to the terminal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Airport shuttle from the city centre unconfirmed
A shuttle bus to the airport leaves from the Greg Tours agency in the centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Grand taxi from the airport
Grand taxis take up to six passengers and can be shared or booked for the whole car. Agree the fare before you set off. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Supratours or CTM coach from Marrakech
Supratours coaches stop near the beach and the Bab Marrakech medina gate. CTM and local buses use their own offices or the small gare routiere. Book ahead as seats sell out. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Touts crowd the local bus station. Check the official fare board inside the terminal before buying. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Taxi
Taxis are the way to reach the edge of the walled medina, which is meant to be closed to motor vehicles.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Beach camel/photo touts
Essaouira beach & port
Camel and horse handlers or "guides" quote a low price then demand much more after the ride, or press for tips.
How to avoid it: Agree the full price and duration clearly before starting and pay only at the end.
Best time to visit Essaouira
- Jan 18°C
- Feb 19°C
- Mar 19°C
- Apr 20°C
- May 21°C
- Jun 21°C
- Jul 22°C
- Aug 22°C
- Sep 23°C
- Oct 22°C
- Nov 21°C
- Dec 19°C
More in Morocco
Frequently asked questions about Essaouira
- What are the main places to visit in Essaouira?
- Places covered in our Essaouira guide include Skala de la Ville, Skala du Port, Essaouira Medina, Place Moulay Hassan, Essaouira Beach.
- Where should I stay in Essaouira?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Essaouira: Medina, Beach & Dunes.
- How do I get around Essaouira?
- Ways to get around Essaouira covered in our guide: Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Essaouira?
- Scams reported to us for Essaouira include Beach camel/photo touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Essaouira?
- Average daytime highs in Essaouira run from 18°C in Jan to 23°C in Sep.
- Which airport is nearest to Essaouira?
- The nearest airport to Essaouira has the code ESU.