Away With The Steiners

12 Best things to do in Essaouira, Morocco on your first visit.

Sarah Steiner

Essaouira is a charming coastal city in Morocco.  It is a far cry from the larger-city destinations like Marrakech or Casablanca.  But between the souks and UNESCO-listed medina, beaches and bustling fishing port, there are lots of things to do in Essaouira that make it well worth a stop on your Morocco itinerary.   

Here are the highlights and top things to do in Essaouira with tips for getting there and planning the perfect visit. 

About Essaouira

I would describe Essaouira as a charming and vibrant coastal experience of Morocco.  

Albeit it is a touristic destination these days.  Though the city itself and compact medina is much smaller than the overwhelm of the larger imperial cities of Marrakech and Fes. 

Essaouira is known for its bohemian feel.  The town fronts a wide, sandy beach, the busy fishing port, iconic ramparts and the UNESCO-listed medina.  It is a great – and different – experience of Morocco. 

History 

Essaouira has a long history that includes Phoenician, Roman, Portuguese and French influences.  

By the middle of the 19th century, the harbour was handling half of Morocco’s foreign trade.  

Nowadays, the port of Essaouira is not a major centre of Moroccan maritime traffic. But it was the most important trading centre of the country in the 17th century.

Things to do in Essaouira.
Welcome to Essaouira and Morocco by the way.

What is it like to visit Essaouira? 

Visiting Essaouira is a pleasantly relaxed experience of coastal life in Morocco.  

It has become a great addition for a trip to Marrakech.  It is close enough to drive within a day onwards to Agadir or Casablanca.  Though the city is much smaller and more compact without the pace and overwhelm of the larger, imperial Morocco destinations. 

How long do you need in Essaouira to see the highlights? 

Two days in Essaouira is enough to get a feel for the city.  It doesn’t have the list of historic sites like Marrakech.  But the beauty of Essaouira is the slower pace and smaller town feel.  Plus it is a more relaxing vibe being right on the coast. 

With two days you can see the main highlights and experience the best things to do in Essaouira. But if you have three days or more you take a day trip or two and make the most of the weekly markets and nearby beach towns too.  

Essaouira is also a popular hub for longer-term travellers.  It is a far cry from the big-city vibe of Marrakech, Casablanca or Agadir and well worth a few more days to slow down and explore at leisure.

It is a truly iconic blue and white coastal port city of Morocco.

When is the best time of year for things to do in Essaouira? 

The best time to visit Essaouira is in the spring and autumn when temperatures are consistently pleasant without getting unbearably hot.  March to May and September to October is high season for tourism and the best time for perfect weather. 

July is the hottest month of the year with an average daily max temp of 39°C and an average low of 22°C.

The winter months of December to February are popular with European overland travellers in motorhomes. Due to the 90-day entry visa many retired Europeans come for the winter sunshine and to exit the Schengen for three months.

Is it safe to visit Essaouira?

Essaouira is considered safe for travellers and normal travel precautions can be taken.  It is lower key than the bigger and busier Moroccan city destinations. 

But like any major city, there is the typical risk of petty crime and scams (watch out for pick pockets).  Every time we’ve visited we have felt very safe. 

See? Friendly and fascinating.

Getting around in Essaouira

Essaouira is a flat and easily walkable city to get around.  The things to do in Essaouira listed below are all within walking distance of the old city and port.  

There are blue Petit Taxis that service the inner town area.  Though note these Petit Taxi can only take a maximum of three passengers.  (They are pretty strict about it as there are penalties if they carry more people).

See more about getting to and from Essaouira from other destinations. 

Walking (wandering) the narrow streets of Essaouira’s Medina is the best way to get around.

12 Top things to do in Essaouira 

Here are the top things to do in Essaouira to add to your Morocco itinerary.

1. Essaouira Medina

As a visitor just wandering the narrow labyrinth of laneways that comprise the Medina is one of the most atmospheric things to do in Essaouira.  

The medina is the old walled city.  Like Morocco’s other historic city destinations, the medina of Essaouira is mesmerizing.  It is a compact size but with the historic maze of narrow laneways and main arterial shopping streets.

Essaouira medina is full of small stores selling handicrafts and souvenirs, nice restaurants and cafés along with an uncountable amount of iconically snoozing felines.  

Fresh, hot M’smen flat bread on the grill in the busy Medina.

2. Place Moulay Hassan / Moulay Hassan Square 

Place Moulay Hassan is the beautiful main square in between the port and the medina in Essaouira.

The square is fringed at both ends with cafes and tea shops.  It is a busy square with families and kids raxing around chasing the pigeons.  There are wandering vendors selling pastries displayed precariously on trays worn above their hats.  Small stalls with plastic stools are set up to one end selling fresh seafood from the port. 

It is a hive of activity especially in the late afternoon when the sun starts to set.  The rampart walls to one side offer epic sunset views over the Atlantic coastline.  

It is a great place to relax and watch the world go by with coffee or mint tea.

3. Bab El Marsa / The Gate of the Navy 

The Bab El Marsa gate is the main gateway to the port of Essaouira, Morocco. It’s also known as the Porte Marina.  

The style of the huge gateway lends itself to the European influence on Essaouira architecture.  

It was built in the 18th century under Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdellah.  Though an inscription from 1769 indicates the architect who built the gate was European.  

The gate is connected to the Sqala of the port (artillery platform) by a fortified bridge. 

You pretty much must enter the port area through Bab El Marsa.  But if your Essaouira itinerary is looking like you’ll enter from the roadside its worth a detour back through the historic gate. 

Entering from the main town square to the bustling fishing port as travellers have done for centuries.

4. Skala De La Ville / Essaouira Ramparts

The iconic ramparts are one of the most famous things in Essaouira.  The ramparts along with the Bastion Nord were a starring role in the Game of Thrones films as Astapor.  

It is a peaceful place to take in the impressive views of the Atlantic Ocean and a prime spot to watch the sunset. 

The amazing ramparts line the edge of Moulay Hassan Square leading all the way to the fishing port.

5. Sqala Du Port / Defense Tower

To the right of Bab el-Marsa a beautiful, fortified bridge gives access to the Sqala of the Port. ‘Sqala’ translates to ‘citadel’ or ‘fortress’ in Arabic.  

The Essaouira Sqala is a square defensive tower built on an artillery platform jutting out over the coastline. 

The Sqala of the Port defended the city from external attacks by a series of battlements and watchtowers.  

It was originally constructed in the 18th century by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah.  Though it still has more recent Spanish and Dutch bronze cannons mounted on it.

You can walk along the rampart and up to the main tower to see the canons.  The Sqala closes at 5:00pm daily. 

The canons still lining the top of the Sqala Du Port above the seafood market.

6. Port de Essaouira and Fish Market 

Essaouira’s large fishing port is busy, pungent and hugely atmospheric.  Historically is was the a major centre of trade for Essaouira.  

Albeit today it isn’t one of the main Moroccan trading ports.  But it is an important part of the city’s economy and still one of the country’s main fishing ports. 

It is a picture-perfect Essaouira experience.  

There is a myriad of sea-blue wooden boats coming and going in through the harbour entrance to the ramparts and old port.  While lining the docks from the entry gate to the commercial fishing area, there is a massive fish and seafood market set up with stalls for locals and tourists alike. 

We always go for the sardines.  They cook right there in front of you after you choose your pick.  Which of course is always served with some Moroccan mint tea.  

A bit cliché perhaps.  But it really does epitomise the quintessential Essaouira experience. 

Any takers? (Apart from the huge, circling gulls).
All of the fresh catch can be bought and grilled right there.

7. Fish Souq – Things to do in Essaouira

Avenue de l’Istiqlal is the main pedestrian road inside the medina.  About halfway up the street as you head away from the direction of the port is the small inside Fish Souq.  (This is was Essaouira is all about!).

It’s likely you will smell the scent of fish and spot the hungry felines lined up outside before noticing the small signboard.  But inside is a traditional Fish Souq.  The seafood is displayed laid out on white slabs.  There are lots of sardines amidst the impressively long needle fish. 

You can choose some seafood for lunch and have it cooked right there. 

We tried the calamari and some sardines which were served with bread and a simple Moroccan salad for just a few Euro each. 

8. Essaouira Mellah – Things to do in Essaouira

The Mellah is the old Jewish Quarter of Essaouira.  It was established in 1764 to extend the Sultan’s protection to the Jewish inhabitants of the city. 

The Mellah played an important role in the economic development of Essaouira.  Several synagogues were built and it became a neighbourhood of trade shops and merchants inside the medina. 

Nowadays it is a slightly more mellow area of the city to wander.  The Mellah area of Essaouira is on the seaside north end of the medina.  It doesn’t get the hordes of tourists near the souks or Place Hassan Moulay.  

Some things to look out for in the Mellah neighbourhood: 

The Haim Pinto Synagogue is open to visit.  

Inside the historic Haim Pinto Synagogue.

9. Souk Jdid – Things to do in Essouira

Essaouira has a number of souks where you can literally find anything that you want, from local produce, fruits, seafood and meat to jewellery, spices, clothes and perfumes.  

The main shopping artery in the Medina is Souq Jdid.  This is the central marketplace in Essaouira’s medina which translates to the ‘New Bazaar’.  It runs along Avenue de L’Istiqlal merging with the parallel Avenue Mohammed Zerktouni. 

But Souk Jdid isn’t the only souk in the Essaouira medina.  From Souk Jdid there is a slew of smaller souks dedicated to particular crafts and traditional trades.  

Essaouira is known for its markets and souvenir shopping.  Don’t worry too much about which direction each souk should supposedly be.  Rather just embrace the maze of the medina and enjoy the colourful shopping experience. 

Colourful incense and soaps for the Hammam on sale in the souks.
Wandering the main streets of Essaouira and the souks.

10. Plage d’Essaouira / Essaouira Beach 

The main beach in Essaouira is a wide, sandy beach that’s popular with surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers.  

The beach has steady year-round winds, making it a top destination for water sports.  Plus there are roaming camels and horses with over-enthusiastic handlers that will be keen to offer you a ride. 

If you are first-time surfer, Essaouira is a great hub for beginner surfers.

Otherwise it is great for a wander.  From the main beach stretch you can continue along towards Assafi Beach.

Horses (and camels) are a feature on all Moroccan beaches.

11. Essaouira Local Sunday Market 

We love the weekly markets in Morocco for a chance to witness local life in action.  

Albeit Essaouira is inarguably a touristic destination in Morocco.  

But the eclectic mix of fresh produce, spices and second hand treasures at the Sunday Market is one of the unique few things to do in Morocco that does feel much more local. 

There is a much larger weekly Souk el Had (Had Draa Souk) about 30km from Essaouira that is also well worth the drive.  Though if you are short on time, the local Sunday market is just a 10-minute walk from Bab Doukkala along Avenue Moulay Hicham.

Grains and oils on sale at the local market.

12. Moroccan Hammam – Things to do in Essaouira 

A hammam is a traditional Moroccan bath.  These public bathhouses are where the authentic Moroccan Hammam experience lies. 

As Essaouira is a popular tourist destination in Morocco there is a range of both private and public hammams in Essaouira.

But we recommend trying a truly local, public hammam in Essaouira.  

Colourful Kessa (mitts) on display for the Hammam.

The verdict? 

It’s hard not to wonder at the experience of exploring Essaouira.  Some of the scenes really do look largely unchanged as they may have been for generations. 

There are lots of interesting things to do in Essaouira and tastes to hunt out in the medina.  But for the most part it is a colourful and more gentle introduction to the bustle of a Moroccan city.  

Other things to do in Essaouira

The things to do in Essaouira listed above are the main highlights.  These you could do all or most of with just one or two days in Essaouira. 

But obviously, there are literally LOADS more things to do in Essaouira.  The city is on the small side comparatively.  But it is full of history, shopping, culture and experiences that are unique to Morocco.  

If you have more time there is more to see and do.

There are fantastic rock pools at the end of Place Essaouira.

Other things to do in Essaouira with kids

Essaouira does have a lot of history and shopping but that doesn’t mean it’s boring for kids. There are plenty of other things to do in Essaouira for kids of all ages.  

You will do a lot of walking in Essaouira.  Most of the things to do in Essaouira are within walking distance in the medina and the nearby beach.  So if you’re traveling with younger kids I recommend bringing an umbrella stroller (small) or baby-carrier.

Or an ice cream in the Medina is always a good idea!

Day trips and nearby things to do from Essaouira 

If you would like to explore some of the beautiful places, beaches and markets around Essaouira, foresee at least a couple of days in the region.

We recommend if you have time to take a day trip or two from Essaouira to experience the local markets.  

The historic and busy Ida Ougourd Market not far from Essaouira.

Getting there

The nearest airport to Essaouira is Essaouira Airport (ESU) which is 15 km away.  There are daily flights connecting Essaouira with Europe and UK. 

Other nearby airports include Agadir (AGA) (135.8 km) and Marrakech (RAK) (165.5 km).

By road the city is well connected to other major city destinations. 

There are frequent daily buses between Marrakech and Essaouira with SupraTours.  CTM buses travel between Marrakech and Essaouira once daily.  

SupraTours bus to Marrakech departs from just outside the Medina near Bab Marrakech Gate.

Getting there by car

Renting a car is a great option for travel in Morocco.  It is the best choice for a flexible itinerary. Marrakech is positioned between Essaouira and Air Ben Haddou and the desert of Zagora and Merzouga.  

Most rental car companies offer one-way rates for an itinerary starting or ending in Tangier, Marrakech or Agadir. 

The drive in Morocco is always scenic and interesting.

Restaurants, cafes and where to eat in Essaouira

Essaouira’s busy fishing port means seafood is a big part of the local cuisine.  But there are endless restaurants and Moroccan cuisine dished up in tajines from rooftop terraces and shady nooks of the medina. 

Otherwise make the most of the incredible street food in Essaouira! We love the Sfenj (Moroccan donuts) and sardine sandwiches. 

Hot M’smen (flat bread) and Pastilla (pies) at Superbe Pastilla just beyond the Bab Marrakech entrance to the Medina.

Where to stay in Essaouira

There is a huge range of accommodation in Essaouira.  But if you haven’t yet stayed in a riad in Morocco this is a great place to do it. 

But Essaouira has everything from traditional riads to hostels and AirBnB’s.  So you will definitely find something to match your budget. 

Budget riads in Essaouira

Mid-Range-Luxury riads in Essaouira

Granny came to meet us in Essaouira and we all stayed at Riad Dar Rhamna.  It turned out to be a good budget riad option close to everything. 

Car and motorhome parking in and near Essaouira 

There is daytime motorhome parking in the car park right outside the medina walls.  Otherwise you can park in the large Carrefour carpark at the entrance to town (during the day).

For overnight we usually stay in Sidi Kaouki at the beach.  

ESSAOUIRA: Parking Bab Marrakech

About: Large guarded carpark just outside the gate to the Medina. Handy for a daytime visit to Essaouira.

SIDI KAOUKI: Paradis Aicha Sidi Kaouki

About: ‘Paradise’ is rather euphemistic for the campsite but we stayed three nights.  

Facilities are basic but the charge is only 30Dh per night and there is water to refill your motorhome and place to empty your cassette.  

The beach is directly across the road and there are some great small cafes and mini-markets in the little village of Sidi Kaouki.

OUNAGHA: Camping Oliviers 

About: Friendly and local, family-run campsite 15km from Essaouira.  Very clean toilets and hot showers. (The whole campsite was very tidy). Washing machine for 40Dh. 

The campsite is located in the small village of Ounagha and it’s easy to leave your campervan and take the bus or shared taxi to Essaouira for the day for only 10Dh per person. 

Off to explore the campsite at Sidi Kaouki.

Where to next on your Morocco itinerary?  

Essaouira is fairly geographically central on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. By road it is within a few hours’ drive to other key destinations.   

More about planning for travel in Morocco and beyond

These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel. 

Exit mobile version