Essaouira is the place where many travellers finish their Morocco trip and wish they had stayed longer. This fortified port on the Atlantic is relaxed, walkable and breezy, with a UNESCO-listed medina, a working fishing harbour and a long beach.
A little history
The Portuguese built a fortress here in the 16th century, but the town you see today was laid out in the 1760s by Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah, with the help of a French engineer, as a royal port open to foreign trade. Known as Mogador, it became one of Morocco’s busiest ports, with a large Jewish merchant community.
Things to do
- Walk the Skala de la Ville, the sea ramparts lined with bronze cannons. The views at sunset are superb.
- Visit the fishing port in the morning, when the blue boats come in, and eat grilled fish at the harbour stalls.
- Climb the Skala du Port for the view over the harbour and the medina.
- Explore the medina, a grid of white houses with blue shutters, art galleries and spice shops.
- See the thuya wood workshops, where craftsmen make boxes and furniture from fragrant thuya root.
- Discover the Mellah, the Slat Attias Synagogue and Bayt Dakira, a heritage house opened in 2020. See Morocco’s Jewish heritage.
- Walk or ride along the beach, on horseback or by camel, towards the dunes of Diabat.
- Try kitesurfing or windsurfing. The steady trade winds make Essaouira one of Morocco’s top spots.
- Listen to Gnaoua music, the spiritual music that has its home here, with a world music festival every June.
- Visit an argan cooperative run by women on the road to Marrakech.
- Take a cooking class and learn to make fish tagine.
- Head to Sidi Kaouki, a quiet surf beach about 25 km south.
How long to stay
Two nights are ideal: a day for the medina and the port, and a day for the beach, a cooking class or simply doing nothing.
How to get there
- From Marrakech: 2.5 to 3 hours by road.
- From Casablanca: 4 to 5 hours, along the coast through El Jadida and Oualidia.
- From Agadir: about 3 hours.
Best time to visit
Essaouira is pleasant all year. Summer stays mild, around 22 to 25 °C, while inland cities bake; bring a jacket for the wind. Read our month-by-month guide.
Tours with Essaouira
End your trip by the ocean on our 4-day Casablanca, Essaouira and Marrakech tour, the 10-day imperial cities and Essaouira tour or the 14-day grand tour. Interested in Gnaoua music? See our 10-day spiritual tour.
Frequently asked questions
Is Essaouira worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the most relaxed towns in Morocco, with a UNESCO-listed medina, a lively fishing port, a long beach and good seafood.
How many days do you need in Essaouira?
Two nights let you enjoy the medina, the port and the beach without rushing.
Can you swim in Essaouira?
Yes, in summer, but the water is cool and the wind is often strong. The beach is better known for kitesurfing and walks.
Is Essaouira a good day trip from Marrakech?
It is possible, at 2.5 to 3 hours each way, but a night there is much more enjoyable.
Want to finish your trip by the ocean? Ask us to add Essaouira to your private tour.