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Things to do in Essaouira

Our most recommended things to do in Essaouira

From Marrakech: Essaouira & Atlantic Coast Full-Day Trip

1. From Marrakech: Essaouira & Atlantic Coast Full-Day Trip

Experience the bohemian vibe of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast on a full-day tour from Marrakech. Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle across west Morocco, enjoying views of the arid landscape and argan trees en route. Stop at the town of Chichaoua for coffee. Arrive in Essaouira approximately 2 hours after your departure from Marrakech. Get your 1st views of more than 6 miles (10 kilometers) of golden beaches, popular with surfers for the constant, bracing winds. Once in Essaouira you are free to explore the medina and Portuguese architecture on your own. Alternatively, meet your local guide for a 1.5-hour tour of the Skala du Port and bastion southeast of the medina.  Stroll the labyrinthine streets of the medina, hearing traditional Gnaoua Muic music on every corner. Watch artisans at work, crafting thuya wood crafts. Continue to the fishing port to see the fishermen selling their catch of the day. Taste fresh seafood over lunch in the port. Then, take a walk along the beach before your transfer back to Marrakech.  En route, stop at an argan oil cooperative to see how the Berber ladies process the traditional argan oil, known locally as “liquid gold.”

From Marrakesh: Essaouira Full-Day Trip

2. From Marrakesh: Essaouira Full-Day Trip

Explore the charming coastal city of Essaouira on a guided day tour from Marrakesh. Enjoy some free time to explore, where you can see the bustling port of Essaouira, stroll through the lively medina of the city, and wander through the vibrant markets. Start your morning with pickup from your accommodation in Marrakesh. Travel in comfort in an air-conditioned car to Essaouira. Make a stop at the "goat tree" and admire this peculiar Argan tree with goats perched in it. Arrive in Essaouira and make your way through the straight streets. Enjoy free time to visit the historic ports and bustling seafood markets. Feel free to ask your driver for suggestions on the perfect place for lunch. Visit a co-operative of Berber women who produce Argan oil, and learn about this popular local product. See the old bronze cannons facing the Atlantic Ocean and wander through the colorful markets and cedar woodworking shops.  After your day in Essaouira, enjoy a seamless transfer back to Marrakesh in the evening.

From Marrakesh: Essaouira Guided Day Trip

3. From Marrakesh: Essaouira Guided Day Trip

Discover the Atlantic city of Essaouira on a full-day guided tour from Marrakech. Following pickup from your accommodation in Marrakech and along the way, stop to take pictures of goats climbing argan trees and visit an argan oil cooperative to learn how this healthy oil is produced. Upon arrival at Essaouira, follow your guide and explore Essaouira’s most important monuments, such as the old fish market and seaport, the old medina where the labyrinth of streets is lined with heavy wooden doors and whitewashed houses. See the 16th-century ramparts of Essaouria from where you'll be able to see astonishing views of the Atlantic Ocean. After the guided tour of the city, you will have free time for lunch at a place of your choice as well as time to relax on the beach.

From Marrakech: Essaouira Full-Day Trip

4. From Marrakech: Essaouira Full-Day Trip

Discover Essaouira on this day trip with a local guide. Explore the port city's breathtaking sights and streets, and see local markets and jewelers. Depart Marrakech in the morning and head to beautiful Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast. Once you arrive at the port city, formerly known as Mogador, you will have time to enjoy the charming sights of Essaouira. Take pictures of its ocher-colored walls, the beautiful and vibrant Moulay El Hassan square, the markets also known as souks, as well as the little streets of the city's old Medina. Then, enjoy a lunch of fresh fish in a local restaurant. During your trip, you'll also visit an association of Berber women producing argan oil, see the local markets, and wow at the gems in the jeweler's quarter.

Essaouira: 2-Hour Surf Lesson

5. Essaouira: 2-Hour Surf Lesson

Your surfing adventure starts at the local tour operator’s water sports store. Meet your guide for the day and get kitted out with all the necessary equipment you’ll need. Then head onto the beach where the real fun begins! If you’re a beginner, your guide will first help you focus on how to balance and pop up from your board to your feet. Learn about understanding the waves and how to catch the right wave at the optimum moment for a good surf. Then it’s time to work on your posture and stance to extend your ride on the board. If you’ve already got some surf experience, the lesson will be tailored to your level. Explain to your instructor the level of surf experience you have and then focus on your objectives for the session to perfect your skills.

Essaouira Sand Dunes: Half Day Quad Bike Tour

6. Essaouira Sand Dunes: Half Day Quad Bike Tour

Enjoy the golden sand dunes of Essaouira by thrilling quad bike transit. After a brief safety information session, and after having adorned yourself in protective gear, you will have a tour test to get used to your quad bike and the safety rules. Once this is completed, your 3 hour quad bike tour will begin. Your tour will begin by crossing Oued Ksob to the ruins of the Sultan's Palace that accompany you to the wild beach of Diabat. Following this you will navigate through the magnificent dune fields, driving on both sandy and rocky paths to overlook the Atlantic Ocean.

Essaouira: 2-Hour Kite-Surfing Lesson

7. Essaouira: 2-Hour Kite-Surfing Lesson

Your kite-surfing adventure starts at the local tour operator’s water sports store. This is where you will meet your guide for the day before being kitted out with all the necessary equipment you’ll need for your experience. You will then head onto the beach where the real fun begins. If you’re a beginner, your guide will begin by explaining to you the safety aspects, and helping you understand the wind. They will also teach you directly on the beach how to fly your kite. The next step is to go into the water to control your kite while your body drags through the water. Once you control this you will move to the next step, which will be getting on to the board to experience your first meters of kiting. It will then be time to work on your posture and stance to extend your ride on the board even more. If you’ve already got some kite surfing experience, the lesson will be tailored to your level. You will be able to explain to your instructor your experience, and receive the appropriate advice on how to further develop your skills.

Essaouira: One Hour Dromedary Ride

8. Essaouira: One Hour Dromedary Ride

Depart the Ranch de Diabat on a peaceful dromedary camel. Discover the charming nature of these large animals while exploring the surrounding. This tour is ideal for groups and families with small children as the dromedary has a gentle nature.  Enjoy a ride just a few minutes from Essaouira. Walking a large beach with soft sand. Relax in the ocean breeze and see the famous island of Mogador. Pass by dunes and see the tucked away, former home of the Black Sultan. Finally cross the forest of wild Mimosas and Thuya on your return. 

Essaouria: Beach & Big Dunes 2-Hour Quad Biking Tour

9. Essaouria: Beach & Big Dunes 2-Hour Quad Biking Tour

Enjoy an exciting two-hour quad bike tour, with incredible views of Essaouira. To ensure you can safely enjoy the vast beaches of Essaouira and the big dunes of Capsim you will need to go through a safety briefing and be instructed on how to drive a quad bike.  You will get geared up with clean, professional equipment and take a test ride on your quad before you head out on your adventure. After a few minutes on the road, cross the Oued Ksob and the ruins of the Sultan's Palace that lead you to the amazing beach After visiting the beach, navigate the magnificent dune fields, driving on the curvy sandy dunes. Enjoy the amazing views of the desert and have fun on your quad bike. Revive your energy with water and a snack. You will be able to take as many breaks as you want to enjoy the scenery while on your tour. 

Essaouira: Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class

10. Essaouira: Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class

Enjoy an evening in the name of Moroccan food and culture. Visit a local market, where you shop for the ingredients you will cook with later. Cook up a traditional Moroccan feast for dinner at a local family home and discover the authentic flavors of this exciting cuisine.   Meet your guide who will take take you to visit the local market. Learn from him about the local produce you see as well as Moroccan traditions and customs. Feel free to ask your questions and share your culinary experiences.  Upon arrival to your host “Khadija’s Kuzina” in his traditional house, you will be welcomed with open arms and authentic Moroccan hospitality. Over the next few hours, Khadija & Hussein will teach you how to cook a tasty meal of local dishes. Cooking with Khadija is often a unique social experience. She will share stories about food, about her family, and about her life.  Once your culinary masterpieces are ready, you will savor the real taste of Moroccan family cooking, around a meal served with a lot of love.

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What people are saying about Essaouira

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 4,696 reviews

This was the highlight of our trip while in Morocco. This coastal town is beautiful! The shopping is great too - found so many great pieces of art and clothes here. Since my friend was interested in learning about the Jewish history behind this town, our tour guide took me and my friends to the Jewish Quarters within the city when the official tour was over. We were able to visit a Jewish school that made beautiful jewelry and were able to buy it. I think the tour guide’s name was Zaid - I could be wrong. But he was so kind and even had his friends sing Happy Birthday to me in French and Arabic, since it was my birthday. So sweet! Wish we could’ve stayed here longer. This experience was unforgettable!

For a private trip, this was perfect in terms of price and services. Our driver was great, very dynamic, the journey was smooth. Our guide as well was very interesting and nice. The stop at the argan shop is a little bit a way to make you buy expensive products but if this helps the women communauty of this village why not ? Expect also to spend around 15£ per person at least for the lunch but the seafood was really tasty and fresh. The souk at Essaouira is also much quieter than Marrakesh, and if you like art gallery this is the right place. I really enjoy the trip and recommend this experience.

Be prepared for a long day. The bus ride got interesting as we got closer to the coast with rolling hills, greenery and interesting sites (goat tree and villages). Essaouira was a very interesting town, especially within the walls with its many shops, markets, and sites. The beach was a nice place to relax and swim or watch groups play football. Seafood was the specialty as it was so fresh.

It was Phenomenal!!! I loved the experience and learning about the camels and desert. The guide - Mustafa - was the best!

Ended up having a private lesson and the guide and instruction were awesome!