There are plenty of destinations in the African Continent known for its diverse cultures, national parks, desert activities and rich natural beauties. In this list today we have to discuss one of the most underrated travel destinations in Morocco, which blends history, cultures, adventures, white architecture and relaxed vibes at one place.
If you’re the kind of backpacker looking to make all these things in one place then probably Essaouira is truly a Travel Gem to you. To know more about Essaouira you probably have to go through what are the finest things to do in Essaouira, Morocco. The reason is very simple. It is a very difficult task to say why it is famous in a single sentence, therefore, let’s dig more about Essaouira.
Where is Essaouira
Essaouira is a vibrant coastal city of Morocco, often called a “wind city” located 190 kilometers away from Marrakech. Place nestled directly on the Atlantic Ocean, where once Portuguese, French and Arabs used it as their port activities. Later all these cultural influences positively influenced today’s Essaouira cultures and traditions.
How to Get to Essaouira, Morocco
Backpackers can reach Essaouira at any point either through Bus or Car services. The city is well connected by highways between Marrakech, Agadir and Casablanca. Let’s see what are the best ways to reach Essaouira?
1. By Bus
Everyday CTM and Supratours are operating bus service to Essaouira from Marrakech. Starting from Marrakech bus stop, the journey includes a total of 2.5 hours of journey and leaves you in a bus station near Essaouira. From there just a 15 minutes of walking is required to reach Essaouira Medina (if you wanna take a taxi, don’t worry, there are plenty of taxis waiting outside of the station).
Cost: Keep 90 to 125 MAD (€8.50- €12) for travel from Marrakech to Essaouira. Sometimes both buses may charge an additional 5 or 10 MAD as a luggage charge (if you have any).
2. By Car
Want to cover your Essaouira trip through a road trip, then getting by car is also possible. There is a double advantage if you’re coming by car, a road trip can cover both cities Marrakech and Essaouira at a time.
Both car and bus journey doesn’t make any difference when it comes to time of reaching, both will take the same 2.5 hours of journey. But what you need to observe here in a car journey is it allows you to enjoy the best desert areas and surrounding sand dunes while coming. That’s really cool thing.
There are plenty of car services/rentals that often provide valid service to visitors. Companies such as Rental Cars or Discover Cars are most recommended when it comes to cost and services.
Make sure that parking facilities in Media are impossible, pay some money for overnight parkings near Bab Marrkaech or Fishing port.
3. By Guided Tours
Not recommended, but if you’re not confident about what Essaouira is all about, then better to pick any guided tours. We recommended every visitor to book full day private tours. It covers pick up and drops, valid guide and A/C Transportation facilities.
10 Popular Things to Do in Essaouira, Morocco
1. Take a Walk in Medina
If you’re landing in the soil of Essaouira to explore its overall beauty it is always a good idea to start from its iconic destination Medina. Recognised by the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the place is filled by the interesting whitewashed buildings, cobalt blue doors and narrow alleyways. Once you start walking in Medina’s alleyways you will see the region’s vibrant shops, local artisans and historic buildings.
Its narrow streets are home to find open air souks, to buy souvenirs and spend time at restaurants to try local cuisines. However streets are even a great spot to discover unique handicrafts shops, small art galleries, woodwork and textile shops too.
Skala de la Ville is the most prominent sea bastion here in Mediana, known for its offering the most spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean including the city.
Try to join any guided tours of the Medina for better and deeper understanding of the city. Tours help you to find overall attractions of Medina, its streets, shops, and offers a glimpse of the daily life of the locals and an easy way to see unique cultures and traditions.
2. Enjoy Wind/Kite Surfing at Essaouira Beach
Essaouira is a renowned destination for those who pack their backpack to enjoy world class windsurfing and Kite Surfing. Thanks to consistent and north east trade winds that makes you spend more time at beaches kite surfing. Due to its friendly and year round surfing friendly winds Essaouira is known as “Windy City of Africa”.
Its winds are really cool. The Alizé trade winds blow every day. During the summer its wind power and speed is extremely high especially between April to October. This helps surf lovers take surf and ride, even you’re a first timers don’t worry. However, temperatures between 17℃ to 22℃ additionally help you to make surfing more calmly and steadily.
Rent kite surfing equipment and head on different Essaouira beaches such as Main Beach of Essaouira, Moulay Bouzerktoun and Sidi Kaouki. Both are located within 30 km from the centre of the city where vast sandy shores, friendly waves and plenty of surfing shop options are available.
Kite Tripping is a great place to rent a surfboard and get excellent service and instructions from valid guides about surfing, especially for beginners. Besides that there are plenty of shops and rental centers that provide high quality kites, boards, wetsuits and harnesses for rent within your budget limits.
3. Discover Essaouira Thriving Art Scenes
Despite its Medina Old Town and Beach activities, Essaouira is an ideal location to see different artistic works and creative works. While you’re taking a leisure stroll amidst the city’s streets you’ll catch up with numerous art galleries and museums, each one trying to exhibit inspiring art works by the Moroccan and native Africans.
Frédéric Damgaard Art Gallery/Galerie Damgaard is the city’s most visited museum which showcases Essaouira’s rich Gnawa cultures, paintings, and sculptures. The gallery was made by Frédéric Damgaard in 1988 for globalising local naive artworks and bringing display features and paintings by the local artists at one place.
For additional art expeditions visit Kasbah Gallery. Such a unique museum offers local naive art works and sculptures, pottery, bronzes, and different styles of furniture works. What you really like here museum that combines both historic and artistic pieces in one place. You can buy these stuff like ceramics, textiles and paintings as a souvenir at a reasonable price.
Visit Le Real Mogador located within your walking distance from the city, where plenty of modern Moroccan and International artistic works are displayed. While Galerie Espace Othello showcasing diverse artistic voices and calligraphy work in order to give respect to local traditional craftsmanship.
If’u have time or want to dig into the city’s even more museums or art collections, then Bayt Dakira and Elizir Gallery are exclusively waiting for you.
4. Feel Gnaoua Music Experience
Most of the world’s leading destinations usually do not offer full time music experiences, but Essaouira would. Yes, if you’re a big fan of music or love to listen to different music styles then attend Gnaoua/Gnawa music events. This style of music blends African, Berber and Arabic influences.
While you are walking in the streets of Essaouira where radios, music shops and trucks are playing repetitive sounds that is Gnawa/Gnaoua music. Compared to rest of the Morocco music this one is so unique, its melody grabbed from mountain air, desert wind and padded ocean breeze.
Who is playing this Gnawa/Gnaoua music? This music is usually performed by the Maalems, Asmaa Hamzaoui and Hassan Hakmoun. While they perform at music events they wear Darbala (traditional cloth) and a chachiya (a hat). While performing they play Gnawa/Gnaoua music and they move it like a helix.
Initially Gnawa was a movement which occurred in Morocco as a poetry and healing vessel. Maallem is a person who plays music during celebrations especially at night. But today people of Essaouira used it during all night and therapeutic ceremonial performances and Jemaa el Fnaa public performances.
But we insist you to enjoy Gnaoua music during “Annual Gnaoua World Music Festivals”. Which is held every June, where artists from Africa, Europe and North America come and attend this major event. Try to be part of the 3 day Gnaoua music and World Music festival this year held in Old Medina and Beach with the capacity of 5,00,000 listeners.
5. Appreciate Architectural Beauty of Skala Du Port
Skala Du Port is 18th century sea bastion built by the Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdallah. This port was primarily used for defensive purposes and to protect their harbours from other naval attacks. Later both Spanish and Dutch colonists used this Skala Du Port as their artillery platform. But today the place is exclusively known as a one of the tourist destinations in the city where travelers can get iconic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
However, despite its history and views, place is ideal location walk along the ramparts adorned with some of the historic cannons and enjoy the evening fresh sea breeze. But what I really love to say you about this destination, when you walk along its ramparts surely you’ll feel some places which are showed up in popular movie shows like Game of Thrones.
Today Skala Du Port is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands as one of the most architecturally rich landmarks in Essaouira. The port marked by the broad arched passageways and intricate geometric layouts, reflects traditional Moroccan architecture styles and some European styles too. The port is perfectly constructed with expert craftsmanship of Theodore Cornut to get shimmering Atlantic Ocean views, Mogador Island and surrounding harbours.
Actually you’ll see 2 levels of fortifications, ground level primarily used military storage and top level full of bronze cannons. Both these levels are inactive today, ground level filled by the little shops, whereas top level is an ideal location for backpackers to sit on the edge of the ramparts by the cannons and enjoy crashing waves of the ocean. Port Ramparts are really extensive and if you are looking for the perfect location for photography, then Skal du Port is an ideal place to get perfect captures of friendly waves and sunset views.
6. Taste Regions Fresh Seafoods
Experiencing fresh seafood is really one of the finest things to do in Essaouira. Since the city nestled traditional Atlantic fishing ports and vast areas of beaches, fishing is the most common activity people often do in their daily life. Sea foods are high quality, inexpensive or a variety of options here in this region, that’s why most visitors like to have them
The core reason behind the variety of seafood’s availability is the city’s fishing port. Where locals catch an abundance of fresh fishes like octopus, sardines, sea urchin, oysters, calamari and mullets. Some of the seafood sold in markets and the rest went to local restaurants to make some delicious seafood.
Many restaurants usually serve seafood after being grilled with local bread and salad, this makes you more natural flavours with a touch of traditional spices while consuming. Majority of seafoods are heavily influenced by the Arab, Portuguese and Berber traditions especially it’s making process and varieties. Try Seafood tagines, a slow cooked fish served with vegetables, spices along with your meals.
Despite its seafood options, Essaouira is a great spot to taste local dishes. “Couscous” is a traditional meal made by vegetables and meat. Try Pastilla, another traditional dish which is made by the pigeon or chicken and served with almonds, cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Join any traditional Moroccan cooking class to know more about local fresh seafood and how to make it. Not just that you’ll discover new species and flavours which you can add later to your existing cooking ideas.
7. Take a Walk to Beach
The beach is a most sought after thing which most visitors would like to spend their travel time with. There are a good number of beaches that welcome visitors from its white soft powder sands and crystal clear waters. However, even plenty of things visitors can enjoy while spending their time at beaches, under that surfing is popular one.
Most of Essaouira beaches are calm, and offer great water sports like surfing and kitesurfing. Since beaches have friendly waves and long shorelines it makes swimming paradise to swimmers. However, its golden sands are perfectly suitable for walking and help visitors to soak up during sunset.
We recommend you to visit The Plage d’Essouris beach, located within walking distance from Medina where beach lovers experience the sandy beach feeling. Premier windsurfing and kitesurfing spot due to its friendly trade winds. Along with surfing don’t forget to walk along its friendly coastal shores and ride on camels. Visit Plage Tagharte or Sidi Kaouki Beach, these are not just close to the city, but they are often known for its surfing, calm waters, friendly waves and other major water sports.
You have to know something more about Essaouira’s ocean temperatures before heading to beaches. Most of the ocean temperature passes between 17℃ to 22℃ and this makes every water lover enjoy friendly surfing under pleasant weather conditions.
8. Discover Argan Oil Cooperatives
Argan Oil Cooperatives is a place where most traditional oil making processes are held. This process often includes deep cultural values which originated from their ancestors and shows us how exactly the process involved in making argan oil.
Argan Oil is a non-refined vegetable oil which is usually produced from argan trees. It is rich in Vitamin C and E, helping maintain natural moistures for skin and hair. This Argan Oil is even used for culinary purposes especially in Morocco. They are used as organic oil.
The process is very straightforward. After harvesting fruits from its trees, Argan fruits dried up until its thick peel was able to remove. Its inner flesh is removed by hammering with a large flat stone. 2.2 kg of seeds can produce one litre of Argan oil.
After its bifurcation of fruits, it went to process (turn to oil). These roasted seeds are pressed in a machine to release oil. The process sometimes includes mechanical and sometimes traditional too. For additional culinary oils, they have to roast a little lighter which gives nutty flavours. Usually this process is done by the local women, they are outside of a small building and cracking nuts between 2 stones.
9. Try Local Dishes at Mandala Society Essaouira
Looking to try the region’s most delicious cuisine options at most intrinsic design areas, then probably you should visit Mandala Society Essaouira. It is a healthy, vegan friendly food corner purely committing artisanal cooking’s made through the region’s best organic ingredients.
Located in the heart of the Medina region, their concept is a very unique. Mandala Society offers nourishing smoothie bowls, savory avocado toast, and coffee styles made by the high quality origin beans. However its locally focused menus even included burgers, brunch and salads to maintain sustainable practices. We request you to enjoy your meals at its rooftop terrace along with enjoying local views.
Your dining experience could be more passionate due to its bohemian chic and cozy atmospheres. Mandala Society is built with rustic charm and little modern comfort, where you can make first dinner or coffee by sitting at communal tables, soft lighting, indoor seating and warm wood accents.
Mandala Society Essaouira is a perfect place to try if’re dislike seafood of Essaouira and like local unique vegan dishes, plastic free service or drink vegan coffee, especially made and sourced by the healthy, organic stuff. Surely this restaurant leaves you in the most homely ambiance and relaxed feelings with the most intrinsic indoor and rooftop designs.
10. Visit Coastal Village of Sidi Kaouki
Sidi Kaouki is the most sought after coastal village often called a ‘surf town of Essaouira’. Located just 25 minutes away from the heart of Medina, where visitors could experience vast areas of golden sand coastlines, ideal location for surfing and lovely laid back ambiances.
Sidi Kaouki offers visitors to try fresh seafoods like octopus, sardines, sea urchin, and ride on donkeys or spend time at surfing activities. Take camels for a ride to reach the nearest charming villages and local rustic cafes where popular grilled seafoods are served.
What you’ll really going to like is, while you walk its shoreline you’ll be fortunate to see a number of dunes, abandoned castles and rockpooling. Rockpooling exclusively for kids to surf at low tides around large white buildings.
Looking to spend more leisure time away from the city’s bustling life or alternative to Essaouira Beaches, then Sidi Kaouki will be a good option for you. Explore the vibrant village of Sidi Kaouki and eat mouthwatering seafood at its beachside restaurants.
When to Visit Essaouira, Morocco
Understanding local weather conditions and ideal seasons will decide your best things to do in Essaouira, Morocco. The city is located along the Atlantic Ocean, where visitors could expect semi-arid climates and pretty mild temperatures in both summer and winter season.
If you made a plan to visit during summer, then pack your backpack between Junes to September. Summer usually boasts 28℃ temperature, and this helps make visitors to do windsurfing, kitesurfing in a more fascinate way and local sightseeing like Skala de la. Remember summer is considered the busiest season in Essaouira.
Spring season from March to May is also a great option to visit. During spring visitors expect warm days and cooler nights. Since its warm weather makes you freely walk its coastal areas and wander its Medina streets.
From September to November Essaouira witnesses autumn months. It’s the same as spring, the weather is chill and makes more relaxed. The season usually welcomes less visitors, so we recommend you to visit either spring or Autumn.
Where to Stay in Essaouira
Stressed about which hotels will suit my budget don’t worry, Essaouira is a place full of great accommodation options ranging from budget friendly to luxury. No matter what your intention is to book a Hotel in Essaouira, they welcome visitors who are looking to stay to enjoy stylish boutique hotels or enjoy elegant views of the Atlantic Ocean.
1. Hostel Bivouac- For Budget Friendly Stay
This cozy hotel is known for its dormitory style rooms and friendly atmospheres. Yes, Hostel Bivouac welcomes its guests who are ready to stay near medina and nearby beaches. One of the budget friendly hotels offers communal kitchen and vast area of lounge for socializing and shared facilities services at a very basic cost of $15-$30 per night.
2. Hotel Riad Amina- For Mid- Range Stay
Hotel Riad Amina is one of the perfect stay options for those who are looking to spend overnight at Essaouira. A traditional Moroccan decor with some modern comfort styles, where guests can book his/her spacious rooms along with the features of terrace and small pool facilities.
Riad offers tranquil retreat within just $70 to $120 cost. Don’t forget to try local dishes from its restaurants, which often serve free breakfast. Get aerial views of the city’s bustling streets from its rooftop terraces.
3. Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf&Spa- For Premier Stay
Looking for an advanced or most premier/luxury hotel to stay, probably you have to book your rooms at Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf&Spa. A more stylish and elegant hotel holds the region’s top notch rooms, large pool and vibrant dinings areas and full time spa and wellness amenities. Since hotel is nestled close to the golf course, surely guests can expect great views of the Atlantic Ocean and easy access to the city’s major beach attractions. Pay $200-$400 per night to enjoy all these features.
What One Thing You Should Know Before Packing a Backpack?
Safety is a major aspect you have to know before leaving your place to Essaouira. You may think it is a common thing to know, but we strongly insist you to maintain safety in the region like Medina.
Medina is beautiful yet it is one of the most pickpocketing area. Especially if you’re traveling solo or at night time don’t try go deserted alleys. Try to avoid ride hailing apps and people come near you and act like a friend, which are more common travel scams you’ll experience here. To overcome these scams choose a valid hotel or booking website or valid tour guides.
