The best places to stay in Essaouira are Heure Bleue Palais and Le Palazzo for a hotel, and La Fontaine Bleue, Madada Mogador and Riad Azul for a riad in the medina. Just outside town, Riad Sabidi and Riad Tamayourt have pools and ocean views.
Essaouira is a laid-back port town on the Atlantic, with a walled medina, a fishing harbor and a long windy beach. Here are our favorite hotels, riads and countryside stays.
Essaouira Riads and Hotels at a Glance
| Stay | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Heure Bleue Palais | Luxury hotel | Relais & Châteaux by the medina |
| Le Palazzo | Boutique hotel | Elegant stay in the Kasbah |
| Salut Maroc! Luxury Boutique Hotel | Boutique hotel | Colorful design and sea views |
| Atlas Essaouira Riad Resort | Beach resort | Families on the seafront |
| Vent des Dunes | Hotel | Pool and spa near the beach |
| La Fontaine Bleue | Riad | Sea views from the rooftop |
| Riad Arambys | Riad | Spa and rooftop |
| Madada Mogador | Riad | Terrace over the port |
| Riad Dar Nor | Riad | Classic courtyard riad |
| Riad Mimouna | Riad | On the ramparts |
| Riad La Rose des Vents | Riad | Rooftop sea views |
| Dar Ory | Riad | Rooftop lounge |
| Riad Azul | Riad | Great breakfast |
| Riad Al Zahia | Riad | Kasbah terrace |
| Riad Mogantique | Riad | Courtyard and garden |
| Riad Lunetoile | Riad | Breakfast with a sea view |
| Riad Sabidi Hammam and Spa | Country riad | Pools, hammam and spa |
| Riad Tamayourt | Country riad | Heated pool with ocean views |
| Riad Ghazal | Country riad | Garden pool |
| Riad Titima | Country riad | Indoor pool |
| Domaine de l’Arganeraie | Country hotel | Argan countryside |
| Baberrih Hôtel | Beach hotel | On the coast north of town |
The Best Hotels in Essaouira
1. Heure Bleue Palais
Heure Bleue Palais is a Relais & Châteaux hotel by Bab Marrakech, at the edge of the medina, with a rooftop pool and a spa.
Why we love it: the most refined stay in Essaouira.
Check prices and book Heure Bleue Palais on Booking.com
2. Le Palazzo
Le Palazzo is in the Kasbah quarter, with a spa and a restaurant.
Why we love it: one of the best-rated hotels in town, with almost a thousand reviews.
Check prices and book Le Palazzo on Booking.com
3. Salut Maroc! Luxury Boutique Hotel
Salut Maroc! is a colorful boutique hotel in the Kasbah, with a restaurant and a terrace over the sea.
Why we love it: bold design and a rooftop over the ocean.
Check prices and book Salut Maroc! Luxury Boutique Hotel on Booking.com
4. Atlas Essaouira Riad Resort
The Atlas is on the seafront boulevard, with a pool, two restaurants, a bar and a terrace.
Why we love it: a resort on the beach, a short walk from the medina.
Check prices and book Atlas Essaouira Riad Resort on Booking.com
5. Vent des Dunes
Vent des Dunes is in the Dunes district, with an outdoor pool and a spa.
Why we love it: a calm base close to the beach.
Check prices and book Vent des Dunes on Booking.com
The Best Riads in the Medina
1. La Fontaine Bleue
La Fontaine Bleue is in the medina, with a spa, a restaurant and a rooftop terrace with sea views.
Why we love it: one of the highest-rated riads in Essaouira.
Check prices and book La Fontaine Bleue on Booking.com
2. Riad Arambys
Riad Arambys is in the old medina, with a spa and a rooftop terrace.
Why we love it: a peaceful riad with a spa.
Check prices and book Riad Arambys on Booking.com
3. Madada Mogador
Madada Mogador is in the medina, with a restaurant and a terrace with views over the rooftops.
Why we love it: stylish rooms and a great terrace.
Check prices and book Madada Mogador on Booking.com
4. Riad Dar Nor
Riad Dar Nor is a traditional riad in the medina, with a courtyard, a terrace and a very good breakfast.
Why we love it: a classic riad experience.
Check prices and book Riad Dar Nor on Booking.com
5. Riad Mimouna
Riad Mimouna sits on the seafront ramparts of the medina, with a restaurant and a terrace.
Why we love it: waking up right above the ocean.
Check prices and book Riad Mimouna on Booking.com
6. Riad La Rose des Vents
Riad La Rose des Vents is in the medina, with a rooftop terrace looking out to the sea.
Why we love it: a friendly riad with a view.
Check prices and book Riad La Rose des Vents on Booking.com
7. Dar Ory
Dar Ory is in the medina, with a rooftop terrace.
Why we love it: a relaxed rooftop for sunset.
Check prices and book Dar Ory on Booking.com
8. Riad Azul
Riad Azul is in the medina, with a terrace and an excellent breakfast.
Why we love it: a well-loved riad with over a thousand reviews.
Check prices and book Riad Azul on Booking.com
9. Riad Al Zahia
Riad Al Zahia is in the Kasbah quarter, with a terrace and a bar.
Why we love it: a central riad close to the port.
Check prices and book Riad Al Zahia on Booking.com
10. Riad Mogantique
Riad Mogantique is in the medina, with a courtyard, a garden and a terrace.
Why we love it: a calm, green riad.
Check prices and book Riad Mogantique on Booking.com
11. Riad Lunetoile
Riad Lunetoile is in the medina, with a terrace over the sea and an excellent breakfast.
Why we love it: breakfast looking out over the ocean.
Check prices and book Riad Lunetoile on Booking.com
Countryside and Coast Stays
1. Riad Sabidi Hammam and Spa
Riad Sabidi is just outside Essaouira, with two pools, a hammam and spa and a restaurant.
Why we love it: the top-rated stay in the area.
Check prices and book Riad Sabidi Hammam and Spa on Booking.com
2. Riad Tamayourt
Riad Tamayourt is in the countryside at Ghazoua, with a heated pool, a restaurant and ocean views.
Why we love it: a quiet pool with a view of the sea.
Check prices and book Riad Tamayourt on Booking.com
3. Riad Ghazal
Riad Ghazal is at Ghazoua, with an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a terrace.
Why we love it: peace and space outside the city.
Check prices and book Riad Ghazal on Booking.com
4. Riad Titima
Riad Titima is in the countryside outside Essaouira, with an indoor pool and a restaurant.
Why we love it: a quiet garden stay with a pool all year.
Check prices and book Riad Titima on Booking.com
5. Domaine de l’Arganeraie
Domaine de l’Arganeraie is in the argan countryside at Ghazoua, with an outdoor pool and a restaurant.
Why we love it: a peaceful countryside base.
Check prices and book Domaine de l’Arganeraie on Booking.com
6. Baberrih Hôtel
Baberrih is on the beach at Moulay Bouzerktoune, north of Essaouira, with an outdoor pool and a restaurant.
Why we love it: a wild Atlantic setting on the beach.
Check prices and book Baberrih Hôtel on Booking.com
Where to Stay in Essaouira
The medina is where most riads are, close to the souks, the ramparts and the port. Cars cannot enter, so you walk the last few minutes.
The seafront along the beach has the larger hotels, a short walk from the medina.
The countryside around Ghazoua has quiet riads with pools and gardens, a short drive from town.
Tips for Booking a Riad in Essaouira
- Essaouira is windy, so a rooftop with shelter or heating makes a difference.
- Ask the riad where your driver can drop you off near the medina.
- If you want a pool, look at the hotels or the countryside riads.
- Book early for summer and the Gnaoua festival.
Essaouira Riads FAQ
Heure Bleue Palais and Le Palazzo are among the best rated hotels.
La Fontaine Bleue, Madada Mogador and Riad Azul are among the best rated riads in the medina.
Yes. Riad Sabidi, Riad Tamayourt, Riad Ghazal and Riad Titima, just outside town, all have pools.
Stay in the medina for riads and atmosphere, on the seafront for hotels, or in the countryside for space and a pool.
Plan Your Essaouira Stay
Read our guide to visiting Essaouira. For other cities, see the best riads in Marrakech and our Morocco itinerary planner.
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