The best things to do in Essaouira are walking the whitewashed medina and its ramparts, watching the fishing boats come into the blue port, eating grilled fish by the harbor, browsing the thuya woodwork and art galleries, and spending time on the long, windy beach. Essaouira is Morocco’s most relaxed coastal town, and a perfect change of pace after the bustle of Marrakech.
Essaouira, once called Mogador, was laid out in the 18th century by Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah as a fortified trading port, and its medina has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001. Today it is known for its art scene, Gnaoua music and steady Atlantic wind. It is one of the best cities to visit in Morocco, and here is how to make the most of it.
Things to Do in Essaouira
1. Walk the Medina and Its Souks
The medina is small, flat and easy to explore on foot, with wide main streets and quiet blue and white lanes. Wander through the souks for spices, jewelry, leather and textiles, and stop for mint tea on a rooftop.
2. The Skala de la Ville Ramparts
The sea walls on the north side of the medina are lined with old bronze cannons and look straight over the crashing Atlantic waves. Fans may recognize them from Game of Thrones. Go for sunset.
3. The Port and a Fish Lunch
The working port, with its rows of blue wooden boats, is the heart of the town. Pick your fish and seafood at the stalls by the harbor and have it grilled on the spot for lunch.
4. Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum
Housed in a 19th-century mansion, this museum shows the history, crafts, jewelry and music of Essaouira and the region. It is a calm, quick visit between walks in the medina.
5. The Mellah and Bayt Dakira
Essaouira was once home to a large Jewish community. Walk through the old Mellah and visit Bayt Dakira, a house of memory dedicated to the town’s Jewish heritage.
6. Thuya Woodwork and Art Galleries
The town is famous for its marquetry in fragrant thuya wood. Visit the woodworkers’ workshops under the ramparts, then browse the many galleries of local painters, which give Essaouira its artistic feel.
7. The Beach, Kitesurfing and Windsurfing
South of the medina, a long sandy beach curves around the bay. The constant wind makes Essaouira one of the best places in Morocco for kitesurfing and windsurfing, with schools for beginners. It is better for walks, camel rides and water sports than for swimming.
8. The Gnaoua World Music Festival
Every year, usually in June, Essaouira hosts the Gnaoua and World Music Festival, with free concerts on stages across the town. If you are traveling then, book your stay well ahead.
9. Argan Oil Cooperatives
The countryside around Essaouira is argan country. Visit a women’s cooperative to see how the oil is made by hand, and keep an eye out for goats climbing the argan trees along the way.
10. Sidi Kaouki and Imsouane
For more of the coast, head south to the surf village of Sidi Kaouki or north to Imsouane, known for one of the longest waves in Morocco. Compare the coast’s surf villages in our Taghazout vs Imsouane guide.
Where to Stay in Essaouira
We ranked these stays using guest review scores on Booking.com together with the number of reviews, checked in October 2026. Most are riads inside the medina; two are by the beach.
| Stay | Why we like it | Score | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riad Chbanate | A short walk from Bab Marrakech and the beach, with a restaurant, a bar and a terrace, the best combination on our list. | 9.6 (750 reviews) | Check prices |
| Riad Baladin | A peaceful riad in the medina with a restaurant and a terrace. | 9.3 (800+ reviews) | Check prices |
| Villa Quieta | A beachfront villa with an outdoor pool, a terrace and free parking, ideal if you want sea views and space. | 9.1 (800 reviews) | Check prices |
| Madada Mogador | Overlooking the old port and the beach, with elegant, individually decorated rooms and a terrace with views across the bay. | 9.2 (700 reviews) | Check prices |
| Riad Mimouna | Set right by the ocean on the edge of the medina, with a restaurant and a terrace. | 9.0 (740 reviews) | Check prices |
| Villa Garance | A welcoming medina riad with a restaurant. | 9.1 (700 reviews) | Check prices |
| Riad Dar Abi | A historic house close to the beach with a terrace. | 9.5 (600+ reviews) | Check prices |
| Heure Bleue Palais | A Relais & Châteaux hotel in a former mansion inside the medina, with a pool, a spa, a restaurant and a bar, it is the luxury choice in Essaouira. | 9.0 (550+ reviews) | Check prices |
New to riads? Read what it is like to stay in a riad, or see our picks of the best riads in Marrakech.
How to Get to Essaouira and Get Around
Getting to Essaouira
- With a private driver. Essaouira has no railway station, so the easiest way to arrive is by road. On our 14 day tour, your driver takes you to Essaouira and parks by one of the medina gates, Bab Sbaa or Bab Marrakech.
- By bus. Supratours and CTM run daily buses from Marrakech, Agadir and Casablanca. Book ahead, especially from Marrakech.
- By air. Essaouira Mogador airport is about 15 km south of town, with only a few flights a week.
Getting Around Essaouira
- On foot. The medina is closed to cars and small enough to explore on foot, from the ramparts of the Skala to the port and the beach.
- Your luggage. Cars stop at the medina gates, so riads usually send someone to help carry your bags. Ask your riad when you book.
- By petit taxi. A few small taxis wait outside the medina gates, useful for the bus station or the far end of the beach.
See how Essaouira fits into our 7, 10 and 14 day Morocco itinerary.
How Many Days in Essaouira?
One full day covers the medina, the ramparts and the port. Two or three nights let you slow down, spend time on the beach and add a day on the coast. On our 14 day tour, Essaouira is a day trip from Marrakech near the end of the trip, a relaxed finish after the Sahara.
Best Time to Visit Essaouira
Essaouira is mild all year, cooled by the Atlantic, so it is a good escape from the summer heat of Marrakech. The wind is strongest in summer, which is great for kitesurfers but cool for the beach. See the best time to visit Morocco and what to wear in Morocco.
Essaouira FAQ
Yes. It is calmer than Marrakech, with a UNESCO listed medina, a working fishing port, fresh seafood and a long beach.
One day for the highlights, two or three nights to relax.
You can, but the water is cool and the beach is often windy. It is better for walks and water sports like kitesurfing.
Its ramparts and port, thuya woodwork, art galleries, Gnaoua music and wind sports.
Essaouira is a historic walled port with more character. Agadir is a modern beach resort with calmer water.
No. The medina is closed to cars. Drivers park by the gates, such as Bab Sbaa and Bab Marrakech, and you walk from there.
Plan Your Visit to Essaouira
Essaouira is part of our two weeks in Morocco route and our 14 day tour, after Marrakech and the Sahara. Compare routes in our 7, 10 and 14 day Morocco itinerary, see what a private tour costs, and discover the beaches of Morocco.
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