Essaouira is one of Morocco’s most popular and laid-back beachside towns on the southwest coast of North Africa.
I spent one day in this bright and breezy coastal town while I was backpacking Morocco with Travel Talk Tours and have put together this complete guide of the 3 best things to do in Essaouira during your visit.
Table of Contents
WHERE IS ESSAOUIRA
Essaouira is approximately a 3-hour drive west of Marrakech, located on the southwest coast of Morocco.
Essaouira can be reached by bus, plane, or private taxi.
If you prefer to travel budget, CTM is the most reputable bus company in Morocco and their buses operate daily, to and from Essaouira. Click here to check timetables.
If time is sensitive and you would prefer to fly, there are daily flights available to Essaouira which you can search for on Skyscanner.
3 THINGS TO DO IN ESSAOUIRA
ESSAOUIRA BEACH
A casual stroll, swimming, or surfing at Essaouira Beach is one of the best things to do in Essaouira.
It is a popular spot for surfing in the Atlantic Ocean during the swell season in the winter months of December through to March and on windy days it is a haven for kite surfers.
For non-surfers, Essaouira beach stretches 2km around the bay, so you’re guaranteed to find a secluded spot along the sand to sunbathe and swim.
Half a dozen restaurants and cafes are situated along the pristine shoreline at Essaouira Beach – the perfect spot for lunch and to chill in a hammock or beach chair, soaking up some Vitamin-D.
See All → Hostels & Hotels in Essaouira
Essaouira Beach
EXPLORE ESSAOUIRA MEDINA
Getting lost in the rabbit warren of souks inside the medina was one of my favorite things to do in Essaouria!
Each small street is filled with handmade garments of sorts, spice shops, souvenir stores, and seafood restaurants. In 2001, the medina of Essaouira was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Also, don’t forget to head over to the large open square down by the Essaouira Port when it comes alive during the late afternoons and into the night.
Listen to the street buskers and grab something to eat and drink as the sun begins to set over the Atlantic Ocean.
Must Read → 10 Day Morocco Itinerary
Essaouira Square – What to do in Essaouira
Have you got travel insurance for Morocco? We all know accidents can happen and having World Nomads Insurance will save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
ESSAOUIRA PORT
Lastly on this list of things to do in Essaouira is a visit to the traditional blue fishing boats that can be found down by the fort walls, one of Essaouira’s main attractions.
A postcard-like setting is a painter’s dream and it’s also one of the best locations to watch the sunset.
After some hours spent down on Essaouira Beach, followed by getting lost inside the beautiful medina, the bustling port is the best place to finish off a day in Essaouira!
Book Now → 10 Days in Morocco Tour
Afternoons spent at Essaouira Port
WHERE TO STAY IN ESSAOUIRA
Essaouira has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay in Essaouira to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Heure Bleue Palace
Mid Range: Chems Bleu
Budget: Seagulls Hostel
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN ESSAOUIRA, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The currency in Morocco is Dirham (MAD) and the exchange rate is approximately $1 USD = 10 MAD.
Purchasing a sim card in Morocco is very cheap and simple. You can do this at the airport on arrival or visit a phone store close to your accommodation. For approximately $10 USD, you can get a local sim card that comes with 10GB of data.
Need a travel money card?
Wise offers multi-currency debit cards which can be used worldwide and you’ll save hundreds on transaction fees. Get your Wise card today for free!
HOW TO GET TO MOROCCO
Arriving by plane is the easiest and most convenient way to begin your adventures in Morocco.
I flew to Morocco with Royal Air Maroc which is the country’s largest and most reputable airline that offers daily flights, excellent customer service, and an all-around comfortable experience.
Search All → Flights to Morocco
MOROCCO VISA
Visitors to Morocco can spend up to 90-days on a tourist visa which is free of charge. The only requirement is that your passport has to be valid for a period of 6 months before its expiry.
WHAT TO PACK FOR MOROCCO
When visiting Morocco, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Moroccan sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – the most compact and lightweight towel for traveling.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Backpack – The Nomatic 30L Travel Pack is the ultimate backpack for everyday adventures.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
MORE MOROCCO TRAVEL GUIDES
- Morocco Guide: 10 Day Morocco Itinerary
- Chefchaouen Guide: 5 Things To Do In Chefchaouen
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you have any questions about things to do in Essaouira, please drop me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can! For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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