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Things to do in Essaouira

Our most recommended things to do in Essaouira

From Marrakech: Essaouira Full-Day Trip

1. 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.

From Marrakech: Essaouira & Atlantic Coast Full-Day Trip

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

Essaouira Sand Dunes: Half Day Quad Bike Tour

5. 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: Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class

6. 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.

Essaouira: 2-Hour Surf Lesson

7. 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: 2-Hour Kite-Surfing Lesson

8. 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.

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: Private City Tour

10. Essaouira: Private City Tour

Visit the city of Essaouira and start off by the small fishing port of the city where you can marvel at this historical place.  See an old watchtower and get an impressive panoramic view of Essaouira. Stop at the main square to taste a real Moroccan tea before continuing to visit the most important monument of the city, the scala of the medina. Admire the location where several films have been shot such as the famous film of Orson Welles Othello, or the Game of Thrones TV show. Continue the visit in the old medina, the kasbah, the mellah, the old Jewish quarter. See the synagogues, the souks of the medina, and the fish market which is full of people who buy, grill, and eat the day's catch.

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What people are saying about Essaouira

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 4,696 reviews

Mohammad was a very knowledgeable, patient and accommodating driver/guide. He was also a safe driver and followed speed limits. We indicated our interests and plans and he went out of his way to accommodate our requests. He was a fountain of information on the trip.

Kind and helpful driver plus someone else to assist. Great communication around pick up time and location. Allowed us about four hours in Essaouiara and we saw what was included in the description of the trip too.

Just thought it was a trip but we had a few intersting stops on the way, including goats on trees & making soap etc. Very interesting & helpfull guide

Super place to visit in low season. Plenty of good places to eat. Really friendly.

Excellent team work, ambiance, kindness, and all the senses are invited