City BuddyCityBuddy
English
Stone archway in historic Essaouira wall under bright blue sky. Minimalist architectural scene.

Things to Do in Essaouira, Morocco

Photo made by Nikita Igonkin on Pexels.com

When to visit

NOT BUSYJan16°6d rain
NOT BUSYFeb16°5d rain
MODERATEMar18°3d rainBEST
MODERATEApr19°2d rainBEST
MODERATEMay21°1d rainBEST
BUSYJun24°0d rain
BUSYJul25°0d rain
BUSYAug26°0d rain
MODERATESep25°0d rainBEST
MODERATEOct22°2d rainBEST
NOT BUSYNov19°4d rainBEST
NOT BUSYDec17°5d rain

When are you going to Essaouira, Morocco?

Get a personalized day-by-day travel plan in under 30 seconds. Just pick your dates and go.

  • Personalized day-by-day itinerary
  • Budget calculator for your trip
  • Pre-trip checklist (visa, eSIM, tickets...)

Are any of these especially important to you?

Select all that apply

Scroll down for a list of most popular attractions and select them, if you want to include them in the itinerary preparation!

Most popular attractions in Essaouira, Morocco

Skala de la Ville

1. Skala de la Ville

Visit guide, tips & more
4.8 (132)
Tourist AttractionPoint of InterestEstablishment

Directions

Book tours & tickets

Feel the ocean breeze atop sky-high walls and hear history whisper through ancient cannons. Discover breathtaking views and live Moroccan craft in action.

Essaouira Citadel

2. Essaouira Citadel

Visit guide, tips & more
4.5 (4,886)
Point of InterestEstablishment

Directions

Official website

Book tours & tickets

Step into a fortress where sea meets history. Experience stunning ocean views and echoes of centuries-old maritime defense.

Port of Essaouira

3. Port of Essaouira

Visit guide, tips & more
4.5 (4,886)
Point of InterestEstablishment

Directions

Official website

Book tours & tickets

A vibrant hub of color and culture worth exploring. Experience lively markets, historic forts, and the freshest seafood right at the water's edge.

Our #1 travel tip

Have you heard of free walking tours?

After traveling to 30+ countries, there's one thing I wish someone had told me from day one, and it completely changed how I experience new cities.

Free walking tours. Yes, actually free. No credit card needed. No catch.

Local guide, 2-3 hours

Major sights, hidden gems, local stories

100% tip-based

Guides earn only tips, so they give their absolute best

You tip what feels right

At the end, just tip whatever you feel is right

I've done these in dozens of cities and they've been the highlight of almost every trip. If you're visiting Essaouira, Morocco, do this on your first day. You'll thank me later.

Adrijana, founder of City Buddy
Browse FREE walking tours
Moulay Hassan Square

4. Moulay Hassan Square

Visit guide, tips & more
4.4 (3,992)
Tourist AttractionPoint of InterestEstablishment

Directions

Book tours & tickets

Experience lively local culture and stunning ocean views. Enjoy vibrant markets and enchanting music under lantern-lit skies.

Essaouira Beach

5. Essaouira Beach

Visit guide, tips & more
4.4 (1,644)
BeachNatural FeatureEstablishment

Directions

Official website

Book tours & tickets

Jaw-dropping coastal views and windsurfing thrills await. Experience fresh sea breezes and an active beach vibe that energizes your soul.

Argan Oil Cooperative

6. Argan Oil Cooperative

Visit guide, tips & more
4.2 (746)
Cosmetics StoreGrocery StoreMarketFood StoreFood

Directions

Official website

Book tours & tickets

Discover the art of making precious argan oil by hand. Experience the warmth of genuine Berber hospitality and centuries-old craft.

Traditional Sweet Dishes

Sellou

Sellou

Sellou is a sweet, nutritious Moroccan dessert made from roasted flour, almonds, sesame seeds, and honey, often prepared for celebrations and special occasions in Essaouira.

Chebakia

Chebakia

Chebakia is a traditional Moroccan sesame cookie shaped like a flower, fried and coated with honey, popular during Ramadan and widely enjoyed in Essaouira.

M'hanncha

M'hanncha

M'hanncha is a coiled pastry filled with almond paste and flavored with orange blossom water, resembling a snake, and is a festive treat in Essaouira.

Get a PDF with the most popular attractions sent to your email

Get a PDF with all attractions, ratings, and tips. Perfect for offline use.

Most popular day trips

Marrakech

190 km 2.5h by car

Historic city with famous souks and palaces.

Sidi Kaouki

25 km 30m by car

A quiet beach village known for surfing and relaxation.

Ounara Valley

45 km 1h by car

Scenic valley with natural springs and hiking trails.

Rent a car in Essaouira, Morocco

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first!

Getting there

From Essaouira-Mogador Airport, taxis are the most convenient way to reach the city center; the ride is about 25 minutes.

Find flights to Essaouira, Morocco

Click to get eSim for Essaouira, Morocco

The easiest and most affordable way to get mobile internet wherever you travel.

Useful information for Essaouira, Morocco

Shopping locationsSidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah Museum, Essaouira Medina, Souk Jdid
Nightlife locationsTaros Cafe, Le Garage, La Fibule
Popular casual restaurantsUmia, La Table by Madada, Caravane Cafe
Popular fancy restaurantsElizir, La Licorne, Le Chalet de la Plage
Popular coffee shopsUmia, Caravane Cafe, Taros Cafe
Tap water safe to drinkNo
Digital nomad visaNo
Best taxi appCareem, Uber
Taxi price / km$0.5
Tourists / year2000000
Mobile internet speed10 Mbps
Unemployment percentage12 %
Poverty percentage15 %
Average income / month$300
Average cost of living / month$600
Hotel price / night from$30
Beer price from$1.5
Coffee price from$1
Street food price from$2
Restaurant meal price from$5
Local currencyMAD
Power plug typesC, E
ReligionsIslam
Spoken languagesArabic, Berber, French
EthnicitiesArab, Berber
Political orientationcenter-right
Population density100 /km²
Geographical area89 km²
Possible natural disastersfloods, earthquakes
Dangerous animalsscorpions, snakes, spiders
Locations for a nice walkEssaouira Beach, Skala de la Ville, Mogador Island
Public transportationsbuses, taxis, grand taxis
AirlinesRoyal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc
Suggested vaccinationshepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus
Architecture typeMoroccan, Portuguese, French colonial
Average beer consumption per person / year2.5 l
Average wine consumption per person / year1.5 l
Tipping cultureexpected, 5-10% in restaurants
Coworking / day$10
Airbnb / month$400
1BR rent / month$250
Gym / month$30
Daily budget (backpacker)$25
Daily budget (mid-range)$50

Overview for Essaouira, Morocco

English proficiencyBad
Traffic safetyBad
Friendly to foreignersAverage
Freedom of speechBad
Public transportationAverage
HealthcareBad
EducationBad
Power grid reliabilityAverage
Crime safetyAverage
WalkabilityGood
NightlifeAverage
Food sceneGood
LGBTQ+ friendlyBad
Startup sceneVery bad
Noise levelAverage
CleanlinessAverage
Nature accessGood
Explore all of Morocco

Looking for another city?