It isn't the biggest city and maybe it's something you won't think about visiting whenever you're traveling to Morocco, but Essaouira has a lot to offer and I think it's a great place to get to know the Moroccan culture! The city is located at the coast and is one of the best places to surf in Morocco. Of course, there is much more to see and do here, so let me tell you everything you need to know!
Since Essaouira is located at the coast of Morocco, the weather is very pleasant! Some sources say the best time to visit is autumn and spring, since it's a bit cooler then. However, I visited Essaouira in June and the weather was ideal for me! It was about 30 degrees, but the cool breeze made it ideal to wander around. If you want to combine your visit with a more inward city, such as Marrakech, I recommend going during autumn or spring, since those cities can get very hot! And there will also be thinner crowds of course.
How to get there?
As the city isn't really big, there aren't many airlines that fly to Essaouira. Underneath you can find an overview of the ones that offer flights and from what city you can take it.
Transavia : from Paris
Easy Jet : from Toulouse, Lyon & Bordeaux
Ryanair : from Brussels, Marseille & Londen
However, if you're visiting another place in Morocco first, it's pretty easy to visit Essaouira from there. Royal Air Maroc offers flights from Casablanca. There is also a possibility to go there by bus! After our visit to Essaouira, we took a bus to Marrakech with the company CTM. I recommend booking your ticket beforehand. We noticed, when we took the bus, it was pretty crowded to buy tickets, so if you want to make sure you have a spot, you can easily book your ticket online.
As the city isn't very big, it's really easy to just walk around. There are multiple taxis you can take in the city but I recommend just walking, as you will see the most this way and all the highlights are within walking distance.
To get from the airport to the city, you can easily take a taxi or if you're planning to do some activities outside of Essaouira, you can rent a car.
This boutique riad is nestled in the heart of Essaouira. The whole place is decorated with designer furniture and unique artwork. There is even on concept store on the ground floor.
This riad has three floors and a stunning rooftop terrace with views over Essaouira's coast! The harbor is only a three minute walk, so it's the ideal location!
Another riad you could stay in is Riad D'AR GANne. This riad is located only 1 km from the beach and offers an à la carte-breakfast, continental or vegetarian breakfast.
During my stay in Essaouira, I stayed at Tweets Hotel. It's a very small hotel with a great breakfast! The rooms were basic but really clean and we had an amazing view over the city!
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Highlights of Essaouira
Of course, I will start with something I say in every guide, but the best way to get to know this city is by booking a walking tour! Especially because Essaouira has such a great history and story. I wasn't planning on booking one, but even though we loved the city on our first day, we were kinda lost. So we went to the tourism office and booked a walking tour. Our local had lived for years in the city and showed us everything we wanted to see! You can easily book a walking tour at one of the tourism office, but if you want to be sure of your spot or want to plan everything in advance, there are some great offers on Get Your Guide!
As I already told you in the beginning, Essaouira is one of the best places to go surfing! So if you would like to try this out, book a surf class. I went surfing for the first time in this city and even though my knees regretted it, I loved it!
Now on to the main highlights of the city! The walking tour will take you along most of them, however, if you prefer wandering around the city on your own, these were my favorite places!
This artillery platform dates back to the 18th century and was constructed as part of the city's fortifications. This place offers you a panoramic view over the ocean!
If you're a fan of Game of Thrones, you should go here, since some episodes were filmed here. If not, still visit it since you'll have a great view over the ocean!
This fish port showcases the traditional way of the fishing industry. All the fresh fish can be bought directly from the fisherman and the restaurants around it prepare it. I thought the most fascinating thing were all of the typical blue boats.
You shouldn't only visit the cemetery, but visit the whole Jewish corner! Before I visited this city, I had no idea that lots of jews used to live here. This Jewish corner shows how Muslims and Jews lived together.
If you want to have a relaxing day, the best place to do that is of course the beach! Next to just relaxing, there are many activities you can do here such as surfing, kitesurfing or a camel tour during the sunset.
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Centre de la Bijouterie Artisanale Maalem Ali 1908
We ate our first tajine here, and the following days, we ate a lot! But the best one we had at this place. Both the kefta and the lamb tajine were great!
When I arrived in Essaouira, it was pretty late and also very hungry! We were walking through the medina and the first place that caught our attention was Mandala Society. The interior is very cosy and they serve a great vegetarian dishes!
This time not a specific restaurant, but if you're looking for a vibrant place to have a tea, eat a crepe or have dinner, you should go to one of the restaurants at Moulay Hassan Square!
I had lunch at this place after my surfing class and was pretty grateful they had a pool! This is a riad where you can also stay, but even if you're not a guest, you can just go here for a drink or eat something.
A unique place to go for a coffee is at the rooftop of Koulchi Concept Store after you're finished shopping of course!
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More questions?
If you have any more questions, you want more recommendations or you want me to help you to plan your next trip to Essaouira, don't hesitate to contact me! <3
Whenever I'm traveling outside of Europe I'll always buy an eSIM! It saves you a lot of time trying to find a good sim once you've arrived and you won't risk losing the one you have now.
Welcome to my world of wanderlust! Based in Belgium, with experiences living in Barcelona and Puerto Rico and of course travels to lots of other destinations! My travel philosophy? Immerse myself in everything a destination has to offer, from its breathtaking landscapes to its amazing culture. As a young enthusiast with a passion for discovering new places, I try to bring a fresh perspective and give you an authentic experience. Trust me to curate your next adventure, blending hidden gems, local flavors and insider tips for a journey you'll never forget. 🌎✈️🧳
