Essaouira is located along the Moroccan coastline 3 hours east of Marrakesh. This walled city is full of artistic charm, local culture with a much more relaxed vibe than that of other Moroccan towns. Essaouira the “Windy City of Africa” is a beautiful town known for its galleries and boutique stalls.
Want to join a tour around Morocco instead? Why not try G Adventures Coastal Morocco: Waves & Market Stalls
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For our full guide of the tour with G Adventures, read our review of A Coastal Tour of Moroccan Towns here
How to get to Essaouira?
From London
The most common route is to fly from London Heathrow or Gatwick Airport to Marrakech Menara Airport. From here you can then take a transfer from Marrakesh into Essaouria.
There is however a much better route available. Flights from London Stansted to Essaouira Airport run twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays with Ryanair. These flight are around 3 hours and 30 minutes and the airport is located about 20 minutes from the main Medina.
From Essaouira Airport the best way to your accomodation is by organising a private transfer this costs around 150 – 200 MAD, some hotels will try to charge a lot more however this is the standard rate we found from organising our own transport.
From Marrakesh
One option is getting a local bus which offer daily services between Marrakesh and Essaouira. The bus companies Supratours and CTM are reputable bus companies affordable tickets with multiple departures throughout the day. The journey typically takes around 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
Alternatively you can hiring a private taxi or joining a shared taxi service, providing a more flexible travel schedule and the opportunity to enjoy scenic stops along the way. There are several different private transfer and day tour options starting from around £15 per person.
When to visit Essaouira?
The best time to visit Essaouira is during the winter months from November to January you will be able to enjoy sunny days with minimal wind, perfect for exploring the city’s charms without the crowds. If you are wanting to visit during milder temperatures and fewer tourists it is best to visit during the the shoulder season October to April.
It is advised to avoiding the peak summer months as temperatures become unbearably hot.
Best Things to do in Essaouira:
Explore the Medina
Medina in Essaouira is a captivating journey through winding alleys, vibrant markets, and ancient architecture. Within the city walls this UNESCO World Heritage site has lots of places for you to relax and soak up the city’s relaxed vibes.
Moulay Hassan Square is the Medinas main square that’s comes alive around sunset. It’s lively atmosphere made by city’s buskers who serenade those walking through with soulful tunes to accompany the sunset vibes.
Embrace Coastal Adventures
Essaouiras sandy coastline is the perfect place to enjoy surfing or kite surfing on the Atlantic Waves. The best time for surf lessons is from November to early Feb before the winds pick up in the city.
For our surf lessons and hire we went through Kite and Surf Essaouira – KSE who were great at fitting us in even though the conditions weren’t perfect.
After this the wind picks up and from then you can take Kite Surfing Lessons. For Kite surfing it is recommended that you book in advance a block of around 3 days worth of lessons.
The coastline also offers camel, horseback riding adventures as well as quad biking adventures which can all be booked through GetYourGuide prior to arriving in Essaouira.
Enjoy the Local Cuisine
As Essaouira is located along the coastline fresh seafood is definitely a must try. If you head to the harbour in the mornings you can see the fishermen returning with their mornings catch. You can then buy the fish along the harbour and take it over to the large BBQ behind then to have your fish freshly grilled.
There are also lots of places to enjoy local Moroccan cuisine in Essaouira. Make sure to try a traditional tajine perhaps with freshly caught monkfish, harira soup and crispy pastillas. Some of the best local food can be found at Restaurant Khmissa or Chez Omar.
Experience the Shopping and Art Scene
In Essaouira you can explore the vibrant shopping and art scene. If the bustling souks are not for you Essaouira is full of boutique shops filled with locally made woodwork, textiles, and jewellery.
If you are looking to purchase locally make art make sure to head to Gallarie Kasbah. Here you can explore the many floors of local artists paintings, ceramics, and sculptures. If you are looking for stores filled with homewares and locally made food products head to l’Atelier Cafe and Koulchi Concept.
Stroll along the City Walls
Built by Portuguese architects in the 18th century, these imposing ramparts offer panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the bustling Medina below.
Where to eat in Essaouira?
Brotherhood Coffee
Mandala Society
Fish Burger
Restaurant Khmissa
The Loft
Where to stay in Essaouira?
Le Jardin de Douars
Salut Maroc
Riad Kafila
Hostel La Smala
5 Day Tour with G Adventures Coastal Morocco: Waves & Market Stalls
1 Comment
What a great place to visit! I would love trying surfing or kite surfing there. And the Moroccan food looks really delicious!