About three hours from Marrakech, Essaouira is the perfect counterpoint to the bustle of the Red City: a white and blue coastal town with a calm medina, a port full of colorful boats and a bohemian atmosphere that has attracted artists and musicians for decades.
The medina and the ramparts
The medina of Essaouira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in the 18th century by order of Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, who commissioned the French architect Théodore Cornut to design it. Stroll along the Skala de la Kasbah, the ramparts with cannons facing the ocean, and get lost in its streets of woodworking workshops and art galleries.
The fishing port
It is one of the most authentic places in town. In the morning you will see fishermen unloading their catch and mending nets among hundreds of seagulls. Next to the port there are stalls where you choose your fish and seafood and they grill it for you on the spot.
The beach
Its long beach is perfect for walking. The constant wind makes it one of the best places in Morocco for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.
What to buy
Essaouira is famous for its crafts made of thuya wood, a local tree, and for argan products. In the surrounding area you will see women’s cooperatives producing the oil and, with luck, goats climbing the argan trees.
Culture and music
Every year the town hosts the Gnaoua and World Music Festival, one of the most important festivals in Africa. The town also has a great artistic tradition: don’t miss its galleries.
Day trip or a night in Essaouira?
You can visit it on a day trip from Marrakech, but if you have time, stay the night: at sunset, when the day visitors leave, the town recovers its calm.
Recommended trips to Essaouira
- Day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech
- 9 days from Marrakech via the desert
- 9 days from Tangier to Marrakech through the desert
Travel with Vamos a Marrakech
We organize private day trips to Essaouira and include it on our longer trips. Take a look at our excursions to Essaouira or write to us and we will plan a tailor-made trip for you.