Essaouira, a captivating coastal city on Morocco's Atlantic coast, offers a relaxed and bohemian atmosphere. It is an ideal escape from busier cities, known for its historic UNESCO-listed medina, a vibrant fishing port, and expansive sandy beaches.
The medina serves as the main social hub, where individuals can explore local shops, cafes, and restaurants with outdoor seating for observing daily life. Moulay Hassan Square is a popular spot with pavement cafes for socializing. For those seeking to connect with fellow travelers, particularly backpackers, hostels in the medina such as Essaouira Beach Hostel, Chill Art Hostel, and Atlantic Hostel foster a lively communal environment with rooftop terraces and organized activities. Additionally, beach bars and restaurants along the shore offer spaces to relax and enjoy the sunset.
Top 6 Things to do in Essaouira
Essaouira offers a blend of historical exploration, coastal relaxation, thrilling watersports, and immersive cultural experiences.
1. Wander the Historic Medina and Ramparts
Stepping into Essaouira's UNESCO-listed medina is an immersive journey through a labyrinth of whitewashed buildings, blue shutters, and bustling souks. Cars are not permitted, creating a pleasant, walkable environment. Explore the artisanal shops, pause for mint tea at a cafe, and admire the unique doorways and vibrant street art. From the medina, ascend to the 18th-century coastal fortifications, known as the Skala de la Ville and Sqala du Port. These ramparts offer breathtaking panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the active fishing port, and an offshore bird sanctuary. It is an ideal spot to witness the city's maritime heritage and capture stunning sunset vistas.
Cost: Free to explore. Guided tours are available, with walking city tours starting around £34 for 3 hours.
Transport: The medina and ramparts are centrally located and easily explored on foot from most accommodations within Essaouira.
2. Experience the Bustling Fishing Port and Fresh Seafood
A visit to Essaouira's vibrant fishing port provides an authentic glimpse into local life. Observe the iconic blue fishing boats arriving with their daily catch, watch fishermen repairing their nets, and witness the lively seafood auction. The air is filled with the fresh scent of the ocean and the cries of seagulls. For a truly local culinary experience, select fresh seafood directly from the market stalls at the port and have it grilled on the spot at one of the nearby eateries. This provides a simple, direct 'sea-to-table' dining experience.
Cost: Free to visit the port. Cost of seafood varies based on selection and negotiation, with fresh grilled fish being a popular and affordable option.
Transport: The fishing port is a short 10-15 minute walk from the medina. Taxis are available if staying further out, though walking is often preferred due to limited parking.
3. Learn to Surf or Kitesurf
Essaouira is renowned as a premier destination for watersports, particularly surfing and kitesurfing, thanks to its consistent winds and expansive beaches. Whether you are a beginner looking to catch your first wave or an experienced rider aiming to refine your technique, numerous schools along the beach offer lessons and equipment rental. Expect a welcoming atmosphere and instructors focused on safety and progression.
Cost: Surf lessons typically start from around €15-34 (approx. $16-$37 USD or £13-£30 GBP) for a group lesson, with private lessons costing more.
Transport: Surf and kitesurf schools are primarily located along Essaouira Beach, easily accessible by walking from the medina or a short taxi ride if staying further afield.
4. Participate in a Moroccan Cooking Class
Dive into the heart of Moroccan gastronomy by joining a hands-on cooking class. This immersive experience typically begins with a guided tour of a local market (souk) to select fresh, seasonal ingredients and learn about Moroccan spices. Back in the kitchen, a skilled local chef will guide you through preparing traditional dishes like tagine, couscous, or pastilla. You will then enjoy the meal you have prepared, often finishing with traditional mint tea. It is an enriching way to connect with local culture and take home new culinary skills.
Cost: Cooking classes range from approximately €30-105 (approx. $32-$115 USD or £26-£90 GBP) per person, depending on the duration and inclusions.
Transport: Many cooking classes are located within or near the medina, often including a market visit on foot.
5. Indulge in a Traditional Moroccan Hammam
Experience a centuries-old Moroccan ritual by visiting a traditional hammam. This cleansing and relaxing bathhouse experience typically involves steam, a full-body scrub with black soap and a 'kessa' mitt, and a rinse. You can choose between a communal public hammam for a truly authentic experience (separate sections for men and women) or a private spa-style hammam for a more luxurious and personalized treatment, often including massages and ghassoul (clay masks).
Cost: Public hammams can cost as little as 15 DH for entry, with a scrub and massage around 100 DH. Private hammam experiences with full treatments range from 250-600 DH (approx. $25-$60 USD or £20-£50 GBP), depending on the spa and services.
Transport: Numerous hammams and spas are located within Essaouira's medina, easily reachable on foot.
6. Embark on a Quad Biking Adventure
For an exhilarating escape from the city, a quad biking tour offers an adventurous way to explore the vast sand dunes, expansive beaches, and countryside surrounding Essaouira. Guided tours often take you through unique landscapes, past small Berber villages, and to areas unseen by most visitors. Even for first-timers, instructors provide guidance, ensuring a thrilling yet safe experience.
Cost: A 2-hour quad biking tour typically costs around €50-70 (approx. $54-$76 USD or £43-£60 GBP) per person, with options to share a quad at a reduced individual cost.
Transport: Quad biking companies are usually based in the nearby village of Diabat, about a 10-minute drive from Essaouira Medina. Many tours include round-trip transfer from designated meeting points near the medina, such as Bab Sbaa. Petit taxis to Diabat have a fixed fare of around 30 DH.
At TFA Travel we believe in travel for all. Our mission is to enable people to explore the world as easily as possible without having to pay a travel agent a huge commission.
Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
