Best Things to Do in Essaouira, Morocco

Essaouira sits on a rocky Atlantic peninsula 170 km north of Agadir and 340 km southwest of Marrakech. The things to do in Essaouira revolve around its medina, its ramparts, its Atlantic coast, and its port. The medina — inside the 18th-century Portuguese-built fortified walls — is one of Morocco’s most walkable: wide enough for donkey carts, whitewashed, and blown clean by constant winds. The Skala de la Ville (the sea-facing bastion with its old Portuguese cannons) and the Skala du Port (the harbor fortification) are the most dramatic panoramic points. The beach is 3 km of exposed Atlantic sand, consistently windy (Essaouira receives 300 days of trade winds annually), making it the best windsurfing and kitesurfing location in Morocco and one of the best in Africa. The port is still a working fishing harbor; the row of charcoal grills at the entrance is where the catch is grilled and served immediately. The mellah (Jewish quarter) has a history going back to the Phoenicians; the city was historically a center of the Moroccan Jewish community. Mogador Island (bird sanctuary, 2 km offshore, accessible by organized excursion) has a UNESCO-listed Phoenician-era settlement and is home to Eleonora’s falcons.

Best time to visit

April through October is the most popular period, with warm but windy conditions. July and August are the windiest months (best for watersports, sometimes too windy for comfortable beach sitting). Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the best balance. Winter is mild (15-20°C) and much quieter; some restaurants and hotels reduce hours. The Gnaoua and World Music Festival (June) is one of Morocco’s most celebrated events, drawing international musicians for three days of free concerts in the medina and on the beach.

Getting around

Essaouira is 2.5-3 hours from Marrakech by road (CTM bus or shared grand taxi). There is no train to Essaouira. A small regional airport has seasonal charter flights. Within the medina, everything is on foot; the medina is compact (15-20 minute walk across). Taxis and horse-drawn calches serve the beach and outskirts.

What to eat

The grilled fish stalls at the port entrance (Grillades du Port) are the definitive Essaouira food experience: choose your fish from the display, haggle politely, and eat grilled catch with bread, salad, and olives. Argan oil — produced from the argan tree endemic to the Souss-Massa region — appears in both savory (amlou, a dip of argan oil, almonds, and honey) and cosmetic forms. Seafood bastilla (the Moroccan sweet-savory pastry, here made with fish rather than pigeon), kefta tagine, and couscous on Fridays are the medina restaurant staples.