14 Best Things to do in Essaouira Morocco, the Complete Guide to Morocco’s windy city

This is the complete travel guide to Essaouira Morocco, including everything you need to see and do in Essaouira, how to get there, how to get around in the city, where to eat, and where to stay.

Essaouira has a certain charm and it is really hard to pinpoint what exactly in this city attracts me the most.

Maybe it’s the young crowd of surfers and backpackers that gravitate there throughout the year, the city’s peculiar Portuguese architecture, or the small streets filled with the beautiful handicraft of local artisans.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - streets of Essouira - art in Essaouira- Journal of Nomads

One thing is for sure, this city has won our hearts from the moment we walked its streets. It’s a trendy city with a vibrant and fun atmosphere.

Essaouira has its own fortified old Medina, amazing cuisine, and a fun and hip energy that is very distinct from other Moroccan cities.

The city is located very close to Marrakesh and is also easily accessible from nearby coastal cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, and Agadir

In this guide, I will cover everything that Essaouira has to offer in terms of what to do and see, where to stay and where to eat while you are there.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essouira port - Journal of Nomads

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14 Best Things to do in Essaouira Morocco, the Complete Guide to Morocco's windy city
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14 Best things to do in Essaouira Morocco

Essaouira is a city buzzing with life and regardless of the time of the year or whether you visit Essaouira with kids, with friends or by yourself, there will always be something to do.

Here is a list of all the fun things you can do in Essaouira to really get the feel of the place and enjoy the city to the fullest.

Essaouira Morocco Map

1. Visit the Skala Port ramparts

The fortified ramparts of the old Medina in Essaouira were used as a set in the popular series Game of Thrones and when you walk there, you’ll totally understand why.

fortified ramparts of the old Medina in Essaouira - Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Journal of Nomads

The ramparts of Essaouira are really beautiful and they give the city a medieval ambiance. 

They were built in the 1760s to upgrade this small fishing town into a royal port and commercial center.

The fortifications served in defending the city from sea invaders and are still standing today.

fortified ramparts of the old Medina in Essaouira - Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Journal of Nomads

You can even sit on an ancient Portuguese canon and admire the view over the Atlantic Ocean.

fortified ramparts of the old Medina in Essaouira - Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Journal of Nomads

2. Visit the fishing port

This port is a photographer’s paradise. While visiting Essaouira, I just loved going there on a daily basis to get pictures of the fishermen returning from the sea in the evening.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essouira port - Journal of Nomads
Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essouira port - Journal of Nomads

Essaouira is a fishing town and was the country’s main fishing port during the 1900s. The port hasn’t lost its authenticity and is the perfect place to see the fishermen unload their catch of the day and sell it to the locals.

If you’re a foodie you can buy fresh fish and get it grilled directly on site.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essouira port - Journal of Nomads

Apart from the delicious fish that you can enjoy there, the port is also a great place to admire the sunset.

Don’t miss the chance to climb on top of the jetty for the best view of the sun disappearing behind the island of Mogador.

Island of Mogador, Essouira. Sunset in Essouiara. Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essouira port - Journal of Nomads

3. Visit the fortress tower Borj el Barmil at the port

There is a small entrance fee to go inside this fortress tower but it’s the best place to have views of the whole city. You will be able to see the port and the old town from one side and the ocean from the other. 

The fortress tower of Bastion Nord - Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essouira port - Journal of Nomads

It’s best to go there on a weekday as it gets really busy during weekends.

The fortress tower of Bastion Nord - Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essouira port - Journal of Nomads

4. Go for a walk along the ocean rocks and cliffs

The rocks and cliffs that surround the old part of Essaouira are spectacular and you can walk near them at low tide.

The fortress tower of Bastion Nord - Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essouira port - Journal of Nomads
It’s particularly beautiful to walk there during sunset!

To get there you will have to come out of the old city on the square Moulay Hassan and go in direction of the port.

When you reach the end of the square you will be able to access the beginning of this rocky path on your right. 

The rocks continue to the right for about 1 km and they will offer you great views of the outer walls of the city.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Journal of Nomads
The outer walls of the old city

5. Visit the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah Museum

This Iconic history museum is definitely worth a visit. It is located in a 19th-century mansion right in the center of the old city and was named after the founder of the city himself.

It displays beautiful historical artifacts from the city such as ancient pottery, jewelry, musical instruments, woodcraft, and weaving. The museum also contains a lot of interesting information on the Berber tribes that inhabited the region.

To visit this museum you’ll have to reach Rue Laรขlouj, a central street in the city of Essaouira (see map above).

6. Visit the sunday open-air market (Sunday Souk)

Visiting a traditional souk in Morocco is an experience that you should absolutely try. They often look like small labyrinths of stalls and shops and will overwhelm you with their smells and colors. Visiting these open-air markets is the best cultural experience you could have in Morocco.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city -market in Essaouira- Journal of Nomads

Although there is a souk held almost every day in the market area of Essaouira, the one on Sunday held just outside of Bab Doukala is particularly special.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city -market in Essaouira- Journal of Nomads

This one is a flea market where you can buy second-hand clothes, books, jewelry, home equipment, and furniture.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city -local craftwork and shops in Essaouira- Journal of Nomads

To get there you’ll have to get out of the old city from Bab Doukala. You should continue straight along with the horse carriages and pass the gas station and then you will see a street full of stalls and vendors.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city -market in Essaouira- Journal of Nomads

7. Enjoy the beach on foot, by horse, camel, or quad

The beach in Essaouira is very big and there are tons of different ways to enjoy it. You can spend the afternoon swimming and relaxing while enjoying Moroccan teas at the different cafes facing the sea.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essaouira Beach- Journal of Nomads

If you would like something a bit more adventurous, you can also go for a horse ride along the sandy coastline. There are plenty of horses and camels on the beach available for rides for a modest price.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essaouira Beach- Journal of Nomads

You could also go to the horse ranch in Diabat, a small village just 3 km outside of Essaouira on the coast.

They offer different horseback trips on the beach and on the surrounding sand dunes for a very good price throughout the whole year.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essaouira Beach- Journal of Nomads

Here are some fun outdoor activities you can do on the beach of Essaouira:

8. Visit the Jimmy Hendrix sandcastle (Dar Sultan castle) in Diabat

Walk to the far end of the beach passed the camels and horses and a rock that sticks out of the sea. There you will see a river that flows into the ocean.

If you follow this river to your left across the sand dunes you’ll come across a path that will take you to the famed ”Jimmy Hendrix sandcastle”.

This ”sand castle” is actually a palace called ”Dar Sultan”. It was built outside the city near the coast and furnished in a typical European style.

It is said that Jimmy Hendrix once stayed there for a whole day to drink and smoke while writing his famous song ”Castle Made Of Sand”.

9. Get amazed by the colorful craftwork of local artisans

I was caught off guard by the sheer amount of handmade crafts I found in Essaouira.

In the souks of the city, it’s possible to find handmade pottery and ceramics, leather products such as bags and shoes, hand weaved carpets, musical instruments, lamps, and many more beautifully made crafts.

10. Buy some local gifts for your friends

No trip to this city would be complete without buying at least a few gifts and souvenirs for your loved ones. From handmade Argan soap to traditional pastries, you can be sure you’ll find something for everyone in Essaouira.

11. Sit and relax in one of the cafes in Essaouira

This vibrant coastal city is full of cute and hip little cafes. I really enjoyed just sitting on the terrace of one during a busy afternoon and watching the hustle and bustle of the streets of the old medina.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - streets of Essouira - Journal of Nomads

12. Go to a hammam in Essaouira

Visiting a Hammam is the quintessential Moroccan experience. In Essaouira, just like in most major Moroccan cities, you will have two options when it comes to visiting Hammams. You can either go to the popular local hammam where the majority of the locals go or you could visit a spa-type hammam.

I would personally recommend the first type over the latter. Popular cheap local hammams are a great part of the Moroccan culture.

All you need to do before you go is grab some natural Argan soap and your scrubbing cloth. Once there, you’ll be handed a bucket and you have to undress in the midst of locals scrubbing each other’s backs while chatting about their daily life.

It wouldn’t be appropriate to take photos in the Hammam… So instead, here’s a picture of how the Argan nut is processed into oil and soap.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Argan Oil - Journal of Nomads

13. Get your hands painted with Henna tattoos

Covering the hands with Henna tattoos is a tradition that is often associated with weddings and other celebration rituals.

The tradition of using Henna decoratively on the body in Morocco can be traced back to when the early nomadic Berber tribes traveled around the country.

Henna was used after any big event, whether it was to celebrate victory in battle, weddings or births.

You can now be part of that tradition in Essaouira as well! Local ladies will paint your hands or feet with Henna for a modest fee in almost any main street of the old Medina in Essaouira.

14. Go surfing and kitesurfing

Essaouira is a windy coastal city and this makes it a top destination for surfers and kite surfers. The swell of the waves is much stronger in winter so you’ll see more surfers there at that time of the year.

You’ll see plenty of surf shops and surfing schools, as well as windsurfing schools in Essaouira. If you always wanted to learn water sports, Essaouira is the place to be:

The best spot for surfing in Essaouira is at the far end of the main beach where camels and horses are gathered.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - surfing in Essaouira- Journal of Nomads

Essaouira City walking tours and cultural tours

There are some guided tours in Essaouira I like to recommend, especially if you want to learn more about its rich history and vibrant culture.

First, there’s the Essaouira Discovery Tour. During this 4-hour tour, you’ll visit all the historical sites of the city while the guide gives you more background info and stories about each place you visit.

Food lovers will also have a great time exploring the city! During the Essaouira Food Tour, you’ll go on a 3-hour guided walking tour in the city and while you’ll learn more about its history, you’ll also get introduced to the local’s lifestyle and the traditional food in Essaouira.

There’s also the option of taking a cooking class at a local family’s home. You first join them to buy fresh ingredients and aromatic spices at the food market. Then the family teaches you how to cook a traditional meal in their home kitchen. This will be a unique experience!

Another activity I’d recommend is to pay a visit to the Argan Forest. The Argan trees are only found in the southwest of Morocco and are a mythical emblem of the Essaouira region.

Throughout the hike, the guide will give you useful insights into the ecology of these trees. You will also visit a little village where there is a “Marabout” (saintโ€›s temple) and have tea at the home of a Berber family.

At the end of this walking tour, you will visit a women’s cooperative where you will discover the secret of making the famous argan oil.

Where to stay in Essaouira

You have two options of where to stay in Essaouira. You could either stay inside the old city (close to the beautiful souks and shops filled streets) or outside the fortified walls.

Essaouira is a city that is worth taking the time to discover. It offers many fun activities so you will want to stay there for at least a night or two. We even ended up staying there for almost two weeks, we just fell in love with the place!

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Journal of Nomads

Essaouira has a great selection of hostels for budget travelers who want to save money and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening.

There are also many beautiful Riads, guesthouses, and hotels for travelers who want a more fancy, relaxing experience of the city.

Best budget hostel to stay in Essaouira

This hostel is one of our top recommendations in Essaouira. We went there a few nights to enjoy live music and share a meal with some of the guests in the main lobby.

It was built inside an old traditional restored Ryad and the architecture of the place is fascinating. The Chill Art hostel is also, as its name says, full of art and beautiful murals.

Best places to stay in Essouira - Chill Art Hostel - Journal of Nomads

There is a delicious breakfast served every morning. It also features a terrace that gives a 180 degrees view of the ocean.

Click to check out rates and availability for ”The Chill Art hostel”

Best places to stay in Essouira - Chill Art Hostel - Journal of Nomads
View from the terrace of Chill Art Hostel

Best Riads and hotels to stay in Essaouira

For those who want a more fancy experience and feel like royalties, this is the place!

Hรดtel El Kasbah Souiria has a lush garden and has an architecture that reminded us of the traditional Moroccan Riads with its beautiful multicolored tiles.

This hotel is just outside the old Medina with one entrance to the old city just one minute away and another one at about a five-minute walk.

The beds of this hotel are super comfortable and the surroundings of the building are very quiet. If you want a luxurious yet relaxing stay in Essaouira, don’t think twice and book this place now!

Click to check out rates and availability for ”Hรดtel El Kasbah Souiria”

Facing the sea, this hotel offers 4-star accommodation and has a private beach area, an outdoor swimming pool, and a garden.

It also offers a  24-hour front desk, a shared lounge as well as a very good wifi signal. All the rooms include a desk, a flat-screen Tv as well as a private bathroom, air conditioning, and a wardrobe.

Click to check out rates and availability for ”Hotel Cote ocean Mogador”

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Journal of Nomads

Where to eat in Essaouira

Essaouira has a wide selection of delicious restaurants. You can eat traditional dishes such as Tajines and harira soup almost anywhere in the city.

If you would like something a bit fancier, it’s also possible to enjoy a Mediterranean dinner in one of the few luxurious restaurants overlooking Moulay Hassan square.

Best places to eat in Essouira - Journal of Nomads
The Moulay Hassan Square

If you fancy sandwich places or crepes, those can be found throughout the old city. Making an exhaustive list of all of these restaurants here would be impossible, however, I’ll recommend a few of my absolute favorites.

1. Tara Cafe

The best thing about this cafe is its location and atmosphere. It’s on the edge of a small quiet courtyard and Cynthia and I just loved the environment there. You can have local fish for dinner such as sardines and it tastes heavenly!

They also serve a very tasty breakfast with fresh orange juice, coffee, crepes, yogurt, and delicious jams and honey to put on toasted bread.

This restaurant is really not expensive and offers Moroccan dishes as well as some European snacks.

2. Triskala Cafe

The inside of this restaurant is decorated in a very cool and stylish style. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a fancy romantic candlelit dinner without breaking the piggy bank!

The menu is small and changes on a seasonal basis depending on which fruits and vegetables will be fresh. They have very good vegetarian and vegan options such as tasty falafel plates.

3. Patisserie Chez Driss

Patisserie Chez Driss is not quite a restaurant, however,  it’s where I had the best pastries and sweets ever so I had to include it in this guide.

If you love pastries, this is THE place to visit! I just wish I could try everything that was on the shelves. They have a wide selection of cakes, sweet cookies, as well as chocolate eclairs and pastries filled with real cream and almond paste.

Best places to eat in Essouira - Journal of Nomads

4. Taros

This is a great place to go grab a drink and enjoy live music on a terrace. It’s located on one corner of the square Moulay Hassan. Taros is a mix between a bar, a restaurant, and a club.

Its terrace is one of the tallest in the area so it’s the ideal place to enjoy the sunset.

The prices are very reasonable and it’s also the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while eating delicious fish and listening to some great music.

Best places to eat in Essouira - Taros - Journal of Nomads

Where to find and buy alcohol in Essaouira

Bar ‘Le Trou’

This authentic Moroccan bar also called ”Le Trou” in French is hidden in a small alley. Nothing beats this place when it comes to authenticity.

It’s overcrowded every night by local men, travelers, and expats. If you want cheap draft beer, music and wine, this is the place to visit. It’s located behind the Mechouar hotel.

Liquor Store ‘Libre Service’

If you fancy a glass of wine or some beers at your hostel (first check if your hostel allows alcohol on the premises) after a day of surfing or getting lost in the small streets of Essaouira, you can buy some just outside of Bab Doukala.

There is a shop called ‘Libre Service’ selling alcohol just outside of the old city gate. The wine there is usually quite cheap and they have a huge selection of liquors. The shop closes at 8 pmย and is also closed on Friday.ย 

How to get to Essaouira Morocco

How to get to Essaouira from Casablanca

Casablanca is another beautiful coastal city north of Essaouira and since most people will start their trip around Morocco from Casablanca, I decided to include practical information on how to transit between the two cities.

How to get to Essaouira from Casablanca by bus

The best way to get from Casablanca to Essaouira is by bus with a bus company called CTM.

Iโ€™ve traveled around Morocco with various bus companies and CTM, although being slightly more expensive,  is the only one I would recommend. The buses are always newer and much more comfortable than the ones used by other companies.

The trip between the two cities will cost between 215 and 275 MAD and takes around 7 hours. There are 13 buses that leave throughout the day, the earliest being at 7:15 and the latest at midnight.

You can catch the bus at the CTM bus station in Casablanca in the city center on Rue Lรฉon (see map down below). You can buy your ticket in advance at the bus station or book it online.

Remember, if you book your ticket online, you still have to go to the CTM office to pay for your luggage on the day of departure so make sure you arrive a bit ahead of time.

In Essaouira, youโ€™ll reach the main city bus station โ€œGare Routiereโ€ located just 10 minutes on foot outside of the city gate Bab Doukala (see map below). From there you will be practically in the old Medina and right in the city center.

This bus station has toilets and it’s located next to small cafes and shops.

How to get to Essaouira from Casablanca driving your own car

Since these two cities are located on the coast, a great idea could be to travel from one to the other by car. Whether you travel with your own car or in a rented one, this road goes along some gorgeous landscapes and you’ll have the freedom to stop whenever you want to take pictures.

This drive is definitely a pleasant one and along the way, you’ll pass through another gorgeous little coastal city called El Jadida (see below ‘Other places to visit near Essaouira’).

The driving distance between Casablanca and Essaouira is 371 km. It should take around 4 hours to reach the southern city.

To drive from Casablanca to Essaouira follow highway A1 towards the south along the coast until you reach a roundabout to the city of Bouguedra. Take the direction of Bouguedra and from this city continue driving south-west on highway N1 until you reach Essaouira.

How to get to Essaouira from Casablanca via Marrakech

Another good option to get to Essaouira from Casablanca is to take a combination of a train and a bus and pass through the city of Marrakech.

Traveling around Morocco by train is a fantastic idea because theyโ€™re cheap and they are an awesome way to see the incredible Moroccan landscapes.

In Morocco, itโ€™s very easy and quite convenient to buy your train tickets in person directly at the train station. All the information concerning timetables and prices can be found on the ONCF website, once you know which train you will take and at what time you can head over to the Casablanca train station to buy your ticket.

Make sure to have cash on hand to buy your ticket as itโ€™s not always possible to pay by card. There is a direct train leaving daily from Casablanca (see map below) and arriving in Marrakesh.

The train leaves nine times a day and the journey takes approximately 3h.

Once you are in Marrakesh, youโ€™ll need to walk for about 15 minutes to catch a bus from the main station in the direction of Essaouira. A combination train/bus ticket is available for purchase for this route at the ONCF website.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Journal of Nomads

How to get to Essaouira from Marrakech

How to get to Essaouira from Marrakech by bus

Getting a bus out of Marrakesh is relatively easy.

You can find a Supratour or a CTM bus to Essaouira at the main Marrakesh bus station. This bus station is located almost adjacent to the train station in Marrakesh.

The ticket prices for these 2 bus companies are almost the same and the CTM timetables and ticket prices can be found here.

The journey by bus from Marrakesh to Essaouira takes 3 hours with a twenty-minute break somewhere along the way.

How to get to Essaouira from Marrakesh with your own car

If you have your own car, the fastest way to get to Essaouira from Marrakesh is by following the highways A7, N8 and R207.

From Marrakesh, you will have to drive northwest on the A7 until it merges with highways N8 and R207. Follow the highway R207 west until you reach Essaouira.

 The distance between Marrakesh and Essaouira is 191 km and getting there will take about 2h40 minutes.

How to get to Essaouira from Marrakesh by shared taxi

The best way to get from Marrakesh to Essaouira if you don’t have your own car is by shared Taxi. The price per person in a shared taxi should be between 85 and 220 MAD.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essouira port - Journal of Nomads

How to get to Essaouira from Agadir 

How to get to Essaouira from Agadir by bus

You can take a bus from Agadir to Essaouira with CTM, Supratour or any of the other bus companies that operate from Agadir. It’s possible to buy the ticket online or at the bus terminal.

Agadir’s Gare Routiere is just 2.5km from the city center and the beach. A taxi from the beach to the bus station will cost about 10 to 15 MAD.

This bus station is quite easy to navigate through and platforms with numbers and bus company names are clearly marked.

This is where the CTM and Supratour terminals are located in Agadir:

How to get to Essaouira from Agadir with your own car

The coastal road between Agadir and Essaouira is enchanting and driving there will give you a feeling of total freedom.

If you have your own car or if you are renting one, just follow highway N1 towards the north. The distance between the two cities is 175 km and the trip should take about 3 hours.

How to get to Essaouira from Agadir by shared taxi

You will find shared taxis that can take you to Essaouira from the main bus terminal. A shared taxi will take about three hours to cover the distance between the two cities and will cost between 90 and 200 MAD.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Essouira port - Journal of Nomads

How to get to the bus stations in Essaouira

There are two bus terminals in Essaouira, one is used only by CTM and the other one is used by Supratour and the various other bus companies that operate there.

The Supratour terminal is much closer to the old city while the CTM one is located a bit farther. The Supratours bus stop can be found just southwest of the square known as Bab Marrakesh.

Here is the location of the bus terminals in Essaouira:


 

How to get around Essaouira

Essaouira is not very big so you can easily explore the old medina on foot. If you need to be in the new part of Essaouira (to go to the bus station f.eg.), all the taxis in the city have the same flat rate – 7 MAD.

So there is no need to negotiate when you hop in the taxi, just tell the driver where you want to go and pay when you arrive.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Journal of Nomads

Other beautiful places to visit near Essaouira

There are two other coastal towns north and south of Essaouira that we would recommend visiting while you’re on the Moroccan coast. These are the cities of Taghazout and El Jadida.

They are both quite different and their proximity to Essaouira makes them ideal locations to visit after your stay there. I would also strongly advise you to visit a beautiful canyon filled with pools of water east of Taghazout called Paradise Valley.

Paradise valley Morocco

Taghazout

Taghazout is a cool surfing town where surfers from all over the world come to enjoy the winter waves.

It’s sometimes quoted as one of the best winter surfing destinations in Morocco. The water temperature rarely drops below 16C in winter and the air temperature hovers around 18-20 C even in January.

Surfing in Taghazout - Journal of Nomads

This town has an amazing vibe as you can imagine any surfer paradise would have. There are plenty of cheap hostels there where you can meet fun travelers in pursuit of waves.

Surfing in Taghazout - Journal of Nomads

How to get to Taghazout from Essaouira?

From Essaouira, you can take a bus in the direction of Agadir (either with Supratours or CTM).

The journey between Essaouira and Agadir costs about 65 MAD but you will have to arrange with your driver to drop you off in Taghazout 20 minutes north of Agadir. You should do this upon purchasing your ticket just to be sure you will be dropped off at the right place.

If you have your own car or if you’re renting one, you can follow highway N1 south until you reach the surfing hub.

The distance between the two coastal towns is 154 km and the trip should take about two hours and a half. There are plenty of viewpoints along the way where you can stop to get great pictures of the coastline.

Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley is a limestone canyon filled with palm trees and pools of pristine turquoise water. It’s located in the mountains 40 minutes east of Taghazout.

Paradise Valley - How to get to Paradise Valley - Journal of Nomads

How to get to Paradise Valley from Essaouira

To get there from Essaouira, you’ll first have to get to Taghazout. You can get there by bus or by your own car (see above).

Once in Taghazout, take a bus to Aourir. There you will find a roundabout that heads up to Paradise Valley.

If you walk up this road for a few minutes youโ€™ll see some shared taxis and they can bring you all the way to Paradise Valley for 25 to 50 MAD (this is the price per person, not for the full taxi).

El Jadida

This small city north of Essaouira is quite famous for its appearance. It has massive Portuguese fortifications and a very interesting architecture that is unlike any other Moroccan city.

Although it’s not a huge holiday destination, it is quite popular among the Moroccans who go there to enjoy small resorts facing the sea.

El Jadida - Places to visit near Essaouira - Journal of Nomads

How to get to El Jadida from Essaouira?

There is a daily CTM bus that leaves from the CTM terminal in Essaouira to El Jadida. It takes about 4,5 hours to reach the northern city and a ticket costs 110 MAD.

If you have your car and want to drive there, simply follow the highway N1 towards the north. The distance between the cities is 255 km and the trip should take 3h45.

One small note I would like to add at the end of this guide is how useful an Arabic phrasebook has been for me to get by around Morocco.

I highly recommend getting your hands on the Lonely Planet Moroccan Arabic Phrasebook.

It is packed with all the essential words and phrases you will need on your trip to Morocco and will help you in every situation โ€” from finding a hotel room to ordering tajine or joining the local festivities, this book will cover almost every situation you could imagine.

Things to see and do in Essaouira โ€“ The complete guide to Morocco's windy city - Journal of Nomads

The photos in this post were taken with theย Lumix GX9, the ideal camera for street photography. I used the following lens:ย Panasonic Lumix G Vario Lens,ย 14 โ€“ 140mm, f3.5-5.6.

I hope this guide to Essaouira will help you and make your stay in this fishing town more enjoyable.

Things to see and do in Essaouira, Morocco โ€“ The complete guide to Essaouira, Morocco - The best places to see in Essaouira - Journal of Nomads

Have you been to Essaouira already? What did you like the most about this town? Are you planning on going soon and do you have more questions?  Let me know in the comments below.

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6 thoughts on “14 Best Things to do in Essaouira Morocco, the Complete Guide to Morocco’s windy city”

  1. Chrissy @ Migration Expert Canada

    This was good to read. Too bad I haven’t found on my travel to Morocco, but at least I can use these tips when I go back!

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