5 Best Things To Do In Essaouira Morocco

Discover the top things to do in Essaouira, Morocco! Wander through historic medinas, dive into traditional art, and experience the best attractions in this coastal gem.

Essaouira, located on the northern coast of Africa with its sheltered bay, has been a strategic hub for centuries, attracting various cultures. 

Moroccan Sultan Mohammed bin Abdallah built what is now the old city, aiming to create a port city for foreign merchants.

The sultan wanted to develop a port city that would provide for the needs of foreign merchants so he enlisted the services of French and English architects to help develop the plans for the city.

This is why Essaouira resembles some of the fortified European cities of the 1600s.

The old city was built surrounded by a wall similar to those in Europe and since 2001 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The sultan’s plan was successful and for many years Essaouira became an important part of the caravan trade.

In fact, the plan worked so well that in addition to trade, Essaouira became a diplomatic center.

In the 1960s Essaouira attracted many artists creating a bohemian-hippie vibe in the old city.

You can still experience this bohemian vibe in many of the old city’s restaurants, cafes, and galleries.

This scenic city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco was one of our favorites.

With its extensive history, surfing scene, and bohemian vibe it surprised us.

Although small, you’ll never run out of fun things to do in Essaouira.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ESSAOUIRA

1. Visit the old city

The old city resembles a European walled city from the Middle Ages with a purely Moroccan flair.

Unlike Fes and Marrakech which have small roads and convoluted alleyways, Essaouira was built with wider roads and straighter lines like the towns in Europe.

Visit the main square, Placa Moulay Hassan where you’ll find shops, cafes, street vendors, and musicians.

A hub for Gnaoua Music, music with roots in Senegal, Ghana, and Sudan.

Essaouira is home to the Gnaoua Music Festival each year.

This city loves music and the square is a great place to get familiar with all kinds of music.

As you stroll through the Medina you’ll find many art galleries and workshops contributing to Essaouiras bohemian vibe.

The Medina also hosts a souk similar to other Moroccan cities but this one is smaller, less crowded and the alleys are straight making it hard to get lost.

We found it much easier to navigate and to appreciate the merchandise.

Of course, if you like crowded, convoluted, and high-stress souks this one might bore you.

2. Walk through History at Port of Essaouira Sqala

Exiting the Essaouira Medina through Bab El Marsa will bring you right into the heart of the port of Essaouira.

Here you can explore the strong thick walls that will remind you of European fortifications.

Indeed most of the architecture was designed by French architects under Sultan Abdalah’s direction.

In later years the Portuguese built a castle to protect the Mogador until the Moroccan rebels recuperated the city.

Walk along the ramparts and discover the 16 Dutch Cannons brought in from La Hague to defend the port city.

From the walls, you will see a couple of islands not too far from the coast with more ruins.

One of them was a prison and the other held a defensive fort.

From the vantage point of the walls, you can see Essaouira to one side and the vast Atlantic Ocean with its beautiful sunsets to the other.

3. Walk or ride along Essaouira Beach

Leave the old city walls through Bab Sbaa and head towards Essaouira Beach.

You can enjoy this gold sand beach all year long since there is always a breeze.

With a long coastline, you can take a walk, a horse ride, and even camel rides.

You can find several services offering horse and camel rides right there on the beach.

After all that exercise there is nothing better than lunch or a cool drink at one of the many restaurants or cafes on the boardwalk.

Many of them offer great beach views while keeping you sheltered from the sun and wind.

4. Discover the Art Workshops at the Mellah (Jewish Quarter)

Essaouira is full of artists and craftsmen. You will find many workshops in the Mellah.

The Mellah was the Jewish Quarter of Essaouira.

During Essaouira’s time as a bustling center of caravan trade with European countries, Jewish merchants played a key role in managing and controlling the city’s trade.

Today you can find many workshops thriving in the Mellah.

Whether your interest is in woodwork or ceramics you are sure to find something you love.

Some of the best-known crafts in Essaouira are:

• Woodworking – especially Thuya woodwork, made with the local Thuya tree which is a fragrant cedarwood native to Morocco
• Argan products – oils, perfumes, and beauty products
• Metalworking – brass, silver, and copper are turned into lamps, jewelry and intricate tableware
• Berber Weaving – carpets, throw blankets, and wall art in vibrant colors
• Ceramics – colorful and intricately designed pottery

Some of the art workshops offer classes for a hands-on experience.

Ask your guide or the hotel staff if you’d like to take a workshop class or have a demonstration.

We visited Cooperative Marjana just outside the city.

This is a women-owned and managed cooperative producing Argan-based products.

It was interesting to watch the process of transforming argan seeds into oils, soaps, and other products, showcasing the skill and tradition behind each step.

5. Take advantage of the Tradewinds with some Active Sports

The trade winds not only keep Essaouira’s climate temperate but also create perfect conditions for active sports.

The beaches outside the port are perfect spots for surfing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing.

If you love water sports Essaouira offers ideal conditions to practice these water sports.

You’ll find surfboard, surfkite and windsurf equipment rentals at several locations along the beach in Essaouira.

Other things you can do in Essaouira

Try a hammam

A Hammam is a traditional Moroccan steam bath.

It is a cultural activity practiced commonly, as in at least once a week, by Moroccans.

The practice consists of sitting in a steam room and then getting doused with hot water.

Once your pores are open and your skin is primed an attendant will rub you down with black soap and a Moroccan glove (kind of like a loofah).

Once the dead cells have been removed you will be rubbed down with oil.

After a hammam treatment, you will have the cleanest and softest skin ever.

To find a good and safe Hammam ask your guide or hotel staff for recommendations.

In many cases, they will even help with making reservations.

Unless you are very comfortable being nude with strangers ask for a hammam that has private treatment rooms as opposed to communal treatment rooms.

Get A henna tattoo

If like us you want to try one of those beautiful Moroccan Henna tattoos this is a good place to try it.

At the recommendation of our guide, we skipped getting a tattoo in the Souk in Marrakech and opted to get it done in Essaouira instead.

We ended up having it done at the same location where we had the Hammam treatment and it was quiet and a very peaceful experience.

In the souk there is a lot of hustle and bustle here it is just the artist in the moment.

We loved our tattoos and the experience too.

So is Essaouira worth adding to your Morocco itinerary?

We certainly think so.

Essaouira is different from other Moroccan cities because of its international architecture and bohemian vibe.

The mild temperatures make it a wonderful place to relax and enjoy nature.

But if you need something more energetic in your day there are also many active options.

So add this port city to your Morocco itinerary, and select from the things to do that are perfect for you.

To learn more about Essaouira visit Morocco’s official website.

Have a wonderful time in Essaouira.