Top places to visit in Essaouira

• Skala de la Ville

  Fort · about 0.8 h

  The 18th-century sea bastion and rampart walk lined with old brass cannons above the crashing Atlantic — the ramparts that stood in for Astapor in Game of Thrones.

• Skala du Port

  Heritage · about 0.7 h · entry MAD 60

  The fortified harbour bastion with its Portuguese-built gateway and cannon platform, overlooking the busy blue fishing boats and the Iles Purpuraires.

• Essaouira Medina

  Heritage · about 1.5 h

  A UNESCO-listed 18th-century fortified medina laid out by a European engineer — straight, walkable lanes of thuya-wood workshops, art galleries and white-and-blue houses.

• Place Moulay Hassan

  Cultural · about 0.5 h

  The elongated main square linking the medina to the port, lined with cafes and buskers — the heartbeat of Essaouira and its Gnaoua music scene.

• Essaouira Beach

  Beach · about 1.5 h

  A vast crescent of Atlantic sand sweeping south from the medina, famous for steady trade winds that make it a world windsurfing and kitesurfing hub; also camel and horse rides.

• Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum

  Museum · about 0.7 h · entry MAD 20

  A small ethnographic museum in a 19th-century mansion showing Essaouira's crafts, jewellery, Gnaoua instruments and regional costume.

• Bab Marrakech

  Heritage · about 0.3 h

  One of the grand original gates in Essaouira's sea walls, opening onto the spice market and mellah — a fine example of the medina's military architecture.

Things to do

• Windsurfing or Kitesurfing Lesson Water Sports · 2 h · from MAD 500 per person
• Essaouira Medina & Ramparts Walking Tour Tour · 2.5 h · from MAD 200 per person
• Camel or Horse Ride on the Beach Outdoor · 2 h · from MAD 350 per person
• Essaouira Seafood & Medina Food Tour Culinary · 3 h · from MAD 300 per person
• Argan Oil Women's Cooperative Visit Cultural · 2 h · from MAD 150 per person
• Surf Lesson at Sidi Kaouki Water Sports · 3 h · from MAD 400 per person

Day trips and tours

• Essaouira Coast, Argan & Countryside Tour 5 h · from MAD 300

Where to stay in Essaouira

• Medina about MAD 650 per night

  The compact walled town — riads and boutique guesthouses within the ramparts, minutes from the port and beach.

• Beach & Dunes about MAD 800 per night

  The seafront and southern beach quarter — surf/kite schools and airy sea-view stays a short walk from the medina.

Hotels

• Heure Bleue Palais 5-star · MAD 2,600 to MAD 4,500 per night
• Villa Maroc 4-star · MAD 1,400 to MAD 2,200 per night
• Madada Mogador 4-star · MAD 1,200 to MAD 2,000 per night
• Riad Chbanate 3-star · MAD 700 to MAD 1,200 per night
• Essaouira Hostel MAD 110 to MAD 450 per night

Where to eat

• La Table by Madada Seafood, Moroccan, Mediterranean · about MAD 400 per person
• Restaurant La Decouverte Moroccan · about MAD 130 per person
• Grillades du Port Seafood · about MAD 120 per person
• Umia Mediterranean, Seafood · about MAD 200 per person
• Elizir Moroccan, Italian · about MAD 200 per person
• Triskala Cafe Vegetarian, Moroccan · about MAD 90 per person

Getting around

• Taxi main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Beach camel/photo touts

  Essaouira beach & port

  Camel and horse handlers or "guides" quote a low price then demand much more after the ride, or press for tips.

  How to avoid it: Agree the full price and duration clearly before starting and pay only at the end.

More in Morocco

• Marrakech
• Fez
• Chefchaouen
• Casablanca
• Tangier
• Merzouga