Searching for the things to do in Essaouira? Let us show you why this laid-back town on Morocco’s Atlantic coast deserves a place on your itinerary. We visited Essaouira on a day trip from Marrakech, and it instantly felt different – calmer, cooler, and more relaxed. It doesn’t take long to understand why so many travellers fall in love with this UNESCO-listed town. With roots in Arab, Amazigh, and European cultures, this port city has long served as a gateway between Africa and the wider world. Its old medina, protected by golden ramparts, blends late 18th-century European military design with Moroccan charm. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth visiting, it absolutely is. And this guide shows you exactly how to enjoy it.
This city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast doesn’t overwhelm you with major landmarks. Instead, it invites you to slow down and soak in its rich, sea-scented atmosphere.
1. Medina of Essaouira
One of the most rewarding things to do in Essaouira is to spend time inside the medina. It’s the heartbeat of this coastal town and makes it one of a kind. Unlike the overwhelming bustle of other cities, this medina stands out from the rest of Morocco thanks to its unusual design.
BOLD VISION:
UNESCO added the Medina of Essaouira to its World Heritage list in 2001. Why? It shows an 18th-century experiment in urban planning, trade, and coexistence. Founded by Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah in the 1760s, this city was purpose-built to trade. The sultan hired a French architect Theodore Cornut and Ahmed al-Inglizi to design a modern town. What they created was unique: a city laid out in a European grid pattern but adapted to Moroccan life. Essaouira’s layout and fortified walls inspired by European military style are rare in North Africa. The town stands out for its European model with a grid system, sea-facing ramparts, wide walls, and defence towers.
While the city’s stone ramparts face crashing Atlantic waves, inside, the mood shifts. You’ll find quiet lanes, colourful souks, and breezy squares filled with street vendors. There is no traffic inside the medina, so you can stroll through without stress. You won’t need a map; the medina’s layout is easy to explore.
DID YOU KNOW?
Until the 1960s, Essaouira was mainly known by its Portuguese name, Mogador.
2. Souk shopping without the stress
If you’ve ever felt exhausted after a trip to a souk, this town will surprise you.
Forget the chaos of big-city markets. In this city, you’ll find a different kind of shopping experience – one that’s slow, colourful, and actually enjoyable. No one pulls you inside or pushes products into your hands. You can wander, look, notice little details, and find a few items that really speak to you.
SOUKS WITHOUT THE STRESS
The souks in the Medina are perfect if you love browsing for beautiful things but don’t want the pressure of shopping in places like Marrakech or Fez. It’s also an excellent place to build your confidence before visiting intense markets elsewhere.
Stroll along narrow streets and alleys packed with handmade treasures. Soft leather sandals, carved wood boxes, and colourful ceramics fill the shelves. You’ll see beautiful handwoven carpets and blankets displayed neatly for browsing. You’ll also find local artworks, natural soaps, and argan oil from nearby cooperatives. Sellers are more relaxed, and happy to chat rather than push you into buying. Some vendors even set fixed prices, which makes shopping easier. Others welcome light haggling but always keep things respectful. Whether you’re souvenir shopping or looking for something special for your home, this is the place to find it, without the fuss.
3. Essaouira Beach
the beach to the north from the defensive walls
Looking for a beach where you don’t melt in the heat? This coastal town offers breezy, golden shores where trade winds keep summer temperatures refreshingly cool. The main beach, stretching for 2 km (1.2 mi) south of the medina from the fishing port towards Diabat is wide. It has a paved pathway running alongside it and is perfect for walks and cycling along the beachfront promenade. The beach to the north from the defensive walls with rockpools and sandy shores is less popular. For something quieter and more rugged, try Assafi Beach at the far north edge of the town.
the north from the walls
Remember that if you’re hoping to swim or sunbathe, this might not be your spot. These beaches are for active days, not lazy ones, and that’s what makes them unforgettable. While the winds and cooler air give the city’s beaches its charm, it also makes it tough for swimming and sunbathing. Strong gusts often whip up sand and make relaxing tricky, head to Agadir for better sunbathing. Sunbeds are, however, available, but these beaches are better suited for adrenaline than tanning. On calm days, you can rent a lounger and try your luck, or simply enjoy the view.
ADVENTURE ZONE:
The real draw? Kitesurfing and windsurfing. Since the 1960s, the strong Atlantic winds have made Essaouira a top destination for surfing and kitesurfing. Beginners can sign up for lessons at Ion Club, which also offers equipment rental. The bay’s shallow waters and summer’s smaller waves are ideal for beginners. More experienced surfers can chase waves in Sidi Kaouki, 25 km down the coast – it’s one of the best locations in Morocco for surfing. Not into water sports? There’s still plenty to enjoy. Ride a camel at sunset or go quad biking on the beach.
4. Essaouira Port
What made this Atlantic port so important that it earned the nickname ‘Port of Timbuktu’? It wasn’t just about sea access, but this decision changed Morocco’s role in international trade forever.
According to UNESCO, around 1770, Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah transformed this stretch of Atlantic coastline into a royal seaport with global ambition. That vision gave rise to what would have become one of North Africa’s most important marine hubs: the Port of Essaouira.
THE PORT THAT PUT MOROCCO ON THE MAP:
This location wasn’t chosen at random. It was the endpoint of a powerful trade artery that connected sub-Saharan Africa with the outside world. The route served as the final gateway on a trans-Saharan trade route. It passed through the legendary city of Timbuktu and crossed the vast Sahara desert. From there, it climbed the Atlas Mountains, passed through Marrakech, and finally reached the sea. The caravan trade brought goods like salt, ivory, and spices from the heart of Africa to this small Atlantic town which became a royal port and Moroccan commercial centre.
By the 19th century, the city had overtaken other Moroccan ports, handling nearly twice the trade of Rabat. It functioned as the harbour for Marrakesh, as the road is a straight line only a few days from the inland city. Diplomats and merchants from France, Britain, and other European powers flocked to set up shops here. Today, the city’s port no longer welcomes large cargo ships, the waters simply aren’t deep enough for modern giants. But it remains a vibrant and colourful place filled with fishing boats and traders.
5. Pescador Mogador
Taste coastal Morocco with all your senses.
Curious about where locals go for the freshest seafood in town? Make your way to the port in the afternoon, just as the blue boats start arriving. You’ll find fishermen unloading the day’s fresh catch such as sardines, octopus, and crab from traditional wooden boats. Fishermen repair their nets, auction the day’s catch and seagulls and cats circle for scraps.
In the middle of it sits Pescador Mogador, a market unlike any other. Walk past rows of fresh fish and seafood, laid out on ice and herbs. Talk to the vendors and pick the exact piece you want. Everything is caught that day and handled with pride. Once you make your pick, head to one of the nearby grills where skilled cooks grill your choice to perfection while you watch. Served hot off the fire with local bread and a simple salad, this is the kind of lunch that blends freshness with a centuries-old coastal Moroccan tradition.
6. Port of Essaouira Sqala
One of the best things to do in Essaouira is to visit the Sqala du Port, one of the main fortifications in the city. This 18th-century structure guarded the port against sea invasions. But its story goes deeper. The Sqala du Port rose on the ruins of the Castelo Real of Mogador, a 16th-century Portuguese castle, which once stood on this very site. Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah tore it down, recycled original castle stones, and built this grand artillery platform.
With thick walls, bronze cannons, and two massive wings stretching 200 metres, the Sqala defended trade routes. It even fought back during the bombardment of Mogador in 1844, when French ships attacked the city.
Today, it stands as a UNESCO-listed historical monument, reopened to the public in 2023. Game of Thrones fans will recognize the Sqala as Astapor. You can explore the tower and trace the ancient battlement. Look at the Atlantic Ocean, see the blue boats below, and enjoy breathtaking views of Mogador Island and the medina.
GOOD TO KNOW:
As of May 2025, the entry fee is 60 Dh for adults and 25 Dh for children. Open 9 AM – 5 PM.
7. Walk the ramparts
One of the best things to do in Essaouira is to walk the old ramparts that protected the city for centuries. French architect Theodore Cornut designed them in the 18th century, inspired by the fortifications at Saint-Malo in France. They turned the once vulnerable place into a strong, smart port city.
Today, you can walk along these historic defences and feel like you’re in a movie. Movie lovers may recognize these towering ramparts from Game of Thrones (they stood in the city of Astapor). But you don’t need to be a fan of the famous series to enjoy the powerful feeling of standing here. As of May 2025, there’s no entry fee, and it’s open until sunset.
Artists and vendors often set up below in the arched galleries.
Once you’re up, walk along the wall and admire the bronze cannons, just as soldiers once did. The wind still whistles past the bastions, and the waves crash into the rocks below.
From the top, you can see the medina, rocky shores, and birds circling over Mogador Island.
8. Argan oil
Discover how the famous Moroccan argan oil is made: from tree to bottle. You can visit a local cooperative to see the process.
One of the most unique things to do in Essaouira is to explore the world of argan oil. The argan tree is ancient, tough, rare, and well-adapted to harsh environments. It only grows in the southwestern part of Morocco and southwestern Algeria. This unique tree has survived for nearly 70 million years, and it plays a huge role in both the local ecosystem and economy.
Locals call it the ‘blessed tree.’ Why? Because its fruits give us argan oil – a rare and valuable product used in food, skincare, and hair products. However, the process of producing Morocco’s liquid gold is intense.
These trees don’t give much, only around 10 kilos of fruit per year per tree, according to OLVEA Vegetable Oils. Workers need about 8 hours of manual work and 40 kilos (97 pounds) of dried fruit to create just 1 litre of oil. There are two traditional methods. One involves drying the fruit, peeling it, cracking the nut by hand, and grinding the kernels. The other method? Let tree-climbing goats eat the fruit and collect the nuts later from their droppings.
In some areas around the city, goats climb the trees to eat the fruit. These are the only goats in the world that climb trees.
Taking a tour of women’s cooperatives is an excellent way to see the process up close. You’ll learn about the oil’s uses, try some on your hands, and maybe even taste some. Tours help to support local women’s groups which keep the traditions alive.
9. Gnaoua Festival
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Essaouira, mark your calendar for June 19-21, 2025. The Gnaoua Festival is a four-day event that brings musicians across Morocco and the world together. Since its founding in 1998, the festival has become one of Morocco’s most powerful cultural symbols, drawing half a million people every year. Concerts take place across 10 different venues, from seaside stages to vibrant medina courtyards. International musicians and famous artists from Tangier and Marrakech perform their Gnaoua sounds and turn the entire town into one big concert hall. The music blends the African Gnaoua heritage in all its variety, showcasing the beauty and cultural richness of Morocco’s music. Between shows, you can explore workshops, and art shows, and meet local artists.
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Now you know what the things to do in Essaouira are!
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