If you’re looking for a destination in Maroc that’s a little more relaxed than Marrakech, Essaouira might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Located on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, this charming seaside town is known for its whitewashed buildings, blue shutters, fresh seafood, historic ramparts, and laid-back atmosphere. Unlike the country’s larger cities, Essaouira feels slower and easier to explore, making it the perfect place to wander without a strict itinerary.
After spending time exploring the city ourselves, we’ve put together this guide to the best things to do in Essaouira that we think should be on every itinerary.
We truly fell in love with Essaouira and its laid-back vibe. It quickly became our favorite city in Maroc, and in our opinion, it’s a destination you absolutely shouldn’t miss on your Morocco itinerary.
Table des matières
- Explore the Medina (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit the Fishing Port & Eat Fresh Seafood
- Walk Along Skala de la Kasbah
- Browse the Local Art Galleries
- Relax at Essaouira Beach
- Eat at Fish Burger
- Watch the Sunset from the Ramparts
1
Explore the Medina (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Unlike the bustling medinas of Marrakech et Fès, the Medina of Essaouira offers a much more relaxed atmosphere. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s one of the easiest medinas in Maroc to explore thanks to its grid-like streets, compact size, and laid-back vibe.
As you wander through its whitewashed streets lined with blue doors and colorful storefronts, you’ll discover local artisan shops, traditional markets, hidden courtyards, cozy cafés, and beautiful architecture around every corner. It’s the perfect place to slow down, get a little lost, and soak in the city’s unique charm.
Why You Should Visit Essaouira’s Medina
Le Medina is the heart of Essaouira and one of the city’s biggest highlights.
It’s significantly less chaotic than other Moroccan cities, making it an excellent place for first-time visitors to experience the country’s culture without feeling overwhelmed.
We found ourselves returning to the Medina several times throughout our stay.
What You Can Buy in the Medina
As you explore, you’ll come across:
- Handmade thuya wood products
- Leather goods
- Local spices and argan oil
- Small art galleries
- Des bijoux
- Vêtements
- Traditional Moroccan slippers (babouches) and shoes
Our favorite purchase in Essaouira was a pair of custom hand-engraved bracelets. We paid 75 dirhams ($11.50 CAD) per bracelet, including the personalized Arabic engraving. They made the perfect personalized souvenir to bring home.
Heures d'ouverture : Le Medina is open 24 hours a day.
Most shops generally open between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM and close around 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, although opening hours may vary depending on the season.
Tips for Your Visit to the Medina of Essaouira
- Bring cash, as some smaller shops don’t accept credit cards.
- Don’t hesitate to negotiate when shopping in the souks, it’s common practice in Maroc.
- Take your time exploring the side streets, as that’s where you’ll often find the most charming cafés, local artisans, and hidden gems.
- If you’re shopping for souvenirs, compare prices before making a purchase. Many stores sell similar items, so walking around first can help you find better quality or better prices.
2
Visit the Fishing Port & Eat Fresh Seafood
L’une des activités things to do in Essaouira is visiting its famous fishing port, where hundreds of iconic blue fishing boats line the harbor and fishermen bring in their catch throughout the day.
The port is one of the liveliest places in the city and offers a glimpse into everyday life in Essaouira. You’ll see fishermen repairing their nets, unloading fish straight from their boats, and preparing for their next trip out to sea.
But the real highlight? Eating some of the freshest seafood you’ll find anywhere in Maroc.
After walking through the fish market, choose your seafood directly from one of the vendors before taking it to a nearby restaurant, where they’ll grill it for you within minutes. It’s a simple experience, but one that many travelers consider a must-do when visiting Essaouira.
À quoi s’attendre
The port is full of activity from morning until late afternoon.
As you walk around, you’ll find stalls selling everything from sardines and shrimp to lobster, sea bream, squid, oysters, small sharks, and other fresh seafood depending on the day’s catch.
Many restaurants located just outside the market will cook whatever you purchase. Simply pick your seafood, pay by weight, and let them grill it while you sit down and enjoy your meal.
Don’t expect a fine dining experience, most places are simple, casual, and focused on serving fresh seafood rather than fancy presentations.
Prix : Entry to the port is free.
Seafood prices vary depending on the season and what you choose, but you can usually enjoy a generous grilled seafood meal for much less than at a traditional restaurant.
Notre expérience
Visiting the fishing port was one of the highlights of our time in Essaouira. Seeing hundreds of blue boats, fishermen repairing their nets, and stalls filled with freshly caught seafood made the harbor feel incredibly authentic. Since Essaouira is famous for its fishing industry, we think it’s a place that every visitor should experience.
That said, we’ll be completely honest, we didn’t end up buying seafood to eat at one of the nearby restaurants. We both have pretty sensitive stomachs when it comes to strong fish smells, and after walking through the market, we simply weren’t hungry anymore!
However, we met several travelers who did choose their own seafood and had it grilled at one of the nearby restaurants, and every single one of them told us it was one of the best meals they had in Maroc.
Tips for Your Visit to the Fishing Port of Essaouira
- Visit in the morning for the freshest catch and the liveliest atmosphere.
- Walk around the market before buying, as prices can vary from one vendor to another.
- Bring cash, since many vendors don’t accept credit cards.
- If you’re unsure what to order, ask the vendor what’s freshest that day.
3
Walk Along Skala de la Kasbah
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Skala de la Kasbah is one of Essaouira’s most iconic landmarks. This historic sea bastion was built in the 18th century to protect the city from attacks and is lined with rows of impressive bronze cannons that still face the ocean today.
Walking along the stone ramparts offers some of the best panoramic views in Essaouira. From here, you can watch waves crashing against the rocky shoreline, local fishermen working along the shore, fishing boats returning to the harbor, and the Medina stretching behind you.
It’s one of the most scenic spots in the city and a place you’ll likely want to visit more than once during your stay.
Prix : It is free to visit!
Heures d'ouverture : The ramparts are generally accessible throughout the day.
For the best experience, visit in the morning for fewer crowds or late afternoon when the sunset makes the views even more beautiful. Click ici pour en savoir plus!
4
Browse the Local Art Galleries
Essaouira has long been a favorite destination for artists, musicians, and creatives from around the world.
Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, stepping into a few galleries is a great way to discover another side of the city. Most galleries are small and independently owned, and the owners are often happy to chat about the artists and the inspiration behind their work, making the experience feel much more personal than simply browsing a souvenir shop.
If you’re not sure where to start, some of the most popular galleries include Galerie d’Art Damgaard, Gallery Kasbah, et Galerie l’Arbre Bleu.
As you wander through the Medina of Essaouira, you’ll find:
- Contemporary Moroccan paintings
- Colorful street art-inspired pieces
- Handmade sculptures and ceramics
- Photography exhibitions
- Local crafts and unique souvenirs
You don’t need to visit every gallery. Simply pop into the ones that catch your eye as you wander through the Medina.
Heures d'ouverture : Most galleries are open daily from around 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, although hours may vary.
Conseil : Many galleries accept credit cards, but it’s always a good idea to carry some cash.
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5
Relax at Essaouira Beach
Stretching for several kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean, Essaouira Beach is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the city’s laid-back coastal atmosphere.
During your visit, you can:
- Walk along the shoreline
- Watch kitesurfers and windsurfers flying across the waves
- Rent equipment or book a lesson if you want to try the sport yourself
- Enjoy a drink or meal at one of the oceanfront cafés while taking in the views
Even if you don’t plan on getting in the water, the beach is well worth visiting. Thanks to the constant ocean breeze, Essaouira stays much cooler than many other destinations in Maroc, making it the perfect place to escape the heat.
Keep in mind that the Atlantic Ocean can be quite chilly, even during the summer months. The wind is often strong, something that also makes Essaouira one of Morocco’s top destinations for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
See more photos of this activity.
Our Personal Experience at Essaouira Beach
When we arrived at Essaouira Beach, we expected to spend a few hours sunbathing, but we quickly realized that wasn’t really the vibe here. While Maroc has many coastal towns, Essaouira remains quite conservative, and we hardly saw anyone sunbathing.
If you’re planning to spend the day here, we’d recommend wearing clothing that respects the local culture and setting your expectations accordingly.
Instead of sunbathing, we found the beach to be a much better place for walking, enjoying the ocean views, or relaxing at one of the beachfront cafés.
GetYourGuide Recommendations
We love booking activities through GetYourGuide because of the quality of the experiences and how easy the platform is to use. Here are a few activities we recommend if you’re planning to spend time at Essaouira Beach:
6
Eat at Fish Burger
While this isn’t technically an activity, we couldn’t leave Fish Burger off this list. It quickly became our favorite restaurant in Essaouira. The food was so good that we couldn’t resist coming back a second time before leaving Essaouira.
If you’re looking for a delicious and affordable meal, this is the place to go. Fish Burger serves fresh fish burgers made with locally caught seafood, making it the perfect stop after exploring the Medina or spending time at Essaouira Beach.
The menu is simple but done extremely well.
Attendez-vous à :
- Fresh fish, seafood, and tofu burgers
- Crispy fries
- A variety of tapas, from calamari rings to nachos
- Burritos, sandwiches, and toasties
- Homemade sauces
- A casual atmosphere
- Fast service
Because it’s a small restaurant, it can get busy during lunch and dinner hours.
Heures d'ouverture : They may vary throughout the year, but Fish Burger is generally open from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM.
7
Watch the Sunset from the Ramparts
If there’s one way to end your day in Essaouira, it’s by watching the sunset from the city’s historic ramparts.
As the sun begins to set over the Atlantic Ocean, the golden light reflects off the stone walls, the fishing boats in the harbor, and the white buildings of the Medina, creating one of the most beautiful views in the city. The atmosphere becomes even more magical as locals and travelers gather along the walls to enjoy the end of the day.
It’s a simple experience, but one that perfectly captures the relaxed charm of Essaouira.
Prix : The ramparts are free to access.
Emplacement : Rempart Mogador, inside the Sqala de La Kasbah.
Conseils pour cette activité
- Arrive about 30 to 45 minutes before sunset to find a good spot along the ramparts.
- Bring a light sweater, as temperatures can drop quickly once the sun goes down.
See more photos of this activity.
Réflexions finales
Essaouira quickly became one of our favorite cities in Maroc. Its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful coastline, fresh seafood, and charming UNESCO-listed Medina make it the perfect place to slow down after visiting busier destinations like Marrakech et Fès.
Whether you’re wandering through the Medina of Essaouira, enjoying freshly grilled seafood at the Fishing Port, watching the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, or simply relaxing at Essaouira Beach, you’ll quickly understand why it’s considered one of the best places to visit in Morocco.
If you’re planning a Morocco itinerary, we highly recommend adding Essaouira to your route. With so many unforgettable things to do in Essaouira, this charming coastal city is a destination you won’t want to miss, and you might just end up wishing you had stayed longer.
Ensuite?
Keep exploring our articles to plan the most amazing trip in Morocco!
- 9 meilleures activités à faire à Marrakech, Maroc (Guide 2026)
- 8 Best Things to Do in Tangier, Morocco (Ultimate 2026 Guide)
- 7 meilleures activités à faire à Chefchaouen, Maroc (guide complet)
- 8 meilleures activités à faire à Fès, au Maroc (Guide voyage 2026)
FAQ – Best Things to Do in Essaouira, Morocco
Is Essaouira worth visiting?
Absolutely. Essaouira is one of Morocco’s most charming coastal cities, offering a relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, historic ramparts, and a UNESCO-listed Medina. It’s the perfect destination if you’re looking for a slower pace than cities like Marrakech or Fes.
How many days should you spend in Essaouira?
We recommend spending 1 to 2 full days in Essaouira. This gives you enough time to explore the Medina, visit the fishing port, relax at the beach, and enjoy the city’s laid-back atmosphere.
What is the best thing to do in Essaouira?
If we had to choose just one experience, it would be exploring the Medina and visiting the fishing port. Wandering through the historic streets before enjoying freshly grilled seafood is one of the most authentic experiences in the city.
Is Essaouira safe for tourists?
Yes. We found Essaouira to be one of the most relaxed and welcoming cities in Morocco. The Medina is easy to navigate, locals are friendly, and the overall atmosphere feels much calmer than in many of the country’s larger cities. As with any destination, it’s still important to stay aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings.
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