Trip overview
A day on the Atlantic coast from Marrakech: a walled medina listed as a World Heritage Site, a fishing port, ramparts over the sea and a stop at an argan cooperative.
- Duration1 day
- Starts inMarrakech
- GroupPrivate or shared · 1–17 people
- DifficultyEasy
- LanguageEspañol
- DeparturesDaily departures all year round
Highlights
- Walled medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Skala ramparts with cannons facing the Atlantic
- Fishing port with blue boats
- Grilled fish by the port
- Stop at a women's argan cooperative
- Thuya wood workshops and art galleries
- Optional guided tour of the medina
What the day looks like
The old Mogador is about 190 km away, with a UNESCO World Heritage medina that's calmer than Marrakech.
When to go
All year round: the ocean softens the temperatures and in summer it's much cooler than Marrakech. It's very windy, especially in spring and summer, which is why there's kitesurfing. Bring a windbreaker and sun cream, as the breeze stops you noticing the sun. If you want more, stay the night: see our Essaouira guide.
Before you book
Watch your belongings
In the busiest areas, even though the town is calm.
Other cities
Routes through medinas and imperial cities.
See cultural toursDay-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Morning: from Marrakech to the Atlantic coast
We pick you up from your riad or hotel at around 8:00. We head west on a flat road, first through farmland and then through argan forests, a tree that only grows naturally in this part of Morocco.
Halfway we stop at a women's cooperative where they explain how argan oil is extracted, both cosmetic and culinary, and you can taste amlou. There's no obligation to buy. We reach Essaouira at around 11:00.
Day 1: Midday and afternoon: medina, ramparts and port
We start at the port, where the blue boats unload their fish among the seagulls. From there you go into the medina and up to the Skala de la Kasbah, with its cannons facing the sea. Then you have free time to wander, see thuya wood workshops and galleries, or eat grilled fish.
On the local guide option, a guide from the town takes you round the medina, the old Jewish quarter (mellah) and the souks for about two hours. If there's time left, on the long beach south of the medina there are usually people kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Day 1: Late afternoon: return to Marrakech
At around 16:00 or 16:30 we head back to Marrakech. On the private option we can stop at a viewpoint over the ocean or leave a bit later to watch the sunset on the beach.
We get to your accommodation between 19:00 and 19:30, depending on traffic and stops, with a break halfway. If in the end you'd rather stay the night in Essaouira, we'll find you a riad and organise the return the next day. Let us know with a bit of notice.
What's included
Included (5)
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech
- Air-conditioned transport with driver
- Stop at an argan cooperative
- Bottled water
- Local guide in the medina (private option with guide only)
Not included (4)
- Lunch and drinks
- Entry to museums or monuments
- Tips (optional)
- Travel insurance
Important information (5)
- Essaouira is very windy; always bring a light warm layer.
- The goats in the trees by the road are usually placed there to charge for photos.
- Agree the price of the fish before it's cooked at the port stalls.
- Buying at the argan cooperative is entirely optional.
- If you want more time, we suggest a night in a riad in the medina.
Prices per person
Shared
Shared transport and free time in Essaouira
Private
Private vehicle with driver and flexible timings (price per person, based on 2)
Private with local guide
Private vehicle and a guided tour of the medina with a local guide
Fixed price per person, whatever the size of your group.
Payment and cancellation
You pay a 15% deposit when you book. The rest is paid on the first day of the trip, in cash or by bank transfer. You can also pay it by PayPal or card, with a 5% surcharge.
Private: free up to 48 hours before the start. If you cancel in time, we refund the full deposit.
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Leave a reviewFrequently asked questions
How much time do you get in Essaouira?
About 4 or 5 hours. The drive from Marrakech takes 2.5 to 3 hours each way, so we leave at around 8:00 and get back at around 19:00. It's enough to see the medina, the ramparts and the port and have lunch without watching the clock. If you want to go slower, we recommend spending a night in the town.
Is it cold in Essaouira?
It isn't usually cold, but it is windy, and you really feel the Atlantic breeze, even in summer. That's why it's a very pleasant town when Marrakech is over 40 degrees. We recommend a light jacket or windbreaker and sun cream, because with the wind you don't notice how strong the sun is.
Is the shared or the private option better?
The shared one is cheap and convenient if you just want to wander round the town on your own. The private one lets you choose the departure time, make photo stops and shape the day. The local guide option is the one we recommend most if you're interested in the history of Mogador, its port and its Jewish quarter.
