10 Free Things to do in Essaouira

Visiting this magical coastal oasis and looking for free things to do in Essaouira? If so then this article is the answer to your prayers.

Not only have I lived in Essaouira since January of 2023, but I have taken the time to check out all of the best things to do in Essaouira for free.

See, we are looking for a house here and are always on the hunt for cheap things to do in Essaouira. This way we can save money but still have fun at the same time.

I’m not gonna lie, there aren’t a TON of super budget-friendly things to do in Essaouira. That’s just because Essaouira is a fairly small city and there are only so many things to do.

However, there are some interesting Essaouira activities to enjoy if you are broke like a joke and still looking to get a feel for this vibrant coastal town.

So, leave the wallet at home and let’s have a look at some of the cheapest things to do in Essaouira right now.

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1. Day Trip to Diabat

I think this is probably my favorite free thing to do in Essaouira. Not only is this one of the top day trips from Essaouira, but you don’t actually have to spend any money to get here since you can walk to Diabat from Essaouira.

From the Medina it will probably take you around 45 minutes to walk here. It’s also fairly picturesque since you’ll stroll past sand dunes and over a local bridge that takes you across a river that regularly drys up in the summer.

But once here, you can see the Jimi Hendrix Cafe and visit the local beach. I love that it is MUCH less crowded than the Main Beach in Essaouira.

Just don’t try and do any swimming since the currents here are quite dangerous. Instead, admire the impressive views of Al Jazira island and watch the camels walking along the beach before exploring the ruins of Dar Sultan Palace.

The palace ruins are nothing major. However, you can see the old tile floors and take lots of fun photos. I loved taking photos hare and having a picnic along the beach.

2. Visit the Old Skala at Sunset

Believe it or not, one of the best things to do in Essaouira doubles as one of the best free things to do in Essaouira.

See, the Old Skala is a historic, 18th-century military fortification on the edge of the Medina. It offers visitors sweeping views of the Atlantic and is a great place to watch the sunset.

Plus, visiting is totally free. So, stop by any time between 9:00 am and sunset. Walk along the promenade and admire the 19 vintage canons that were used to protect the harbor.

Kids in Essaouira love hanging out on these canons and exploring this area.

Today, the structure is more famous as the site of Astaphor in the hit television series, “Game of Thrones”.

To visit, walk down Rue Skala. You can also do a bit of shopping in Essaouira since I bought a pretty, high-quality scarf along this road.

You’ll then walk through an archway and up an ancient ramp before enjoying some mega-epic views of the ocean. If you look closely you might see some fishing boats cruise by.

Local Tip: For an epic view of the Old Skala, head to the rooftop at Smala Hostel and do enjoy one of the best coworking spaces in Essaouira. Afterward, visit one of the cool vegan places to eat in Essaouira since they are close by.

3. Visit the Skala de Port

Full disclosure, visiting the Skala de Port and enjoying the views from the top regularly costs 50 Dirhams ($5.00).

However, if you visit on a Friday then you can enter for free any time between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Just head to the top and admire impressive views of the Medina, the port, Al Jazira Island, and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Skala de Port was also featured in “Game of Thrones” and was built in the 18th century by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah.Today, it’s a super historic fortress and an awesome place to take photos.

4. Walk Around the Medina

One of my favorite free things to do in Essaouira is to walk around Medina. I like doing this because the vendors aren’t as aggressive as the ones in Marrakech.

The Medina here is also much smaller and much easier to navigate than the one in Marrakech. In fact, most of the roads are laid out like a grid, making it easy to figure out where you are.

Additionally, the Medina here is basically JUST for pedestrians. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about getting run over by a rogue motorbike.

So, walk along the cobblestone streets, admire the beautiful blue and white houses, grab a meal at a famous Essaouira restaurant, or relax with a mint tea at one of the best cafes in Essaouira.

It’s a great place to spend the day in Essaouira since it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 18th century.

Local Tip: If you’re not sure where to go try relaxing on the roof of Mega Loft, grabbing a pastry at Pumpkin (Patisserie Driss is good too), enjoying some Msemen at Chez Miloud, or grabbing a coffee at l’Atelier-Café.

FYI, l’Atleier Cafe is also a great place to try a cooking class in Essaouira too.

5. Visit the Fish Market

I’m not gonna lie. I find the fish market to be a bit dirty and a bit stinky. I also hate that there are seagulls flying around all over the place.

However, you 100% can walk around and have a look at what local fishermen are selling that day. It sits on the otherside of the Port de Skala that is away from the Medina.

If you want, you can even pick up some fresh seafood and have one of the nearby restaurants cook it up for you.

Foods you’ll likely find include sardines, pilchards, sole, crabs, lobsters, octopuses, flatfishes, skates, eels, and sometimes even sharks.

Afterward, continue walking all the way to the end of the pier and enjoy amazing views of the beach.

6. Walk Along Main Beach

No trip to Essaouira would be complete without a stop at the beach since this cool Moroccan beach town is home to one of the best beaches in Morocco.

Even if you’re broke like a joke, you can still do a bit of sunbathing, walk along the promenade, or go for a swim since the water here is calm and safe.

Just know that the water here is cold and I personally never swim here since I hate cold water. I just like to walk along this 2-kilometer stretch of sand and chill at Ocean Vagabond or Beach and Friends afterward.

Besides, visiting these two bars is easily one of the best things to do in Essaouira at night.

These are two great places to get alcohol in Essaouira since you can grab a drink and watch the sunset. Or, you can always just watch the sunset for free on the beach.

If you have a bit of extra money, you can also try the best Essaouira kitesurfing or regular Essaouira surfing with Moga Surf. The winds in Essaouira are super strong, so this is an excellent place to try both sports if you have the time and money.

Local Tip: You can also try wild camping in Essaouira or in nearby Sidi Kaouki since this can be a great way to save money on accomodations.

7. Visit Bayt Dakira

If you love museums and are looking for the best free things to do in Essaouira then stop by Bayt Dakira.

In English, the name of the museum translates to, “House of Memory”. It is a free museum dedicated to educating visitors and preserving the city’s unique Jewish culture.

Located in the Mellah (Essaouira’s Jewish quarter), the museum is small and many of the signs are in French only.

However, it is still a great place to go to see old photos, rare artifacts, clothing, historic books, and to learn how Muslims and Jews managed to coexist.

It’s not the coolest museum I have ever been to, but it’s nice if you’re looking for unique things to do.

Just be aware that the museum is only open from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm and from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Afterward, walk through Bab Doukala and explore the nearby Jewish cemetery too.

8. La Cite Heureuse

I’m not gonna lie to you, this new museum in Essaouira isn’t super impressive. First of all, signage is only in Arabic and French. So, have Google Translate handy if you want to read about what you’re seeing.

Secondly, it is super small. The first floor has a few paintings, dioramas, and model ships that relate to the history of the city.

Then when you climb to the second floor of the museum, you see a small sitting room and hear someone speaking through a speaker in the background.

We couldn’t even get the windows on the second floor open to take photos of the Old Skala. All in all, it’s a nice place and I like that they converted an old tower into a museum, but it isn’t very interesting. I think we spent maybe five minutes here.

My fave part is the art that you see on the wall that leads to the entrance of the museum.

9. Visit Dar Souiri Cultural Center

Located in the heart of the Medina. Dar Souiri is an amazing cultural center that hosts a wide array of events including, movie nights, lectures, art exhibitions, and more.

The last time I was here we walked through the building and admired the stunning, traditional, Moroccan-style architecture.

Yeah, this place has an almost riad-like feel with a lovely skylight sitting above an open central courtyard.

There’s also a lovely little library to the right where people sometimes do work and a fun modern art exhibition in the back. The art space isn’t big but it features some unique pieces and is open to the public.

All in all, it’s a good place to go if you have a bit of extra time in the city and want to see some beautiful architecture.

10. Attend the Gnaoua and World Music Festival

Real talk? I went to the Gnaoua and World Music Festival at the end of June and personally am not a fan. Yes, the performances are free and you get to listen to fun, traditional Moroccan music with about 500,000 other people.

However, it means that Essaouira becomes PACKED with people, to the point where you can’t walk around the Medina. After all, Essaouira is a small city and is not built to hold that many people.

So, unless you want to walk down the street with 20,000 of your closest friends or sit in bumper to bumper traffic, I do not think this is the best time to visit Essaouira.

Additionally, if you want to book a room at one of the best hotels in Essaouira for this festival then you’ll need to book a room at least two months in advance since all of the hotels in the city fill up.

Local Tip: Some concerts are paid but you absolutely can attend some events for free on the beach.

Map of the Best Free Things to do in Essaouira

That wraps up this guide to the best free things to do in Essaouira. Did your fave free activities in Essaouira make the list? If not then let me know.

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