Looking for the best camping in Essaouira? If so then you’ve come to the right place. Not only do my Moroccan partner and I live in Essaouira, but we go camping here every chance we get.
After all, it’s cheap, it’s fun, and it’s a great way to enjoy the area’s exquisite natural beauty. Plus, there are PLENTY of places to go camping in Essaouira.
No really, you have a ton of options to choose from since there is a large rural area surrounding this beachside city.
Travel just twenty minutes to places like Ounagha and you’ll find an area filled with epic campsites. In fact, most of the campsites in Essaouira are around a 20-minute drive away from the city.
That’s because a lot of people from Europe cross into Morocco via the ferry from Spain. They then use a motorhome to efficiently and affordably see this amazing country during one massive Morocco road trip.
If I’m being honest, Essaouira is one of my favorite places to camp in Morocco. There’s lots of space, there are tons of great campsites, and the roads aren’t packed with people.
Therefore, you can drive around/park your campervan in Essaouira without too much hassle. Sadly, the same cannot be said for Marrakech.
Additionally, the road that takes you from Essaouira to Agadir is absolutely beautiful. It features many amazing places to stop along the way, including Taghazhout, Sidi Kaouki, Imsouane, Paradise Valley, etc.
So, what are you waiting for? Have a look at this local guide to the best campsites in Essaouira and figure out exactly where to pitch your tent, or motorhome, for the night.
This way you can stay in Essaouira for a couple of extra days and enjoy the camping adventure of a lifetime.
Spoiler alert, Camping Espirit Nature is probably my favorite place to camp in the area. Yes it is a bit more expensive but I love the staff and facilities here.
Local Tip: The best time to visit Essaouira for camping is in the fall or in the spring. These campgrounds can get a bit cold in the winter (at night) and super hot in the summer.
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Table of Contents
Best Campsites in Essaouira
1. Camping Soleil Sidi Kaouki
Located about 200 meters (5-minute walk) from the beach, Camping Soleil Sidi Kaouki is a rustic, but decent place to set up camp for the night in Sidi Kaouki. FYI, Sidi Kaouki is about a 30-minute drive from Essaouira.
It’s a lovely village where you can go surfing and walk along the beach, making it a perfect stop as you travel from Agadir to Essaouira.
If you have extra time, you can also try horseback riding in Essaouira since there are some great companies operating here.
The campsite is pretty basic but the owner Ali is super nice. So, you should have a lovely stay if you limit your expectations since this place is very much NOT fancy.
Yes, there are large, level campsites that are surrounded by a wall. You also have access to OKAY toilets and showers with some hot water. But, the facilities could definitely be updated, the electricity is not great, and the water pressure is lacking.
However, you get what you pay for and the prices are very fair. Just be on the lookout for stray dogs since they like to bark and hang out in the area.
2. Paradis Aicha Sidi Kaouki
This is another low-key campsite in Sidi Kaouki that is just a hop, skip, and jump away from one of the coolest beaches in Morocco.
Is it the all-time best camping in Essaouira? Probably not. But, the price is right at 30 Dirhams ($3.00) per night and they have a nice spacious area for parking and motorhomes.
They also have toilets, showers, and offer a lovely view of the ocean for anyone looking for a rustic stay.
Again, the facilities are very basic. So, you’ll need to filter the water if you want to drink it. However, the owner is nice and this Essaouira campground is very quiet.
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3. Camping & Hôtel Le Calme
⭐️ Rating: 7.9/10.0 (128 Reviews) Price: $65.00 per night 📍Location: village idaougourd bouzama Bp 53, 44005 Essaouira Details: Read more on booking.com now!
Camping & Hotel Le Calme is located about 23 minutes away from Essaouira. It’s a nice place to go if you want to stay in the country but enjoy the amenities of a hotel.
Highlights include a spacious, heated, outdoor pool, beautiful mountain views, a lovely patio, a sun terrace with wifi, free parking, and a charging station for electric vehicles.
Each guest house includes two bedrooms, one bathroom with a bath/shower, a seating area, and a nice kitchenette with a working fridge.
Sadly, the kitchenette does not come with any electric kettle, cutlery, or plates. You also are unable to heat anything. So, that makes it kind of difficult to prepare food.
“The pace is in a quite location about 15 minutes drive to Essoira there is a big supermarket in the near town 5 minutes drive with a few restaurants take away at a very reasonable price. The place is fantastic at night very quite and my children enjoyed the interaction with the friendly cats. Good swimming pool open till late.”
Fathi (read more reviews now)
However, you won’t have to worry about outside noise since rooms are all soundproofed. They also come with tile floors and a nice fireplace.
Yes, the facilities look a little outdated and worn., but you do get linens, towels, and housekeeping included with your stay.
If you get a little hungry, you can also dig into a small, complimentary breakfast that includes a pancake and bread. It’s a bit sad, but you can always grab lunch/dinner at their on-site restaurant if you get hungry later in the day.
It’s worth noting that while “camping” is included in the name of this place, it’s really just a hotel. There is also a 2-day minimum when booking your stay.
4. Camping Oliviers in Ounagha
About a 25-minute drive away from Essaouira is Camping Oliviers in Oungha. This campsite is super clean and is run by a charming family who is happy to help you with anything you need.
The last time we were here we paid 100 Dirhams ($10.00) per night. I felt like it was a total bargain since the showers were super hot and the bathrooms were extremely clean.
They also have a nice pool pool. It was great in the summer since the surrounding area gets MUCH hotter than Essaouira.
Other benefits of camping here include motorhome access, a nice playground for kids, and dinner is made to order upon request.
Additionally, this campsite is well-located near some of the best day trips from Essaouira. So, head just 6 kilometers down the road and you’ll find Had Draa Market. It’s a great place to visit and one of the best things to do with kids in Essaouira.
It’s held every Sunday and is a great place to go to learn more about local culture since it is one of the biggest markets in the country.
Alternatively, stop by Domaine du Val d’Argan and do an impromptu wine tasting since this is one of the best vineyards in the area. It’s a great place to enjoy drinking alcohol in Morocco.
But, if you want to visit Essaouira for the day, you can take the bus or a shared taxi for just 10 Dirhams. Both stops are well-located near this Essaouira campsite and are easily accessible to guests.
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5. Camping Esprit Nature
Tucked away inside an Argan forest that is a 25-minute drive from Essaouira, this well-reviewed campground is owned by a lovely French couple who have built up the entire campsite over the past 15 years.
They are wonderfully hospitable and have created an amazing campground in Essaouira that includes a spacious swimming pool, warm showers, flushing toilets, a mini golf course, and a small playground for kids.
Other perks include decent wifi, nice washing machines (50+ Dirhams per load), and fresh Moroccan bread for 3 Dirhams a piece.
There’s also a great loop walk through the area that will take around 1.5 hours to complete. So, if you stay here, you won’t run out of fun things to do.
Just be sure to drive slowly along the last 5 km of the road leading to the campground since it is bumpy and you could damage your vehicle if you go too fast.
Another negative is that this campsite is not cheap. So, you should expect to pay between 80 Dirhams ($8.00) and 100 Dirhams ($10.00) per person when staying here.
However, they do have nice tent sites and motorhome-friendly sites available for anyone who wants to stop by and park their Essaouira rental car here. You could also book a car rental in Marrakech and then self-drive here.
Map of the Best Camping in Essaouira
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Can You Go Wild Camping in Essaouira?
Sadly, not really. Yes, wild camping is allowed in Morocco and is one of the best free things to do in Essaouira. But, that is only if you are in a very rural area that is nowhere near major towns and spots frequented by tourists.
You can try to leave your van in and around Essaouira but many people I know have been asked to leave by the police. So, I would only try this during low season when Essaouira is pretty dead. Even then, the police are pretty strict.
Your best bet is to try finding a spot outside of Diabat since this is a much quieter place. You can also do a bit of free camping at the beach parking lot in Sidi Kaouki since many people like to go wild camping here.
It’s a really great spot if you want to try surfing in Essaouira or do some kitesurfing in Essaouira.
Fair warning, many locals find it kind of weird to camp out in the middle of nowhere. So, don’t be surprised if you get curious visitors.
Finally, if you do decide to go wild camping, please avoid making fires (or make sure they’re fully out when you’re done), always leave no trace, and try not to make a ton of noise. This way you don’t disturb the people around you.
Conclusion
Overall, Camping Espirit Nature is probably my favorite place to go camping since they have amazing amenities that cannot be beaten. However, this place is a bit expensive for a campground in Essaouira.
So, if you’re on a budget then try Camping Oliviers in Ounagha instead. Prices are reasonable, the campground is spacious, and they have a lovely pool that is perfect in the summer.
You can also try wild camping. However, I have not had much luck with this. Many of my friends have also been caught and told to stop by the police in the area. Therefore, paying for a site is probably your best bet.
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