Look, Essaouira is amazing. But, after a couple of days, it can get a little boring and you can run out of things to do. So, if you’re staying here for a while, you may be looking for the best day trips from Essaouira.
This way you can see more of Morocco and explore exciting new places after relaxing it up in this chill beach town.
I’m not gonna lie to you though, you don’t have a ton of options when it comes to day trips from Essaouira. I mean, Essaouira isn’t as well located as Marrakech. Therefore, you won’t have gobs of options to choose from.
You also will 100% need a car for some of these Essaouira day trips since bus times and a lack of public transportation make them impossible to do on your own.
But, if you have the time and the energy then some of these places near Essaouira are absolutely stunning and well worth your time.
Just have a look at my local guide and figure out which option is right for you. You just need to figure out what looks fun, what looks lame, and what is the best place to visit near Essaouira for your budget.
I mean, I have lived here since January 2023 and have done all of these Essaouira day trips, some of them multiple times.
Therefore, I will give you my HONEST opinion on which day trips are awesome and which ones you can pass on. So, let’s swan dive into this hella awesome guide and figure out which Essaouira day trip is right for you.
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Table of Contents
1. Diabat
Diabat is one of my fave day trips from Essaouira. It’s a quiet little town just 4 kilometers from the Medina.
I like to walk here since it only takes me around 30 minutes from my apartment. Plus, you get to walk past the sand dunes and cross over a lovely river as you make your way into Diabat proper.
However, if you want to take a taxi to Diabat you could probably get one for 8 Dirhams. TBH I always walk so I am not sure how much a taxi costs.
I’m not gonna lie to you, there isn’t a ton to do in Diabat. I would stop by the Jimi Hendrix Cafe and get a coffee. The food and Essaouira breakfast here aren’t very good.
However, this is a cool spot since this is where Jimi Hendrix used to hang out along the Hippie trail in 1969.
Afterward, you can visit the ruins of Dar Sultan Palace. Take a few pics and check out the old tile floors before making your way to the beach.
You can’t swim here but you can take photos and enjoy the solitude since there are a lot fewer people here than at the Main Beach in Essaouira.
If you’re not really into just chilling then you can also book an Essaouira quad biking tour, camel riding excursions, or horseback riding tour through Essaouira with local companies like Diana Dromedaries.
However, there are a ton of companies in the area, so I am sure that you can book a tour on arrival if you are just going with the flow during your 24-hour stay in Essaouira.
Local Tip: It’s a great place to go to experience nightlife in Essaouira since the So Lounge is located at the Sofitel Essaouira and is one of the fun things to do in Essaouira at night.
A trip to Diabat is also one of the best free things to do in Essaouira since it’s one of the prettiest towns in Morocco. You can also try camping in Essaouira here since there are some quiet spots for wild camping.
2. Had Draa Market
Hop on a local bus or in a Grand Taxi (for 10 Dirhams per person) on Sunday morning and head to Had Draa Market.
It’s not my fave Essaouira day trip of all time, but it’s a great place to go if you want to immerse yourself in old-school local culture.
The market starts at sunrise since this is when many locals sell their cattle.
However, feel free to visit any time between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm to see vendors selling livestock, baskets, carpets, clothes, produce, grilled kebabs, and more.
You could definitely do a bit of shopping in Essaouira while you’re here before heading back in the afternoon.
Local Tip: You could also visit Ida Ougourd market on Wednesdays. Locals ride up on their donkeys and buy/sell fruit and veggies. Just get here early since this market starts at 5:00 am and finishes by 11:00 am or 12:00 pm.
To visit, catch a bus from Bab Doukkalla at 7:00 am or take a Grand Taxi for around 7/8 Dirhams. You could also figure out how to rent a car in Essaouira and then drive here yourself.
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3. Villa Beldi
If you want to enjoy a super relaxing day trip from Essaouira then stop by Villa Beldi. See, this enchanting high-end resort sits along the main road.
So, instead of turning right to go to Diabat, just continue walking straight and Villa Bedli will be on your right. You’ll know you’re here when you see stunning red buildings that surround an exquisite, heated pool in the countryside.
Again, I typically walk here since it takes me maybe 30 minutes to walk here from my apartment. However, you could also probably catch a taxi here for 8 Dirhams.
Now, while you can spend the night for $160+ per night, why not grab a day pass and use their amazing on-site pool and restaurant instead?
Day passes start at 150 Dirhams each ($15.00) and include towels, access to a sunbed, and use of their heated pool from 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
You are also required to purchase an a la carte lunch that features delish items like vegetable coconut curry and a pizzetta with butternut squash, roasted onions, feta, and arugula.
Just be sure to make a reservation in advance (just email them from their website) since they only have a limited number of day passes available.
It’s a great way to enjoy one of the best hotels in Essaouira if you are on a budget and love spending the day by the pool. You can also ask about their yoga classes in Essaouira while you’re here.
Local Tip: If you don’t feel like doing all that walking and still want to relax by the pool then visit, Heure Bleue Palais – Relais & Châteaux.
They have an amazing rooftop pool overlooking the Medina and you can reserve a day pass for 450 Dirhams per person, with lunch included. The pool is also heated to 24°C (75°F). Yeah, this is a wonderful place to hang out.
4. Marrakech
I think most people who visit Essaouira fly into Marrakech and then travel from Marrakech to Essaouira since flights into Marrakech are generally cheaper and more frequent.
However, if you find yourself flying into Essaouira then you definitely could do a day trip from Essaouira to Marrakech.
Just head to the Supratours station (near the Medina) and take the first bus from Essaouira to Marrakech at 6:00 am. Tickets are around 100 Dirhams each ($10.00) and you should get into Marrakech at around 10:30 am.
You can then catch a bus back to Essaouira at 7:00 pm. Just be sure to check their website and book tickets in advance since tickets can sell out and times/prices can change.
The only annoying thing is that the Supratours bus station is a bit outside of the Medina in Marrakech. So, you will probably have to take a taxi (or bus) to and from the medina.
However, once there visit Koutoubia Mosque, explore Jemaa el Fna Square, visit the souks in Marrakech, see Bahia Palace, stand in awe of the Saadian Tombs, and grab a coffee at Bacha Coffee.
You won’t be able to see everything but you can do a lot in one day in Marrakech. I personally love Marrakech and think it’s a super fun, historic city where you can get a taste of what Morocco is really like.
You can also just chill in one of the coolest bars in Marrakech and enjoy epic views of the city.
5. Safi
Real talk? I am not into Safi and I think you can skip visiting this industrial town on the coast. Any time I visit it smells and I don’t find it that exciting since it’s not as cute and charming as Essaouira.
However, it’s only about two hours away from Essaouira. So, you could easily catch a CTM bus and do a day trip here. FYI, it’s on the way to Casablanca.
So, if you plan to go to Casablanca then you could stop in Safi along the way to break up the trip.
Anyway, the CTM bus departs Essaouira at 10:00 am and will drop you off in Safi at 12:00 pm. The last bus then departs Safi at 5:15 pm and will have you in Essaouira at 7:15 pm.
Always check their website first since times can change. However, the ticket should cost 55 or 60 Dirhams ($5.50/$6.00) each way.
The last time we went to Safi I had a much better time than I thought I would. The bus station was pretty well-located so we could easily walk to most of the city’s top attractions.
Personal highlights included the ceramics museum (National Museum of Ceramics) and seeing the largest tajine in Morocco.
Other than that, you could visit the Pottery Quarter since Safi is known for its amazing ceramic vases and tajines. You can also see lots of Portuguese influence on the town in the Cathédrale Portugaise, Qasr A Bahr, and the Kechla.
Additionally, have a walk around the Medina since it is a lot less touristy than the one in Essaouira. I also wasn’t super impressed with the coastal promenade since the views are just okay.
All in all, I think this is a good place to visit if you have a bit of extra time but I think there are better Essaouira day trips on this list.
Local Tip: If you want to drive yourself then stop in Oualidia along the way and grab some shellfish. Just remember that you cannot travel all the way from Essaouira to Casablanca in one day since the drive takes 5+ hours.
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6. Sidi Kaouki
Sidi Kaouki is another epic day trip from Essaouira since it’s super close to the Medina. Just hop on bus number 2 near Bab Doukalla and you’ll be in Sidi Kaouki in around 45 minutes or an hour (Sidi Kaouki is the last stop).
Tickets cost 8 Dirhams per person and this is the cheapest way to get to Sidi Kaouki. However, you could also take a Grand Taxi from the main bus station for around 15 Dirhams per person.
If you take the bus, you’ll also need to leave early since the last bus departing from Sidi Kaouki to Essaouira leaves around 7:00 pm. Buses also don’t depart regularly from Sidi Kaouki to Essaouira.
So, you may have to wait up to 2 hours for the next bus. Anyway, this Essaouira day trip is all about relaxing by the beach.
After all, the beach here is huge and a great place for surfing (the waves are bigger and surfing in Essaouira is a bit more tame), kite surfing (better than kite surfing in Essaouira), and sunbathing since there are tons of lounge chairs here.
This is also a great place to go surfing since the waves here are a lot bigger than the ones in Essaouira.
You can also try camel riding, quad biking, and horseback riding. But, overall, Sidi Kaouki is just a quiet beach town where you can chill on a lounger and watch the waves roll in.
When we visit, we like to go to La Mouette. The drinks are nice, it’s a bit removed from the main road, the chairs are comfy, and the views of the beach are awesome.
Another great spot is Surf Station. You can listen to live music, enjoy some good food, rent a surfboard, or try some yoga.
The views from the top are also stunning and they serve excellent mint tea. Therefore, visiting is one of the best things to do in Essaouira.
7. Visit Domaine du Val d’Argan Winery
Not only can you drink alcohol in Essaouira, but you can visit a neat countryside winery too. Known as Domaine du Val d’Argan, this winery is about 30 minutes away from Essaouira and has been in business since 1994.
They grow thirteen unique varieties of grapes from the Rhône Valley and offer tours and wine tastings of their amazing property. So, it’s a great spot if you want to drink alcohol in Morocco.
If you’re interested in visiting, email them in advance and you can stop by between 11:00 am and 11:30 am as well as between 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm.
Tastings cost 200 Dirhams ($20.00) per person and you’ll be able to sample five different wines including two whites, one rose, and two reds. FYI, the Le Val d’Argan Rosé was my fave.
Sadly, there is no shuttle service available. So, you’ll need to hire a taxi to visit. The trip should cost 300 Dirhams ($30.00) round trip.
Local Tip: You can also spend the night at their bed and breakfast. It’s a great place to relax, explore the gardens, and enjoy their on-site pool.
Added bonus? They have a great on-site restaurant that serves delish gluten-free food in Essaouira.
8. Agadir
I am not a HUGE fan of doing a day trip from Essaouira to Agadir. However, it is possible if you have your own car and don’t want to choose between Agadir and Essaouira.
Just be aware that the roads are a bit windy and can make you feel nauseous if you’re prone to motion sickness.
Yes, you can take a CTM bus from Essaouira to Agadir. However, the bus doesn’t depart from Essaouira until 2:30 pm. The trip takes 3 hours so that departure time makes it impossible to do a day trip.
But, if you have your own car then you can drive down and explore the beach as well as the souks of the Medina since the souk here is the largest in Morocco.
Souk El Had is also laid out like a grid and is easy to navigate without getting lost. Just get ready to haggle HARD for whatever you want before riding the local cable car, admiring the view from Agadir Oufella, and heading to the Crocoparc.
It’s a great place to see the local crocodiles chilling in the lagoon as well as a variety of other reptiles.
You can also relax on the beautiful beach since it’s one of the nicest beaches in Morocco.
Just know that Agadir is more of a resort town and not super historic since much of the city was decimated by a horrible earthquake in the 1960s.
Local Tip: Taghazout is only about 30 minutes away from Agadir. So, if you are in the area then you may want to make a quick stop in Taghazout since you’ll pass by on the way to Agadir from Essaouira.
9. Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley is a stunning gorge near Agadir that is well worth visiting. However, I think it would be really hard to visit as part of a day trip from Essaouira since it’s 3.5 hours away from the city and is not easy to get to.
So, I would only visit Paradise Valley if you’re planning to spend a few days in Agadir since it is well-located near this city.
Just book a day trip with your hotel in Agadir and get shuttled to the parking lot. Once here, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the gorge where you can swim and eat food/grab drinks at a cafe along the river.
It’s pretty but is a much better/easier day trip from Agadir than Essaouira. It’s also a popular spot with locals. So, do your research and try not to visit during a local holiday or on the weekend since it’ll be crowded.
Just know that the water is much prettier (i.e. not brown) earlier in the season. So, try and go before the middle of the summer since the water (as you can see) looked poo brown.
It also wasn’t very deep so swimming wasn’t super fun. Finally, unless you have a car, a group tour is really the most affordable way to visit. The tour will take about a half-day and you will have more than enough time to see Paradise Valley.
Additionally, some of the roads to Paradise Valley are pretty narrow and curvy. So, I was really glad we just booked a tour.
10. Taghazout
Taghazout is a world-famous beach town and is located about 2.5 hours away from Essaouira. However, there is no direct bus service available from Essaouira to Taghazout.
You could take a bus to Agadir and then use a local taxi to take you to Taghazout. You could also check the Souk to Surf website and book a shuttle there since they do offer a direct service to Taghazout.
Departures are currently at 9:30 am (arrival 12:45 pm) and 2:40 pm (arrival 6:00 pm). Tickets are 180 Dirhams each way and the bus back to Essaouira leaves at 4:30 pm (arrival at 7:40 pm).
So, yeah, you could easily do a day trip to Taghazout from essaouira using this shuttle service.
In general, Taghazout is a super cute and very popular place where everything revolves around the beach.
So, this is only a good day trip from Essaouira if you want to swim, relax on the beach, do some surfing, or just chill and enjoy the atmosphere.
There’s also a relaxed, hippie vibe about this place that makes you want to sleep til noon and become a beach bum. However, the beach isn’t huge and the wind isn’t as strong as it is in Essaouira.
So, given the limited number of things to do, you could easily enjoy all Taghazout has to offer in a day.
11. Les Jardins de Villa Maroc
I love getting a day pass to the pool at Les Jardins de Villa Maroc for a couple of reasons.
First of all, they have a free shuttle service that departs from Villa Maroc (in the Medina and one of the oldest riads in Essaouira) to the hotel at 11:00 am.
FYI, when I went the shuttle didn’t actually depart until 11:20 am. It was a bit annoying but that’s okay.
It then returns to the Medina again at 5:00 pm. The journey is also pretty short and only takes around 20 minutes.
Secondly, the day pass costs just 320 Dirhams ($32.00) per person and includes a delicious barbeque buffet lunch at 1:30 pm as well as access to a pool heated to 28°C (82°F).
When I want the pool was nice and big. It definitely didn’t feel heated though and the pool was filled with bugs. So, they really should have cleaned the pool before we arrived.
However, the food is great, the pool is refreshing, the property is gorgeous, and the staff is lovely. Plus, you get access to a day bed and as many towels as you like.
So, if you want to spend the day lounging by the pool with your kids in Essaouira then this is one of the best day trips from Essaouira for you.
Just be sure to email them in advance and make a reservation since a limited number of day passes are available daily.
You can also pay with credit cards and just pay for the experience at the end of the day, along with any drinks you order.
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12. Hôtel Domaine de L’Arganeraie
Hôtel Domaine de L’Arganeraie is another great option if you want to spend the day chilling by the pool.
It’s perfect for anyone on a budget since day passes start at just 100 Dirhams ($10.00) per person. However, you’ll need to pay for a transfer at the time of booking which costs 100 Dirhams ($10.00) per vehicle.
On the plus side, it will take you just 20 minutes to get here and you’ll love that the pool is a bit bigger than the one at Villa Maroc.
It is also heated to between 25°C and 26°C and is surrounded by ancient argan trees, beautiful gardens, and swaying palm trees.
So, spend the day sitting on a lounge chair, beneath a big umbrella, as you relax by their exquisite outdoor pool.
You’ll also have more time to use the pool since day passes are available from 11:00 am to 6:30 pm. Lunch is also great for families since the menu features pizzas, burgers, tajines, and more.
13. Imsouane
One incredible day trip from Essaouira that many people forget about is a trip to Imsouane. It’s a charming little surf town about two hours south of Essaouira.
It’s the perfect place to relax by the beach or enjoy some longboarding. If you’re a more advanced surfer looking for bigger waves, you’ll find them here too.
Head to Magic Bay if you’re a beginner or vistThe Cathedrals if you like a bit of a challenge.
While the once-iconic (but technically illegal) beach huts have been removed, Imsouane remains a fantastic destination for anyone looking for a laid-back beach town where they can camp along the shore.
To visit, book a direct bus from Essaouira to Imsouane via Souk to Surf. They offer two daily departures: one at 9:30 am (arriving at 11:20 am) and another at 2:40 pm (arriving at 4:20 pm).
Tickets cost 120 Dirhams each way, and the return bus leaves at 6:00 pm, giving you plenty of time to soak in the atmosphere. Just be sure to double check exact times before you visit since they can change.
Other fun local activities include stunning walks along Magic Bay, sandboarding at the Timlalin Dunes near Tamri, and indulging in delicious French crepes. They are literally everywhere and absolutely delish.
14. Tafedna
Fun fact, my partner’s mom is actually from Tafedna which is a small coastal village about an hour and a half south of Essaouira.
It’s a super small village where you can enjoy the beach, go surfing, and get a taste for local Moroccan life.
Yeah, this place is not nearly as touristy as Essaouira, Taghazout, and Imsouane. So, you can get a good feel for Moroccan life here without the crowds.
While this place is absolutely stunning, there isn’t a ton to do. So, espect a super relaxed visit as you watch where Argan trees come up against the rugged coast of the Atlantic.
You can also walk along the long stretch of beach here and try your hand at surfing. Just be sure to rent a car to visit since this town isn’t super easy to get to.
15. Go Sandboarding at the Tissa Dunes
Want to do a bit of sandboarding but don’t have time to go all the way to the Sahara? If so, then check out the Tissa Dunes.
These epic dunes are only about a 30-minute drive away from Essaouira and can easily be visited via a day tour with Essaouira Sandboarding.
This company is well-reviewed and offers 2-hour excursions to these awesome dunes twice a day that start at €45.00 per person.
It’s a great option if you want to visit since you’ll get all the gear you need, a lesson on how to sandboard safely, transportation to/from the site, and some nice Moroccan-inspired refreshments.
I have been sandboarding a TON and it is a lot of fun. My balance sucks though so I always end up falling all over the place.
However, I do think the Tissa Dunes are a great place to try this sport since there are a mix of challenging dunes and gentler slopes for beginners.
Just be sure to wear comfy clothes and be prepared to have sand creep into every crevice imaginable. Yup. I was finding sand in the shower days after sandboarding.
Finally, this trip can sometimes be canceled due to high winds. So, consider booking it at the start of your trip. This way, if it does get cancelled then you have time to rebook.
Map of the Best Day Trips from Essaouira
That wraps up this guide to the best day trips from Essaouira. Did your fave place make the list? If not then let me know.
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