9 Best Things to Do in Essaouira at Night

I’ll be the first one to admit that Essaouira is not exactly the party capital of Morocco. However, I have a long list of the best things to do in Essaouira at night, even if you’re not into partying until 4:00 am.

Whether you want to take a quiet walk on the beach or listen to some live jazz music in a low-key bar, there are fun things to do in Essaouira in the evening that will 100% keep you entertained.

Full disclosure? Some nightlife spots in Essaouira are better than others. So, in this post, I am going to give you my honest review and insider tips about where to go in Essaouira at night.

I have lived here since January of 2023. So, I am well aware of some of the best nighttime activities in Essaouira. Yeah, we are always on the hunt for cool new things to do.

Plus, we like a variety of different activities to enjoy. So, no matter what you like to do, this local guide has something to offer you.

Now, let’s swan dive into this bad boy of a post since you’re a busy human who has lots of things to do…like planning an epic trip to Essaouira.

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1. Taros

Part bar, part restaurant, part club, and part epic rooftop, Taros is the place to go if you’re looking for epic nightlife in Essaouira.

It’s basically THE go-to spot for expats, locals, and tourists who want to party like a rockstar until 2:00 am. The party usually kicks off in the evening with music from live DJs and is most vibrant on the weekends.

You absolutely can visit during the day but it’s usually pretty dead. Yeah, people don’t start showing up until 5:00 pm so that they can grab a table and watch the sunset.

Personally, I would skip the food and just order a drink since I have eaten here and I thought the service and food both kind of sucked. Yeah, the guy who served us was kind of rude and staring at my Moroccan partner.

You also will have to pass a bouncer that stands at the entrance to the stairs before you make your way to the top.

But, everyone is welcome, even kids. I think they just try to ensure that people don’t bring their own food and drinks into the bar,

This bar in Essaouira is also easy to find since it’s located near Rue Skala, right off of Place Moulay Hassan.

Just be prepared to spend some money on drinks since they can be pricey. I mean, you’ll pay at least 45 Dirhams ($4.50) for a Casablanca beer.

As you probably already guessed, I think this place is a bit overrated. However, if you are looking for a nightclub and want to party the night away then this is a great place to go.

Local Tip: Another place you can go if you like nightclubs is So Lounge Mogador. It’s right next door to the Sofitel Hotel in Diabat and features a wide array of shows that start at 11:00 pm.

The party then usually continues until 4:00 am and it’s a great place to unwind after coworking in Essaouira.

2. Walk Along the Beach and Watch the Sunset

No 1 day in Essaouira itinerary would be complete without a trip to the beach. While there are a couple of beaches in Essaouira, most people chill on the main beach and walk along the 2-kilometer promenade here.

So, feel free to go for a stroll and watch the sunset from the wall along the beach promenade. If you want, grab a drink (and a meal) at Beach and Friends or Ocean Vagabond after visiting one of the most beautiful beaches in Morocco.

Both restaurants in Essaouira are great if you’re looking to chill with a drink as you look out at the beach and watch the horses and camels walk by.

Beach and Friends has great tapas but does have more of a club vibe in the evening with strobe lights and loud music and dancing.

Alternatively, you could go for a sunset camel ride/horseback ride in Essaouira since many people hawk these services here. I would just book a camel ride with Diana Dromedaries instead since I find their services to be more professional.

It’s also worth noting that Essaouira is very safe. So, you should have no problem walking along the beach at night, even if you are alone and want to enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco.

Local Tip: You can also head to the Old Skala and watch the sunset from there. Get there maybe two hours ahead of time so you can grab a seat. Also, they kick people out RIGHT after sunset since the Old Skala closes at sunset.

3. Grab Some Coffee and Pastries at Pumpkin

Full disclosure? Pumpkin is one of my FAVORITE cafes in Essaouira. It’s a small place but they have a bakery upstairs where they bake their pastries fresh daily. Just use their upstairs bathroom and you’ll see what I mean.

We have tried their quiche, brownies, energy balls, Lotus cheesecake, Lotus cream roll, banana bread, lemon cake, and tiramisu and loved it all.

TBH, the quiche is better at atelier but everything else has been exceptional. I also love that this cafe is open until 10:00 pm and that they have non-dairy milk available for any vegans in Essaouira.

So, if you want to chill with some coffee and cake then this is one of the best things to do in Essaouira at night. Just be aware that they do start to run out of things around 5:00 pm.

Typically, we’ll stop by and order from what they have left. Just bring cash since they don’t accept credit cards.

Local Tip: They sell lemon cake and banana bread by the loaf. It is awesome and a loaf costs just 25 Dirhams ($2.50). It makes for a great breakfast in Essaouira if you’re on a budget.

4. Enjoy Dinner and a Show at Salut Maroc

As one of the top hotels in Essaouira, Salut Maroc is known for its vibrant decor, amazing rooftop, and nice restaurant.

If I’m being honest, the food and service here can be hit-and-miss. There have been times when it has been awesome and there have been times when I have been like, “Does anyone work here?”

So, keep that in mind before you stop by. The last time I was here I ordered goat cheese croquettes and the Rose Blush (Prosecco, rose water, and rose syrup) cocktail.

Both were pretty good and the rooftop is a really lovely place to hang out in the evening. The real draw here are the nighly performances that are held from Friday through Sunday.

These shows are performed by Amin Kamal and the Prophets and showcase a unique fusion of Gnawa and Magrebi music. It’s a pretty cool cultural experience if you haven’t listened to this type of music before.

5. Enjoy Some Live Jazz Music at Restaurant D’Jazy

Located just outside the Medina, Restaurant D’Jazy is a super cool place to hang out in Essaouira in the evening.

First of all, there is a very chill vibe about this place. So, if you are not into nightclubs and just want to grab some dinner and listen to some jazz music then this is one of the best things to do in Essaouira at night.

We come here semi-regularly and the musicians and singers are amazing. Seriously, I come from NYC, grew up attending Broadway shows, and the talent here still impresses me.

Ben is also an amazing person. He owns the place and always wants to make sure everyone has a good time and is well taken care of.

Plus, the food and drinks are actually good. I had the swordfish and a mojito and both were great. I also love that cocktails cost just 100 Dirhams ($10.00) each. So, I highly recommend coming here for a fun, chill night out.

However, if you want to stay out late then you’ll be delighted to know that this bar stays open until 1:00 am.

6. Grab Dinner at Caravane Cafe

This is one of my favorite places to have dinner in Essaouira. Not only is the food great, but dishes are reasonably priced at around 70 Dirhams ($7.00) each.

When I stop by I usually get the lamb shank and Camembert nuggets since both are DELISH. Plus, the decor here is epic and unlike anything you’ve seen.

That’s mainly because French artist Didier Spindler initially purchased this riad to showcase his unique brand of art.

However, it quickly transformed into a fun and funky restaurant with vibrant walls, old-school furniture, portraits of shahs, and more.

But, the best part? When you stop by you’ll enjoy a complimentary rum punch and see magicians, fire breathers, and acrobats walking around the dining.

So, stop by if you’re looking for great food and a truly unique dining experience in Essaouira. Some of the performers are seriously awesome and are super fun to watch while you’re eating dinner.

7. Hang Out on the Roof at KSOU Cafe and Restaurant

KSOU is relatively new but I love this rooftop in Essaouira since the views are stunning. You can see the ocean from the roof and they have lots of seating on the floor. So, this spot has a more traditional vibe.

The rooftop also has this Berber atmosphere since there is a section with tents, Berber carpets, low seating. and tradtional Moroccan tables. It made me feel like I was hanging out at an Agafay Desert camp.

Additionally, they feature fire shows and lots of special events in the evening that are good fun. They actually have a stage on the roof where you can listen to authentic Gnawa music. Typically the live music starts around 5:30 pm.

Typically though, I stop by for brunch in Essaouira since their breakfast is good and is served until like 1:00 pm.

But, I can vouch for the quality of the food here. I also thought the staff was nice even if the service was a bit slow. They also got bonus points from me because they accept credit cards.

Local Tip: Hostel La Smala also has a great rooftop where you can watch the sunset. It’s right in the middle of the Medina and is one of the best hostels in Essaouira.

8. Sign Up for an Evening Cooking Class

⭐️ Rating: 5.0/5.0 (60 Reviews) Price: $39.00 per person Duration: 4 hours 📍Meeting Point: Parking Bab Marrakech Operator: Cooking With Chef FATIMA Details: Read more on Viator Now!

Some of the best cooking classes in Essaouira are held during dinner. Therefore, you could sign up for an amazing cooking class and enjoy one of the best things to do in Essaouira at night.

In particular, I love this cooking class with Fatima since you’ll meet her right at Bab Marrakech. It’s also a PRIVATE class.

So, you’ll get lots of personal attention and be able to get to know Fatima on a more personal level. You’ll also go shopping in Essaouira at local market for fresh ingredients.

In fact, the food is so fresh that you’ll get to see fresh herbs ground up right in front of you.

“We met Fatima in front of Bab Marrakech and we found her right away. After a little grocery shopping on the local market, Fatima invited us to her home. Here we started the cooking. She explained a lot us, where the ingredients coke from what to use and how. She offered us tea and cookies while we waited for the Tajine to do it’s job on the oven. The tajine we made where delicious and Fatima very kind and welcoming! We would definitely recommend this experience :)”

Laurence (read more reviews now)

But, my fave part? You’ll eat lots of delicious food since your menu includes Harira (chickpea soup), mint tea, tajine (chicken, fish, vegetarian, beef, or lamb), couscous, Seffa, and Batbout (round Moroccan bread).

However, the food on offer does change based on you and whether you choose couscous, tajine, or seffa as your entree.

Now, once you finish shopping, walk back to Fatima’s house and enjoy a warm welcome, complete with mint tea, as you cook and learn exactly how she uses her grandmother’s recipes to create next-level delicious food.

Local Tip: There is a 2:30 pm class that will last until around 6:30 pm. Just book in advance to secure your time slot. This class is also lass about hardcore cooking and more about getting to know Fatima.

9. So Lounge Mogador

I love Diabat and think you should 100% visit. It’s beautiful and makes for an easy day trip from Essaouira.

Believe it or not, you can actually walk to this tiny town, a fact that makes this one of the best free things to do in Essaouira.

I probably wouldn’t walk at night though if you want to head to Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa hotel and. rock out at So Lounge Mogador.

It’s a pretty rad nightclub that sits next door to the hotel and that opens its doors at 11:00 pm. It’s a great place to dance the night away and watch a variety of musical performances that don’t wind down until 4:00 am.

You also don’t have to worry about being quiet since hotel guests are in a completely separate building.

Just park out front and prepare to spend between 150 and 200 Dirhams ($15 and $20) on tickets for most shows. Then, head inside to grab drinks and enjoy the fun party vibes this spot has to offer.

Map of the Best Things to do in Essaouira at Night

That wraps up this epic guide and I hope you now know where to go in Essaouira at night. Did your fave Essaouira activities at night make the list? If not then let me know.

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