Is Essaouira Safe to Visit? Find Out the Truth from a Local Now!

I feel like, “Is Essaouira safe to visit?” is a great question. I know whenever I travel to a new place the first thing I want to know is whether or not my final destination is safe, especially as a solo female traveler.

Well, the good news is that Essouira is VERY safe. In fact, it is much safer than Marrakech since the Medina is a lot less busy and a lot less packed with people. So, you won’t have as much of a problem with pickpockets here.

However, I personally think Marrakech is safe and have never had an issue there, even as a solo female traveler in Marrakech. Well, the same goes for Essaouira.

Yes, you should take normal precautions and always keep an eye on valuables.

But, the city is safe to the point that a lot of people don’t lock their doors. Violent crime is also almost unheard of and I feel totally safe walking along the streets, or down the beach promenade, alone at night.

I have also never had an issue with pickpockets and don’t even have to worry about taxi drivers scamming me since the set fee for a cab within the city is 8 Dirhams ($0.80).

I have lived here since January 2023 and the WORST thing that happened to me was that I got hit on by some local guys and that a vendor in the Medina overcharged me for bread.

Other than that, I have had no issues and feel 110% safe living here, even when my partner isn’t with me. However, I’m still going to give you tips on how to stay safe in Essaouira and tell you what to watch out for as you explore the city.

This way, you can put your mind at ease and enjoy a totally strees free trip to Essaouira.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Is Essaouira Safe to Visit? The Short Answer.

Yes, Essaouira is safe to visit and you should have absolutely no problems enjoying the best activities in Essaouira if you use common sense and take normal precautions during your one day in Essaouira.

In fact, an incredible level of safety is one of the many reasons why Essaouira is worth visiting. At any rate, I definitely can’t guarantee something bad won’t happen to you.

I mean, there are bad people everywhere and you could be unlucky and run into one. Additionally, “safety” is very relative term. So, what one person thinks is safe might terrify another person.

Therefore, what I think is safe might make you uncomfortable. That’s just how it goes. But, I think a lot of people hear “horror stories” about Morocco and think it is unsafe and everyone is out to get them.

That could not be further from the truth. I have solo traveled Marrakech and most of Morocco and have never had an issue.

Yes, I encountered a stupid amount of cat-calling in places like Fes, but that pretty much stopped once I made it clear I was not interested and once I knew what to wear in Essaouira.

Plus, when I said “no” guys generally left me alone in Marrakech or Essaouira or wherever I was.

Anyway, the short answer is that I live in Essaouira and Morocco. There are also a TON of foreigners living and traveling here. So, if Morocco and Essaouira was unsafe then these people would not be here.

I know I definitely wouldn’t live in Essaouira if I felt uncomfortable walking down the street alone in Essaouira at night.

But, to help you feel extra safe, here are some tips that you can use if you want to know how to stay safe in Essaouira, especially if you plan on drinking alcohol in Essaouira.

Local Tip: I get questions about safety in Essaouira and Morocco ALL THE TIME. If you are concerned please message me and let you know if Morocco is safe for women and men.

I live here and will be happy to answer any questions you have. Just don’t listen to the horror stories and try to visit with an open mind. You can visit some of the best bars in Essaouira, enjoy the Essaouira nightlife scene, and have an epic time.

I mean, I got my wallet stolen in Barcelona, followed down the street at night in Paris by two men, and chased down the road in Athens with some woman spitting and cursing at me (FYI I didn’t even talk to this woman. I was just walking).

All these times I think I was unlucky and would never say these cities are unsafe and don’t visit. Also, when you hear these stories you have no context. You only hear one side of the story and don’t get a full understanding of the situation.

FYI, my partner is also Moroccan and I love his Moroccan family who have been nothing but ridiculously kind to me.

Yes, I am biased but I think most people who visit will be amazed by the generosity and warmth of the Moroccan people. Okay, TED Talk over. Lol.

Essaouira Safety Tips

1. Get Health Insurance Just In Case

Essaouira is very safe and you probably won’t get sick/injured. However, my boyfriend recently got hit by a motorbike and his foot swelled up like a balloon.

Thankfully, he was okay, but it’s a good reminder to ALWAYS have travel insurance. Yes, health care is very affordable in Morocco, to the extent that I paid 200 Dirhams ($20.00) for a doctor’s visit.

But, if something serious happens then you don’t want to go broke paying for hospital bills out of pocket. That’s why I always use Safetywing.

It’s a very comprehensive travel insurance policy and easy to file a claim. So, you’ll be covered if you develop an unexpected illness or injury while you’re in Essaouira.

So, all eligible hospital, doctor, and prescription drug expenses will be paid for in full, by Safety Wing, if you happen to get ill, or injured while visiting Essaouira.

FYI, SafetyWing also offers you comprehensive protection against various emergency, travel-related events like medical evacuation, bedside visits, travel delay, lost luggage, trip interruption, political evacuation, personal liability, etc.

This insurance is also made for digital nomads and by digital nomads. That’s why policies start at as little as $40.00 per month, based on your health and age. So, get a quote today and see why I use, love, and promote Safetywing.

Local Tip: The hospitals in Essaouira are terrible and are really only good for small issues like cuts, broken bones, etc. If you or a loved one has a serious medical issue, PLEASE take them to an international hospital in Marrakech.

The quality of the healthcare there is about 10,000 times better. Trust me. I know this from personal experience since Essaouira is one of the safest places in Morocco, but the healthcare sucks.

2. Avoid the Tap Water

So, I am gonna be real with you. I drink tap water and have absolutely no problem with it. But, I have lived here for a while and my stomach may have just gotten used to it.

Therefore, if you are only spending a few days at a riad in Essaouira, I highly recommend skipping the tap water. Drink either bottled water or filtered water (I use Lifestraw for this) instead and play it safe.

Because if you’re here for a short time then the last thing you want to do is spend your entire trip in the toilet. It’s not fun and ruins the experience.

However, on the whole, the water here is safe to drink. So, if you use it to brush your teeth then don’t freak out. It is treated and you won’t become deathly ill.

3. Don’t Worry About the Taxi Drivers

Essaouira is one of the few places where I will tell you to take taxis and forget about the price. That’s because Essaouira is a very small city.

So, if you take a taxi then it will cost a set price of 8 Dirhams ($0.80) anywhere in the city. No haggling, no need to check the meter. That’s the set price and drivers generally will not scam you.

If you head out of the city to places like Sidi Kaouki and Diabat then the price will be higher. But, anywhere in the city will cost 8 Dirhams.

However, if you’re unsure about the cost of a taxi to the countryside then ask your Essaouira hotel how much the trip should cost before you get a taxi.

4. Beware of the Prices in the Medina

The main issue that I run into as a foreigner in Essaouira is that I get overcharged for things all the time.

An example is that when I first got to the city, I used to go to the local market and buy Amlou (almond/peanut butter butter). A small jar would cost me 40 Dirhams and I just assumed that was the price.

However, once I met my Moroccan partner and told him this, he freaked out and said that way way too much. So, we went back together and were able to get the same Amlou for 25 Dirhams.

He then went back alone and got the SAME Amlou for 15 Dirhams. That’s because when people see me they charge me more. After all, they think I am a rich foreigner.

They do the same to my boyfriend when he is with me because they think he is from a foreign country but of Moroccan descent.

So, always ask someone at your hotel or hostel in Essaouira about the actual cost of something before you go shopping in Essaouira. Don’t be like me and get bread for 10 Dirhams, only to later find out that it should cost 2 or 3 Dirhams.

I would also count your change. It’s not a huge problem but vendors can sometimes give you the wrong change either accidentally or on purpose.

Other than that, just enjoy the Medina since it’s one of the coolest free things to do in Essaouira.

5. Dress a Bit More Conservatively – Especially Women

Another question I get all the time is, “What should I wear in Morocco as a woman?” The general rule is that because you are in a more conservative, Muslim country, you should wear baggy clothes and have your shoulders and knees covered.

So, no short shorts, no low-cut tops, and no crop tops. That being said, Essaouira is a very popular tourist destination. Therefore, plenty of foreigners live in Essaouira and travel here every day.

As a result, Essaouira is a bit more liberal than some cities and you could definitely wear a tank top or a bikini to the beach in Essaouira without any problem.

Locals here see foreigners all the and generally don’t care all that much. I know I have never had any issues when wearing biker shorts to visit my partner’s Moroccan family.

However, I do think long, loose clothes are your best bet for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they protect you from sunburn. Secondly, they keep you cool on sometimes hot days. Thirdly, they will reduce unwanted male attention.

So, while you do not have to go out and buy an entirely new wardrobe, I would definitely dress a bit differently then you might at home.

Local Tip: Essaouira tends to be much windier and cooler than Marrakech. That’s why, you won’t find AC in most hotels and riads in Essaouira.

So, be sure to pack warm sweatshirts and jackets for your trip too since highs rarely go above 25°C (77°F).

6. Solo Female Travelers May Want to Walk Around in a Group

My number one complaint about traveling solo as a woman in Morocco is that I constantly got hit out. It sometimes happens now but is much more infrequent.

I think this is because I have been living in Essaouira for a while and everyone knows that I have a boyfriend. My hair is also much less blonde than it used to be since I haven’t dyed it in a while.

At any rate, I did get a fair amount of unwanted male attention the first time I was in Essaouira. The best way to deal with this is to dress conservatively and to walk around in a group, preferably with a man.

When a man is with you, guys will leave you alone. However, if you are alone then you can always walk around with headphones since this makes the attention easier to ignore.

Generally, though, I never felt unsafe. Usually, if I said “no” or just walked away then guys would leave me alone. I mean, it was annoying but I never felt like anyone was gonna chase me down the street and attack me.

However, if you are worried then you can stay at a hostel, make friends there, and then walk around the city with them. You could also sign up for a walking tour and walk around the city that way before chilling at a hammam in Essaouira.

7. Watch Out for Pickpockets

This is not a huge problem in Essaouira and I have never had an issue with pickpockets. But, this is just a general caution since it can happen.

Watch out for pickpockets in the Medina since these narrow streets can get packed with people in the summer. And huge crowds make it easier for thieves to pick your pockets and remain undetected.

That’s why the best time to visit Essaouira is either spring on fall.

Another place to watch out for pick pockets is at the Main Beach in Essaouira. My boyfriend left his phone on the beach and it got stolen.

So, I would not leave your belongings unattended while you go for a swim in the water. Also, watch out for seagulls since they can poop on you and eat your food. This is all just common sense though and you probably already know this.

8. Always Carry Cash and Be Careful at ATMs

Cash is still very much king in Essaouira, even more so than in Marrakech. So, everywhere you go have cash with you. I know we have been to many cafes in Essaouira and restaurants in Essaouira and many still do not accept cards.

It’s not a big deal. There are many reputable bank ATMs in the Medina and you can easily withdraw cash from them with no problem. Just be careful when withdrawing cash.

Again, this isn’t a huge issue in Essaouira but you don’t want anyone stealing your bank info or trying to steal your cash after you withdraw it.

I would also withdraw as much cash as possible (usually 2000 Dirhams) since foreign transaction fees can cost $5.00 every time you withdraw cash.

9. Be Careful When Drinking Alcohol

You might not know that it is 100% legal to drink alcohol in Morocco. You just need to be drinking in a place that serves alcohol or in a private space.

The problem is when you are drunk/drinking in public since that is very much illegal. Therefore, watch what you drink and only drink in places that are licensed to sell alcohol.

If you are at a hotel or a riad and they do not have a bar, I would ask before you bring alcohol into your room since some locals do not want alcohol in their hotel or riad.

Other things to watch out for are PDA (public displays of affection). In general, PDA is a big no-no. So, no making out in public. You can hug or hold hands but that is about it.

If you are a solo traveler, I would also NOT bring any outsiders back to your hotel with you, especially if they are Moroccan.

Moroccans of the opposite gender are not allowed to spend the night together unless they are married and have a marriage certificate.

This rule is strictly enforced in riads and hotels and I do not suggest breaking it. Don’t freak out though because foreign, unmarried couples can spend the night together with no problem.

This rule just applies when one person in the couple is Moroccan. So, one person would have to have a Moroccan passport for this rule to apply. But, if you have any doubts just contact your hotel before you book your room.

I hope you found this post on “is Essaouira safe to visit” useful. Use these Essaouira safety tips and enjoy an amazing, stress-free trip.

If you enjoyed this post, join our email list and Facebook group for even more awesome Morocco travel advice.

Finally, please consider buying me a coffee. It’s a great way to say “thank you” for all the free content you receive. No amount is too small and anything you can give will be greatly appreciated.