Is Essaouira Worth Visiting? 13 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Now!

Is Essaouira worth visiting? Yup, I asked myself that very question the first time I was in Marrakech. 

I was on a tight schedule and had never been to Morocco before. So, I wasn’t sure if I should actually go to Essaouira, do a day trip there, or skip it all together. Or, was Agaidr better than Essaouira and should I go there instead? I didn’t know!

Well, when I went to the front desk of my hotel I was quickly reassured that Essaouira was worth visiting and that I should spend as much time there as possible. 

I am so glad I did because that is how I met my partner and how I ended up moving to this beautiful city. 

It quietly sits on the coast and offers a welcome respite from the heat and chaos of nearby Marrakech. 

But, let’s dig a little deeper and find out why you should visit Essaouira. Because this sleepy beach town with the blue and white Medina is way cooler than you could ever imagine. 

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1. It’s Very Safe

While Marrakech is safe, I definitely wouldn’t feel comfortable walking around all alone at 12:00 am. 

However, Essaouira is totally different. It’s a pretty quiet town and i have been out at midnight and have had absolutely no issues. 

I also love that unlike in Marrakech, the vendors in the Medina are not super pushy and just let you do your own thing. 

So, if you’re a solo traveler and you’re worried about safety then be sure to visit Essaouira. Life here is just a little bit slower and people are just a little bit friendlier. 

As a result, you’ll have no problem chatting with locals and making friends while you’re here. 

I mean, like with any city there are definitely not nice people here. But, just take the normal precautions and beware of pickpockets around the bus station and you should be just fine since Essaouira is very safe.

2. It’s Very Easy to Get to

One of the best things about visiting Essaouira is that it is extremely easy to get to. 

In fact, you have direct bus services available via CTM and Supratours from Agadir and Marrakech (you could also travel via a private transfer or a shared grand taxi)/ 

Both bus trips take around 3 hours and are super easy. You just show up at the bus station and go. Additionally, you can also get to Essaouira from Casablanca via a 6-hour bus ride from Casablanca with CTM. 

So, if you are traveling to any of those cities then definitely add at least a day trip in Essaouira to your Morocco itinerary. 

Additionally, Essaouira actually has its very own international airport. So, it is extremely well-connected to many cities in Europe. 

Flight options include flights weekly from Paris Orly via Transavia France, two flights weekly flights from London Stansted via Ryanair, two flights weekly from Brussels South Charleroi via Ryanair, a bi-weekly flight from Marseille Provence via Ryanair, as well as new flights from Gran Canaria and Madrid. 

3. It’s a Very Chill City

One of the reasons why you should visit Essaouira is that it is so dang relaxing! I live here and never get up before 10:00 am or 11:00 am because that is just the vibe of this place. 

You sleep in, take a stroll through the Medina, relax by the beach, eat delicious seafood, and just relax the day away. 

Granted, there aren’t a TON of things to do in Essaouira (not like in Marrakech), but that’s kind of the point. You don’t have to stress out and run around seeing 10,000 things in a single day. 

You could just put on your bathing suit and chill by the beach. It’s a simple life and that’s why I love living here. 

You can also walk around the Medina without worrying about getting run over by a motorbike and don’t have to haggle with taxi drivers since there is a set fare. 

4. You Won’t Get Lost in the Medina

Unlike Marrakech, the Medina in Essaouira is small and very well laid out. It’s basically like a giant grid that is surrounded by city walls and massive gates into the city. 

So, you definitely won’t have to worry about getting lost or getting scammed by locals offering you directions. 

But, even if you do get lost you’ll definitely be able to find your way out of the Medina again. 

The way the Medina works in Essaouira is that there are two central streets, Av. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah and Av. de l’Istiqla. 

They lead into Av. Mohamed Zerktouni at Bab Doukalla.  Additionally, Rue Mohamed El Qorry will take you out of the Medina at Bab Marrakech.

Now, Av. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah is where you’ll find lots of Essaouira souvenir shops, restaurants, fruit, veggies, meat, and fish. 

You’ll also discover lots of little alleys to explore that branch off this main road and that eventually bring you to the walls of the city. 

Plus, you won’t have to worry (usually) about getting run over by a rogue motorbike since the Medina is very pedestrianized.  

5. You Have Lots of Restaurants to Choose From

Essaouira is a popular tourist destination with plenty of places for you to eat. 

While you definitely won’t find the range of international cuisine that is available in Marrakech (you have Italian and Asian and that is kind of it), you have a ton of places to eat in Essaouira.

Seafood is the local specialty and you can go to a local seafood restaurant or pick up some fresh fish at the port then someone will then cook for you at a local eatery. 

Typically, my partner and I like to eat outside of the Medina since it’s way cheaper and a lot less expensive, but there are still a lot of great places to eat in the Medina too. 

I mean, you can’t beat a crepe from Marrakech Crepes in Moulay Hassan Square. Honestly, the whole square has an almost European flare to it. 

Other fun restaurants to try include Restaurant les remparts, Chaabi Chic, Beach and Friends, Fish Burger, Asian Red Food, and more! You can also get the best coffee in Essaouira at places like Sisterhood Coffee.

6. Great Weather

Be forewarned that the weather in Essaouira is NOT like the weather in Marrakech. So, you definitely won’t sweat to death while walking around the Medina. 

Instead, you’ll probably have to worry about NOT blowing away since the breeze is really intense, hence the reason why surfing and kite surfing is so popular here. 

I personally love the weather in Essaouira since it is a lot more temperate. Typically, temperatures rarely go above 25°C (77°F) and that’s only in the summer when it’s really warm. 

So, you honestly won’t even need AC in your room. But, definitely make sure your room has a heater in the winter since mine didn’t and I got really chilly the first time I was here. 

It’s also fairly dry. Yes, it does rain. But, it’s not all that frequent and generally doesn’t last that long. Generally, the city has around 300 days of sunshine per year. 

Just know that it does get cold in the winter with highs of around 19°C (66°F). So, if you visit in the winter make sure your hotel room has heat! 

It’s also pretty rainy from December through February. But, it’s typically not heavy rain and only rains a few days per month.

7. Tons of Things to Do

I’m gonna be real with you. Yes, there are A LOT of things to do in Essaouira. 

But, it is not one of those places where you’ll be busy from morning to night and completely run out of things to do.

It’s really the type of place where you go to have a chill beach holiday. However, you definitely can find a ton of things to do if you look.

Popular outdoor activities include horseback riding, camel riding, surfing, kite surfing, windsurfing, and quad biking in Essaouira.

You could also just walk around the Medina, try an Essaouira cooking class, or relax in a hammam since they tend to be cheaper than the ones in Marrakech. 

8. You’re Right By the Beach

I love walking along the 2-kilometer-long main promenade along the beach in Essaouira and watching the sunset. 

It just fills me with peace and there is something so soothing about listening to the waves crash onto the shore. 

However, if you want to do more than just look at the water, you could go surfing, kite surfing, or swimming. 

Just know that the waves are not huge. So, I would only suggest surfing here if you are a beginner. 

The water is also cold. Like, too cold for me to really swim. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of people do swim but I get cold really easily. 

So, if I were you I would definitely wear a wetsuit before hitting the waves. 

It’s also worth noting that it is VERY windy. Like, you feel like you are in a sand storm and you can’t open your eyes windy. 

Therefore, you probably won’t want to sit on the beach all day since you’ll get tons of sand in your face. 

However, the beach is sandy, pretty clean, has a nice little playground, and shallow water that is great for kids to play in. 

It does get packed with people though. Therefore, don’t expect to have this place all to yourself. But, if you want to avoid the crowds then go to Safi Beach since it is devoid of people. 

That being said, there are no facilities here. So, you’ll need to bring food, water, clothes, and anything else you might need for the day. 

9. You Can Do Lots of Cool Day Trips

If you’re planning to spend an extended period of time here then one of the best reasons to visit Essaouira is that you have a ton of cool day trips to choose from. 

You could do some wine tasting at Val d’ Argan, check out a local market at Had Draa/Ida Ougourd, and visit the ‘Castle in the sand’ in Diabat. 

I personally love going to Sidi Kaouki. It’s only about a 30-minute taxi ride from Essaouira (you can also take the bus) and is absolutely stunning. 

We went quad biking here and it was absolutely stunning. It’s a lot quieter than Essaouira and is just breathtaking. 

There is also a great coffee shop/restaurant where you can sit on the roof and look out at the waves all around you. 

Just know that if you visit, the bus stops running pretty early – like around 7:00 pm/8:00 pm. It’s also hard to get a taxi since you are a bit far away from Essaouira. So, plan accordingly. 

10. It’s Super Affordable

Is Essaouira worth visiting? Absolutely, if you like saving money. I mean, the very first thing I noticed when coming from Marrakech is how affordable everything was. 

I mean, a nice meal in the Medina will probably cost you 100 Dirham ($10.00) per person at most. 

You can also stay at an Essaouira hotel in the Medina for as little as $18.00 per night. Granted, it wasn’t luxurious. But, I got a private room and breakfast was included. And if you want to stay in a hostel in Essaouira then you will spend even less.

Yeah, my bed inside a dorm in Marrakech was like $25.00 per night and did not include breakfast. 

Additionally, souvenirs are a lot cheaper too and of good quality. I bought a giant scarf for 100 Dirhams ($10.00) and everyone wanted to buy it from me! 

The same thing in Marrakech wouldn’t have been as nice and would have cost me a lot more. 

I also went to the hammam in Essaouira and it was better than the one in Marrakech and about half the price. 

11. Lots of Great Hotels and Riads to Choose From

Another reason why you should visit Essaouira is that there are a ton of great places to stay. No matter your budget, you can find the perfect hotel for you. 

I stayed at Riad Etoile and enjoyed my stay. It was well-located in the Medina, well-priced, and included a small daily breakfast. 

Rooms were simple and it was kind of like a step up from a hostel. The only thing I didn’t like was that they closed the front door at midnight. So, you needed to be back by then. 

Otherwise it was a lovely place to stay. However, if you are on a budget I have also heard great things about Essaouira Beach Hostel if you wanna be by the beach and don’t mind staying outside the Medina. 

Other great places to stay include Mama Lova Essaouira (a really nice boutique hotel), Heure Bleue Palais, and Riad Dar L’Qdima. 

12. You Get to Enjoy Lots of Epic Ocean-Front Sunsets

Because of its location in the west, Essaouira is known for its amazing oceanside sunsets. I love watching them at the beach or from the Old Scala in the Medina. 

I also love that you don’t have to get up early to watch the sky turn vibrant shades of pink, orange, and purple. 

Just be sure to know when sunset is and where you want to go since popular sunset spots (like the Old Scala) can fill up quickly. 

However, you could also head to a local rooftop to watch the sunset. The Hungry Nomad is one of my fave places to do this since they have lovely drinks and the food is amazing. 

Other than that, just sit back, watch the seagulls fly by, and listen to the call to prayer echo in the background. 

13. The City Hosts Some Cool Events

Essaouira hosts some pretty cool annual events. One of the most famous is the Gnaoua World Music Festival. 

It is typically held over four days at the end of June and is a festival for mainly Gnawa music artists. 

It was founded in 1998 and currently attracts about 500,000 people who want to listen to this unique form of music. 

If you want to visit the city at this time of year, book your hotel room months in advance since this event is super popular and rooms fill up fast, 

Otherwise, just enjoy the music since many performances are free and occur right on the beach. However, they are a few premiere musical performances that you can pay to attend. 

Is Essaouira Worth Visiting FAQs

How Long Should I Spend in Essaouira?

Two days in Essaouira is enough time to explore the city and see many of the major landmarks. You won’t feel rushed and will have enough time to get a feel for the city. However, use my guide to find out how many days to spend in Essaouira.

Which is Better Agadir or Essaouira?

Essaouira is much smaller than Agadir. So, if you are looking for a quiet place where you can relax then visit Essaouira. 

However, if you want to be in a vibrant city that has lots of things to do then visit Agadir. 

Is Essaouira Beautiful?

Essaouira is absolutely stunning! It sits along the coast about 200 km west of Marrakech.

It is home to incredible beaches and a charming port area that easily makes it one of the most popular cities in Morocco. 

What is the Best Month to Visit Essaouira?

The best months to visit Essaouira are September and October. At this time of year, the summer crowds are gone, the wind has died down, and the days are still warm and long. 

Is Essaouira worth visiting? I hope you now realize that the answer to that question is an emphatic yes!

I also hope you enjoyed reading these 13 reasons why you should visit Essaouira. 

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