By air
Essaouira (ESU) or Marrakesh (RAK), Marrakesh ~2.5 h
Africa · Morocco
Essaouira, Morocco
A windswept port town of blue boats
Getting there
Best time to visit
April to October — mild on the coast
Don't miss
The Skala de la Ville
The port
The medina
The beach
Things to do
Kitesurfing
Walking the ramparts
The fish market
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Kayaky · CC BY 3.0
What to pack
Windproof layers
A quieter corner
The Diabat village and its dunes
Questions travellers ask
What's the weather like in Essaouira, and when should I go?
It's a windswept port town, mild on the coast from April to October. Bring windproof layers.
What's there to do in Essaouira?
Walk the ramparts, see the Skala de la Ville, explore the medina and the port, and try kitesurfing. The Diabat village and its dunes make a lovely escape.
Where should I eat in Essaouira?
At the port, for grilled sardines; the fish market is worth a look too.
Can I get to Essaouira from Marrakesh?
Yes: Marrakesh (RAK) is about 2.5 hours away, or you can fly straight into Essaouira (ESU).
About Essaouira
- Coastal
Where it is
Essaouira is a walled port town on Morocco's Atlantic coast, in the Marrakesh-Safi region west of Marrakesh, set on a rocky headland facing a cluster of small islands and swept by strong trade winds.
History
Phoenicians and later the Mauretanian king Juba II used the offshore islands, where a purple dye was made from sea snails. Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah rebuilt the town in the 1760s with the help of a French engineer as a royal port for trade with Europe, and as Mogador it flourished with a large Jewish merchant community. Its fortified medina became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
People
Essaouira's people speak Moroccan Arabic and Tashelhit, and the town is home to fishermen, boat builders and craftsmen who carve fragrant thuya wood into boxes and furniture. Argan oil, pressed by women's cooperatives in the surrounding countryside, and Gnawa music are part of its identity.
Known for
- The ramparts of the Skala de la Ville
- The blue fishing boats in the port
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Grilled fish from the harbour stalls
- The Gnaoua World Music Festival
Did you know?
Orson Welles shot scenes for his film Othello on Essaouira's ramparts, and the town later stood in for the city of Astapor in Game of Thrones.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.