Things to Do in Essaouira
11 places, each on the map with the hour it is at its best. Pick yours and we plan the day.
Places to visit in Essaouira
Essaouira medinaالمدينة العتيقة للصويرة
Skala de la Ville
Skala du Portسقالة الميناء
Essaouira fishing portميناء الصويرة
Place Moulay Hassan
Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museumمتحف سيدي محمد بن عبدالله
Bayt Dakiraبيت الذاكرة
Slat Lkahal Synagogueكنيس صلاة القهال
Mogador Islandجزيرة موغادور
Essaouira beach
Private day in Essaouira with a driver and guide
Tell us the places and the date. A fixed written quote comes back within 24 hours.
Details
About each place in Essaouira
4 of 11 places have a photo of the place itself so far. The others show none rather than a stand-in.
- Essaouira medina
Quarter, 3 h, best morning or late afternoon
The walled old town of Essaouira, once called Mogador, founded in the 18th century by Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah and listed by UNESCO in 2001. Thuya-wood workshops, galleries and spice stalls fill its lanes.
Near: Slat Lkahal Synagogue (170 m), Bayt Dakira (240 m), Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum (250 m). On our trip Essaouira Coast Day Trip. On our trip Essaouira Day Trip from Agadir. Essaouira medina on Wikipedia Back to Essaouira list
- Skala de la Ville
Bastion, 30 min, best sunset or late afternoon
The sea bastion along the north-west side of the medina, a long gun platform with its old cannons still pointing at the Atlantic. Woodworkers keep their workshops in the vaults beneath it.
Near: Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum (100 m), Bayt Dakira (150 m), Place Moulay Hassan (280 m). On our trip Essaouira Coast Day Trip. On our trip Essaouira Day Trip from Agadir. Back to Essaouira list
- Skala du Port
Bastion, 30 min, best late afternoon or sunset
An 18th-century artillery platform inside the port and one of the main fortifications of the town. From the top you look down on the blue fishing boats and back along the ramparts.
Near: Essaouira fishing port (110 m), Place Moulay Hassan (300 m), Bayt Dakira (500 m). On our trip Essaouira Coast Day Trip. On our trip Essaouira Day Trip from Agadir. Skala du Port on Wikipedia Back to Essaouira list
- Essaouira fishing port
Port, 1 h, best morning or midday
An 18th-century fishing port that still works, one of the 14 main fishing ports of Morocco. Come when the boats unload, and eat the catch grilled at the stalls by the harbour.
Near: Skala du Port (110 m), Place Moulay Hassan (370 m). On our trip Essaouira Coast Day Trip. On our trip Essaouira Day Trip from Agadir. Essaouira fishing port on Wikipedia Back to Essaouira list
- Place Moulay Hassan
Square, 30 min, best morning or late afternoon
The open square between the medina and the port, lined with café terraces.
Near: Bayt Dakira (210 m), Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum (240 m), Skala de la Ville (280 m). Back to Essaouira list
- Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum
Museum, 45 min, best midday or afternoon
The town's history museum, named after its founder, in a 19th-century mansion on Rue Laâlouj. Pottery, coins, jewellery and carpets tell Essaouira's story.
Near: Bayt Dakira (60 m), Skala de la Ville (100 m), Place Moulay Hassan (240 m). Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum on Wikipedia Back to Essaouira list
- Bayt Dakira
Museum, 45 min, best morning or afternoon
The House of Memory, a museum of Essaouira's Jewish community in the medina, told through rare objects, texts and photographs. It takes in the Simon Attias Synagogue, built in 1882.
Near: Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum (60 m), Skala de la Ville (150 m), Place Moulay Hassan (210 m). Bayt Dakira on Wikipedia Back to Essaouira list
- Slat Lkahal Synagogue
Synagogue, 20 min, best morning or afternoon
The Synagogue of the Community in the Mellah, inaugurated in 1859 and paid for with alms its members collected. Paul Bowles recorded its cantors here in 1959.
Near: Essaouira medina (170 m), Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum (380 m), Bayt Dakira (390 m). Slat Lkahal Synagogue on Wikipedia Back to Essaouira list
- Mogador Island
Island, 15 min, best late afternoon or sunset
The main island of the Îles Purpuraires, about 3 km long and 1.5 km off the town.
You see it from the ramparts and the beach; it is a protected reserve, not a place to land.
- Essaouira beach
Beach, 2 h, best morning or late afternoon
The long sandy bay south of the medina, running towards Diabat. The steady wind makes it a kite- and windsurfing beach more than a swimming one.
On our trip 2-Day Essaouira Trip from Marrakech. Back to Essaouira list
- Diabat
Village, 1 h, best morning or late afternoon
A village at the southern end of Essaouira's bay. Beach rides on horse or camel from town head this way.
On our trip 2-Day Essaouira Trip from Marrakech. Back to Essaouira list
Questions about visiting Essaouira
- How many days do you need in Essaouira?
- Two days is enough to explore the medina, ramparts and port and enjoy the beach. Stay three or more if you want to windsurf, take day trips to Sidi Kaouki or visit argan co-operatives.
- When is the best time to visit Essaouira?
- Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer warm, pleasant weather. Wind lovers favour the strong summer trade winds, while June brings the famous Gnaoua World Music Festival.
- Is Essaouira good for a beach holiday?
- Essaouira's beach is superb for walking, windsurfing, kitesurfing and horse or camel rides, but the steady wind and cool Atlantic make it better for watersports than for sunbathing or calm swimming.
More on Essaouira: the Essaouira city guide.
More things to do in Morocco: Things to Do in Marrakech, Things to Do in Fes, Things to Do in Chefchaouen, Things to Do in Ouarzazate, Things to Do in Merzouga, Things to Do in Tangier, Things to Do in Rabat, Things to Do in Meknes. All cities.