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If you need an ambulance or fire brigade in Essaouira, dial 150. If you need the police, dial 190. For other, less urgent numbers, please read on and have your notebook handy.
It’s worthwhile being prepared for your visit to Essaouira in case of an emergency. No one plans for accidents, but having the right information at hand is extremely handy at time-critical emergencies.
It’s also imperative to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and hospitalization while travelling in Morocco, as medical expenses can be costly should the worst happen during your trip.
So please note the following numbers down somewhere handy, or even better, memorise them.
Is Essaouira safe?
Yes, Essaouira feels very safe to visit. Whether you’re a solo female traveller, young family, or retired couple, the relaxed and friendly vibe of locals makes it very safe. Indeed, it’s much more relaxed in Essaouira than in Marrakech, where touts and stall sellers have a reputation of being rather pushy.
Like any tourist town, beware of pickpocketing, especially around the bus station.
However, the vast majority of travellers to Essaouira experience no problems with crime or violence at all. And if you’re visiting Essaouira with kids, Essaouira’s medina feels much safer than that of Marrakech as it’s closed to vehicles and so there are no mopeds whizzing by.
Emergency Services in Essaouira
If you need an ambulance or fire brigade in Essaouira, dial 150.
If you need the police, dial 190.
Ambulance | 150 |
Police | 190 |
Fire | 150 |
Local Gendarmerie | 177 |
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 150 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
However, in a place like Essaouira, there is always someone around to help and advise you on what to do and where to go.
Essaouira hospital
There is a hospital in Essaouira, Hospital Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, which is open 24 hours and takes walk ins. The phone number is +212524475047, although you’re better off turning up in person rather than asking for advice over the phone.
In the case of serious emergencies, you will need to be transferred to Marrakech or Casablanca hospitals, where the facilities are much better.
Embassies and consulates in Essaouira
There are no embassies or consulates in Essaouira. British tourists will need to either go to Agadir (best option) or Marrakech, USA tourists will need to go to Casablanca, and Australian tourists will need to go to Rabat.
British Honorary Consulate, Marrakech | Open Tuesday and Thursday | +212537633333 |
British Honorary Consulate in Agadir | Open Monday to Friday | +212528841219 |
Consulate of the United States of America in Casablanca | Open Monday to Friday | +212522642000 |
Australian Embassy, Rabat | Open Monday to Friday | +212537543366 |
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Explore Essaouira ebook£16.95
Explore Essaouira ebook
Updated for 2025, the Explore Essaouira ebook is the only travel guide you need for exploring Essaouira. It is jam-packed with inspiration on what to do, where to eat, where to stay, and also includes the step-by-step self-guided walking tour (with photos).
This is a PDF download for use offline and on the go (and ad-free!). Save it to read on the plane to Morocco, download to your phone to follow the self-guided walking tour around the medina, or print it off at home before you leave on your adventures and highlight all the bits you want to remember for your visit.
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Before your go, check out these useful reads for your visit:
The best things to do in Essaouira
Essaouira walking tour (self-guided)
Day trips from Essaouira
How to get around Essaouira
The best restaurants in Essaouira
The best hotels in Essaouira
Essaouira travel FAQs: everything you need to know before your visit
A brief history of Essaouira