Visiting Essaouira in March: what to expect

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March in Essaouira brings warmer temperatures as we move out of winter, often nudging over 20°C (68°F) and the city enjoys more sunshine. However, visitors should be aware that March 2026 coincides partly with Ramadan.

March is an ideal time to visit Essaouira, with its pleasant climate featuring sunny skies and daytime temperatures often reaching above 20°C (68°F). The chilly evenings of winter begin to fade, though it’s still wise to bring a light jacket for cooler nights. Plus, the coastal winds are gentler this time of year, and the city retains a peaceful charm, offering visitors plenty of space to explore at their own pace.

However, it should be noted that March 2026 coincides partly with Ramadan.

For 2026, Ramadan in Morocco begins in the evening of Tuesday, 17th February and will continue for 30 days until Thursday, 19th March, although these dates a subject to slight change according to moon sightings.

So your questions for visiting Essaouira in March may not be so much about the weather, but more about Ramadan and how it exactly affects your travels. This will be covered in this article, although for a full guide please read: visiting Essaouira during Ramadan. This article also discusses the weather in Essaouira in March, how busy (or quiet) the city is, and whether the sea is warm enough for swimming.

READ: When is the best time to visit Essaouira?

Essaouira weather in March

March in Essaouira is marked by mild and agreeable weather. Daytime temperatures typically range between 18–21°C (64–70°F), offering a comfortable climate for outdoor activities. Nights can still be cool, with temperatures often dipping to around 12°C (54°F). Rainfall in March is possible, but very irregular.

Essaouira has a reputation as “The Windy City”, although the winds are much calmer in March compared to their peak during July and August. These breezes are perfect for a walk around the medina or along the beach to neighbouring Diabat. The wind is often strong enough for kite-surfing, although on calmer days you may want to only grab the surf board to ride the waves.

Cloud cover in Essaouira during March is generally light, with a high percentage of sunny or partly sunny days. Although there are also those strange days when the drop in wind brings in a thick sea mist that cloaks the town; the island off the coast disappears, and you can’t see from one end of the beach to the other.

At this time of year in Essaouira, it’s always handy to have a light jumper handy, especially early in the morning or evening, or when you’re sat at an Essaouira restaurant in the shade.

Is it warm enough to swim in the sea?

This is the Atlantic Ocean, so the water is chilly even in the summer months.

In March, swimming in the sea in Essaouira is possible but may not be ideal for everyone due to the cooler water temperatures. The water temperature is around 16–18°C (61–64°F) during this time and the ocean breezes make it feel even colder.

While this might be suitable for hardy swimmers or those accustomed to colder water, many would find it too chilly for prolonged swimming without a wetsuit. By all means brave a quick dip, but in March, Essaouira beach is best enjoyed with long walks or getting active (from quad biking to surfing).

Also, it’s generally not warm enough for sunbathing on the beach.

Ramadan in Essaouira

READ: Ramadan in Essaouira

March partly coincides with Ramadan. This is a time of great religious significance for Muslims, and involves fasting from dusk until dawn (this means no food or drink, including water). 

However, Ramadan does not mean that Essaouira closes down. Essaouira is very much open to tourists and visitors during Ramadan. Almost all Essaouira hotels, riads, and Airbnbs will be open and operating usual services (although you may struggle to find staff around prayer time).

Though please note that some businesses will be closed, or have significantly reduced opening hours. Blue shutters line the medina alleyways where usually rug and ceramic goods spill onto the street, street food stalls are almost non-existent, and many local corner shops where you would normally buy bread, milk, and eggs, will be closed.

But Essaouira is a town that relies heavily on tourism, and we’ve noticed that post-pandemic, increasingly more restaurants and souvenir shops are opening during Ramadan, especially around Moulay Hassan Square and close to the Ramparts. This trend has likely been influenced initially by the overlap between Ramadan and the Easter holidays in recent years, which typically bring an influx of tourists. Businesses have adapted to cater to this seasonal demand, ensuring visitors have access to dining and shopping options even during the holy month.

Either way, you will still be able to find places to buy food. Muslims still eat during Ramadan! The food markets will be open to stock up on fruit, veg, and bread, and there’s also the large Carrefour on the main road into Essaouira selling Western items. Self-catering is a good option if you are visiting Essaouira during Ramadan.

It should also be noted that all alcohol shops in Essaouira (including Carrefour) close for the entire month of Ramadan, and often close a few days beforehand. Check out our guide to alcohol in Essaouira for more information.

Once the end of Ramadan arrives, which is celebrated as Eid al-Fitr, the ‘Feast of Fast-Breaking’, everything starts to return to normal business hours, all restaurants reopen, and there’s a party atmosphere as friends and family come together to feast during the day. So if you arrive to Essaouira from 29th March, things will start to feel busier.

Are there fewer tourists in March because of Ramadan?

Essaouira, once a tranquil destination during Ramadan, has become increasingly lively in recent years, with a notable influx of tourists during the religious festival. This shift can largely be attributed initially to the overlap between Ramadan and the Easter holidays in recent years. As a result, many travellers have discovered that Morocco’s popular tourist spots, including Essaouira, remain open during Ramadan.

With fewer tourists aligning their travel plans with both holidays, it will be interesting to observe how the city adjusts during Ramadan. We anticipate that Essaouira may return to its more relaxed pace during the holy month, with fewer crowds than in recent years when the two holidays overlapped. But don’t expect the medina to be deserted as Essaouira continues to be a tourist hotspot in Morocco.

Is March a good time to visit Essaouira?

Recent years have shown that Essaouira is far from deserted during Ramadan. With the overlap of Ramadan and Easter holidays, tourism has remained steady, and more businesses have adapted to keep their doors open for visitors​.

Although you may not experience the empty streets of years past, the atmosphere is still more relaxed than the summer peak months of July and August, allowing for a more peaceful visit without the overwhelming crowds. It’s a special time to explore the city’s cultural sites, participate in local customs, and enjoy the slower pace while being mindful of the unique observances of Ramadan.

Also, a very nice benefit of visiting Essaouira during Ramadan is that there are no building works taking place around the medina. At other times, there is always building work going on, especially close to the Jewish quarter. But over Ramadan, this all stops. So you are guaranteed that there won’t be any hammering or drilling happening to disturb your peace.

Visiting Essaouira (or anywhere in Morocco) during Ramadan requires a fair bit of preparation with stocking up on food when shops are open. Self-catering accommodation is a good idea so that you’re not tied to eating in the same places every day, due to lack of choice.

However, if you arrive to Essaouira after 29th March, the town will begin to reawaken as the city returns to it’s regular rhythm.

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