INCREDIBLE things to do in Essaouira: your 2026 guide

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Ramadan runs from Tuesday, 17th February, to Thursday, 19th March. If your visit to Essaouira falls within these dates, be sure to read our guide to visiting during Ramadan.

Discover the best things to do in Essaouira, from a vibrant medina and stunning beaches to delicious seafood and historic forts. Whether you seek adventure or relaxation, our guide has you covered.

1. Explore the medina

READ: self-guided Essaouira walking tour

Essaouira’s medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, full of narrow streets, historic architecture, and vibrant souks. You can easily cover all the key sights on our free self-guided walking tour, making it a perfect introduction to the heart of the city.

Highlights of the medina include:

• Wander the streets and souks – Lose yourself in the winding alleys, admire the colourful doors, and browse a variety of local goods from spices to leather and textiles. Stop at a café for a mint tea and soak up the atmosphere.
• Walk the ramparts – The 18th-century city walls offer sweeping views over the medina and the Atlantic Ocean. Climb on the cannons and stroll along the walls for a different perspective of Essaouira.
• Climb Sqala du Port – This fortress at the port entrance provides one of the most iconic photo opportunities in the city, framing the medina through its stone arches.
• Discover the Jewish Quarter – Step off the main tourist trail to explore the Jewish Quarter, including the Haim Pinto Synagogue and the adjacent cemeteries. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the city’s history and cultural diversity.
• Shop for local crafts – From hand-carved woodwork and vibrant ceramics to rugs and metalwork, Essaouira’s medina is a calmer, friendlier alternative to Marrakech for souvenir hunting.
• Visit small museums – Learn more about the city’s history at La Cite Heureuse or the Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum, both tucked within the medina.
• Eat crepes at Moulay Hassan Square – This lively square has a strong European vibe, with street musicians, restaurants spilling onto the pavement, and crepe stalls perfect for a quick snack or a coffee break.

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  Essaouira self-guided walk (printable download)

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2. Buy fresh seafood from the port

The port is a fascinating place to wander around with seafood laid out for sale and fisherman bringing in their catch and preparing their nets. It’s busy, smelly and dirty, but an absolute treat to witness. You will see sardines, pilchards, hake, sole, crab, lobster, octopus, flat fish, eels and (sadly) you may also spot a shark.

Fish can be bought directly from the fisherman and then be cooked at one of the open restaurants at the port; just ask one of the sellers and they will point you in the right direction.

3. Blow off the cobwebs at the beach

READ: Explore Essaouira’s beaches

Essaouira’s coastline offers a variety of beaches, from lively promenades to quiet, windswept stretches. Each beach has its own atmosphere, making it easy to choose depending on whether you want activity, relaxation, or solitude.

• Assafi Beach – The far northern end of Essaouira’s coast offers a secluded, ‘end-of-the-world’ feel. Ideal for escaping crowds in high season, though there are no facilities, so bring your own snacks and drinks.
• South Beach (main beach) – A 2km sandy stretch with a wide promenade, perfect for swimming, strolling, or watching stunning Atlantic sunsets. Shallow waters make it ideal for beginners, while strong winds attract surfers and kite-surfers. Locals often play football here, adding to the lively vibe.
• North Beach (near the ramparts) – Quiet and scenic, this beach stretches north from Place Moulay Hassan toward Assafi Beach. Less crowded than the main beach, it’s perfect for peaceful walks along the Atlantic waves. Best visited at low tide, although the litter along here is awful.

4. Horse riding

Riding a horse along the quiet beaches south of Essaouira is a definite bucket list moment and even beginners will soon get used to being in the saddle. There are a handful of horseback riding companies that cater to all abilities and we personally recommend Diana Dromedaries (yes they do camel riding, but also horse riding).

Staff are experienced riders and know the horses very well. Riding helmets are provided, and we recommend you wear long trousers and closed-toe shoes, although absolute beginners will be fine in shorts as you will just be moving along at walking pace.

5. Take a cooking class

READ OUR GUIDE: Essaouira cooking class

Learn to cook like a local on an Essaouira cooking class with the wonderful Latifa. Although there are other cooking classes offered around town that take place in a restaurant or accommodation, Latifa’s is unique as you’ll be invited into her family home.

Begin the day shopping for ingredients at the local markets in the medina and then jump into a taxi to Latifa’s family home to start the preparations. It’s a wonderfully relaxed environment and Latifa will share with you stories of Moroccan life beyond the kitchen as you grate and chop the veg and meticulously prepare the couscous. And, of course, you get to eat your masterpiece!

6. Surfing and kite-surfing

READ OUR GUIDES: Kite-surfing in Essaouira and Learning to surf in Essaouira

Essaouira, known as the ‘Windy City of Africa’, is one of the world’s best spots for kite-surfing. The far end of the main beach, away from the medina, offers safer cross-onshore north-east winds; perfect for beginners. This is also where the kite-surfing schools teach (and where camels often wander, so watch for droppings!).

Several schools operate here, providing all equipment, including wetsuits and helmets, and instructors speak Arabic, French, English, or Spanish.

If the wind is light or you have younger kids, the same schools also offer surfing lessons, helping beginners stand up and ride their first waves.

7. Camel riding

The best place to arrange camel rides is at the far end of the beach, away from the medina. You’ll probably be approached by camel owners/guides offering anything from short ten minute rides to full-day tours.

If you’d prefer something more formal, camel rides and tours can be arranged through your accommodation or contact Diana Dromedaries.

8. Quad biking

READ OUR GUIDE: Essaouira quad biking

Essaouira quad biking is brilliant way to explore the beach further south of Essaouira. There are a handful of quad biking companies in the nearby village of Diabat, and we recommend Diana Quad.

You can book anything from an hour session to a full day tour, although most people will find two hours is enough time. Each tour includes a personal guide on their own quad bike, who will show you the way, take photos and help you out if needed.

There is very little in the way of training; you’re taken straight out onto the dunes so, take your time, trust the quad bike, and you’ll be fine. Most of a two-hour tour will be along a long stretch of beach, which is easy driving, although there are sections where you are taken up into the dunes and then through local villages along the way.

9. Ride vintage electric bikes through the countryside

READ OUR GUIDE: Ride vintage electric bikes around Essaouira

Explore the Essaouira region on a 100% electric vintage bike with Lou’s Rides.

There are one hour and half-day tours offered, but this is more than a sightseeing tour. A tour with Lou’s Rides is an immersive and personalised experience to explore the local region, culture and people in small group sizes. Visit a local village, meet a clay artist, explore Argan hills, spot wildlife, and interact with locals on your chosen tour.

You must be 16+ to drive one of the bikes. although no license is required. Kids aged 10-16 can ride as a passenger but those under 10 are not permitted on the tours.

10. Enjoy a traditional Hammam

READ OUR GUIDE: Experiencing a traditional hammam in Essaouira

To rejuvenate the skin and revitalize the body, experience a traditional Moroccan hammam in the heart of Essaouira’s medina.

A hammam is a tiled, hot room, where you strip down to your underwear and enjoy a good scrub and soapy clean. All inhibitions need to go out of the window with this experience, as everything is on display.

A private hammam is more expensive, but means that you get a hammam all to yourself. A public hammam is a local hammam shared with other people (of the same gender), and is much cheaper and a more authentic experience.

Most of the Essaouira spas offer a private hammam experience, which is often combined with a massage. Once you get over any initial inhibitions, it really is the most amazing feeling, and you will feel the cleanest you ever been in your life!

11. Experience a Berber massage

If baring all in a hammam isn’t quite to your taste, try a Berber massage instead. This is offered at all of the Essaouira spas in the medina.

A Berber massage is similar to a standard, relaxing massage, except that it includes some light tapping with cupped hands. Ladies, we recommend advising your masseuse whether or not you would like your chest and stomach massaged. Otherwise, you may receive a chest massage towards the end of your massage.

Recommended spas to try are Spa Cocooning, and Azur Spa Essaouira for a bit of well-deserved pampering.

12. Explore Dar Sultan Palace in Diabat’s sand dunes

READ OUR GUIDE: Diabat, Morocco: Jimi Hendrix and sand castles

Five kilometres south of Essaouira’s medina lies the sleepy village of Diabat, which became a hippie hotspot in the 1960s and 70s. Legendary musician Jimi Hendrix even visited for a few days and supposedly considered buying the village. Today, the Jimi Hendrix café and hotel still operate.

Visitors usually come for quad biking, horse riding, or a stay at Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa, but it’s also worth exploring Dar Sultan Palace, a once-grand residence now partly ruined amidst the sand dunes. Stone arches and mosaic tiles remain, and entry is free.

From Diabat, it’s a pleasant 5km walk back to Essaouira via the palace and beach, with a great spot for a sundowner at Beach and Friends (click here for the walk guide).

13. Visit Sidi Kaouki

READ OUR GUIDE: Sidi Kaouki

Sidi Kaouki is surfing beach, 30 minutes drive south of Essaouira and makes for a lovely day trip from Essaouira. It’s a beautiful spot, but the secret is out on this sandy stretch, so don’t expect to have it to yourselves at weekends. Here you will will find a handful of restaurants, and locals offering camel and horse rides along the beach.

You can hire sun loungers and a parasol on the beach, 50DH for a pair, although laying your towel out is free. There are also rockpools to explore on the opposite side of the white building.

14. Enjoy a day pass at a pool in the countryside

READ OUR GUIDE: Day passes in Essaouira

If your Airbnb, riad, or hotel in Essaouira doesn’t have a swimming pool, consider treating yourself to a day pass at a swimming pool. For couples and solo travellers we recommend Les Jardins de Villa Maroc, and families should check out Hôtel Domaine de L’Arganeraie.

15. Visit a vineyard

READ OUR GUIDE: Essaouira wine tasting at Val d’Argan

Domaine du Val d’Argan, just 25 minutes from Essaouira towards Marrakech, has been Morocco’s only vineyard dedicated exclusively to Rhône Valley grape varieties since 1994. Nestled between the desert and the Atlantic trade winds, it has expanded from 5 to 50 hectares over 20 years, cultivating 13 different grape varieties.

Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, Moroccan cuisine paired with estate wines, and stay in charming bed and breakfast accommodation with garden rooms and a swimming pool.

Wine-tasting sessions, priced at 200DH, include five wines: two whites, one rosé, and two reds. Sessions run from 11–11:30am, 2:30–3pm, and 3–3:30pm. Booking via email in advance is required.

16. Visit a rural market

READ OUR GUIDE: Had Draa market (Sundays)
READ OUR GUIDE: Ida Ougourd market (Wenesdays)

A visit to a rural market is a fantastic way to gain insight into authentic Moroccan life. Local traders descend on otherwise sleepy, dusty villages with piles of fruit and vegetables, woven baskets, cattle, spices, kitchen wares, and much more, creating a bustling hub of the local community.

The largest market in the region is Had Draa, held every Sunday. Animals and produce have been traded here for centuries, and it’s the place to come if you need a camel, goat, or donkey (though check your Ryanair baggage allowance first). The market also has an on-site halal abattoir and stalls selling grilled-meat kebabs.

If your visit to Essaouira doesn’t coincide with the Sunday market at Had Draa, the next best option is Ida Ougourd, held every Wednesday. Set on a hillside, the market is divided into distinct areas: an open fruit and veg market in front of the mosque, a halal abattoir down a little alleyway, and animals traded in a walled square. There’s even a donkey park, not a car park.

17. Sandboarding the Tissa Dunes

The latest adrenaline-fueled activity to be offered in Essaouira is sandboarding. Aptly named Essaouira Sandboarding is a tour company that organises a two-hour excursion twice per day from Essaouira to Tissa Dunes, which is a 30 minute drive north of the medina.

You will be provided with all the necessary kit and expert guidance on sand boarding techniques, to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride. There are gentle slopes for beginners through to challenging heights for the more adventurous. Plus, the panoramic views from the top of the sand dunes are pretty epic (once you’ve caught your breath climbing back up them).

18. Go rock pooling

One of the best free things to do in Essaouira with kids (adults are also welcome) is to go rock pooling. At low tide, pools form around the rocks on the beach, revealing sea creatures such as crabs, small fish, and even octopus.

The best places to do this are:

• In front of the sea wall at Place Moulay Hassan (there’s a small opening to the beach next to La Cité Heureuse Essaouira)
• Assafi Beach north of the medina
• In front of Sidi Kaouki’s shrine at Sidi Kaouki

Take a bucket and net with you to help with your explorations (these can be picked up from shops along Av. de l’Istiqlal, the main avenue running through the medina). Please remember to carefully return all creatures back to the sea.

19. Take a yoga class

READ OUR GUIDE: Yoga in Essaouira

Considering the laid back, hippy reputation of Essaouira, you won’t be surprised to hear that a number of yoga studios and classes have popped up over the years. Usually taking advantage of the natural location and views, a yoga class in Essaouira very much feels on-brand. Don’t worry if you’re only in Essaouira for a few days; many of the yoga schools offer drop-in classes, ideal if you can’t commit to a long-term pass or schedule. It’s a great way to stay healthy in Essaouira during your stay.

Some accommodations, such as Riad Dar L’Qdima and Les Jardins De Mogador yoga et SPA, offer free yoga classes to guests. Otherwise, check out Swiri Yoga or Moga Yoga Studio who offer regular drop-in classes.

For those who have time for a more immersive yoga experience by way of a retreat, La Vida Surf offer four and seven day yoga retreats at Villa Dar Zitoon.

20. Watch the sunset

READ OUR GUIDE: Essaouira sunset times and best viewpoints

Thanks to its location on Morocco’s western coast, Essaouira offers epic ocean sunsets. It’s a magical experience to watch the sun sink into the Atlantic Ocean, the sky ablaze with orange hues, soaring seagulls casting silhouettes, and the call to prayer drifting over the rooftops.

21. Attend the Gnaoua World Music Festival

READ OUR GUIDE: Gnaoua Festival 2026

Essaouira is host to several cool festivals and smaller events, the most famous of which is probably the Gnaoua World Music Festival. First appearing on the calendar in 1998, the festival is now an integral part of the city’s fabric. With a focus predominately on Gnawa musicians, it’s an incredibly popular festival that regularly attracts half a million visitors each year.

It’s held at the end of June, the next edition in 2026 is from the 25th to 27th of June. Make sure you book your accommodation as early as possible, the Essaouira hotels fill up quickly and the whole city is in festival mode (it gets very busy). Some of the events have an entrance fee, but there are plenty of free events and shows popping up around town and on the beach.

Ideas for Essaouira day trips

If you have more time to spend in Essaouira and are looking to venture deeper into the countryside or along along the Atlantic coastline, then check out our guide to the best day trips from Essaouira, which includes Safi, Taghazout, and even Marrakech.

Day trips from Essaouira

Essaouira can be a perfect base for Moroccan adventures further afield. From a 10min to 3hr drive, here we share the best day trips from Essaouira, including Safi, Sidi Kaouki, Taghazout, and even Marrakech.

READ MORE

Explore Essaouira ebook

Updated for 2026, the Explore Essaouira ebook is the only travel guide you need for exploring Essaouira. This is jam-packed with inspiration on what to do, where to eat, where to stay, and also includes a step-by-step self-guided walking tour (with photos). 

BUY YOURS HERE

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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