Essaouira! This attractive seaside town of Morocco, full of breath and with a breathtaking history, has some magic that catches travelers’ eyes. If you are thinking of your morocco holidays or considering some morocco travel then Essaouira is unavoidable. Our guide will take you through the 10 things which you must do in Essaouira when you come and make your visit unforgettable.
Forget complicated travel guides. We’re here to prove you the 10 things to do in Essaouira in completely understandable and super exciting way. This is a good guide for you experienced or even new to visit morocco. Essuaira has a different feel to the hustle bustle of the cities and desert landscape of morocco tours, but the special je ne sais quoi – something I cannot quite put my finger on – is undeniable.
Therefore, have a virtual glass of minty tea and let’s check the best 10 things to do in Essaouira!
Wander Through the Enchanting Medina of Essaouira
The soul of Essaouira is in its Medina listed under UNESCO world heritage. This ancient walled city is a wonderful labyrinth of twisting and turning lanes, colourful souks, and attractive squares. Checking out the Medina is, certainly, one of the top 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Easy to Explore: The Medina here is far less difficult to navigate around than in some other Moroccan cities. You will rather be at liberty to explore and explore, and find hidden treasures, wherever you turn. This is what makes Medina a really great place to trav to in Essaouira.
- Must-See Spots: Don’t miss Place Moulay Hassan (main square), the Mellah (old Jewish quarter) and the many artisan shops selling thuya wood carvings and other local crafts. When it comes to the 10 things to do in Essaouira, viewing these spots is important.
When planning your morocco travel, be sure to leave plenty of time to just take a walk around the Medina and drink up the atmosphere. It is a must do experience from the list of 10 things to in the Essaouira.
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Explore the Historic Skala de la Ville
Skala de la Ville is a fortified sea bastion, which provides spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and town. Exploration of this historic site is one of the top ten things to do while in Essaouira.
- Easy to Access: Skala de la Ville is located at the outskirts of the Medina and is reached on foot.
- Iconic Views: You will see the famous cannons along the ramparts that are great for photographs. You have beautiful views of the fishing port and Mogador Island. Seeing these views becomes one of the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Historical Significance: This site was very important in the history of the town’s defence and maritime. Learning about its past is one of the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
A walk on the Skala de la Ville while picturing the antique Essaouira is a fascinating experience and one of the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
Relax and Enjoy Essaouira’s Beaches
Essaouira has perfect beaches, sandy beaches, best for relaxation and other activities. Beach crawling is one of the most popular 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Easy Access: The principle beach is also readily available from the Medina.
- Windsurfing and Kitesurfing: Essaouira is nick-named as the “Windy City “ and it is also a favorite destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The opportunity to watch or do these sports is one the exhilarating things to do in Essaouira.
- Camel and Horse Rides: There are leisurely camel or horse rides on the beach. These rides provide unique sight and make a fun supplement to the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Simply Relax: Or you can lie on the sand, sunbath and breathe the fresh sea air. Sunbathing on the seashore is one of the easy pleasures in the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
If you are an adventure-goer or simply here to relax, there are beaches for everyone at Essaouira adding to its list of the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
Immerse Yourself in the Bustling Fishing Port
Essaouira fishing port is the colorful and genuine place to see. Watching the day to day activity here is one of the interesting 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Easy to Observe: The port lies close to the Medina and access is well convenient.
- View the Catch of the Day: You can watch fishermen pulling in their catch of the day a very colourful and exciting scene. Seeing the local fishing industry is a fascinating element of 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Fresh Seafood Restaurants: The port area is dotted with small restaurants along its line where you can eat the freshest seafood ever being grilled right in your face. Tastings at the fresh seafood is a must among the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- The Fish Auction: Wake-up early enough, and you might catch the busy fish auction. Seeing this local tradition is a special thing to do to the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
The Essaouira fishing port is a sneak peek on the town’s maritime footsteps and a sensory bite that should not be skipped when thinking of the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
Discover the Art of Thuya Wood Carving
Weaves made from thuya wood are famous to Essaouira. Visiting artisan shops and seeing this craft is one of the culturally rewarding 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Easy to Find: Here you will find many shops and workshops distributed all over the Medina, exhibiting thuya wood products.
- Witness the Craftsmanship: It is possible for you to see artisans at work, skillfully crafting beautiful boxes, furniture and other decorative piece. Watching this traditional craft is one of the 10 to do in Essaouira.
- Unique Souvenirs: Thuya wood souvenirs make beautiful and unique Morocco travel gifts. Looking for these crafts is a nice turn up for the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
The Thuya wood carving world opens a window into Essaouira artistic legacy and it is an opportunity to bring home a piece of the town which is a wonderful addition to the list of 10 things to do in Essaouira.
Take a Boat Trip to Mogador Island
A small ship ride away from Essaouira you are in the uninhabited Mogador Island (Île de Mogador). This is one of the exciting 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Easy to Arrange: It is easy to organize boat trips at the fishing port.
- Historical Significance: The island has historical interest; the remains of an old prison, a mosque. Artefacts and ruins discovered around this area is a fascinating element of the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Bird Sanctuary: Mogador Island is also a reserve for one of the most important birds of prey, the Egyptian pharaoh, known locally as the Eleonora’s falcon. Birdwatching reveals an unconventional view of the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Stunning Views: The boat ride itself itself is a pleasure on which you will enjoy the splendid views of Essaouira’s coast. Sea views are an enjoyable part to the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
A boat ride to Mogador Island offers a new view of Essaouira and its environs adding much to the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
Immerse Yourself in the Gnaoua Culture
Essaouira has links with Gnaoua music and culture, a spiritual and musical heritage; commenced by sub-Saharan Africans. Hearing the Gnaoua music is a culturally enriching 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Easy to Find: You will usually hear Gnaoua music being played on the streets and squares, particularly at nights.
- Attend a Performance: Watch out for formal Gnaoua performances in local places. Attending a live performance is a fantastic way to bond with this culture and is one of the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Gnaoua World Music Festival: If you come between June months, it is possible that you can catch Gnaoua World Music Festival,” a reputed one. Visiting the festival is a significant cultural activity and to do in Essaouira.
Immerse yourself in the sounds and spirit of the Gnaoua culture and experience a rare glimpse into diversity that makes Essaouira with this wonderful add-on to the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
Visit an Argan Oil Cooperative
The region of Essaouira is famous for its argan and the making of argan oil. A visit to an argan oil producer cooperative is informative and fascinating and one of the distinctive 10 activities to do in Essaouira.
- Easy to Arrange: Many of the cooperatives have Ouarzazate tour and are right outside the town.
- Learn About the Process: It is possible to see how argan nuts are turned into the precious oil – sometimes, by women’s cooperative. None is more fascinating about the 10 things to do in Essaouira than learning about the production process.
- Purchase Authentic Products: You’ll have the possibility of buying high quality, genuine argan oil and other argan products. Argan oil shopping makes shopping for argan oil in Essaouira one of the 10 things to-do.
Visiting the argan oil cooperative shows an important local industry and gives an opportunity to help the locals, a reason why a visit to the argan oil cooperative is a good addition to the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
Explore the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum
Situated in the former pasha’s house in Medina, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum lets the visitors learn something about the history and cultural heritage of Essaouira city and its region. One of the historically informative 10 things to do in Essaouira is a visit to this museum.
- Easy to Locate: The museum is found in the centre of the Medina.
- Local History and Crafts’ Exhibits: You’ll see exhibits of traditional costumes, musical instruments, ceramics, and other examples of artifacts. Read more about the history and handicrafts of the region is a rewarding point in the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Beautiful Architecture: The building is a masterpiece of traditional architecture from Morocco. Enjoying the architecture is an undistracted pleasure among 10 things to do in Essaouira.
The visit to the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah museum adds deeper knowledge of Essaouira’s past and cultural identity to its 10 things to do in Essaouira.
Simply Soak Up the Atmosphere
Perhaps the best activity in Essaouira is to take in its distinct and laid back atmosphere. The town has a unique appeal arising out of its combination of history, art, and coastal beauty.
- Easy to Do: This takes no particular activity – wander, observe and enjoy the vibe.
- Artistic Inspiration: Essaouira has always been an artist’s and creative’s paradise, and you’ll have that creative vibe while in town. Participation in the artistic atmosphere is a delicate but an important activity of the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Friendly Locals: Essaouira folks are friendly and hospitable. You might find meeting locals one of the best parts of your morocco travel. Interacting with the friendly locals is a rewarding point of the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
- Relaxed Pace: Essaouira is more relaxed than some of the bigger cities in Morocco, here you can properly relax for your morocco holidays. Combining the pace is fundamental to the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
Being in Essaouira, and immersing oneself in the city’s unique feel is a crucial and sometimes not given enough credit part of the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
Planning Your Essaouira Adventure with Morocco Tours
With its distinctive appeal, Essaouira is a nice addition to any morocco tours package. Although many tours in morocco are based on visits to the imperial cities, Ouarzazate desert tour adventure trips or the jolly northern portions, Essaouira provides its own coastal peace. You can easily add in a visit to Essaouira into your travel to morocco options, either as a Day trip to Ouarzazate from Marrakech or as part of larger journey up and down the coast.
You can seek professional assistance of a knowledgeable travel agency in Ouarzazate or anywhere else in Morocco to come up with a morocco travel itinerary that will combine the richness of culture of Essaouira with the other attractions of the country. Whether you’re an art-inspired seeker travel enthusiast or a morocco travel seeker after the laid-back coastal vibe, Essaouira and its 10 things to do will stay on your mind.
Therefore, you should begin to organize your morocco holidays and include among them the intriguing town of Essaouira and its 10 things to do. This is an experience that will delight you.
Essaouira’s Top 10: Your Questions Answered (FAQs)
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about the 10 things to do in Essaouira, with easy-to-understand answers:
How is Medina in Essaouira? Is movement easy?
Essaouira’s old, walled section is the Medina. It’s a labyrinth of narrow streets with shops and restaurants. It’s usually easy to walk around and explore, so it’s a perfect destination to find the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
What is the Skala de la Ville?
What can you see there? The Skala de la Ville is an old sea fortress and contains cannons. Then you can get splendid views of the ocean, the fishing port and Mogador Island. It is a historical site, and must see if speaking about the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
Is there swimming allowed at Essaouira beach? What more can one do there?
It is possible to swim at Essaouira Beach. It is also a hot bed for windsurfing and kitesurfing activities due to the high windy level along the beach. You can also ride camel or horse along the shore, a great thing to do in Essaouira.
Are the fishing port attractive for visiting?
What can you see there? Yes, the fishing port is quite buzzing. You can watch the fishermen carrying their catch, and the fish auction if you arrive early, and you can eat fresh grilled seafood in the nearby restaurants.
What is thuya wood carving? Where can I see it in Essaouira?
Thuya wood carving is an old production of the Essaouira where artisans make beautiful items from the Thuya wood. There are many shops and workshops throughout the Medina where you will be able to find these carvings, and so it should be considered as one of the artistic things to do in Essaouira.
Can you visit Mogador Island? What’s there?
Of course, you can take a short boat ride to Mogador island. It is an un inhabited island with the ruins of old prison and mosque and also a bird sanctuary. Taking a boat trip and adventure around the island is thrilling in Essaouira.
What is Gnaoua music? Is Essaouira known for it?
Gnaoua music is an aesthetic and spiritual tradition from Ouarzazate Sahara tours Africa. There is a good association between Essaouira and Gnaoua tradition and you will listen to it in the streets many times. Going to Gnaoua performance is one of cultural things to do in Essaouira.
What is a cooperative of argan oil?
Do you have the chance to see one in Essaouira? A cooperative, where argan nuts are pressed to produce oil, argan oil, is an argan oil cooperative; these are frequently argan oil cooperatives run by women’s cooperatives. You can visit cooperatives around Essaouira to learn the procedure and pick up authentic products, i.e., a nice supplement to the 10 things to do in Essaouira.
What is Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum?
What can you see there? This museum is found in the Medina that describes the history and cultural legacy of Essaouira and its area. Includes viewing of traditional costumes, musical instruments, and other artifacts and it is, therefore, one of the historically instructive things to do in Essaouira.
What, generally, does the mood of Essaouira feel like?
Essaouira is a laid back and artistic atmosphere. It’s a lovely seaside town with nice people and a less hectic feeling than other Moroccan cities. Such as breathing in this atmosphere simply is one of the necessary things to do in Essaouira.
