Morocco Destination Guide
Essaouira
The Wind CityWhere the Atlantic
Meets the Medina
Essaouira stands apart from every other city in Morocco. Sitting directly on the Atlantic where the trade winds blow hardest off the ocean, the city has a character shaped entirely by its relationship with the sea. The white and blue medina buildings, the ancient ramparts jutting into the waves, the blue fishing boats and the constant sound of wind and water make Essaouira one of the most distinctive and most loved destinations in the country.
The city was built in its current form in the 18th century by Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah, who commissioned a French architect to design a fortified port along European lines. The result is a medina unlike any other in Morocco, planned on a grid and washed in white and blue. UNESCO recognised it as a World Heritage Site in 2001.
Beyond its history, Essaouira has long attracted artists and musicians drawn by the quality of the light and the relaxed pace of life. The Gnaoua World Music Festival, held each summer, fills the city and its ramparts with extraordinary music and transforms Essaouira for three days into one of the great music events in Africa.
Quick Facts
What to See
and Do
The ramparts, the port, the medina, the beach and the extraordinary wind that defines everything about this city.
The Skala Ramparts
The fortified sea walls of the Skala de la Ville, studded with Portuguese bronze cannons pointing over the Atlantic, are the most iconic sight in Essaouira. Walking the ramparts in the late afternoon as the swells crash below is one of the most atmospheric walks in Morocco. The view south along the beach at sunset is extraordinary.
The Blue Fishing Port
The working fishing port, where hundreds of blue wooden boats crowd the harbour and fishermen mend nets and unload the morning catch, is one of the most alive places in the city. The fish market sells the freshest catch in Morocco direct from the boats, and the small grills outside cook it on the spot.
Gnaoua Music
Essaouira is the spiritual home of Gnaoua music, a deeply rhythmic tradition rooted in the experience of West African enslaved people brought to Morocco centuries ago. Gnaoua musicians play in the squares year-round, and the annual Gnaoua World Music Festival in June or July attracts hundreds of thousands from around the world.
The Beach
The beach south of Essaouira stretches for miles along the Atlantic, wild and largely empty. The constant wind makes it one of the top windsurfing and kitesurfing locations in the world. For those who prefer walking, the long stretch of hard sand at low tide with the Atlantic crashing alongside is deeply satisfying.
The Medina Souks
The souks of Essaouira are very different from those of Marrakech or Fes. The city has a long tradition of wood carving using fragrant thuya wood found only in this region, and the carvers' workshops, where you can watch craftsmen working the intricate grain, are among the most interesting craft experiences in Morocco.
Argan Oil Cooperatives
The road between Marrakech and Essaouira passes through the argan forest, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the only place in the world where the argan tree grows wild. Women's cooperatives produce argan oil by hand using traditional methods. Stopping to watch and buy directly from the producers is one of the most worthwhile experiences on this road.
How to Make the
Most of Your Time
Essaouira is a city that rewards those who slow down, walk without purpose and let the wind and the light do their work.
Sunset on the Ramparts
Walking the Skala ramparts as the sun sets over the Atlantic is the defining Essaouira experience. The cannons cast long shadows across the stone, the Atlantic turns gold and then deep red, and the white walls of the medina glow in the last light of the day. This is the moment Essaouira reveals itself most fully.
Fresh Fish at the Port Grill
Choose your fish from the port market stalls, then hand it to one of the grill men who cook it immediately on charcoal a few metres away. Sitting eating grilled sea bass or sardines with a squeeze of lemon, with the blue boats and the Atlantic behind you, is one of the most satisfying lunches available anywhere in Morocco.
Windsurf or Kitesurf on the Beach
The Alizé wind makes the beach south of the city one of the finest windsurf and kitesurf destinations in the world. Schools and equipment hire are available directly on the beach for all levels. Even those who simply watch find the spectacle of dozens of kites against the Atlantic sky extraordinary.
Wander the Medina Without a Plan
The medina of Essaouira is planned on a grid and you cannot truly get lost in it, which makes it one of the most relaxed medinas in Morocco to explore freely. There are no aggressive guides, very little tourist pressure and a real local atmosphere in the streets beyond the main souk lane. Give yourself a morning with no destination.
When to Visit
Essaouira
Essaouira is comfortable year-round thanks to the Atlantic winds that keep summer temperatures far lower than Marrakech. The main consideration is the wind itself, which varies in strength by season.
April to June. Warm and pleasant at 18 to 24°C with moderate winds. The city is at its most beautiful with clear skies and a wonderful quality of Atlantic light.
July to August. The Gnaoua Festival is in June or July. The city is at its busiest and the wind is at its strongest. Excellent for watersports, less ideal for leisurely beach walks.
September to November. The finest season. Fewer visitors, warm days of 20 to 26°C, calmer winds and the most extraordinary golden light of the year over the Atlantic.
December to March. Cool at 12 to 18°C with occasional rain. The city is very quiet and peaceful. The wind can be cold but the medina is intimate and the fish restaurants are excellent.
Journey That
Includes Essaouira
Essaouira features as the Atlantic finale of our Morocco Family Adventure, reached after three nights in Marrakech, a day in the Imlil Valley and a night at the Agafay Desert camp.
9 DaysMorocco Family Adventure
Marrakech, the Imlil Valley, Agafay Desert and two nights in Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. A complete Morocco experience built around families travelling together.
View JourneyReady to Discover the
Wind City?
Tell us how many nights you have in Essaouira and what matters most to you. We will arrange a riad in the medina, a private guide and every experience around your time.