The Perfect Essaouira Day Trip from Marrakech

For the ultimate city break and to experience another side of Morocco, an Essaouira day trip from Marrakech is the ideal choice. Essaouira sits on the Atlantic coast, home to gusty winds, a sprawling beach, and an old city crowned UNESCO Heritage Site. While it’s charming, it’s a small place to discover, furthering it’s appeal as a day trip from Marrakech.

After spending a few days here with a friend (we needed some R&R after the chaos of Marrakech), I ended up renting a flat and spending an extended period of time in Essaouira. Despite knowing it like the back of my hand — I mentioned it’s not big — I never seemed to tire of the lazy town and hope to share my love of it through this article.

Here’s the perfect Essaouira day trip from Marrakech, full of hidden gems and local advice.

How to Get From Marrakech to Essaouira

To start your day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira, you’ll need to choose a transit option. The route is around two and a half hours and can be done via bus, private transfer, or rental car.

In my experience, the easiest way to get from Marrakech to Esssaouira is with the CTM bus. It costs around 80 dirham and leaves from the central station in Marrakech. The bus arrives a quick drive from the medina, and taxis are readily available to take you to the old city gates.

If you’d prefer a more private option, you can get to Essaouira from Marrakech with a rental car or private transfer. If you go the private transfer route, I recommend booking through your accommodation in Marrakech for a hassle free service. These options are significantly more expensive than the bus, but might be an attractive option if you’re pressed for time.

Check out my detailed guide on how to get from Marrakech to Essaouira.

Essaouira Day Trip From Marrakech At a Glance

Now that you’ve made it to Essaouira, it’s time to start your day. Here’s a quick breakdown of the day, with a more detailed itinerary and descriptions below.

• 8:00 AM: Depart from Marrakech and arrive in Essaouira around 10:30 AM.
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Explore the historic medina and visit the Skala de la Ville, a 18th-century fortification that offers stunning views of the ocean.
• 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Enjoy a delicious local lunch in the medina or at the port.
• 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Visit the Port and sample fresh seafood before exploring the beach.
• 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Visit Essaouria’s many galleries, shop for souvenirs, or book an excursion like a camel ride, quad tour, or surf lesson.
• 6:00 PM: Say goodbye to Essaouira and arrive back in Marrakech around 8:30 PM.

Of course, this is just one possible itinerary – feel free to adjust it to suit your interests and schedule. Whether you’re interested in history, culture or simply soaking up the sun on the beach, there are plenty of things to do in Essaouira.

Keep reading for a more detailed explanation of what to do and see on your day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira.

Morning in Essaouira: Explore the Medina & City Walls

Start your Essaouira day trip by strolling through the maze-like alleys of the medina. Everywhere you look, you’ll be surrounded by colorful shops and stalls selling traditional Moroccan goods. From exotic spices and textiles to intricate ceramics, leather goods, and jewelry, you’ll find something for everyone on your souvenir list. The rich history and splendid architecture has granted Essaouira’s medina status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so keep your eyes peel for plaques at different points of interest.

Pro Tip: Don’t overdo it with heavy purchases early on, or you’ll have to lug them around for the rest of your one day in Essaouira. Spend the morning getting a lay of the land so you know exactly what you want to buy before returning to Marrakech.

After learning some background and scoping out the best shops, head over to the city walls. Or if you need a little pick me up, stop by Brunch&Co for coffee and cake.

The Skala de la Ville is a section of the city walls that once protected the city from invaders. Here, you’ll find impressive cannons and stunning views of the ocean. It’s so glorious that it’s even been the backdrop for Astapor in Game of Thrones.

Delicious Local Lunch

After walking around all morning, you will have worked up an appetite, which means it’s time for a delicious local lunch.

Essaouira is a foodie paradise and has some incredible restaurants, ranging from authentic Moroccan, grilled seafood stalls, and plenty of international offerings.

Some of the best restaurants in Essaouira can be found in the medina. Some great options to check out are:

• Chez Zak, Chez Omar, or Taraa Cafe or Moroccan food on a budget
• Salut Maroc for upscale Mediterranean cuisine and epic ocean views
• Silvestro’s (Italian) or Ruly’s Ramen Shop if you need a break from Moroccan food.

Alternatively, head to the port and choose one of the many seafood stands serving up the catch up the day. The fresh fish places start at the edge of Place Moulay Hassan (the main square), and more are located in the actual fish market. Essaouira is one of the best places in Morocco to eat seafood, so opt for the catch of the day at lunch!

Afternoon in Essaouira: Culture, Beach, Fish Market

If you end up eating lunch close to the port, your next stop should be the fish market. This lively area on the fringe of the medina is where local fishermen bring their daily hauls, brimming with colorful crates, all sorts of seafood, and lots of hungry cats.

While wandering the fish market, stop at the different stalls to try their unique offerings. You can score oysters for 7 or 8 dirhams a pop, and don’t miss out on the marinated octopus sold in small jars (they’ll normally offer you a taste if you’re nice!).

After the fish market, you can make your way to the beach to have a stroll or watch the kite surfers. If you’d rather spend the rest of your one day in Essaouira in this area, make the most of it with a quad, camel, or horse tour. These can be booked in advance or on the spot for any duration and are a great way to experience the Essaouira beach.

Otherwise, head back to the medina to visit the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum or haggle your heart out for goods to bring back.

Recommended Activities for One Day in Essaouira

One Hour Quad Tour

Quad biking in Essaouira is one of my most memorable experiences in Morocco. It’s ideal for a day trip because you can book a one hour tour at the time that works best for you (especially magical at sunset). I highly recommend Quad Attitude, who will take you on a ride through the dunes, the bush and around the beach. They also provide transport to and from the medina. Talk about a perfect way to wrap up an Essaouira day trip.

Short Horse Trek

Essaouira is a wonderful destination for horse trekking, with quick rides to week long trips. If you want to go for a gander on the beach, Yassine Cavalier is a reputable stable who has one hour rides for 200 dirhams (250 for sunset). It’s not far from the medina making it a top activity for one day in Essaouira.

Hammam Session

If you’re working with some rain on your Essaouira day trip from Marrakech, there’s no better way to pass the time than a full hammam treatment. Indulge in steam rooms, scrubs, massages, and a piece of true Moroccan life. I’ve been to Arab Spa and Les Massages Berberes for hammam time in Essaouira. I recommend both.

Depart from Essaouira for Marrakech

After a full day of soaking up all that Essaouira has to offer, it’ll be time to head back to Marrakech. You can catch a taxi to the CTM station from Essaouira’s main square, Place Moulay Hassan. The stand is next to the port, and if you’re looking for a ride all the way back to Marrakech, you’ll likely find one there, too. However, if you opt for the latter, be sure to agree on a price beforehand so you don’t wind up with a nasty surprise on arrival.

Why Take a Day Trip to Essaouira? A Quick Background on the City

With all that’s on offer on a day trip to Essaouira, you may wonder what makes the city so special.

Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador, has an advantageous geographical location, making it prime for the pickings both by settlers and conquers throughout history. The port city was occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century, who set up a fortress. It didn’t do much to protect them because, by 1541, it was commandeered by local pirates. Not long after, the French tried their hand at holding the city but retreated. The standing fortress lived on for a while before its destruction in the 18th century.

Essaouira came back under Moroccan rule in the mid-18th century, when it was crowned the primary port due to its close proximity to Marrakech and started to take shape as we know it today. City construction commenced in 1760, overseen by a French architect, along with local and European colleagues.

The city held its title as Morocco’s most important port from its construction until the 19th century, when Essaouria’s fortress was bombarded by the French Navy on August 15, 1844, and occupied for a month, until forces withdrew at the end of the Franco-Moroccan War.

Today, Essaouira retains its status as an important location for sea trade, and in 2001, the medina was crowned a UNESCO World Heritage Site as “an exceptional example of a late 18th-century fortified town, built according to the principles of contemporary European military architecture in a North African context.”

UNESCO perfectly sums up this brief history by writing: “Since its foundation, it [Essaouira] has been a major international trading seaport, linking Morocco and its Saharan hinterland with Europe and the rest of the world.”

Final Thoughts on a Day Trip to Essaouira From Marrakech

Whether you need to breathe the sea air, want to discover the coastal side of Morocco, or are simply looking for a day trip from Marrakech, Essaouira is the prime destination. Its close proximity to Marrakech, small size, and charming qualities make it easy to explore in a single day. Plus, the city is teeming with amazing food (the freshest seafood), stunning handicrafts, and rich culture all backed by a sandy beach, stunning ocean, and towering fortress. What more can you ask for on a day trip?

FAQs About an Essaouira Day Trip

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