At first glance, it might sound strange to hear that none of the things to do in Essaouira were on my mind when I checked into my riad. Nor did the striking interior of the old traditional residence I’d be calling home impress me much, although it boasted both a dramatic, airy courtyard and carpeting the color of candy apples.
See, when the bus from Marrakech to Essaouira stopped about halfway through the journey, I made the mistake of ordering some random street meat. And so I spent my first night in Essaouira huddled not over the misty North Atlantic, but a toilet, which was so close to the aforementioned courtyard that the sound of my dry heaving echoed throughout the historical home.
Whether you’re thinking of a day trip to Essaouira or spending the night as I thankfully planned to do, you’ll want to continue reading.
Where to Stay in Essaouira
There’s no shortage of amazing Essaouira hotels, no matter what sort of property you’re looking for. Obviously, the majority of these (and the best ones) are riads, traditional residences that have been converted into hotels, often modern ones that boast every amenity you could possible think of.
As far as the best riads in Essaouira are concerned, that’s a contentious topic. Personally, I stayed at Riad Arambys, which manages to be regal yet delightfully simplistic in its design—with very clean toilets, at least according to my close inspection. However, another place I plan to try on my next trip is Riad Dol—even walking past it felt like taking a trip back in time!
My Favorite Things to Do in Essaouira
Kiss the Atlantic at Essaouira Medina
The Essaouira Medina is relatively unique among such public squares in Morocco in that it sits right on the North Atlantic. In addition to the number of seagulls that fly overhead (and, when I visited in October anyway, the quantity of mysterious mist that moistened my face), this location automatically makes it one of the most beautiful places in the country.
See Game of Thrones Filming Locations
If pictures you’ve seen of Essaouira’s coastal walls look familiar, this is not a coincidence. Many locations in this city, which was once known by the name Mogador, were featured in HBO’s soon-to-be-ending most-famous TV series. While touring Game of Thrones filming locations is currently among the top things to do in Essaouira, I have no idea if this will still be the case in a few years.
Swim (or Ride a Camel) on Plage Tagharte
No Essaouira beach is quiet as spectacular as what you find farther south in Agadir (a place I’ll write more about in just a couple of paragraphs), but the city is home to several serene stretches of sand nonetheless. The most popular of these is Plage Tagharte, where you can not only have a swim (well, at least, most of the year), but ride a camel as I was scheduled to do before I fell ill.
Shop at Essaouira Souk
When compared to other such public markets in Morocco, the Essaouira Souk is not necessarily among the best, I’m sad to say. However, this is among the only places in town to shop very extensively, and is also home to a fair share of eateries. I have a feeling you’ll end up here during your trip, even if you don’t end up being blown away by what you find!
Walk Along the Old Fishing Port
Rounding off my list of things to do in Essaouira is walking along Essaouira’s Old Fishing Port, ideally after night has fallen for the most beautiful view of it. In fact, this was the first place I visited in Essaouira—I headed here late in the evening, once my stomach had calmed down, and enjoyed having the place basically to myself as I wondered whether I would relapse into sickness.
When to Visit Essaouira
The best time to visit Essaouira is up for debate, since Morocco (especially this part of Morocco) has far better defined seasons that you might expect for somewhere in Africa. Personally, I love traveling to Essaouira in October, when a cool breeze comes in from the North Atlantic in the morning and evening, yet it’s still warm enough to hit the beach during the daytime.
Of course, it’s not just things to do in Essaouira that you should consider as you decide what time of year to plan your Morocco itinerary. You’ll want to consider weather (and crowds) in other parts of the country, particularly amid the dunes of the Sahara, where you’ll be the most exposed to whatever the elements are doing.
Where to Go in Morocco (Besides Essaouira)
Whether your excursion to Essaouira is simply one of the Marrakech day trips you take or part of a larger holiday, it’s certainly not going to be the only place in Morocco you go. In my experience, Essaouira if usually the second place people visit in Morocco—after their main swing through Marrakech, but before taking a camel ride into the Sahara Desert, trekking in the Atlas Mountains or visiting cities like Chefchaouen, Fès and Tangier.
Other travelers will follow a simpler trajectory—”other travelers” in this instance being surfers. They’ll head south, optionally exploring things to do in Agadir (such as trekking in the nearby Paradise Valley, said to have been named by Jimi Hendrix himself) besides hitting the waves.
The Bottom Line
Though this post begun in a TMI vein, I think you’ll agree that I succinctly outlined all the best things to do in Essaouira. Whether you return to Marrakech (and, likely, the Sahara Desert) after exploring Essaouira, or continue heading south to the surf paradise of Agadir, this city is as enjoyable as its name is difficult to pronounce.
Robert Schrader is a travel writer and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications such as “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” along the way. His blog, Leave Your Daily Hell, provides a mix of travel advice, destination guides and personal essays covering the more esoteric aspects of life as a traveler.
