Impact-Site-Verification: e97618de-a52b-470d-b945-7e81282bcff0

Essaouira, Morocco

Things to Do in Essaouira

Top sights, the tours and tickets travellers book most, hidden gems and day trips.

Most booked:Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS

Most booked tours and tickets in Essaouira

2-Hour Beach & Dunes Horse Ride in Essaouira (Day or Sunset)

2-Hour Beach & Dunes Horse Ride in Essaouira (Day or Sunset)

5.0157 reviews2h
Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech

Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech

4.8112 reviews2m
Essaouira P2: dunes wipe & beaches in quad with transfer

Essaouira P2: dunes wipe & beaches in quad with transfer

5.0108 reviews2h
Discovery Tour around Essaouira by Electric Motorcycle

Discovery Tour around Essaouira by Electric Motorcycle

5.0102 reviews3h
Paradise Valley excursion with botanical garden + Berber breakfast

Paradise Valley excursion with botanical garden + Berber breakfast

4.291 reviews5h
Horse Riding on Essaouira Beach Flexible Durations and Sunset

Horse Riding on Essaouira Beach Flexible Durations and Sunset

5.070 reviews2h
2-hour quad adventure between beach and dunes

2-hour quad adventure between beach and dunes

5.064 reviews2h 30m

Tickets and tours by attraction

The best options for each of Essaouira's top sights, compared.

Top sights in Essaouira

  1. 1Medina & Ramparts
  2. 2Fishing Port
  3. 3Beach & Windsurfing
  4. 4Skala de la Ville
  5. 5Art Galleries
  6. 6Fresh Seafood Grills
  • The Authentic Working Port & Medina: Experience a living, breathing port where you can watch the daily fish auction at the Criée, see craftsmen building the iconic blue boats at the Chantier Naval, and wander the pedestrian-only medina free of motorized hassle, discovering artisan workshops in the Mellah (Jewish Quarter).
  • World-Class Windsports & Untamed Beach: Harness the powerful, consistent Atlantic winds for kitesurfing or windsurfing with schools like Explora Watersports, or simply enjoy the expansive, wild beach for horseback riding at sunset or watching local football matches.
  • A Thriving Arts & Music Scene: Explore contemporary galleries like Galerie la Kasbah and Galerie d'Art Damgaard, discover intricate marquetry in the thuya wood workshops, and if timing aligns, immerse yourself in the legendary Gnaoua World Music Festival in June.

Tickets and passes in Essaouira

Essaouira Things to do: Discover Essaouira EN Quad - 2 Quads

Essaouira Things to do: Discover Essaouira EN Quad - 2 Quads

5.0362 reviews1h
Essaouira: 2-Hour Beach & Dunes Quad Tour with Tea

Essaouira: 2-Hour Beach & Dunes Quad Tour with Tea

5.0211 reviews2h

Food and drink experiences in Essaouira

l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira

l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira

4.9130 reviews4h 15m

Day trips and outdoor activities from Essaouira

Essaouira Camel Ride, Quad Bike & Buggy Adventure

Essaouira Camel Ride, Quad Bike & Buggy Adventure

5.0155 reviews1h

Hidden gems in Essaouira

Places most visitors miss, many of them free.

The Jewish Cemetery & Synagogue (Slat Lkahal)

A beautifully maintained, serene cemetery on the northern cliffs, with a small attached synagogue that has been restored.

The Ramparts at Night

Walking the illuminated Skala de la Ville after dark, when the tour groups have left.

Dar Souiri Cultural Center

A cultural association housed in a beautiful old building near Bab Sbaâ, hosting art exhibitions, concerts, and talks.

The Pottery Village of Oulad Merzoug

A small village about 10km inland where generations of families have produced the distinctive green-glazed pottery sold in Essaouira.

Café des Arts (in the Mellah)

A tiny, unassuming cafe tucked in a corner of the old Jewish Quarter, with a few tables and a terrace.

Day trips from Essaouira

Sidi Kaouki

30 min by grand taxi (shared) or car

A rustic, bohemian surf village south of Essaouira, with a spectacular long beach backed by dunes and cliffs. It's the epicenter of Morocco's surf and yoga retreat scene, offering a much more laid-back alternative to the city.

The Argan Forest & Women's Cooperatives

20-45 min by car, along the road to Marrakech

Venture into the UNESCO-listed biosphere to see goats climbing argan trees and visit a women's cooperative to learn about the precious argan oil production, from nut to bottle.

Île de Mogador & The Purple Islands

Boat tours depart from the port (approx 1-2 hour tour)

Take a short boat trip to these rugged, uninhabited islands just offshore, a nature reserve for Eleonora's falcons and the site of ancient Phoenician dye factories (source of the 'purple').

Plan your Essaouira trip

Things to do in Essaouira: FAQ

What are the best things to do in Essaouira?+

Top sights include Medina & Ramparts, Fishing Port, Beach & Windsurfing and Skala de la Ville. Away from the crowds, try The Jewish Cemetery & Synagogue (Slat Lkahal) and The Ramparts at Night.

What are the most popular tours in Essaouira?+

The most booked experiences on Viator are Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS (5.0 stars, 555 reviews); Essaouira Things to do: Discover Essaouira EN Quad - 2 Quads (5.0 stars, 362 reviews); 3 hours ride on camel at sunset (5.0 stars, 352 reviews).

How much do tours in Essaouira cost?+

The tours and tickets on this page start between €10 and €120 per person, depending on length and what is included.

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.