Is Essaouira Worth Visiting? Why this coastal city must be your next Moroccan stop

We explored Essaouira with the eyes of fresher travellers in Morocco. It was wonderful. This city on the Atlantic Coast doesn’t compare with anything we have visited in Morocco.

Within this guide, we will show you what made us fall in love with Essaouira, and why you should not miss this trip. After all, flying into Morocco is cheap and just 4 hours away from mainland Europe.

Is Essaouira worth visiting? Yes! After spending four days there, living the town like locals, exploring the winding medina, sampling street food, working from its cosy cafés, and soaking up the Atlantic vibes, Essaouira carved out a special place in our Morocco journey.

Below, we break down why Essaouira should be on your Morocco itinerary, along with the lowdown on beaches, markets, things to do, weather, accommodation, transport, and even digital nomad life. No fluff, just what we actually saw, ate, and felt.

Is Essaouira worth visiting?

Yes, Essaouira is worth visiting, and an underrated destination in Morocco. While the major destinations in the North African country are Marrakech, Fez, Chefchouen and the resort town Agadir (not so far from Essaouira), Essaouira keeps its charm.

Recently made popular by the TV series Game of Thrones. Essaouira is more than a beautiful postcard. We found less pushy Souk, great interaction with locals, budget-friendly riads, and lovely beach days.

First Impressions: Atlantic Grit Meets Laid-back Charm

We arrived in Essaouira right in the middle of a public holiday frenzy, Eid al-Adha. Little we knew locals from nearby villages were there as it symbolise the peak of the summer festivals and is better known as the Feast of Sacrifice.

Right before the Islamic New Year celebrations. On the day we arrived the market was crazy busy, we squeezed, and elbow to elbow with others, mainly locals, not tourists made our way through the medina doors and passages.

They atmosphere calmed down after a couple of days. Essaouira isn’t always busy, unlike Marrakech or Fes medina, which are crazy. Essaouira medina feels welcoming and manageable. Making our way through the blue-and-white walls, very instagrammable by the way, we found little eateries. You can clearly tell that Essaouira is touristy, but not for take advantage of. We were never pushed in sales, instead was always a nice interaction.

Tell me if you can do something like that in Marrakech. There were plenty of cats (we lost count), street musicians playing Gnawa rhythms, and friendly shopkeepers with smiles rather than hard sells.

The famous ancient city walls and the port with its bobbing blue boats gave the place a rugged coastal vibe that hooked us from the start. Yes, the wind blows relentlessly, and if you’re after sunbathing bliss, the famous Atlantic breeze will throw you off—but that’s Essaouira’s personality, and you learn to love it.

Essaouira Beaches

We were used to the beaches in Tamraght and Taghazout. Endless and quieter (not always). Essaouira beaches are instead very lively. The sand shore we visited is a long stretch outside Medina.

The atmosphere is wild, windswept playgrounds for surfers and kitesurfers, with waves that remind you you’re on the edge of the Atlantic. It reminded us a bit of Da Nang.

There are street carts on the promenade, volleyball sections and local families love it especially during the weekend. These are the beaches you should visit in Essaouira:

• Plage d’Essaouira and Plage Tagharte are basically one long stretch of dune-lined beach where locals and tourists mingle.
• If you want a quieter, more off-the-radar beach day, try Sidi Kaouki or Diabat Beach nearby. These are less crowded, with local surf schools and relaxed cafes.

All the beaches are sandy, and you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas for a budget-friendly 20 MAD each.

We spent afternoons here eating shawarma from street carts, watching camels trot by, and marvelling at wild horses running along the shore at sunset. Essaouira’s beaches are a mood and a scene—just pack a windbreaker.

Shopping in Essaouira Medina: Relaxed and Rewarding

Often, people come to Essaouira from Marrakech or take it as a day trip. One common feedback is about the different approaches of shop owners in Medina.

If you dread aggressive haggling or tourist traps, Essaouira’s souk offers a refreshing contrast to the hustle of Marrakech or Fes. We wandered through the souk without getting hassled—haggling felt playful, not pushy.

• Shops are cute, feel authentic, and like any other souk in Morocco, they sell everything from leather goods and colourful slippers to spices and argan oil
• Surely Argan Oil is pure and authentic, sometimes cheaper than Marrakech
• We snagged a great pair of leather sandals for 200 MAD after a friendly bargain
• The spice stalls are plentiful, with piles of ras el hanout, turmeric, saffron, and everything bright and fragrant
• For souvenirs, check the artisan shops beneath the Rempart Mogador walls for honest prices

The medina’s maze-like layout can feel intimidating on a map, but once you get your bearings, you’ll find it easy to navigate without a guide.

Things to Do in Essaouira: More Than Just a Beach Day

We have an entire guide about things to do in Essaouira. This is a quick checklist of this and places you shouldn’t miss:

• Wandering the Medina Walls and Skala de la Ville: Walking on the Medina Walls is free; getting inside the Museum costs 20 MAD. The view is incredible and magical, especially at sunset. It reminded us of the scenes of Game of Thrones, Season 3, as Astapor. It definitely set the vibes.
• Bab El Marsa and the Port: The fishing port buzzes with life. We watched kids jump from walls and fishermen haul in their catch.
• Gnawa Music Sessions: Catch local street performances or plan your visit around the annual Gnaoua World Music Festival if you time it right (usually June).
• Essaouira Soul Coffee & Brotherhood Coffee: Our favourites for spiced lattes, mint teas, and an authentic cafe vibe where locals and digital nomads mix.
• Skala Coffee and Sunset Watching: The best sunset view in town, with cannons pointing into the ocean, waves crashing below—it’s a must.
• Exploring Nearby Beaches: Trips to Sidi Kaouki or Diabat Beach are easy from town and perfect for a relaxing day outside the medina.

Essaouira Weather and Best Time to Visit

The rough winds from the Atlantic Ocean highly influence the weather in Essaouira. The city is well known for the wind, and some days we can feel it; on the walls, it was carrying us around as it was strong. However, most of the time, even when it is freezing in Europe, it is warm in Essaouira. 

The best time to visit Essaouira is definitely in spring (April to June). However, you might also want to consider travelling early autumn (September to the beginning of November) when days are warm, crowds are thinner, and the wind is still manageable.

We travelled during the low season, so prices for accommodation were manageable, and there were fewer crowds around. In the high season, July and August on top, expect crowds. Most of the people combine it with Marrakech, or do that as a day trip (only 3 hours away by public bus – 2 and a half with private tours).

Anyway, if you don’t mind the fresh Atlantic gusts, Essaouira is lovely year-round for a different coastal feel than Morocco’s southern resorts in Agadir.

Where to stay in Essaouira: From Riads to Hostels

We stayed in three different spots to get a feel for the varied Essaouira vibes.

• Riad Baladin: Our clear favourite for couples seeking intimacy and authenticity. A charming 250-year-old family-run riad tucked inside the medina with only 8 rooms, great Wi-Fi, a Jacuzzi, and a rooftop terrace with stunning views. Rooms start from around 50–80 USD per night.
• Moga Hostel: Perfect for backpackers and solo travellers craving social vibes and budget-friendly dorms with decent Wi-Fi. It’s central, steps from Brotherhood Coffee.
• Welkam Inn Coliving: Ideal for digital nomads and longer stays, located near the bus station and beach with co-working space, communal kitchens, and quiet surroundings.

Compared to other cities, Essaouira’s accommodation tends to be affordable for the experience you get, but book early, especially for riads, as spaces fill fast.

Essaouira for Couples, Backpackers, and Digital Nomads

For couples seeking a romantic getaway, Essaouira delivers. We had the best time staying at Riad Baladin, in the heart of Medina. It felt far away from the chaotic Souk, with extraordinary amenities. We even had a romantic jacuzzi hour in the courtyard included in our stay. Overall, the city also abounds in cosy spots for sunset drinks.

If you are a backpacker, it is great too. We stayed in a hostel for the second part of our Essaouira stay. The fact that the city is small, you’ll need 24 hours to understand your way around, find cheap places to eat and make friends in a hostel. The vibes are relaxed and most of the places offer breakfast included, which is good if you are keeping an eye on the budget.

We worked comfortably from Essaouira. Many Digital Nomads do, actually some move as fixed base because of budget and great lifestyle by the coast. Wi-fi is great, unlike other places in Morocco. We stayed at the co-living Wekam Inn, and it was ideal outside of Medina, closer to the beach and CTM station.

While there are not many facilities and cafes for digital nomads, the few available are sufficient and well-organised. The pace is slower than in larger cities, so plan accordingly if you need deep focus time.

READ MORE | Essaouira for digital nomads

Essaouira vs Marrakech: Different Worlds, Both Worthy

Marrakech is Morocco’s bustling heart; it is incredible; you’ll love it, but staying longer might get too much. It’s what happened to us throughout our two stays in Marrakech. Essaouira, on the other hand, was much more relaxed. The vibes are laid-back, like any beach town with a surfer core.

Also, we highly rank authenticity. For many reasons, Essaouira is less touristy than Marrakech, and locals aren’t relying merely on tourism. So opposite to Marrakech, this led to more genuine interaction.

Like the one we had with Mussad, the shop owner, we bought Alessia’s sandals. Talking about the Souk, Essaouira medina is easier to navigate and less overwhelming, making it better for families or if you generally dislike intense city crowds.

Final Thoughts | Our Essaouria guide for first timers

Essaouira surprised us with its mix of chill coastal living, authentic Moroccan culture, and enough modern comforts to feel at home—and did so without the crowds or chaos of larger cities.

Whether you’re a couple craving sunsets and quiet charm, a backpacker seeking a safe, laid-back vibe, or a digital nomad looking for fresh air and decent Wi-Fi, Essaouira delivers in a way few Moroccan destinations can.

So, is Essaouira worth visiting? For us, it was a highlight, a place we’d happily return to and recommend to anyone who values a blend of sun, sea, culture, and real Moroccan spirit.

FAQ | Is it worth going to Essaouira?