ON THE GO TOURS BLOG info@onthegotours.com +44 20 7371 1113 DESTINATIONS EXPLORE TOURS CONTRIBUTE SUBSCRIBE On The Go Tours Blog > Extra Time In > 6 Things to do in Essaouira, Morocco (4 minute read) 6 Things to do in Essaouira, Morocco (4 minute read) Posted on November 25, 2021 by Ben Bromley 0 0 0 Travellers to Morocco often flock straight to Marrakech, or into the Sahara Desert, but the coastal port city of Essaouira shouldn’t be neglected. It’s a laid-back destination, an antidote to the hustle and bustle of the better-known cities. There’s plenty to see and do. You can go horse-riding on the beach, or tuck into the freshest fish you’re going to find anywhere in Morocco. To give you a feel for the city, we’ve put together a guide to the best things to do in Essaouira. 1. Walk the city ramparts Essaouira’s ramparts were built in the 1760s to protect the port from invaders. And a walk along these historic walls is a must for anybody visiting the region. There are still intact cannons on top of the walls. And visitors can enjoy stunning views out to sea and down to the medina. You’ll normally find local traders up here too, selling hand-painted artwork and other items. A WALK ALONG THE RAMPARTS OF ESSAOUIRA OFFERS AMAZING VIEWS OF THE SEA AND THE MEDINA 2. Shop the souks Exploring Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech is incredible, an assault on the senses. It’s a whirlwind of market stalls, musicians, and snake charmers. It’s a must-visit, but for some, it can be a little much. The souks of Essaouira are much more laid back and relaxed. Traders are a bit less persistent; prices are lower and there’s all manner of items to shop for. From spices to silver, leather to traditional Berber carpets. Bartering is acceptable as in the majority of Morocco’s markets. If you’re new to the culture and customs of Moroccan shopping, then Essaouira may be the best place in the country to ease yourself in! 3. Stay active on the beach Essaouira is nicknamed “the windy city” and its beaches aren’t known for sunbathing. However, they have a great reputation for water sports. The constant Atlantic breeze makes it the perfect destination to try your hand at windsurfing and kitesurfing, and there are plenty of surf schools on the beachfront. You can also go horse riding, camel riding, or quad biking further along the beach. If you are committed to sunbathing then you’ll want to bring along an umbrella or something else to stop the winds from blowing sand into your face. But when the rest of Morocco is sweltering in the summer heat, the breeze will become your best friend! SURFING AND CAMEL RIDING ARE JUST TWO OF THE FUN ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY ON THE BEACHES OF ESSAOUIRA 4. Delve into the medina Essaouira’s medina was formerly known as Mogador, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 for its rich history and cultural importance. Unlike places such as Fes and Marrakech, the medina is laid out in a grid system, with a beautiful central square, Place Moulay-Hassan. This makes it much harder to get lost and means streets are wider and generally more accessible. The medina is full of shops, independent restaurants, cafes, and all manner of other outlets. Enjoying a coffee, a spot of people watching, or a light lunch in Place Moulay-Hassan is a wonderful way to spend a few hours in the city. 5. Watch the boats in the harbour Historically nicknamed the “Port of Timbuktu”, Essaouira was once Morocco’s biggest port. And although those glory days may be behind the city, there are still plenty of ships and fishing boats coming and going. Get yourself down to the harbour to see shipbuilders at work, or watch the local fishermen return to shore with their catch every day in the mid-afternoon. Perfect if you’re in the market for a fresh fish dinner… ESSAOUIRA IS KNOWN FOR THE PRETTY BLUE FISHING BOATS WHICH COME AND GO FROM THE HARBOUR, BRINGING IN FRESH FISH TO SELL 6. … and stuff yourself with seafood Fishermen in Essaouira auction off their catch the second they get to port. And some of them will even grill it for you at stalls along the harbour. It doesn’t get much fresher than that! The majority of restaurants in the area will also offer the daily catch, so you really are spoilt for choice. Essaouira can be thought of in many ways as “Morocco Lite”. This is because it has a much more relaxed atmosphere and lower intensity when compared to the bustle of Marrakech and other cities. However, this doesn’t mean you’re going to be bored, as there is plenty to see and do in the city. Whether you like to shop, relax or keep active, you’ll find something to enjoy in Essaouira. You can visit the coastal city on many of our Morocco tours, including Casablanca & Coast (7 days), Casablanca to Essaouira (13 days), and Best of Morocco (13 days). You may also be interested in... 10 Interesting Facts About Marrakech (5 minute read) Doing Morocco right: Visiting Morocco as a solo female traveller The Most Amazing Treks in Morocco A Guide to Morocco’s Imperial Cities Post navigation PREVIOUS ARTICLE Previous Article: The 10 Best National Parks in Eastern & Southern Africa (9 minute read) POSTED IN Extra Time In TAGGED Adventure Travel, Morocco Leave a Reply Search for: Categories Extra Time In (92) Festivals and Events (87) Globe Trotting (176) Guest Bloggers (172) News Tips and Trivia (175) Our Adventures (240) Photo Showcase (131) Top 5s and 10s (195) Video of the Week (216) World Wildlife (9) World Wonders (33) The On The Go Tours team Our blog features our latest adventures, plenty of useful travel tips, fabulous travel photos and, we hope, lots more stuff to whet your appetite for your next holiday. There are regular contributions from all of us at On The Go Tours as well as from travellers from the far corners of our planet. Recent Posts 6 Things to do in Essaouira, Morocco (4 minute read) November 25, 2021 The 10 Best National Parks in Eastern & Southern Africa (9 minute read) November 19, 2021 Travelling to Asia in 2022? Top 5 Things to See and Do (6 minute read) November 11, 2021 5 Reasons to Book an Egypt Holiday For 2022 (5 minute read) November 4, 2021 Dune: A Movie Starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya… and Wadi Rum, Jordan! (4 minute read) October 27, 2021 Tags ADVENTURE TRAVEL AFRICA CENTRAL AMERICA CHINA EGYPT EUROPE FAR EAST FOOD AND TRAVEL INDIA INDIAN SUBCONTINENT JAPAN JORDAN MIDDLE EAST MOROCCO PERU RUSSIA SOUTH AMERICA SOUTHEAST ASIA SRI LANKA TURKEY VIETNAM WILDLIFE Download our Worldwide brochure! THE INSIDE TRACK e: info@onthegotours.com t: +44 20 7371 1113 GET IN TOUCH Order free brochures Make an enquiry View special offers Subscribe VIEW OUR TRIPS Africa Central America Europe Far East Indian Subcontinent The Middle East South America Southeast Asia Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter Copyright © 2021 Go Travelling Ltd. All rights reserved. To give you the best possible experience, By using our website, you accept our use of cookies. OKCookie Policy