ATLAS DRIVER · BLOG
Things to do in Essaouira
Guides & tips for travelling in Morocco
Essaouira is Marrakech's opposite: the ocean, the trade winds, a calm bohemian medina. Here are the essentials of the city of winds — and how to get there hassle-free.
The medina (UNESCO)
- Skala de la Ville ramparts: cannons facing the Atlantic, the iconic sunset view.
- Souks & artisans: thuya woodwork, jewellery, art galleries — Essaouira is an artists' town.
- White-and-blue lanes, carved doors, an easy-going mood.
The port & the sea
- Fishing port: blue boats, the auction, grilled fish on the quay.
- Essaouira beach: vast and windswept — a paradise for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
- Horse or camel ride to Diabat and the wild beach.
Around Essaouira
- Argan groves: oil cooperatives, goats in the argan trees (on the Marrakech road).
- Sidi Kaouki: a surf spot and wild beach to the south.
- Taste the gris wines of the Val d'Argan estate.
How long?
- 1 day (day trip from Marrakech): medina, port, ramparts, lunch.
- 2-3 days: for the beach, the sunsets and the laid-back pace.
Practical tips
- Weather: windy year-round (hence kitesurfing); mild in summer when Marrakech bakes.
- Pedestrian medina: park at the gates (Bab Doukkala/Marrakech).
- Getting there: from Marrakech (2h30), with an argan stop — see our Marrakech → Essaouira transfer or the day trip.
Get there hassle-free
With a private driver, the argan stop is included, you arrive at your riad's gate, and you leave whenever you like — at a fixed price confirmed in advance.
FAQ
How many days for Essaouira?
1 day for the essentials; 2-3 for the beach and the art of living.
Can you swim there?
The beach is superb but windy and the water cool (Atlantic) — perfect for kitesurfing, brisker for swimming.
How to get to Essaouira from Marrakech?
~2h30 by car, with an argan stop. Private transfer or day trip.