Things To Do In Essaouira

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Ideal duration: 2 - 3 Days

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Things To Do In Essaouira

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1. Stroll Around Medina

Stroll Around Medina

1 km
from city center
1 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

Previously known as the Medina of Mogador, the medina of Essaouira is a majestic-fortified town that dates back to the eighteenth century. You can enjoy a heritage walk in this UNESCO World Heritage Site while admiring the aged but rustic architecture or buy souvenirs from local shops.

2. Kitesurfing at Safi Beach

Kitesurfing at Safi Beach

2 km
from city center
2 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

Wide and sandy, the Safi beach at Essaouira is a good spot for taking a promenade and kitesurfing. The Safi beach is located on the northern edge of Essaouira and is one of the longest beaches in Morocco. Its clean and less polluted surface is a delightful change from the beaches in the rest of Morocco. This beach differs from most beaches, decked with stunning sand dunes.

3. Surfing in Essaouira

Surfing in Essaouira

2 km
from city center
3 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

With the strong currents from the Sirocco in the Sahara meeting the winds in the Atlantic, Essaouira makes for a great destination for surfing enthusiasts. The Mogador island softens the intensity of the currents, allowing only strong but mild waves to the Essaouira island. The mild waves make the perfect surfing conditions on the beaches of Essaouira, particularly during the peak surfing season from September to April. and Safi beach. The waves on Essaouira's beaches are ideal for beginner and intermediate surfers.

4. Camel Riding

Camel Riding

2 km
from city center
4 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

Essaouira has one of the longest and most spectacular coastlines in Morocco. You can be mesmerized while viewing the golden beaches of Essaouira with their soft and sandy terrains on the back of a camel. This experience is even more special during the sunset at the beach. Most rides offer a guided tour of the sites listed in the ride, such as the Dar Sultan Palace, beaches, and other historical structures of the city.

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5. Shopping at the Souks

Shopping at the Souks

1 km
from city center
5 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

Essaouira has a number of souks where you can literally find anything that you want, from local produce, including vegetables, fruits, seafood, and meat to jewelry, spices, clothes, perfumes, etc. You can get souvenirs in the form of local handicrafts, ceramics, spices or perfumes or walk around the souk observing the life of the local population

6. Visit a Hammam

Visit a Hammam

2 km
from city center
6 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

Essaouira, being a quintessential Moroccan city, is the perfect site to get a traditional Moroccan hammam. The rates here are reasonable and there are a number of places in the Essaouira Medina who provide this rejuvenating experience. It typically includes detoxification, scrubbing, cleansing and a relaxing massage. Some of the most popular hammam places include Spa Cocooning, Riad Mumtaz Mahal and Centre d’esthetique Bio Argana spa Essaouira.

7. Quad Biking in Essaouira

Quad Biking in Essaouira

2 km
from city center
7 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

The Berber villages, stunning sand dunes, secluded beaches, and argan forests in Essaouira make it an ideal site for Quad Biking. Many companies across beaches and popular tourist destinations, such as Essaouira beach and Dar Sultan Palace, provide this experience. There are several off-beat tracks that one can explore or ruins of historical monuments which are isolated. Such tours are suitable for people of all ages and groups of all sizes.

8. Get a Berber Massage

Get a Berber Massage

2 km
from city center
8 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

While traveling through Essaouira, you will not miss the signboards of many massage parlors or hammams. Berber massage is a type of traditional Moroccan treatment. A Berber massage is similar to a normal massage treatment with light tapping with cupped hands. This spa is offered at all the spas and massage parlors in Essaouira Medina.

9. Dar Sultan Palace

Dar Sultan Palace

3 km
from city center
9 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

The Dar Sultan Palace is located near Biabat, on the southern side of the river Oued Ksob. The Dar Es-Sultan or the White House in Essaouira is a beautiful remnant of the royal history of Essaouira. You can appreciate the European style architecture of the palace, which also has hints of traditional Moroccan style. The huge glass windows installed by Dutch craftsmen and the gilded mirrors are a beautiful sight to behold.

10. Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum

Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum

1 km
from city center
10 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

Located right in the center of Essaouira, the Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum displays old photographs, historical musical instruments, some utensils, wood carving, embroidery, jewelry and armory from pre-historic times. It has been created in a colonial house from the 1800s.

11. Take a Cooking Class

Take a Cooking Class

2 km
from city center
11 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

Morocco has a distinct set of flavourful dishes which go back a long time in history. While some establishments offer cooking classes near the seaside using fresh produce from the sea, some offer classes in an Essaouira Riad, in a luxurious modern kitchen, or even in workshops at home. You can opt for an individual cooking class, a couple's cooking workshop, or a group session.

12. Bab Doukkala

Bab Doukkala

2 km
from city center
12 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

Formerly known as the ‘Porte de la Juiverie’, the Bab Doukkala is one of the main gates to the Medina of Essaouira. The gate’s frame is made up of cut stones without the use of any ornaments to embellish it. It has a great symbolic value other than the history associated with it. You can appreciate the intricate architecture of the site and take pictures of the majestic structure.

13. Water Sports in Essaouira

Water Sports in Essaouira

2 km
from city center
13 out of 13
Things To Do in Essaouira

With a long coastline, strong breeze from the Atlantic, currents ideal for thrilling activities and a beautiful sunset, Essaouira is the ideal destination for water sports. Due to the strong winds, swimming and sunbathing on the beaches here is not ideal. Surfing is the most popular activity among them, and it is no surprise that most beaches here are equipped with surfing facilities and allow for a range of surfing- kitesurfing, windsurfing and wavesurfing.

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