Essaouira on the Atlantic
Two days of white and blue medina, beach and trade winds, three hours from Marrakech.
Essaouira is Marrakech's counterpoint: ramparts facing the ocean, the fishing port, a listed medina on a human scale, and a wind that never quite drops.
Two days are enough to take it in — and for those who want it, the bay is one of the best spots in Morocco for surfing and sailing.
Photo library
How it unfolds, day by day
Two days and a night from Marrakech, three hours' drive from the coast.
Marrakech › Essaouira
West through the argan forest. Arrival in Essaouira: the ramparts facing the ocean, the fishing port and its auction, the white and blue UNESCO-listed medina. A night on site.
About 175 kmEssaouira › Marrakech
A morning on the long beach of the bay — walking, surfing, sailing or a horse ride — then the drive back to Marrakech in the afternoon.
About 175 kmWhat is included — and what is not
Included in the package
- The UNESCO-listed medina of Essaouira
- Time for the beach and the bay
- Optional surfing and sailing, carried by the trade winds
- Transport and guidance from Marrakech
Not included
- International flights and air taxes
- Travel insurance and repatriation cover
- Meals and drinks not mentioned
- Site and museum entrance fees, unless stated otherwise
- Tips and personal spending
The exact content of the package — accommodation, vehicle category, excursions, level of comfort — is settled with you before any booking, and set out plainly on the quote.
On site and around
What can be added to these two days, depending on what appeals.
Frequently asked questions
Can Essaouira be done in a day?
It is possible but tight: three hours' drive each way. Two days with a night there changes the experience completely, above all in the evening and early morning on the port.
Is it always windy?
The trade winds blow much of the year — that is what makes the bay's reputation for surfing and sailing, and what makes summer very bearable. Bring a light jumper for the evening.
Does the package work with children?
Yes. The medina is pedestrian and compact, the beach is wide and sheltered, and camel or horse rides on the sand are a big hit with children.