Things to Do in Essaouira – A Local Guide’s Honest View

Things to do in Essaouira are not about rushing from one attraction to another. Essaouira is a city you feel before you try to understand. I’ve guided travelers all across Morocco for years, from the busy souks of Marrakech to the deep alleys of Fes, and I always tell them the same thing: if Marrakech is the energy of Morocco and Fes is its soul, then Essaouira is its breath.

Essaouira sits quietly on the Atlantic coast, where the wind carries the smell of salt and cedar wood, and where life moves at a rhythm that reminds you to slow down. Many people come here after Marrakech, tired from the noise and heat, and they are surprised by how calm everything feels. This is not a city that tries to impress you with big monuments. It wins you with its light, its ocean, its music, and the simple beauty of daily life.

As a Moroccan tour guide, I don’t see Essaouira as just a seaside town. I see it as a place where cultures met for centuries Amazigh, Arab, African, Jewish, and European and left their mark in the medina walls, the harbor, and even in the food. Built in the 18th century as a trading port, Essaouira (once called Mogador) became one of Morocco’s most important links with the world. That history is still alive when you walk through the white and blue streets or watch fishermen bringing their catch back to the port.

I’ve written this guide the same way I speak to travelers when I’m walking with them through Morocco honest, simple, and based on what really matters once you arrive. Essaouira doesn’t need a long checklist. It needs time, curiosity, and the right places to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Many travelers come to Essaouira after Marrakech, so if you haven’t yet, you can also read my guide to Things to Do in Marrakech to understand the contrast between the two cities. And if you want to explore Morocco more deeply, my Things to Do in Fes guide shows you another face of our country. You’ll find all of them connected inside my Morocco Travel Guide.

Below, I’ll share with you the spots I always show my guests, the walks I love to take when I’m here myself, and the small experiences that make Essaouira special not just for photos, but for real memories.

Explore the Medina of Essaouira (A UNESCO World Heritage Gem)

The medina of Essaouira is one of the easiest and most pleasant old cities to explore in Morocco. Every time I bring guests here, they tell me the same thing: it feels calm, open, and welcoming from the first step inside. Whitewashed walls, blue doors, and the Atlantic breeze give this medina a character you won’t find in Marrakech or Fes.

I usually start walks near Bab Marrakech, one of the main gates, and lead travelers toward the heart of the medina. From there, we pass through streets like Rue Mohamed El Qorry and Rue Abdelaziz El Fichtali, where you find art galleries, small cafés, and local shops side by side.

🟦 Place Moulay Hassan – The Living Center

One spot I never skip is Place Moulay Hassan. This open square sits between the medina, the port, and the Skala. It’s where locals meet, musicians play, and cafés fill up in the afternoon. From here, you can feel how Essaouira connects the city, the sea, and daily life in one place.

Local tip: Sit here for a coffee or mint tea and just watch the movement around you it’s the best introduction to Essaouira.

🟦 Art, Wood & Local Crafts

Essaouira is famous for its thuya wood workshops. As you walk through streets like Rue Chbanat and nearby alleys, you’ll see craftsmen shaping boxes, tables, and small souvenirs from this local wood. You’ll also find many small art galleries, because Essaouira has long attracted painters and musicians.

I always tell my guests: this is one of the best cities in Morocco to browse without pressure. Shop owners here are usually relaxed and happy to talk.

🟦 Easy to Walk, Easy to Enjoy

The medina streets are wide and laid out in a grid, designed in the 18th century when Essaouira was built as a modern port city. That’s why you don’t feel lost or trapped. You can explore freely and always find your way back to the sea.

Practical local advice:

• Start near Bab Marrakech or Bab Doukkala
• Walk toward Place Moulay Hassan and the Skala
• Keep small cash for crafts and cafés
• Morning and late afternoon are the best times

Walk the Skala de la Ville & the City Ramparts

When I guide travelers in Essaouira, one of the first places I take them after the medina is the Skala de la Ville. This is not just a viewpoint it’s where you really understand why Essaouira was built here in the first place.

The Skala is part of the old fortifications designed in the 18th century to protect the city and its port. Cannons still line the walls, facing the Atlantic, and when you stand here with the wind in your face and waves crashing below, you feel the power of the ocean and the history of this port city.

🟦 Where I Start the Walk

I usually enter the Skala from near Place Moulay Hassan and walk along the ramparts toward the north. From here, you get wide views over:

• The Atlantic Ocean
• The rocky islands of Îles Purpuraires
• The medina walls stretching behind you

This is one of the best photo spots in the city.

Local tip:
Come in the late afternoon when the light is soft and the sky starts to change. Sunset here is unforgettable.

🟦 Cannons, Wind & Waves

The old bronze cannons pointing toward the sea remind you that Essaouira was once a strategic military port. Today, they make a dramatic scene, especially when waves crash against the rocks below. On windy days, you’ll really feel why Essaouira is known as the “Wind City of Africa.”

I always tell my guests: hold your hat, keep your jacket close, and enjoy the fresh air.

Many guided walking tours of Essaouira include the Skala and ramparts, which helps you understand the city’s history while enjoying the views. You can explore Essaouira walking tours here.

🟦 Skala du Port – The Harbor Fortifications

From the Skala de la Ville, you can continue toward Skala du Port, the fortified entrance to the fishing harbor. The view from above the blue boats and the busy port below is another classic Essaouira scene.

Things to Do in Essaouira Port & the Fishing Life

The port of Essaouira is one of the most alive places in the city. Every time I bring travelers here, it becomes their favorite spot not because it’s beautiful in a classic way, but because it’s real. This is where Essaouira works.

You enter the port through Skala du Port, passing under the old fortifications, and suddenly you’re surrounded by blue fishing boats, seagulls, fishermen repairing nets, and the smell of the ocean. It’s busy, noisy, and full of movement a strong contrast to the calm medina behind you.

🟦 Watching the Boats Come In

In the late morning and early afternoon, you can see boats returning with their catch. Sardines, anchovies, sea bass, and sometimes larger fish are brought straight to the quay. Locals come to buy fish for lunch, and small restaurants nearby prepare it on the spot.

Local tip: This is the best place in Essaouira to understand how connected the city still is to the sea.

🟦 Grilled Fish by the Harbor

Near the port, you’ll find simple stalls and small eateries where you can choose your fish and have it grilled right away. No luxury, no decoration just fresh fish, bread, and salad.

When I guide guests, I often bring them here for lunch and tell them: this is Essaouira on a plate.

Practical advice:

• Ask for the price before ordering
• Go for what’s fresh that day
• Share dishes portions are generous

🟦 Life Between the Boats

Walk along the quay and you’ll see fishermen fixing nets, painting boats, and talking loudly over the sound of the waves and birds. It’s not staged. It’s daily life, and that’s why it’s special.

Some city tours include a stop at the port to explain the fishing life and history of Essaouira. You can check guided tours of Essaouira that visit the harbor here.

I always remind visitors to be respectful: ask before taking close photos and don’t get in the way of people working.

Walk Essaouira Beach & Feel the Atlantic Wind

Essaouira’s beach is not just for swimming it’s where the city opens itself to the Atlantic. When I walk here with travelers, I tell them this beach is about space, wind, and freedom more than sunbeds and umbrellas.

The main beach stretches from the medina walls near Bab Sbaa all the way south toward Diabat, with soft sand and wide open views. You can walk for hours with the sound of waves and seagulls following you.

🟦 From Bab Sbaa to Diabat

I usually start beach walks near Bab Sbaa, one of the old gates of the medina, and head south. On your left is the ocean, on your right are camels, horses, and surfers preparing their boards. As you walk further, the city slowly disappears and the coast becomes quieter.

Local tip: Early morning and late afternoon are the best times cooler, less windy, and beautiful light.

🟦 Wind, Kites & Surf Culture

Essaouira is famous for wind sports. You’ll often see kitesurfers and windsurfers dancing on the waves, especially in the afternoon when the wind is stronger. Even if you don’t practice, it’s fun to watch.

If you’re interested, there are small surf and kitesurf schools along the beach that offer lessons for beginners.

🟦 Horses & Camels by the Sea

One scene visitors love is seeing horses and camels walking along the shoreline, especially near sunset. It’s tourist-friendly but still part of local seaside life.

If you’d like to try kitesurfing or enjoy a beach activity with a local instructor, you can explore Essaouira surf and kitesurf experiences here.

Practical advice:

• Bring a light jacket the wind can be strong
• Don’t expect warm water for swimming
• Walk shoes or sandals are better than barefoot on windy days

Eat Local in Essaouira – Seafood, Simple Flavors & Ocean Air

Food in Essaouira is closely tied to the sea. When I guide travelers here, I always explain that this city eats differently from Marrakech or Fes. The cuisine is simpler, lighter, and focused on freshness, not heavy spices. You taste the ocean in many dishes, and that’s exactly how it should be.

Essaouira is one of the best places in Morocco to eat well without luxury restaurants. Some of the best meals are found in modest places where locals eat every day.

🟦 Seafood Near the Port – As Fresh As It Gets

If you want the most authentic experience, eat near the fishing port. After watching the boats come in, you can walk a few steps to small grills where fish is prepared immediately.

You’ll usually find:

• Sardines
• Calamari
• Shrimp
• Sea bass or dorade (depending on the day)

Local tip:
Ask “Ashnu jadid?” (What’s fresh today?) and choose based on the answer, not the menu.

🟦 Medina Restaurants I Trust

Inside the medina, especially near Place Moulay Hassan and along streets like Rue Chbanat, you’ll find relaxed restaurants offering both seafood and classic Moroccan dishes.

Look for: Fish tagine, Grilled kefta, Vegetable tagines ,Harira soup in the evening

These places are good for sitting down slowly and enjoying the atmosphere without pressure.

🟦 Street Food & Simple Bites

For quick bites, Essaouira is great. Try:

• Bissara (split pea soup) in the morning
• Msemmen or harcha from small bakeries
• Fresh orange juice from street vendors

These are everyday foods locals eat, and they’re part of the real experience.

🟦 Cafés by the Sea

Cafés around Place Moulay Hassan and along the medina edge are perfect for mint tea or coffee with an ocean view. I often tell guests: sitting here and doing nothing for 30 minutes is already an activity.

Some guided food walks in Essaouira include port visits, seafood tastings, and local cafés. You can explore Essaouira food and cultural tours here.

My rule as a guide:
If a place is full of locals and has a simple menu, you’re in the right spot.

FAQ – Essaouira (By a Local Guide)

My Local Advice on Essaouira

Essaouira is not a place you rush through. It’s a city you feel. From the sound of the waves at the port to the blue-and-white alleys of the medina, from fresh grilled sardines to sunset walks on the beach, this city shows you a softer, calmer side of Morocco. As a Moroccan tour guide, I always tell my guests: Essaouira is where you slow down, breathe the ocean air, and reconnect with the simple joy of travel.

If it’s your first time here, don’t just wander without a plan. A good local experience can completely change how you see the city whether it’s a guided walk inside the medina, a surf lesson on the Atlantic, or a day trip to discover the countryside around Essaouira.

👉 I recommend checking the best-rated tours and activities in Essaouira here to choose what fits your style and travel dates. These experiences are carefully selected, trusted by travelers, and a great way to support local guides while making your trip smoother and more memorable.

Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend activities and services I truly believe in and would suggest to my own guests. Your support helps me keep sharing real, honest local advice about my country. Thank you, and welcome to Essaouira one of Morocco’s most beautiful coastal souls