Day Trip to Essaouira

Essaouira is around 2.5 hours' due west of Marrakech and is one of Morocco's most charming coastal fishing towns. Set on the Atlantic coast, the town is at the end of a 10km long sandy bay and near a rocky coastline with offshore islands. The walled town is a great place for first time visitors to explore and there is a good choice of beach side activities.

**Please Note: Naturally Morocco's excursions are only available as part of an itinerary booked through us that includes accommodation and transport.**

Essaouira is fortunate to have an excellent climate, with cooling sea breezes in the summer (also good for water sports) and warming lowland air in winter. This lovely climate, together with its beautiful Portuguese architecture, has always attracted artists and poets but it still continues to be a traditional fishing port at its heart to this day.

Essaouira is the perfect destination for a day trip away from the hectic activity of Marrakech with a vast array of things to do and try including:

• Shopping in the souks for leatherwork, metalwork, glazed pottery, jewellery, brightly coloured carpets, original art, olives, spices, rare argan oil and more .....
• Visit the port and watch fishermen landing their catch or learn how boats are crafted using centuries-old techniques, then eat super-fresh grilled fish or shellfish at one of the seafood stalls
• Visit Place Joutiya between 4 and 5pm to watch locals auctioning everything from teapots to trousers
• Walk 2 miles along the beach at low tide to see the romantic fort of Borj El Barod crumbling into the sea or the ruined Sultan's palace at Diabat
• Take a boat to the Iles de Mogador, breeding ground for the rare Eleanora’s falcon
• Try some watersports (surfing/ kitesurfing/ windsurfing/ bodyboarding/ kayaking) - or just sit at a beachside cafe and watch
• Relax and watch the world go by with coffee or mint tea, and maybe a Moroccan pastry in one of the cafes on Place Moulay Hassan
• Discover the craftsmanship and exquisite carpentry in the little thuya wood workshops under the ramparts

A Typical Day's Trip to Essaouira

A trip to Essaouira usually departs from your accommodation at 9am from Marrakech, arriving soon after 11.30am. Day visitors have around 5.5 hours in the town before returning to Marrakech at around 7.30pm.

Duration: 1 day
Location: All Year