Best shared day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY

OVERVIEW

Take a day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech to discover one the the hidden gems of the Atlantic coast. Essaouira, or Mogogdor is famous for its Medina fortification and fishing port. The artsy and hippy atmosphere of Essaouira, the cool weather all year long and the easy 2 hours and 30 minutes drive from Marrakech make Essaouira a very popular day trip from Marrakech. Essaouira day tour departs every day from Marrakech, and only one person is required per booking.

Price per person :

22€

Days of operation:

Daily

Number of participants:

17 Max

Below are the highlights of the most popular day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech:

Walk to the fishing port of Essaouira and watch the blue boats
Visit Skala Kasbah, which was a citadel in the times of war
Explore some of the beautiful Essaouira art galleries scattered in the Medina
Stroll in the Medina of Essaouira, which can be explored at ease
Treat yourself to a seafood lunch at a local café terrace
Sunbathe at the 6 km long sandy beach

Shared Marrakech to Essaouira day tour itinerary:

1 DAY :
Marrakech – Essaouira – Marrakech

6 HOURS DRIVE

Your day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech will begin with a drive along the Haouz plains. Once in Chichaoua village located half way, stop for a cup of coffee before you continue your Journey. Upon approaching Essaouira, you will cross the Argan trees forest, where you will spot some goats climbing the trees. Stop and take some photos before you carry on to Essaouira.
To watch how the Argan oil (also called the liquid gold, or Moroccan oil) is extracted, you will visit a local ladies’ cooperative to learn how some fine cosmetic products are locally made out of the rich Argan oil.
From here, we will carry on to Essaouira. Upon arrival, you will explore the beautiful city at leisure. Out of experience, Exploring Essaouira is easy on your own: Locals are very friendly, the Medina is pretty small (compared to other old towns in Morocco), and its streets are in order. You definitely do not need a guide for the tour of the city. You can easily explore the Medina on your own as its streets are aligned opposite to each other unlike every other maze-like Medina in Morocco. Should you insist on one, your driver will help you hire a local guide.
First, you can visit the harbor with its fishing port and old Portuguese fortifications. You can still see medieval war cannons aligned in order and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to the Medina ( old city ) with its well kept fortification dating to the 18th century. The major landmark of the Medina is La Scala, which was built against foreign attacks from the sea. You can continue to Bab Laalouj ( One of the main gates of Essaouira, then to the Mellah ( the old Jewish quarter.
Along the way, various art shops, galleries, souvenir shops and thuya wood craft shops are aligned in order. Choose one of the local cafes for a delicious seafood lunch and head to Kasbah famous for having served as a military bastion. If you are a beach lover, enjoy a walk along the sandy beach of Mogador, and maybe watch locals playing beach ball. If you are brave enough, why not join a game for a few minutes. People from Essaouira are very friendly!! If not you can sunbathe while watching waterspouts amateurs kitesurfing or windsurfing.
Late in the afternoon, drive back to Marrakech, and your full day tour to Essaouira will end with a drop off at your hotel or the nearest car accessible point to your riad.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Marrakech day trip to Essaouira

- Essaouira might be windy an cold, even when Marrakech is extremely hot
- If you choose to hire a local guide, please do so at your own discretion, they do not work for us
- Please kindly note this is not a guided tour. However, you will have an English speaking driver
- People looking after goats climbing Argan trees expect a tip from you when taking photos

Included

Pick up from your hotel / or the nearest car accessible point to your Riad in Marrakech
A/C modern minibus (no more than 17 passengers) driven by an English speaking driver
Drop off at your hotel or Marrakech city center.

Not Included

Lunch & beverages
Local guide

Frequently Asked Questions

You can reach to Essaouria from Marrakech in about 2.40 Hrs Via R207. If you talk about the distance from Marrakech to Essaouira then you have to cover about 190 Km from Marrakech to reach Essaouira.

No it is not. You will have an English speaking driver until Essaouira, then you will visit the city on your own. Your driver can recommend a local guide if you wish ( fees to agree with him directly ). Honestly, Essaouira is easy to explore on your own, and there is no need for a local guide.

Yes we do. on the way to Essaouira, there will be an opportunity to take pictures of goats climbing Argan trees. Please kindly note that the person herding the goats is expecting a tip.

Yes we do. Please kindly note that every cooperative have a showroom where they tend to sell their goods. There is no obligation to buy at all.

You will arrive around noon and depart Essaouira to Marrakech around 16h00

Yes you can swim in the beaches of Essaouira, but most of the year, it is windy. In the winer, you will be surprised some times how warm and sunny Essaouira is. Just take your bathing suit and towel. You never know.

Mainly they are. Please beware of the scam practiced by some food stalls near the port. Make sure you agree to what you are paying in total first.

You can just join a one way transfer to Essaouira if you wish, but the tour price doesn't change: You still pay the tour full price.

Yes it is, provided your hotel is car accessible and centrally located ( Medina, Gueliz, L'hivernage ). If your riad is not car accessible, a location next to it will be communicated by mail the day before your trip to Essaouira. If your hotel is located outside the above areas, we will kindly ask you for an extra fee or meet us in front of Cafe de La France in Jamaa Elfna Square.

Yes, Marrakech to Essaouira tour is definitely worth it. If you are based in Marrakech, Essaouira is one of the best day trips to take. Sometimes, many visitors tend to stay there for a few days to enjoy the beauty and relaxing hippy atmosphere of Essaouira.

Essaouira is famous for: * the windy beach * Windsurfing / kitesurfing * its easy to explore Medina * Essaouira harbor * Medina ramparts * seafood restaurants * Fortified citadels full of war canons dating to the 18th century * Art galleries * Gnaoua music * Argan oil

The former name of the Medina of Essaouira is Mogador. It is an extraordinary built town which is surrounded by the by a wall influenced by the Vauban model. Constructed according to the principles of contemporary European military architecture.

Although there are fewer shops in Essaouira compared to other big cities of Morocco but still you can buy number of products from its local market like Argon oil, Raffia Crafts,Carpets, Jewellery, Thuya wood, Leather goods, Merchandise and if you want to cook traditional Moroccan Cuisine in your Kitchen than do not forget to purchase the local spices particularly Ras El Hount.