Essaouira is a popular day trip from Marrakech, and after going, I understand why. It’s a complete change of pace from the high energy of Marrakech. While Marrakech is warm-toned with rose and salmon-colored buildings, Essaouira is washed in cobalt blue in every direction which naturally feels calmer and cooler. You may have seen the famous blue fishing boats, but you’ll also find blue doors and windows, vendor stalls, not to mention, the city is backdropped by clear blue skies.

Originally, I had planned to visit Casablanca, and though I’m sure that would have been lovely, the tour was cancelled, and a stroke of fate had my riad manager offer this trip to me instead. If you have time in your itinerary, this is a great way to see a different side of Morocco without traveling too far.

How to Get to Essaouira from Marrakech

Essaouira is about a 2–3 hour drive from Marrakech, depending on traffic and stops along the way, and there are a few different ways to do this day trip depending on your budget and how you like to travel.

I found that the easiest way for me to plan certain things for Morocco specifically was to book through your riad or hotel, which is what I did. They often have standing relationships with tour companies and guides, which is a good sign these are people you can trust as well, especially as a solo traveler. My riad arranged a private tour for me in an air-conditioned sprinter van, which made the trip very comfortable. Because it was a private driver, we were able to stop whenever I wanted for coffee or tea, bathroom breaks, and even when I saw something along the road that I wanted to photograph.

On the way to Essaouira, we also stopped at an argan oil cooperative for about 45 minutes, where I was able to see how argan oil is made and buy authentic products like scalp oil, facial oil, soap, and honey.

If you want to save money, you can also book a group day trip through sites like Viator or GetYourGuide. These tours are usually much cheaper, I’m talking $20, but you will be traveling with a larger group and won’t have as much flexibility with stops or timing. There is also a bus from Marrakech to Essaouira, which is the cheapest option, but it requires more planning and is less flexible for a day trip.

What to Do in Essaouira

Essaouira is very easy to explore in a few hours, and you actually don’t need an itinerary at all. The best way to see the city is just to start walking. You can’t get lost.

I recommend starting at the port, where you’ll see the famous blue fishing boats and fishermen bringing in their catch. From there, walk toward the ramparts, where you can look out over the Atlantic Ocean and walk along the old city walls. After that, spend most of your time inside the medina. The medina in Essaouira is much easier to navigate than the medina in Marrakech. The streets are much wider, there aren’t as many vendors shouting at you, and it’s a great place to find beautiful rugs, pillows, clothing, postcards, and other handmade goods. As you walk further in, you’ll move from shops and restaurants into more of a local market area where you’ll see produce vendors and everyday local shopping.

You can eat inside the medina at one of the many restaurants or cafés, but I had really good and inexpensive seafood outside the medina at a place called Le Chalet de la Plage. One thing to keep in mind is that some restaurants close in the middle of the day and reopen later for dinner, so I would think about this before you start walking.

How Much Time You Need in Essaouira

I spent about 4–5 hours in Essaouira, which was a good amount of time for a day trip. I had enough time to see the port, walk the ramparts, explore the medina and eat lunch. That said, if I had known how much I would love Essaouira, I probably would have planned to stay overnight.

The Beach in Essaouira

When you arrive in Essaouira, there’s a large sandy beach where you can walk along the water, lay out on the sand or sit at one of the beach cafés. I also saw a couple of beach clubs if you want a chair or beach lounger. If you walk along the ramparts and exit on the other side, you’ll also find a rocky coastline where you can sit and watch the waves. Even if you don’t plan to spend the whole day at the beach, it’s a nice place to hang and catch a breeze.

Is an Essaouira Day Trip Worth It?

Definitely, especially if you are spending several days in Morocco. Doing this trip in the middle of your time in Marrakech is a good way to take a break from the high energy of the city before returning to finish your itinerary or heading to another city. It gives you a chance to see the coast and see a different side of Morocco.