One Day Essaouira Itinerary for Art Enthusiasts and Seafood Lovers
- Malika
- 6 days ago
- 14 min read
The enchanting coastal city of Essaouira is rapidly becoming one of Morocco's most popular tourist destinations, with many opting to make it their base in the country. Having visited Essaouira multiple times (in fact, I go whenever I have the chance), I can safely say that it has me captivated!
This artsy, whitewashed city has a much more relaxed feel to it than Marrakech, with a lively fishing port (the seafood here is fantastic) and a bustling medina encircled by Portuguese walls. Add to that great artisan shopping, inspiring galleries and some wonderful restaurants and cafes - there’s so much about Essaouira to love!
If you only have one day to explore this coastal gem or are visiting Essaouira as a day trip from Marrakech, you can cover a lot of ground. The medina is highly walkable (and blissfully motorbike-free) and all of the city’s main attractions are within easy reach of one another. And when it comes to shopping, you’ll experience far less hassle than you might in Marrakech.
But if you only have one day to spend in Essaouira, how do you maximise your time?
In this guide, I’ll share with you my suggested one-day Essaouira itinerary, including art galleries, cultural museums and highly-rated restaurants. It includes up-to-date information on opening hours and entrance prices to help you plan ahead and decide which attractions you want to include in your itinerary.
This one-day itinerary in Essaouira starts at Bab Marrakech, near the Supratours bus station on the edge of the medina. If you’re getting a private transfer, ask to be dropped at Bab Marrakech to start this one-day Essaouira itinerary. You can find out more about how to get from Marrakech to Essaouira below.
For more information about visiting Essaouira, check out my Ultimate Travel Guide to Essaouira, which includes things to do, accommodation recommendations and transport advice.
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DISCLAIMER:
I want to preface this recommended one day Essaouira itinerary by saying that one of the joys of exploring Essaouira is getting lost in the medina and following your curiosity, wherever it may take you. So if something attracts your attention away from this route, don’t be afraid to go there! The medina is relatively compact and eventually you’ll end up back on track or discover your own hidden gems along the way.
Stop One: Bab Marrakech + Tower
It’s hard to miss the rounded tower of Bab Marrakech, which is situated on the eastern edge of the medina, not far from the Supratours bus station. Over the centuries, it has fulfilled various roles - functioning as a powder magazine and a munitions depot, as well as serving as a horse stable during the French colonial era.
Currently, this UNESCO-listed structure has been converted into an art gallery, featuring rotating exhibitions throughout the year. The last time I went, they were setting up a new exhibition, so there wasn't anything to see. But the building is worth exploring itself, with several Portuguese and Dutch cannons on display.
Make sure to visit the rooftop for stunning views of the medina and its walls - there's also an open-air stage here where concerts are sometimes held.
Bab Marrakech Tower is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily and entrance is free.
For more cultural inspiration, check out this list of the best museums in Essaouira.
Stop Two: Avenue de l’Istiqal
From Bab Marrakech, follow Rue Mohamed El Qorry to Avenue de l’Istiqal, one of the main thoroughfares in the Essaouira medina. Along its western stretch, you’ll find a good collection of artisan stalls selling everything from colourful spices to terracotta tagines, woollen jackets and silver jewellery.
Avenue de l’Istiqal is also home to one of my favourite cafes in Essaouira, Mandala Society, which does great coffee, freshly squeezed juices and an enticing menu of Western-style cafe food. If you’ve had your fill of tagines and couscous over the last few days and are craving something from back home, this is the place to eat!
The brunch deal at Mandala Society is particularly good - last time I was there it was 10 Euros. It includes your choice of a coffee/tea, a small OJ and a dish of your choice (think chia porridge, smoothie bowls and salmon bagels).
If you head east along Avenue de l’Istiqal it becomes Avenue Zerktouni, which is one of the main fresh produce markets in Essaouira. It’s overflowing with everything from organic veggies to seasonal fruits, preserved olives and dried dates - it really shouldn’t be missed if you want a taste of local life.
Stop Three: Bab Doukkala
Follow Avenue Mohamed Zerktouni all the way to Bab Doukkala, an impressive gate that marks the northeastern entrance to the medina. Featuring three arches and a crenellated top, it’s definitely worth photographing!
If you turn left after going through Bab Doukkala, you can make your way down to the sands of Plage Akskis, which is a lovely beach to wander. It’s a quieter alternative to Plage d’Essaouira and offers incredible views of the city’s historic walls from a completely different perspective.
The last time I visited, the Atlantic Ocean was really turbulent, crashing powerfully against the rocks - it was a strong reminder of what these walls have endured over the centuries.
Stop Four: Sisterhood
After returning through Bab Doukalla, take the first right onto Rue Mellah, which will take you through Essaouira’s Jewish quarter. You can poke your head into Gallerie Pêcheur to chat with the friendly owner and visit the renovated Synagogue Slat Lkahal Mogador, one of the few remaining synagogues in the city.
Rue Mellah doglegs and eventually becomes Avenue Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, another of Essaouira’s main thoroughfares. It’s here that you’ll find Sisterhood, an eclectic cafe decorated in political/feminist art and with its own vintage store. This is a great place to grab a coffee (non-dairy milks are available) or an early lunch if you’re getting hungry.
Stop Five: Skala du Port
If you prefer a more traditional Moroccan lunch, head to Restaurant Khmissa (it’s on a small street just off Avenue Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah) and tuck into one of their delicious tagines. It’s tiny, so sometimes you have to be lucky to get a table, but it’s worth the wait if they’re full.
Over the years, I’ve returned here again and again to eat their harira soup and fish tagines - the prices are really affordable.
If you’re into seafood, I would recommend waiting to have lunch at the Skala du Port, which is famed for its lively fish market. It can be reached by following Avenue Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah all the way down to the mosque on Rue Hajjali before dog-legging into the sprawling open square of Place Moulay Hassan.
Follow the walls that hug the Atlantic Ocean all the way down to Bab El Marsa, which serves as the entrance to the port. Once here, you can browse a whole range of seafood (caught fresh that morning) and have it cooked the way you like at one of the adjacent barbecue stands. Most provide bread and a salad to accompany the meal - you just need to bring the protein!
Even if you’re not into eating seafood, I would recommend visiting Skala du Port as it’s really photogenic with the blue fishing boats bobbing in the water. In the summertime, local boys often come to dive-bomb into the water, backed by the port’s centuries-old walls. If you keep walking down to the end of the fish market, you can climb the walls for wonderful views across the Atlantic Ocean.
Stop Six: Art Galleries and Workshops
Scattered throughout the Essaouira medina are lots of art galleries where you can explore the creations of local artists, ranging from surrealist and naive paintings to beautiful calligraphy. A short walk from Skala du Port is Galerie La Kasbah, which occupies a beautifully restored 18th-century riad and showcases artworks from both Moroccan and international artists.
Also worth a visit is Dar Souri, which was built as a riad in the early 20th century and now hosts changing art exhibitions and live music nights (these are ticketed and you need to book early!) For Moroccan antiques, vintage homewares and Amazigh rugs, head to Galerie Jama, run by the always hospitable Mustapha El Boussaidi.
Galerie La Kasbah is open from 9 am to 9 pm daily. Dar Souri is open from 9 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm (closed Sundays). Galerie Jama is open from 10 am to 7 pm (closed Sundays). Entrance to all is free.
Aside from large art galleries presenting the work of multiple artists, you can also find small workshops operated by independent creators. The last time I visited Essaouira, I purchased a tiny painted scene of donkeys and seagulls from an artist called Zaouia, who runs a small gallery space tucked beneath the city walls.
It was such a wonderful shopping experience as he let me and my friend browse his offerings alone and only came over once we initiated the chat. No hassling, no pressure to buy! Even though there was a bit of a language barrier, he happily answered all of our questions about his art and wrapped our purchases safely for transport. I can’t for the life of me remember his exact location, but keep an eye out for the donkeys and seagulls!!
You can discover more of the best art galleries in Essaouira here.
Stop Seven: Bayt Dakira
Partway between Galerie La Kasbah and Galerie Jama is Bayt Dakira, or the "House of Memory,” which is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the city's Jewish community. It’s a wonderful (and free) museum if you’re looking to escape the heat or seeking just a quiet moment away from the hustle and bustle of the medina.
Through its carefully curated exhibitions, the museum seeks to shed light on the coexistence between Muslims and Jews that shaped Essaouira's cultural landscape. It showcases artefacts, texts and photographs that testify to the deep connections shared by the two faith traditions. Adjacent to the museum is the Simon Attias Synagogue, an architectural treasure that's also worth visiting.
Bayt Dakira is open from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm (closed Saturdays) and entrance is free.
Stop Eight: Skala de la Kasbah
If you’re not racing to get back to Marrakech before dark, I’d highly recommend heading to the Essaouira ramparts in the late afternoon. Known officially as Skala de la Kasbah, its golden-hued walls rise grandly above the Atlantic Ocean and this is the place to watch the sunset in Essaouira.
Once a fortress against invaders, Skala de la Kasbah has more recently served as the backdrop for the city of Astapor in “Game of Thrones”. Today, it provides a spectacular setting for locals and visitors to capture photos amongst its 18th-century Portuguese cannons as the sun slowly sinks toward the horizon.
Even if you’re not staying for sunset, it’s a wonderful place for people-watching in the afternoon and the perfect place to end your one-day itinerary in Essaouira.
How to get from Marrakech to Essaouira
If you’re planning a day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira, there are several ways to reach the whitewashed city - bus, grand taxi, private transfer or guided tour. Trains don’t travel to Essaouira and it’s probably not worth hiring a car and having to find (and pay for) a park when there are so many other convenient options available.
Buses from Marrakech to Essaouira
There are several companies running buses from Marrakech to Essaouira but I’d say Supratours is the most convenient. It operates from a terminal alongside the Marrakech railway station and will stop within walking distance of the Essaouira medina (the CTM bus terminal is a taxi ride away).
Supratours currently operates six buses per day from Marrakech to Essaouira leaving at 7.15 am, 9.30 am, 10.15 am, 12.30 pm, 2.15 pm and 4.15 pm. Buses return from Essaouira to Marrakech at 7.30 am, 9.45 am, 11.45 am, 2.45 pm, 3.00 pm and 5:30 pm. All services take three hours and prices start from 100 DH per person.
Unfortunately, the buses returning from Essaouira to Marrakech don’t run late, making it difficult to stay for sunset (particularly in the warmer months when the daylight hours are long). This is the case with most bus companies operating between the two cities. If you want to take the last bus, book early to ensure you get a seat.
To find Supratours bus tickets from Marrakech to Essaouira and compare prices with other bus companies serving the route, I recommend checking 12Go. It lists several different companies serving the route and allows you to book directly through the site itself.
Prefer to stay for sunset and want to spend a night in Essaouira? Check out some of my top recommendations for hotels and riads in the city.
Grand taxis from Marrakech to Essaouira
A slightly cheaper way to get from Marrakech to Essaouira is with grand taxis, which leave from several stations around Marrakech. For tourists, the most convenient one is probably the grand taxi station alongside Marrakech railway station. Grand taxis tend to be slightly faster than buses - the drivers are notorious for ruling Moroccan roads!
Grand taxis don't have fixed schedules - simply turn up and tell someone where you want to go and they'll point you in the direction of the next vehicle heading there. They usually start departing quite early in the morning (this is when most Moroccans are on the move), so you probably won’t have trouble finding a grand taxi from Marrakech to Essaouira.
Coming the other way, however, may be more difficult, particularly if you want to depart Essaouira in the evening. When you arrive in Essaouira, ask the drivers roughly what time the last services depart and make sure you’re back at the grand taxi station well before that.
Prices are around 600 or 700 DH a person and the taxis leave once full. “Full” means six passengers - four across the back and two in the front - plus the driver. If you’re not comfortable being squished in next to strangers, this is not the transport option for you!
Sometimes tourists are quoted inflated prices for grand taxis, which adds to the hassle of using them. Be prepared to negotiate if you think the initial price is too much.
Private transfers from Marrakech to Essaouira
The most comfortable and convenient way of getting from Marrakech to Essaouira is by booking a private transfer. You'll get door-to-door service directly from your Marrakech hotel or riad (or as close as the medina allows) and you can be dropped wherever you like on arrival in Essaouira. You can also return to Marrakech at a time that suits you - this is particularly advantageous if you want to stay for sunset.
A private transfer is a particularly good option if you're travelling in a group as you can share the cost between several people. It’s also the fastest way of getting from Marrakech to Essaouira - most do the journey in 2.5 hours.
Unlike when taking a grand taxi or bus, you can also negotiate with the driver to stop along the way if you see something that piques your interest.
Guided tours from Marrakech to Essaouira
Day trips from Marrakech to Essaouira are becoming increasingly popular as tourists seek to escape the craziness of the medina for a while. There are lots of options available at Viator and GetYourGuide, most of which include return transport from your Marrakech hotel or riad in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Some day trips from Marrakech to Essaouira include a guided tour once you arrive in Essaouira while others (usually cheaper) allow you to explore independently. If you're taking a small-group transfer, you'll need to be back at the drop-off point at a particular time for the return journey. Private day trips from Marrakech to Essaouira give you more flexibility to leave when it suits you.
Map for this one-day itinerary in Essaouira
Tips for exploring Essaouira (and avoiding scams)
Always check the price of taxis before getting in. The last time I visited Essaouira, the driver told me it was fixed-price (8 DH) for anywhere around the city. To me, this seemed incredibly cheap and I couldn’t understand how the drivers made any money, so I gave him 20 DH instead.
Download Google Maps and upload your Essaouira itinerary to easily track your location during the day. It's quite easy to lose your way in the medina and having a little tech in your pocket can save you a lot of hassle.
If a stranger approaches you to tell you that you're heading the wrong way, kindly thank them but keep going in your original direction. After they leave, feel free to check Google Maps or ask a shopkeeper for directions if you are, in fact, lost.
Only accept an offer of a guide in Essaouira if you are willing to pay a suitable tip (this will help to avoid any issues later on) or negotiate a fair price beforehand.
FAQs
Is one day in Essaouira enough?
Yes, you can easily explore all of Essaouira’s highlights in a day, including its whitewashed medina, its bustling port and its atmospheric ramparts. Most of the city’s attractions are within easy walking distance, taking you past artisan souks, art galleries and restaurants along the way.
That being said, I would highly recommend spending additional days in Essaouira to really appreciate its bohemian vibe. With more time, you could sample a variety of restaurants, do some serious shopping or take a kitesurfing lesson (Essaouira is famed for its strong winds).
The countryside around Essaouira is really picturesque and there are plenty of opportunities to experience it on guided day trips. These include visits to argan oil cooperatives and traditional villages, such as the famous market town of Had Draa. By staying overnight, you may also have the chance to experience live Gnaoua music in the evenings.
Is Essaouira a walkable city?
Essaouira is a highly walkable destination that is easy and enjoyable to explore on foot. The compact layout of the medina means most of the main attractions, shops and restaurants are within close proximity to each other and easy to reach on foot from riads located in the historic centre.
In fact, wandering through the atmospheric streets is one of the most pleasurable ways to explore the city, popping into artisan workshops to see craftsmen at work or browsing the stalls selling local goods. The medina is encircled by well-preserved 18th century stone ramparts that you can walk atop for sweeping views over the city and sea.
How much time do you need in Essaouira?
While you can tick off most of Essaouira’s main attractions in one day, I suggest spending two or three days in the city for a more fulfilling experience. This will allow you to thoroughly explore the medina, check out a few museums and browse several art galleries, as well as discover the city’s outstanding dining scene.
With a two-day Essaouira itinerary, you could join a day trip into the surrounding countryside or learn how to surf - the windy conditions make it particularly good for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Quad biking and camel rides through the dunes are also popular experiences in Essaouira, together with hands-on Moroccan cooking classes.
Discover more Essaouira day tours and trips here.
Can you do a day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech?
Yes, it’s really easy to do a day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira, with the two cities less than 200 kilometres away (roughly 2.5-3 hours). Aside from visiting Essaouira on a guided tour from Marrakech, you can travel independently by bus, grand taxi or private transfer. While buses and grand taxis are the most affordable option, a private transfer gives you greater freedom to depart when you want and stop along the way.
Is Essaouira worth visiting?
In my opinion, Essaouira should definitely be on your Moroccan travel list, especially if you're visiting Marrakech. At just 2.5-3 hours a way, it has a completely different vibe and provides a welcome respite from the hustle (and hassle) of the “Red City”. Not only are there some wonderful art galleries and historic monuments to explore but the breezy coastal setting and long stretches of beach are undeniably appealing.
