Essaouira

Morocco

CountryMorocco

CapitalRabat

ContinentAfrica

RegionNorthern Africa

LanguageArabic, Berber

Time difference−3 h (UTC+0)

Walled medina
Mogador Island
Skala ramparts
Fishing harbour
Diabat

About Essaouira

Essaouira is a walled port town on the Atlantic, laid out in the 18th century under Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah. Its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ramparts facing the ocean, a harbour full of blue fishing boats, a wide windswept beach and Gnawa music define its character.

How many days do you need?

Two days is enough: one for the medina, the ramparts and the fishing harbour, and one for the beach or the village of Diabat to the south. A day trip from Marrakesh is also possible.

Where to stay

Medina — Riads inside the walls; everything within walking distance.
Seafront — Hotels along the beach, a short walk from the medina.

From the airport to the city

Essaouira-Mogador Airport (ESU) is about 9 miles southeast of town and has limited flights; taxis or hotel transfers run into town. Most visitors arrive by bus from Marrakesh.

Getting around

The medina is small, walkable and closed to cars. 'Petit taxis' cover short distances.

Good to know

The ocean wind is strong all year, making it popular for surfing and kitesurfing; the beach can feel cool.
Accommodation fills quickly during the annual Gnaoua World Music Festival.
The currency is the Moroccan dirham; taking it out of the country is restricted.

Useful links

Visit Morocco (Moroccan National Tourist Office) visitmorocco.com
ONDA (Moroccan airports) onda.ma

When to go?

IdealGoodVery hotCool or rainy

Best time to visit for the weather: March–December. The warmest month is August (average high 76 °F); the wettest is November (1.9 in).

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Monthly climate

Month	Avg. high °F	Rain in	Rating
January	64.0	1.10	Good
February	64.2	1.31	Good
March	65.8	1.07	Ideal
April	67.5	0.65	Ideal
May	70.0	0.47	Ideal
June	72.1	0.15	Ideal
July	75.0	0.06	Ideal
August	76.1	0.10	Ideal
September	74.7	0.38	Ideal
October	73.8	0.86	Ideal
November	69.1	1.93	Ideal
December	66.0	1.27	Ideal

Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.

More in this region

AlgiersAlgeria CairoEgypt AlexandriaEgypt LuxorEgypt AswanEgypt HurghadaEgypt Sharm El SheikhEgypt TripoliLibya RabatMorocco MarrakeshMorocco FezMorocco CasablancaMorocco TangierMorocco ChefchaouenMorocco AgadirMorocco KhartoumSudan TunisTunisia SousseTunisia

Public holidays 2027

New Year's DayJanuary 1
Anniversary of the Independence ManifestoJanuary 11
End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) *March 9
Labour DayMay 1
Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) *May 16
Islamic New Year *June 6
Feast of the ThroneJuly 30
Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) *August 14
Anniversary of the Recovery Oued Ed-DahabAugust 14
Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the PeopleAugust 20
Youth DayAugust 21
Anniversary of the Green MarchNovember 6
Independence DayNovember 18

* Date follows the lunar calendar and may shift by a few days.

Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.

Practical info

CurrencyMoroccan Dirham (د.م.)
Dialling code+212
Plugs & voltageType C, E · 220 V · 50 Hz
EmergencyPolice 19 · Ambulance 150 · Fire 15
DrivingOn the right

Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.