Morocco | A Day in Essaouira (November 2025)
Last updated on : January 11, 2026
In November 2025, during our trip to Morocco, we chose to base ourselves in Marrakech for five days. This intense and vibrant city became our true home base – not only to explore it in depth, but also as a starting point for discovering other facets of the country through a few day trips.
Among them, Essaouira was an obvious choice from the very beginning. Meeting the ocean, breathing in the sea air, and discovering a city shaped by the coast felt essential to me. I’ve always loved incorporating the sea into my travels whenever possible; it brings a different energy – softer, more soothing – that often helps balance the intensity of large cities.
Day Trip : Essaouira
We had heard many positive comments about Essaouira, both for its atmosphere and its setting. However, with limited time in Morocco, we chose to discover it on a day trip from Marrakech. A short format, of course, but one that allowed us to experience a completely different kind of escape—between the ocean, the light, and a distinctly more relaxed atmosphere.
For this type of day outing, we opted for an organized excursion booked through GetYourGuide.
GetYourGuide offers a wide range of day trip options from Marrakech, with a simple and efficient booking process. In our case, the format offered matched exactly what we were looking for:
- round-trip transportation included,
- clear and hassle-free organization,
- and most importantly, a generous amount of free time in Essaouira, allowing us to explore the city at our own pace, without being constantly guided.
It was exactly what we wanted for this day: a reassuring structure for the journey, combined with enough freedom on site to wander, soak in the atmosphere, and let ourselves be carried by the city’s energy—all at a very reasonable cost. This makes this type of excursion particularly appealing when time is limited.
First Step: The Road to Essaouira
As with many day trips departing from Marrakech, the day begins on the road. After our morning departure, we made a first quick stop at a place serving both as a small restaurant and a rest area. A simple spot, with an outdoor courtyard where a few animals could be seen in the back – mainly designed to allow travelers to stretch their legs, use the restrooms, or grab a quick snack before continuing the journey.
A little further along, a second stop was scheduled at a women’s cooperative specializing in argan oil – a near-unavoidable stop on this type of excursion in Morocco. Having already visited similar cooperatives on previous outings, and with no intention of purchasing anything, we chose to remain quietly on the bus during this short break. As the visit was brief, we simply took the opportunity to wait calmly for the group to return.
Throughout the drive, our guide shared various insights about the region, the landscapes we passed through, and certain local particularities – a pleasant way to make the hours on the road more engaging, as is often the case with organized excursions in Morocco.
Upon arrival in Essaouira, the guide provided a few general pointers to help orient our visit, then left us with free time. We had a meeting point scheduled for the late afternoon for the return to Marrakech, which gave us several hours on site to explore the city at our own pace – exactly what we were hoping for with this excursion.
Second Step: Lunch Break with an Ocean View
We arrived in Essaouira around lunchtime. After the drive, hunger had set in, and we began wandering through the medina in search of a pleasant place to eat.
After a short walk, we came across Palazzo, an establishment that serves both as accommodation and restaurant, well known for its rooftop terrace. We decided to give it a try – and we were glad we did.
Seated on the terrace, we enjoyed a direct view of the ocean. The atmosphere was soft and calming: tasteful décor, subtle background music, the sea air… everything invited us to slow down. We chose simple, fresh salads, and they were delicious.
The service was just as memorable. One of the servers, a Moroccan who had lived in Quebec for some time, recognized our accent within the first few minutes. Service was therefore in French, delivered with great kindness and warmth. This meal became a moment of pure happiness – calm, bright, and uplifting – and it very quickly confirmed that this day in Essaouira would be special, and that choosing to come here had been the right decision.
Third Step: The Port of Essaouira
After lunch, we continued our walk toward the Port of Essaouira, one of the city’s most iconic spots.
There, we discovered the famous blue fishing boats lined up in the harbor, fishermen at work, and the fish market, where the day’s catch is sold in a lively and authentic atmosphere. Seagulls were everywhere – circling above the boats and calling loudly – adding to the unmistakable feel of a working seaside port.
We then climbed onto a section of the harbor ramparts, which offered spectacular views over the ocean. On the other side, waves crashed against the rocks, the sea wind blew strongly, and the landscape unfolded before us: the sea, the boats, the ramparts, the birds… everything came together to create an atmosphere that felt free, raw, and deeply soothing.
This moment at the port made us realize just how different Essaouira was from anything we had experienced so far in Morocco. A softer, more fluid energy – almost restorative – a striking and very welcome contrast.
Fourth Step: The Ramparts of Essaouira’s Medina
After the port, we made our way back inside Essaouira, more specifically into its medina, heading toward the city’s ramparts.
Once again, the views over the ocean were exceptional. The massive stone ramparts, lined with cannons facing the sea, offer spectacular vantage points over the waves crashing against the rocks below. We took our time walking along the walls, stopping at various spots simply to observe, breathe, and let time slow down.
The atmosphere was incredibly soothing. The sound of the wind, the rhythm of the waves, the salty sea air – everything invited us to slow down. We sat down several times, fully enjoying the moment, taking photos and videos, but above all absorbing this unique ambiance.
It was in moments like these that we truly felt the magic of Essaouira: a city where you don’t feel rushed, where you can simply be there – facing the ocean – in complete simplicity.
Fifth Step: Wandering Through Essaouira’s Medina
After the ramparts, we took the time to gently lose ourselves in Essaouira medina. A medina very different from the ones we had experienced so far- bright, white, sometimes accented with soft colors and pastel tones. The overall atmosphere felt much calmer and more soothing, perfectly suited for an unhurried stroll.
At one point, I even told my husband that Essaouira reminded me of Greece. There was something in the colors, the light, the simplicity of the surroundings… A familiar, comforting feeling that instantly brought me back to our memories of traveling in Greece. The comparison wasn’t so much visual as it was emotional: I felt good – light, calm, and at ease.
This medina did us a world of good. Unlike Fez or Marrakech, we didn’t experience any insistent or overwhelming solicitations. The atmosphere was relaxed, respectful, almost nonchalant. The few interactions we had with people were simple and pleasant. At one point, a man handed us a flyer for an evening dinner with live music. He calmly explained where the place was, without pressure or insistence – just a natural, warm exchange.
We walked through the medina for a long time, without stress, without that constant sense of alertness you sometimes develop elsewhere. I could have continued wandering for much longer. This experience even helped me reconnect with the idea of medinas, after some more intense experiences we had lived before. In Essaouira, the medina was no longer an overwhelming maze, but a gentle, welcoming place of everyday life.
Sixth Step: A Timeless Moment by the Sea
We ended our day in Essaouira with a stop at the beach. We had intentionally saved this moment for last, as the beach was located very close to the meeting point to catch the bus back to Marrakech. It was, without a doubt, the most beautiful way to close the day.
We settled quietly by the water, and as always when the sea or ocean is nearby, I couldn’t resist – I went to walk barefoot in the water. Even though the water was very cold, it was non-negotiable for me. Placing my feet in the Atlantic Ocean, in Morocco, was a simple yet deeply satisfying moment.
We then took the time to sit on the beach, simply watching the waves, the movement of the water, and the life unfolding around us. Children were playing soccer on the sand, in a light and spontaneous atmosphere. Everything felt calm, fluid, and natural.
It was a precious grounding moment. My husband and I were fully present, serene, engaged in beautiful conversations, without pressure or agitation. It was almost the first time since the beginning of the trip that we felt so peaceful for several hours. A gentle, genuine, deeply enjoyable moment – and one I will hold onto for a long time.
If I Had More Time
I enjoyed this one-day escape so much that, had I had more time, I would have loved to extend that feeling of softness and calm. Taking the time to wander a little longer through the medina, linger on the ramparts watching the sea, or simply settle on the beach and let time pass – without any specific goal.
It is undoubtedly my only regret of the trip: not having been able to stay longer in such a deeply soothing atmosphere. With hindsight, Essaouira truly deserves more than a simple day trip.
If I were to do it again, I would make it a true stop on a trip to Morocco – rather than just a round trip from Marrakech. Even though, in all honesty, I’m not quite sure where we would have fit that extra stop into an already full itinerary…
In Conclusion
Even though our time was limited, this day in Essaouira was, without any hesitation, the greatest highlight of our entire trip to Morocco. More than an excursion, more than a simple stop along the coast, this place felt like a true breath of fresh air in the heart of our journey. It did us an incredible amount of good – both physically and emotionally.
This is where I felt my best. Where my energy finally softened. Where I rediscovered what I seek most deeply through travel: gentleness, calm, the sea, and a slower rhythm of time. Essaouira gave me real rest, in the purest sense of the word. A serene atmosphere, a welcoming medina, soothing seascapes, and above all, an environment that respected my pace and my need for space.
In that moment, everything felt more right. More fluid. More aligned with who I was at that point in my life. This day brought immense relief and joy to both my husband and me, and marked an emotional turning point in our journey.
If I ever return to Morocco, one thing is certain: Essaouira will no longer be a simple day trip. It will become a destination in its own right – an essential stop, a place to slow down, to settle in, to simply be.
Essaouira left a mark. A beautiful one. And for me, that is exactly what a successful journey is all about.
In Video
To complete this day in Essaouira, I invite you to watch the video from this excursion. A visual immersion into the heart of the medina, the port, and the ocean – where you can truly feel the soft, soothing atmosphere that gives Essaouira all of its charm. A visual pause that perfectly reflects what this day allowed us to experience.
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