Day Trip from Marrakech to Essaouira

Your day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira begins around 08:00 AM with a scenic drive across the vast Haouz plains. After about an hour, you’ll reach the village of Chichaoua, an ideal halfway stop where you can enjoy a short coffee break before continuing your journey.

As the road winds closer to the Atlantic, you’ll pass through a beautiful forest of argan trees—a landscape unique to Morocco. With a bit of luck, you may spot goats climbing the branches to feed on the fruit, a sight both surprising and perfect for memorable photos. Along the way, you’ll also visit a local argan oil cooperative where you can see firsthand how this golden oil is traditionally extracted and transformed into culinary and cosmetic products.

Upon arrival in Essaouira, you’ll have time to explore this charming coastal town at your own pace. Essaouira is known for its relaxed atmosphere, artistic vibe, and welcoming locals. The Medina, smaller and easier to navigate than other Moroccan cities, invites you to wander without worry. If you prefer a guided cultural experience, you can also hire a local guide for deeper insights into the city’s history and traditions.

You might start your visit at the harbor, where colorful fishing boats rest side by side and fishermen haul in the catch of the day. Nearby, the old Portuguese fortifications and cannons of the Skala de la Kasbah stand guard over the Atlantic Ocean. From here, you can enter the UNESCO-listed Medina, dating back to the 18th century, with its fortified walls, narrow lanes, and whitewashed houses with blue accents.

Stroll past artisan shops, thuya woodcraft workshops, and contemporary art galleries. Don’t miss Bab Laalouj, one of the city’s main gates, or the historic Mellah (Jewish quarter), where echoes of Essaouira’s multicultural past remain alive.

For lunch, choose from one of the local cafés or seafood stalls where freshly grilled fish is a specialty. Later, you can walk through the Kasbah, once a military stronghold, or head to Essaouira’s wide sandy beach, where locals gather for football and volleyball. If you’d rather relax, you can sit back and watch the kitesurfers and windsurfers who take advantage of the city’s famous Atlantic winds.

In the late afternoon, you’ll begin your return journey. Expect to arrive back in Marrakech between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or riad, concluding a memorable day of discovery on Morocco’s Atlantic coast.