Popular Destinations in Essaouira
Skala de la Ville (Sea Ramparts)
Essaouira’s iconic 18th-century sea wall, lined with bronze cannons facing the Atlantic. The Skala de la Ville offers wind-swept views of the medina rooftops, Mogador Island, and the working fishing port below — best at sunset.
Medina of Essaouira (UNESCO)
The whitewashed medina inside Portuguese-built walls is one of Morocco’s most relaxed — small, walkable, and easy to navigate. Wander past artisan shops selling thuya wood, jewellery, and contemporary Moroccan art, with cool Atlantic breezes throughout.
Essaouira Beach & Kitesurfing
Essaouira’s long sandy beach stretches south of the medina — famous for the consistent trade winds that make it a top kitesurfing and windsurfing destination in winter. Camel rides, beach football, and laid-back surf cafés round out the scene.
Mogador Island & Fishing Port
The small archipelago just offshore is home to a Portuguese-era fortress, a 19th-century prison, and a colony of Eleonora’s falcons. The working port at the medina’s edge is one of Morocco’s busiest — watch the blue boats unload at dawn.
Sidi Kaouki Beach
Sidi Kaouki is Essaouira’s quieter beach alternative — a long, wide Atlantic strand 25 km south, framed by low cliffs and the white-walled shrine of the local saint. Consistent wind and waves make it a favourite of surfers, kitesurfers, and horse-riders, with a handful of laid-back cafés and surf camps clustered behind the dunes.
Diabat Village
The small Berber village of Diabat, 5 km south of Essaouira, became legend after Jimi Hendrix reportedly stayed here in 1969 — inspiring local Bob Marley-meets-Hendrix folklore. The atmospheric ruins of Dar Sultan, a windswept beach, and a famous bohemian café still draw music-loving travellers today.
Argan Oil Cooperative
The argan tree grows almost exclusively in this corner of southwest Morocco, and several women’s cooperatives near Essaouira welcome visitors for guided tours of the traditional production process — cracking nuts by hand, roasting, and cold-pressing the oil. Buying direct supports local Berber women and guarantees authentic, fair-trade product.
Galerie Damgaard
Galerie d’Art Damgaard, founded in 1988 by Danish collector Frédéric Damgaard, was Essaouira’s first art gallery — and remains its best-known. Set in a former warehouse facing the medina’s clock tower, the space showcases the city’s distinctive school of self-taught “naive” Moroccan artists. Free to enter and open daily, it’s an essential stop for anyone interested in contemporary Moroccan art.
