Things to Do in Essaouira

The historic heart of Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medina is the first port of call for most visitors to the city. Known for its famous Jemaa el-Fna square, a dizzying maze of souks, and a magnificent array of mosques and palaces, this is Marrakech’s most atmospheric district.

 

No visit to Marrakech is complete without a visit to the medina, and a guided walking tour is the best way to navigate the labyrinth of lanes and sprawling souks. Tours take in highlights such as the Royal, Badi, and Bahia palaces, the last of which is open to the public; the Koutoubia Mosque, with its towering minaret visible from all around the medina; Ben Youssef Madrasa; and the 16th-century Saadian Tombs.

 

Also popular are guided tours of the souks, where myriad stalls sell everything from spices to exquisite handicrafts. Tours often include a visit to the tanneries and a chance to watch carpentry, carpet-weaving, or leather-work demonstrations. Some tours include a Moroccan cooking class.

 

 

The medina is surrounded by ancient walls with a number of gates; the most popular are Bab er-Robb and Bab el Jedid, both of which offer easy access to Jemaa el-Fna. Taxis run into the medina, stopping close to Jemaa el-Fna, where you can walk or take a caleche (horse-drawn carriage) to the main sights.

 

Head to popular attractions like Bahia Palace in the early morning to avoid the crowds, then spend the afternoon exploring the souks. Many of the stalls stay open late, but it’s not advisable to explore after dark without a guide. Jemaa el-Fna comes alive in the evening hours and makes a popular spot for dinner or post-sightseeing drinks.

 

The central square of Jemaa el-Fna is the cultural heart of the medina, and the starting point for most walking tours. A visit is very much about the atmosphere, with the fragrant aromas of street foods filling the air, musicians playing a traditional soundtrack, and street performers, snake charmers, and henna-tattoo artists appearing everywhere you turn. Many bars and restaurants around the square offer rooftop terraces, where you can watch the action from above.

The star attraction of Morocco’s hippie haven has to be its eponymous beach, and the windswept coast and sandy shores certainly live up to the hype. Lined with bars, restaurants and surf shops, the beach is best known as a hotspot for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers, thanks to its steady, year-round winds. The shores near Diabat may be the quietest areas for a bit of relaxation.

With few wind-free days, Essaouira beach is better suited for water sports than swimming and sunbathing, but there are still sunbeds and umbrellas available for rental during the summer months. In addition to kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons, Berber horse and Arabian camel rides are possible and popular along the beach. You’ll likely also see travelers enjoying quad buggy rides along the coast and local children playing soccer in the sand.