When I first arrived in Essaouira, Morocco, I was immediately struck by its charm. This coastal town has a completely different feeling from the busy medinas of Marrakech or Fez. The moment we settled in during the evening, I knew we were in for something special.
Essaouira (pronounced essa-weera) is one of those places that captivates you instantly. The relaxed atmosphere, the ocean breeze carrying salt and spice scents, and the friendly locals create a perfect mix that makes this town one of my favorite spots in all of Morocco.
In this guide, I'll share my recent experience exploring everything this magical coastal gem has to offer - from delicious food and relaxing hammams to the unique souvenirs you can find here. Whether you're planning your first trip to Morocco or you're a seasoned traveler looking for new places to discover, Essaouira deserves a special place on your itinerary.
First Day in Essaouira: Setting the Scene
We arrived in the evening and quickly settled into our accommodation. After freshening up, we decided to kick off our Essaouira adventure by visiting a place called D Baba, a bar that's quite famous among visitors.
It felt like stepping into another world - the atmosphere was more western than traditional Moroccan, with a modern vibe that contrasted with the ancient medina surrounding it. While enjoying a glass of wine might not be the most traditional Moroccan experience, we were on vacation after all, and sometimes it's nice to relax and enjoy yourself in different ways!
"We felt like in another world because it was quite western. I know it's not that Moroccan to go to a bar, have a wine, but we just thought like, yeah, it's vacation time. Let's just have a little bit of fun."
After a good night's rest, we were ready for our first full day of exploration. Our bodies were still sore from the surf camp we had attended before coming to Essaouira (the Atlantic coast of Morocco is famous for surfing!), so we decided to include some relaxation in our plans as well.
A Perfect Day Plan in Essaouira
For anyone visiting Essaouira, Morocco, I recommend planning your day with both active exploration and relaxation. Here was our itinerary, which worked perfectly:
- Breakfast at a local café
- Visit to the fish market to select fresh seafood
- Shopping at the silver market for jewelry
- Relaxing hammam and massage with argan oil
- Exploring local food and cafés
This balance of activities gives you a true taste of what makes Essaouira special - fresh seafood, traditional crafts, natural wellness treatments, and delicious Moroccan cuisine.
Fresh Seafood Experience: The Fish Market
One of the highlights of Essaouira, Morocco is definitely its fresh seafood. The town's location on the Atlantic coast makes it a paradise for seafood lovers. We headed to the famous fish market, where locals and tourists alike gather to select the freshest catches of the day.
The market is a sensory experience - the calls of vendors, the glistening fish on display, and the salty sea breeze all around you. What makes this experience special is that you can select your own seafood and then have it prepared at nearby restaurants.
"Our plan today is now go to breakfast. It's the fish market we wanted to go to. We can then pick out some fresh fishes and some seafoods and then get them grilled directly at their restaurants which have that service to prepare these fishes for you."
We carefully selected some beautiful shrimp and fish for our meal. One helpful tip when choosing fish: if it's small, watch out for bones! I remember learning this when a local pointed at one of my selections and said "Toothpick" - meaning I would need to be careful with the tiny bones.
After selecting our seafood treasures, we headed to one of the local restaurants that offer cooking services. Within minutes, our freshly picked seafood was transformed into a delicious meal - simply grilled with local spices that enhance rather than overpower the natural flavors.
Hammam Experience: Relaxation with Argan Oil
After our seafood feast, it was time for some relaxation. Essaouira is famous for its argan oil, which is produced locally in the region. This "liquid gold" is not only used in cooking but is renowned for its skin and hair benefits.
"We are still very sore and tense from the surf camp. So that's why we wanted to book a massage today and spoil us. Essaouira is famous for their argan oil. So we're thinking about we should have a little treatment with argan oil."
We booked a traditional hammam and massage treatment, which was exactly what our tired muscles needed. The hammam began with a steam room session, followed by a scrub to remove dead skin. Then came the highlight - a massage using pure argan oil.
"We just finished our massage and it was so relaxing. Oh."
The experience was truly rejuvenating. We were shown to a private changing room and the entire process was professional and deeply relaxing. If you visit Essaouira, Morocco, I highly recommend treating yourself to this experience. The combination of traditional hammam techniques with the region's famous argan oil is something unique to this part of Morocco.
Culinary Delights of Essaouira
Besides the fresh seafood, Essaouira offers many other culinary discoveries. During our stay, we tried some interesting local dishes, including one that reminded me of dishes I've encountered in other countries.
"I noticed that every single country has like combination of tomato and eggs. In China, we have it. In Turkey, we had menemen or shakshuka. And this one..."
This observation highlights how food connects cultures across the world. Morocco has its own version of this tomato and egg combination, which was delicious and comforting.
The Famous Fish Burger
One particular highlight was trying the local fish burger. It's quite different from what you might expect and has a unique texture and flavor.
"It's just soft. That patty is like a little cream, but it really reminds me of fish from Germany."
The soft, creamy texture of the fish patty makes it unique among burgers I've tried elsewhere in Morocco or around the world. It's definitely something to try when you visit Essaouira!
Sweet Treats
No visit to a Moroccan town would be complete without sampling some sweet pastries. Essaouira has some delightful options that I had been eager to try.
"Oh, I always wanted to try those pastries."
The local pastries feature honey, nuts, and delicate spices - perfect with a cup of mint tea as you watch the world go by in this peaceful coastal town.
Shopping in Essaouira: Souvenirs with Stories
One of the joys of visiting Essaouira, Morocco is shopping for unique souvenirs that you might not find elsewhere. The town is known for its silver craftsmanship, wooden items, and natural beauty products.
Silver Market
We visited the silver market, which was high on our list of places to explore.
"And then we wanted to go to the silver market to get some new jewelries."
The silversmiths in Essaouira create beautiful pieces that combine traditional Berber designs with contemporary styles. I found a lovely silver bangle that I had been wanting for a long time.
"I got myself a bangle. I always wanted to have a silver bangle. So that's what I got."
Traditional Beauty Products
Essaouira is a wonderful place to purchase traditional Moroccan beauty products. During our shopping adventure, I discovered some authentic items that make perfect souvenirs.
"I got myself and my mom a little traditional blush and lipstick which is like in this very cute ancient packaging."
What makes these beauty products special is that they're completely natural, made from local flowers and plants according to traditional Berber recipes.
"It's all natural from some kind of flower. It's traditional Berber makeup."
Using these products is also an experience in itself. For the blush, you simply wet your finger, rub it on the compressed pigment, and then apply it to your cheeks. The result is a natural, rosy glow that's surprisingly long-lasting.
"So, you're just going to wet your finger. I'm going to take a bit of water. And then you rub it here... It's giving benefit but it's natural. It's traditional Berber makeup."
Natural Perfumes
Another treasure I found was solid perfume with traditional scents.
"I got a solid perfume and it smells like patchouli. And I like it."
What was fascinating was discovering that many of the scent notes used in these traditional perfumes are the same as those found in expensive commercial perfumes today.
"And also what I discovered is all the ingredients are very common ingredients that we nowadays use in our commercial perfumes. They had a lot of musk, amber, patchouli, those typical notes."
Unique Jewelry and Accessories
Beyond the silver bangle, I found some other unique jewelry pieces with historical significance.
"And I've got a brooch. It's like 100 years old and traditional. Essaouira people wore it. They put it like here. They have normally two and like a chain."
I love finding pieces that have a story behind them, and this brooch was perfect. It can be worn either as intended - as a brooch on clothing - or repurposed as a necklace for a more contemporary look.
"I thought I would wear it as a necklace. Or either as a brooch as well somewhere on my coat or something."
Hair Accessories
The wooden crafts of Essaouira are also worth exploring. I found some beautiful wooden hair accessories.
"I also got two hair accessories. One is that one. It's both from that wood. I still need to figure out how to do that. Yesterday I tried it out. It's not that easy, but I think you will get the hang of it after a few trials. And also, I have this little fork. It's actually a French needle."
These wooden hair accessories are not only beautiful but practical for keeping your hair under control in the coastal breeze!
The Art of Bargaining: My Beautiful Bag
Perhaps my favorite purchase was a stunning traditional bag adorned with hand-punched studs.
"And then my largest purchase, a bag. How beautiful is that? With lots of studs. Each of the studs is hand punched."
When shopping in Morocco, bargaining is expected and part of the culture. My experience with purchasing this bag illustrates this perfectly:
"The original price he told me for it was €1,500, which is €150 for bag. Like, that's crazy. But I haggled and went down - I got it for €700 which is about €70."
A few tips about bargaining in Essaouira (and Morocco in general):
- Never accept the first price offered
- Aim to reduce the price by at least half
- Be respectful but confident in your negotiations
- Be prepared to walk away (often the vendor will call you back with a better offer)
"So you really need to bargain but also they are living in a much poorer country, I know, and I think they deserve to earn a little bit more money off us tourists, but I just don't like if they exploit us. I would not go with the first price. Never. I would always try to bargain at least half of the price."
Argan Oil: Essaouira's Liquid Gold
Before leaving Essaouira, we visited an argan oil manufacturer to learn more about this famous local product.
"We're here in an argan oil manufacturer. Seems like a lot of people came here to buy things. Argan oil."
Argan oil is unique to this region of Morocco. The oil comes from the kernels of the argan tree, which grows almost exclusively in this part of the world. Traditional production involves local women's cooperatives, where the process is done largely by hand.
The oil comes in two varieties: culinary (roasted, with a nutty flavor perfect for drizzling on couscous or bread) and cosmetic (unroasted, ideal for skin and hair care). Both make excellent souvenirs to take home, but be sure to purchase from reputable sources like cooperatives or established manufacturers to ensure quality and fair trade practices.
Saying Goodbye to Essaouira
Our time in Essaouira, Morocco came to an end too quickly, and soon it was time to continue our journey to Marrakech.
"Good morning, guys. We will depart from Essaouira in a few hours and go to Marrakesh."
We enjoyed one last breakfast in this beautiful coastal town, reflecting on all the wonderful experiences we'd had. From the delicious food and relaxing hammam to the unique shopping finds, Essaouira had given us so many memories to take home.
Why You Should Visit Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira offers a perfect balance of activities, culture, and relaxation that's different from other Moroccan destinations. Here's why I believe it should be on your Morocco itinerary:
- A gentler pace: Unlike the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, Essaouira moves at a more relaxed rhythm
- Fresh seafood: Some of the best and freshest seafood you'll find in Morocco
- Unique shopping: From silver jewelry to traditional beauty products, the souvenirs here tell stories
- Wellness experiences: Traditional hammams using local argan oil offer a uniquely Moroccan relaxation experience
- Cultural fusion: The town has influences from Berber, Arab, and European cultures, creating a fascinating mix
Practical Tips for Visiting Essaouira
Before you go, here are some helpful tips to make your visit to Essaouira more enjoyable:
- Stay for at least 2-3 days to fully appreciate the town's charm
- Try the fish market experience where you select your own seafood and have it cooked
- Book a hammam with argan oil treatment for the ultimate relaxation
- Practice your bargaining skills before shopping for souvenirs
- Visit an argan oil cooperative to learn about this special local product
- Take a light jacket as the coastal breeze can make evenings cool, even in summer
- Consider visiting some of the nearby beaches if you have extra time
Have you visited Essaouira or are you planning to? I'd love to hear about your experiences or answer any questions in the comments below! And if you're continuing on to Marrakesh as we did, check out my guide to navigating Morocco's famous Red City.