Add dates

Essaouira Citadel

Essaouira Citadel: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Marrakesh: Essaouira Full-Day Trip

1. From Marrakesh: Essaouira Full-Day Trip

Explore the charming coastal city of Essaouira on a guided day tour from Marrakesh. Enjoy some free time to explore, where you can see the bustling port of Essaouira, stroll through the lively medina of the city, and wander through the vibrant markets. Start your morning with pickup from your accommodation in Marrakesh. Travel in comfort in an air-conditioned car to Essaouira. Make a stop at the "goat tree" and admire this peculiar Argan tree with goats perched in it. Arrive in Essaouira and make your way through the straight streets. Enjoy free time to visit the historic ports and bustling seafood markets. Feel free to ask your driver for suggestions on the perfect place for lunch. Visit a co-operative of Berber women who produce Argan oil, and learn about this popular local product. See the old bronze cannons facing the Atlantic Ocean and wander through the colorful markets and cedar woodworking shops.  After your day in Essaouira, enjoy a seamless transfer back to Marrakesh in the evening.

From Marrakesh: Essaouira Guided Day Trip

2. From Marrakesh: Essaouira Guided Day Trip

Discover the Atlantic city of Essaouira on a full-day guided tour from Marrakech. Following pickup from your accommodation in Marrakech and along the way, stop to take pictures of goats climbing argan trees and visit an argan oil cooperative to learn how this healthy oil is produced. Upon arrival at Essaouira, follow your guide and explore Essaouira’s most important monuments, such as the old fish market and seaport, the old medina where the labyrinth of streets is lined with heavy wooden doors and whitewashed houses. See the 16th-century ramparts of Essaouria from where you'll be able to see astonishing views of the Atlantic Ocean. After the guided tour of the city, you will have free time for lunch at a place of your choice as well as time to relax on the beach.

Essaouira: Private City Tour

3. Essaouira: Private City Tour

Visit the city of Essaouira and start off by the small fishing port of the city where you can marvel at this historical place.  See an old watchtower and get an impressive panoramic view of Essaouira. Stop at the main square to taste a real Moroccan tea before continuing to visit the most important monument of the city, the scala of the medina. Admire the location where several films have been shot such as the famous film of Orson Welles Othello, or the Game of Thrones TV show. Continue the visit in the old medina, the kasbah, the mellah, the old Jewish quarter. See the synagogues, the souks of the medina, and the fish market which is full of people who buy, grill, and eat the day's catch.

From Marrakech: Essaouira 1-Day Group Tour

4. From Marrakech: Essaouira 1-Day Group Tour

Embark on a morning journey from Marrakesh to Essaouira, a charming coastal resort known for its vibrant culture and art scene. Admire the well-preserved buildings and indulge in breathtaking views of the Atlantic coast. As you arrive, experience the warm hospitality of the locals and get a glimpse into their simple yet intriguing lifestyle. Stroll along the bustling harbor and witness the fishermen selling fresh fish directly from their traditional blue boats. Visit the fortified harbor Scala and capture stunning photos of the monumental Bab al Mersa ("Door of the Port"). Next, explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the old seaside Medina. Get lost in the labyrinthine alleys and colorful souks. Savor a traditional lunch at a local restaurant, and then head to the old Jewish district to see the historic synagogues. Finally, marvel at the cannons on the city ramparts before departing for Marrakech around 3:30 PM.

From Marrakech: Private Full-Day Essaouira Tour

5. From Marrakech: Private Full-Day Essaouira Tour

Take a 10-hour trip to Essaouira from Marrakech and spend time in the laid-back fishing town. On route, stop to visit an Argan Women’s Co-operative to see the women at work extracting oil from argan nuts, and then continue your journey westward. Essaouira is fortunate to have an excellent climate, with cooling sea breezes in the summer (also good for water sports) and warming lowland air in winter. This lovely climate, together with its beautiful Portuguese architecture, has always attracted artists and poets, but it continues to be a traditional fishing port at its heart to this day. Essaouira is the perfect destination for a day trip away from the hectic activity of Marrakech, with a vast array of things to do and try including: shopping in the souks for leatherwork, metalwork, glazed pottery, jewelry, brightly colored carpets, original art, olives, spices, rare argan oil and more. Visit the port and watch fishermen landing their catch, or learn how boats are crafted using centuries-old techniques, then eat fresh grilled fish or shellfish at one of the seafood stalls, visit Place Joutiya between 16.00 and 17.00 to watch locals auctioning everything from teapots to trousers, walk 2 miles along the beach at low tide to see the romantic fort of Borj El Barod crumbling into the sea, or the ruined sultan's palace at Diabet, take a boat to the Iles de Mogador, breeding ground for the rare Eleanora’s falcon, try some watersports (surfing/kitesurfing/windsurfing/bodyboarding/kayaking), or just sit at a beachside café. Relax and watch the world go by with coffee or mint tea, and maybe a Moroccan pastry, in one of the cafés on Place Moulay Hassan.

From Agadir: Essaouira Private Full Day Trip With Lunch

6. From Agadir: Essaouira Private Full Day Trip With Lunch

Essaouira the Portuguese city or the Mogador town is one of the imperial cities in the kingdom of Morocco. The city was built by the Portuguese in 1506 and named Castelo Real de Mogador. Essaouira has so many monuments and historical sites to visit such as the City walls, and the Dutch cannon made by Adrianus Crans in The Hague in 1744 installed in Essaouira. The Genoese-built citadel by the harbor, The ramparts from the Medina, And the harbor scala. Begin your journey to Essaouira starting from agadir at 8:00 AM from your hotel or residence. After pickup, we will start driving north agadir by the coast of the Atlantic ocean. After 40 mins drive we will stop for a panoramic view of the tamri beach, then continue to Essaouira. On the way, you will notice goats on trees that we call the flying goats, one of the unique scenes that you only see in Essaouira. The last stop before arriving in Essaouira will be at the Argan Cooperative. Once arrived, you will have time to visit the historical sites, the Medina, the souk market, and the old harbor. Then enjoy a nice meal in Essaouira before starting our way back to agadir Around 3 PM. The arrival to Agadir is estimated around 7 PM.

Guided Surfing Tour to Essaouira from Marrakech

7. Guided Surfing Tour to Essaouira from Marrakech

Depart from your Marrakesh accommodations at 8:00 am and enjoy the sights on the way to Essaouira. Your friendly and knowledgeable tour guide will provide opportunities for beautiful photo stops along the way. Visit one of the local female co-operatives to see the production of the famous Moroccan Argan oil. On arrival to Essaouira, your guide will choose the best surf spot for your ability. After a lunch break, you get to explore the city with your guide and check out the fishing port, Scala and the old town with its Thuya wood workshops.  Depart Essaouira at approximately 4:00 pm and enjoy the beauty of the drive back to Marrakesh.

From Agadir: Essaouira Guided Day Trip

8. From Agadir: Essaouira Guided Day Trip

Explore the coastal town of Essaouira, visit the colorful port and decorative medina, spot goats clambering up argan trees, and stroll along the sandy beach and rock pools on a scenic day trip. Be picked up from your hotel in Agadir bright and early. Begin your trip along the picturesque R207 coastal route. Make a stop to see the argan trees where small goats climb up the lower branches and feed. Spot sometimes over 20 goats sitting up in one tree. Snap some photos of this fascinating sight. Arrive in the port where you’ll see the vast expanse of the North Atlantic Ocean. Head into the vibrant old town (medina), a stunning world heritage site. View the majestic, old brass cannons that line the walls, and ramparts to protect the seafront from ancient invasions. Stop off at a women’s cooperative where argan oil is produced. Learn how oil is extracted from the kernels of argan trees. See how it is used in cuisine as an accompaniment to Moroccan bread and in beauty products for the skin and hair. Finally, enjoy the spectacular sunset as you return to Agadir.

Essaouira: Surf Trip from Marrakech

9. Essaouira: Surf Trip from Marrakech

Depart from Marrakech at 9:00 AM from your accommodation and enjoy the sights on the way to Essaouira. Your friendly and knowledgeable tour guide will provide opportunities for beautiful photo stops along the way. Visit one of the local female co-operatives to see the production of the famous Moroccan Argan oil. On arrival to Essaouira, your guide will choose the best surf spot for your ability and begin the 2 hour surf lesson. After a lunch break you can explore the city with your guide and check out the fishing port of Scala, and its old town with its thuya wood workshops. Depart Essouira around 4:00 PM and enjoy the beauty of the drive back to Marrakech.

Overnight Surf Trip to Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki

10. Overnight Surf Trip to Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki

Departure is from Marrakesh at 08:00 to Essaouira. On the way you will stop at the small female co-op to see the production of Argan oil. On arrival to Essaouira you will hit the surf for your first 2-hour surf lesson. After that you will have a lunch break followed by a sightseeing tour of the Scala and old town with its Thuya wood workshops. After your busy day you will stay overnight and relax in a Riad. The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, you will head to Sidi Kaouki for the second lesson, another beautiful town just south of Essouria. Enjoy your lunch in a cozy restaurant with a panoramic view of the beach, and then head back to Marrakesh through Essaouira for a spot of shopping or a cafe break along the way. Departure to Marrakesh is at around 17:00.

13 activities found
Sort by:

Top sights near Essaouira Citadel

Other Sightseeing Options in Essaouira Citadel

Want to discover all there is to do in Essaouira Citadel? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Essaouira Citadel

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 804 reviews

This experience was just perfect! We were a group of 4 girls and we were amazed when we discovered that the tour was just for us! Our driver, Adbel Jabar, was the best. Nice, caring and discrete. We drove to Essaouira playing songs and singing. Once there, we had the best time surfing with a super fun and patience instructor and eating where the driver suggested. Finally, we got lucky again with an amazing guide in the city. Everybody was helpful and professional. We highly suggest this tour!

Be prepared for a long day. The bus ride got interesting as we got closer to the coast with rolling hills, greenery and interesting sites (goat tree and villages). Essaouira was a very interesting town, especially within the walls with its many shops, markets, and sites. The beach was a nice place to relax and swim or watch groups play football. Seafood was the specialty as it was so fresh.

Es war ein sehr schöner Ausflug und die Stadt ist sehr empfehlenswert. Im besonderen wenn man ein paar Tage länger in Marrakech verbringt ist es ein schöne Abwechslung und man lernt noch eine neue Seite von Morocco kennen. Unser Guide war sehr freundlich und hatte einige spannende Fakten auf dem Weg parat. Ein ingesamt sehr gelungener Ausflug.

Brilliant experience. Be careful of photographer I paid for one picture and he took money for 2 saying he took 2 pictures. I was not happy. Overall everything else was amazing.

Well run. Excellent guide and driver. Great combination of tour and free time to explore.