Essouira: A traveler's guide to Morocco's most soulful coastal city
Some spots insist on action, but Essaouira just wants you to kick back and exist! This sun-kissed, whitewashed Atlantic port has been a cozy nest for dreamers, musicians, surfers, and those who planned a weekend escape but ended up staying for a decade.
It’s not the whirlwind of Marrakech nor the labyrinth of Fez. Nope, it’s a tranquil, breezy gem that’s just the right size for our goldfish-like attention spans. For the artistic soul on a Moroccan adventure, it’s the perfect pit stop where you can pause without ever hitting the brakes.
So, what makes Essaouira enchantingly irresistible?
Essaouira was crafted for the wanderer. Its medina lanes are just right, not too snug to make you feel like a sardine, but cozy enough to promise a delightful surprise at each twist. An antique shop here, an artist’s lair there, and a cat that’s clearly the neighborhood boss.
The Atlantic light casts a soft, movie-like glow, making even the most rugged stone look fabulous. And those ever-present trade winds? They’re like Mother Nature’s way of giving the city a fresh coastal reboot, over and over again.
Where to stay in Essouira
If you’re coming to Essaouira to rest, reset, and rediscover your creative pulse, then your accommodation shouldn’t just be a bed for the night. It should feel like an extension of the city’s rhythm. The best riads and boutique hotels in Essaouira combine Moroccan craftsmanship, coastal charm, and enough atmosphere to make staying in a cultural experience in itself.
Villa Maroc, Essouira
Why we mention it: The first riad hotel in Morocco
Address: 10, Rue Abdellah Ben Yassine, 44 000, Essaouira, Morocco
One of the most iconic riads in Essaouira, Villa Maroc is a 18th-century gem tucked inside the medina walls.
Known for its intimate courtyards, sunlit terraces, and sweeping views of the Atlantic, it feels like the city distilled into a single address.
Breakfast on the rooftop is a slow ritual, the hammam is reason enough to clear an afternoon, and the riad’s quiet nooks are perfect for reading or sketching.
It’s no surprise that Villa Maroc is often listed among the best riads in Essaouira for travellers who crave both history and heart.
Average Price: 252 USD a night
Jardin De Villa Maroc, Essouira
Why we mention it: A tranquil escape outside the medina.
Address: Route Essaouira km 12, Essaouira 44000, Morocco
For those who want the design DNA of Villa Maroc but with a little more breathing room, there’s Jardins de Villa Maroc, its countryside sister property.
Just outside the medina, it offers a tranquil escape of palm gardens, sun-drenched loungers, and poolside afternoons that melt seamlessly into candlelit dinners.
This boutique hotel is perfect for couples or travellers who want to balance medina life with the serenity of Essaouira’s hinterland.
Average Price: 186 USD a night
Heure Bleue Palais, Relais & Châteaux
Why we mention it: Quiet luxury with panoramic views of the Medina.
Address: 2 Rue Ibn Babouta – Bab M Rrakech, 44000 Essaouira, Morocco
If “quiet luxury” had an address in Essaouira, it would be L’Heure Bleue Palais.
Housed in a restored 19th-century palace, this five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel marries Moroccan artistry with colonial elegance.
The rooftop pool is the city’s most famous vantage point, offering infinite views of the medina and ocean.
Rooms are layered with textures: zellige tiles, warm wood, soft linens and the in-house cinema and fine dining restaurant make it easy to spend entire evenings cocooned in style.
A top choice for those searching luxury hotels in Essaouira.
Average Price: 758 USD a night
Le Jardin des Douars, Essouira Hills
Why we mention it: Beautiful design that merges well with its surroundings.
Address: N1, Essaouira, Morocco
Nestled in the hills just outside Essaouira, Le Jardin des Douars is the sort of place you come to forget what day it is.
Terracotta domes, lush gardens, and meandering pathways create the atmosphere of a Moroccan village designed for tranquillity.
The property has two pools, one serene and adults-only, the other buzzing with family energy, making it ideal for travellers of all kinds.
It’s frequently ranked among the best boutique hotels in Essaouira for its laid-back elegance and impeccable sense of place.
Average Price: 222 USD a night
Our picks for the best restaurants & bars
Dining in Essaouira often feels like stepping into a styled shoot. Except here, the “set pieces” are edible, the interiors are effortlessly photogenic, and the Atlantic breeze always manages to slip into frame.
The best restaurants and bars in Essaouira aren’t just about food; they’re spaces that feed your senses, your notebook, and your camera roll.
Salut Maroc
Equal parts bar, lounge, and design experiment. Patterned tiles meet vintage sofas, and the cocktails are as inventive as the décor. Ideal for golden hour, when the light bounces off the walls in just the right way.
KSOU Resto & Rooftop
The rooftop at Ksou Restaurant is one of Essaouira’s most atmospheric perches.
Situated above the medina with sweeping views of whitewashed walls and the Atlantic beyond.
Cushioned seating, woven canopies, and lantern light give it a funky, bohemian and laid-back Moroccan charm, while cocktails and thoughtful dishes are served with flair.
As the sun dips, the rooftop hums with Gnawa rhythms, fire shows, or the simple soundtrack of the wind off the ocean.
It’s part lounge, part cultural stage, and entirely the kind of place where you linger longer than planned, journal in hand, glass within reach, horizon in view.
Esprit Rose
Esprit Rose feels like stepping into a pink flamingo-themed watercolor painting, with soft blush tones, rattan accents, and sunlight spilling across cushions in shades of rose and cream.
Overlooking Essaouira’s medina, it’s where the design does half the work of relaxing you: delicate, and airy.
The menu leans into freshness and finesse. Think seasonal salads with a Moroccan twist, beautifully plated seafood straight from the harbor, and pastries that arrive looking as if they’ve been styled for a still life.
Pair it with a mint tea or a crafted cocktail, and suddenly hours pass as easily as the pages of a book.
Dar Baba
Equal parts bar, lounge, and design experiment. Patterned tiles meet vintage sofas, and the cocktails are as inventive as the décor. Ideal for golden hour, when the light bounces off the walls in just the right way.
La Table by Madada
Located in a converted almond warehouse, the space retains its industrial bones but dresses them in elegance. Expect modern Moroccan flavours plated like works of art, and lighting so flattering you’ll wish it followed you home.
Our picks for the best cafes in Essouira:
In the heart of this vibrant city lies a café scene that’s nothing short of theatrical, where each sip of coffee is an act, and every corner, a story waiting to unfold. These cafés are more than mere pit stops; they are cultural vignettes and sanctuaries for the wandering soul.
Café Vera
Step into a world where French-Moroccan elegance dances with sunlight on intricately tiled floors. The bistro chairs are poised like performers, awaiting their moment in the limelight, while the morning light caresses everything in a warm embrace, ideal for capturing the perfect Instagram narrative. It’s the kind of place where time slips away, and an afternoon of “research” seamlessly turns into an evening of inspiration.
Café L’Esprit
Aptly named “The Spirit,” this café brims with soul. A cozy refuge blending the charm of a quaint bookshop with the allure of a dreamy patisserie. Here, croissants flake like autumn leaves, and chairs are as eclectic as the stories they hold. The gentle scribble of an artist nearby weaves a soft soundtrack to your visit, where the aroma of coffee mingles with the whisper of pages turning.
Caravane Cafe Art
Imagine stepping into a restaurant set in a traditional Moroccan riad, nestled at the heart of the medina. Picture the whimsical imagination of Tim Burton, adorned with the vivacious colors of Morocco.
This café is a tapestry of eclectic wonders: lanterns casting playful shadows, art pieces that spark curiosity, and live musicians whose melodies dance in the air. Its original and unique concept brilliantly combines an art gallery, tearoom, and restaurant. Order a mint tea, sit back, and let the vibrant décor speak to you in a language all its own.
L’Atelier Cafe Boutique
Here, the allure of espresso meets the temptation of retail. Discover shelves laden with exquisite local ceramics, woven masterpieces, and textiles that beckon you to expand your luggage. As you sip and shop, the café whispers tales of artisans and craftsmanship, leaving you with both a caffeine kick and a charming hand-painted bowl as a souvenir of your journey.
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