Take a day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech and discover this charming Atlantic coastal city known for its artistic and cultural spirit. Visit the traditional harbor, stroll along the beach and historic ramparts, and explore the UNESCO-listed Medina with its colorful bazaars, cafés, and seafood restaurants.
This hassle-free excursion includes round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, with pick-up and drop-off from centrally located Marrakech hotels.
Our full-day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech starts from 07:00 am to the city of Essaouira. It is an easy 3h30 drive (176 km) through some stunning landscapes, along the way you can see dromedaries, sheep, and goats grazing in the countryside. The vegetation then changes to ARGAN trees that only grow in the wild and provide berries for local goats. If you wish, you can stop for ARGAN oil tasting in a small cooperative run by local women, where you can attend the oil extraction process. We can also stop on the way to see the famous Argan tree where goats clamber up the low branches and feed. Sometimes as many as 20 goats are sitting up in one tree. It is a fascinating sight and an absolute must when it comes to getting a photo opportunity.
One stop for Breakfast
Just 30 kilometers before reaching Essaouira, the road passes through highlands dotted with argan trees, a unique feature of this region. Here, it’s not unusual to see goats climbing the branches to feast on the fruit a fascinating and photogenic sight! These agile animals eat only the pulp, leaving behind the kernels, which locals later collect, roast, and press to produce the precious argan oil, used both for cooking and cosmetics.
As part of the trip, we will also visit a women’s cooperative, where you’ll discover the traditional methods of extracting argan oil and have the chance to taste it.
Upon arrival in Essaouira, travelers will have about five hours to explore before returning to Marrakech.
Start with the UNESCO-listed Old Medina, a maze of alleys filled with colorful souks selling clothes, spices, jewelry, olives, and local produce. Many restaurants here serve freshly grilled fish and Moroccan specialties on shaded terraces.
The 6 km beach is popular with surfers, while visitors often enjoy the views and sea breeze from the shore. Nearby, the fishing port, with its blue boats and white cabins, offers one of the city’s most iconic sights and serves as our meeting point for the return trip.
We leave Essaouira around 16:30, reaching Marrakech by 19:00.
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