Essaouira Day Trip: Review of Atlantic Coast Tour

Thinking about skipping the busy Marrakech atmosphere for a bit? Well, a full-day jaunt to Essaouira, a fascinating city along the Atlantic coast, is something you might just think about doing. I decided to see if the “Essaouira and Atlantic Coast Full Day Trip” was something to get excited about, and here’s what I discovered.

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What to Anticipate on Your Essaouira Trip

The journey usually kicks off quite early, very early indeed, with a pickup right from your lodging in Marrakech. We got going at approximately 8 AM. Actually, I’d advise verifying the exact time the day before, just so there aren’t any unpleasant surprises. The trip itself involves a three-hour-ish drive. That’s three hours that can easily turn into a nice snooze if you’re not a morning person, a bit like me! Very quickly, as you drive farther from Marrakech, the views turn into arid landscapes that actually start getting more populated with those quirky Argan trees.

Argan trees, as you know, are those trees that produce the argan nuts. These nuts give us that precious argan oil you see around quite a bit. We stopped at a local cooperative where some women demonstrated how they extract the oil from argan nuts – it’s quite something! Obviously, they were selling the oil, but you know, there’s absolutely no pressure to buy anything. Though, if you intend to purchase argan oil, getting it directly from the source is the only way to be absolutely sure it’s 100% pure, like your own special batch.

As you get a little nearer Essaouira, there’s this change in temperature. Even in the heart of the summer, a light jacket could very easily come in handy. The breeze from the Atlantic brings, you know, some rather cooler weather, something that gives you relief from the sweltering heat of Marrakech. Soon, the city reveals itself. And it’s quite charming, in some ways.

A First Glimpse of Essaouira

Essaouira kinda differs from Marrakech. Instead of the packed streets and bustling souks, Essaouira offers this calmer, a bit more relaxed environment, that’s the feeling I got from it anyway. The town, interestingly, features architecture with these kinda European touches because, long ago, the Portuguese were here. Think white-washed buildings with, almost, blue shutters—that iconic ocean town feel, just a bit different.

Your driver might just drop you off near the medina walls or very close to the port. It is that area where your self-led exploration probably starts, it feels like the most sensible place to do so. I’d propose beginning at the port. Witnessing the fishermen bringing in their catch of the day gives a small window into daily life there. Also, the sheer amount of seagulls hovering around is, kind of, very entertaining! You might want to walk around and appreciate how things happen.

The Medina in Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as it should be, by the way. Winding through these narrow streets you find loads of shops selling everything from handcrafted stuff to spices. In contrast to the intense haggling common in Marrakech, bargaining here could just be a tad more laid back, which might be a welcome change. Also, the local craftsmanship here leans toward woodwork—items crafted from thuya wood, that look intricate, like your grandmothers doilies, but made of wood.

Lunch and Local Flavors

When you’re hungry, there is plenty to select from, in some respects. Since Essaouira sits right next to the ocean, naturally seafood is its specialty, no surprise here. Many modest restaurants, just casual spaces, allow you to decide what you intend to eat straight from the catch displayed. Grilled fish, you know, calamari, shrimp – all grilled there while you wait, it’s hard to go wrong with that choice. So, if you like it, seafood makes the perfect option. The costs can vary, so you’ll want to agree on a price beforehand. But, even on a slightly tighter budget, you could manage an adequate, delicious meal, easily.

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Should seafood not tickle your pickle, you can actually find some other restaurants which serve other kinds of Moroccan meals such as tagine or couscous. Locating a cafe to just, almost, sit and enjoy some mint tea, a ubiquitous custom here, is always feasible. Try and think about observing the life in the town going by while sipping on something nice. Also, some cafés have a view of the sea which can be nice as well.

The Beach and the Winds

After lunch, you really need to check the beach, this long stretch of sand extending south of the town. Essaouira, for your information, has been known as the “Windy City of Africa,” this moniker definitely has a real, solid reason. The almost-constant winds make it an ideal location for windsurfing and kitesurfing. So, you can see a plethora of colorful sails dancing over the waves, it is really cool!

For the ones among us who would rather remain on solid ground, there is something to love about a casual stroll on the beach, feeling that sea breeze on your face. Very much away from the city area, the beach starts to feel big and somewhat isolating. You may see, very far off, some people riding camels, it’s a typical touristy view! In case you think about it, you might negotiate a short ride; remember to fix on an amount ahead. One of the cool things about Essaouira’s beach, at least to my mind, is that it isn’t super crammed like many popular beaches could just be.

Exploring the Medina and Ramparts

If you take your time to actually stroll through the medina you’ll likely discover those areas that are not just places with stores. Artisans are really there at work. If you look close enough you’ll observe woodcarvers working painstakingly on making furniture or little trinkets. You can probably check out metalworkers generating those really attractive Moroccan lanterns. Viewing these craftsmen makes, just a bit, your purchase feel much more unique and worthwhile.

Just to take in even more fantastic panoramas, make your way to the Skala de la Kasbah, that’s this ancient sea wall. These ramparts, as well as historic cannons pointing out towards the ocean, offer you cool places to grab photos. Thinking about history, that could almost transport you into what was it like here long time ago when this town was an important trading place. It’s a neat vantage location to actually gaze out on the ocean and, too, it’s a spot where you could likely appreciate the unique architecture of the town. Also, very early, Orson Welles filmed “Othello” in Essaouira in 1952. And by the way, in case you start sensing some serious deja-vu, portions of “Game of Thrones” actually got filmed right here.

Back to Marrakech

Typically, the excursion departs from Essaouira at approximately 4 or 5 in the afternoon. After, that is, some hours given over to sightseeing. The return ride actually tends to look very quiet, a lot of people just sleep after the fun things they did. The tour often finishes where it first started: getting dropped off at your accommodation in Marrakech, likely approximately 7 or 8 at night, in case there isn’t plenty of traffic. If that’s the case, count a little more time.

Is the Essaouira and Atlantic Coast Full Day Trip something I recommend? Well, definitely. Specifically in case you wish to just step away from the buzz that exists in Marrakech and get a taste of a considerably calmer pace. Although a rather long day is involved, Essaouira does give a combination of landscapes, historical past, and Moroccan culture that renders it worthwhile. Simply be sure that you take along an adequate camera, carry water, and perhaps simply haggle politely when purchasing. With only a little preparation, your own excursion to Essaouira may grow to be the day trip you liked in Morocco.

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