Essaouira is located 175 km from Marrakech. It is a seaside medieval city with an old Portuguese harbor.
Essaouira, formerly the old Mogador, is known for its annual festival of [Gnaoua music], and its medina is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
The modern name means “the little rampart,” a reference to the fortress walls that still enclose part of the city.
The drive lasts only 2 hours and 40 minutes each way. The roads are mostly straight; the pleasant climate and the variety of things to see & do make Essaouira a must-do day tour.
You will have free time to explore this easygoing town at your own pace and meet your driver around 3 p.m to make it back to Marrakech. You definitely won’t need a tour guide to venture around the little town.
You’ll be picked up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech around 8.30 a.m by one of our staff.
Along the way, we shall stop to have rest and a coffee break if you’d like to, and if you have the chance, you might encounter the Argan trees, where small goats clamber up the low branches and feed. Sometimes there are as many as 20 goats sitting up in one tree. It is a fascinating sight and an absolute must when it comes to getting a photo opportunity.
Also along the way, we will stop off at a women’s cooperative where Argan oil is produced. The oil is extracted from the kernels of the tree and is a delicious accompaniment to a Moroccan bread meal or simply for drizzling over pitta bread.
The oil is also used as a beauty product for skin and hair treatments. Once in Essaouira, you will get to wander in the city at your own pace and visit many of Essaouira’s highlights.
There is a long prom on the beachfront where a sandy beach welcomes bathers and those who wish to relax in the sun on the golden sands of this charming city. To this end, you should bring swimwear, sunblock, and a towel along with you for your time on the beach. Our return journey will leave for Marrakech to arrive back in time around 6 or 7 pm. Once again, you’ll be able to enjoy the surrounding sunset as the sun begins to set in the late afternoon.