Essaouira casts a laid-back spell with its whitewashed medina, Atlantic breeze and rhythmic drumbeat of waves against the ramparts. Whether you're after a surf-facing terrace, a romantic riad in the heart of the old town, or a relaxed family stay among olive groves, the best places to stay in Essaouira match every mood and budget. From bohemian beach boltholes to grand historic guesthouses, you’ll find plenty of character tucked behind the town’s blue doors.
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Essaouira is a city made for wandering, with its compact, UNESCO-listed medina wrapped in stone ramparts and kissed by the sea. Spend your days weaving through alleyways lined with spice stalls, artisan woodwork, and galleries showing off the town’s creative spirit. The harbour is still bustling with blue boats and fresh catch — perfect if you're staying somewhere that offers cooking classes using local ingredients. For history lovers, the 18th-century Skala de la Ville offers cannons and coastal views, while music fans might recognise the town from its connection to Hendrix, Marley and Gnaoua rhythms still pulsing through the streets.
The city’s beach is vast and breezy — great for kitesurfing, windsurfing — or simply admiring the scene with a coffee or mint tea from your hotel's rooftop terrace. Golfers can tee off just outside town, and countryside retreats nearby offer serene escapes with pools, hammams, and panoramic garden views. For couples, stylish riads in the ramparts offer four-poster beds and candlelit courtyards; for families, self-catering suites or converted villas provide easy-going space and local charm.
Essaouira also delivers on food — expect rooftop grills, tagines in tiled courtyards, and inventive French-Moroccan fusion menus. Some stays include their own restaurants or intimate lounges for a nightcap, but nightlife is mostly mellow: think low-lit jazz bars and rooftop cocktails as the sea wind kicks in. Shopping-wise, it’s more about silver jewellery, handira blankets and aromatic oils than mass-market trinkets. This is also a great place to visit in winter, when it's quieter and many of the best places to stay in Essaouira are not so busy.
