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More InformationThe blue pearl
The blue pearl
Coastal paradise & artists’ town
Summer feeling all year round
The blue pearl on the ocean, approximately 2 and a half hours from Marrakesh. The beautiful sleeping city. Wind City Africa. Essaouira, the town of 80,000 inhabitants on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, has many nicknames. Its historic medina – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – with its mysterious, winding alleyways and harbour has remained true to its original character. Only very gradually has the spectacle of everyday Arab life changed here over time.
Art and culture. Sport and nature. Combined with the magic of the oriental way of life and the warmth of its people. Discover Essaouira individually: the city by the sea where longing lives …
Breathe in the vastness of the ocean and the fresh sea breeze.
Stroll along the 5 km-long promenade on the Atlantic.
Traditional craftsmanship, art and local specialities in the souks.
Try freshly grilled fish from the small stands at the harbour.
Visit colourful festivals ranging from classical music to Gnaoua and jazz.
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The Atlantic coastal and harbour town of Essaouira is considered one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in Morocco. The city has a cosmopolitan flair that has attracted creatives, free spirits and well-known artists since the 1960s. Over time, different cultures and historical events have left their traces in its corners and alleyways, walls and architecture, music and art, cuisine and even language. This tangible cultural diversity gives Essaouira its very special charm.
The irresistible pull of the souks
Essaouira is especially impressive in its souks, which offer everything handmade in Morocco: beautiful Berber carpets, scarves and fabrics, hand-painted tiles and ceramics, leather goods, handicrafts made from local wood, spices, wool hats and much more. The atmosphere is unique and full of scenes that tempt you to stop and take photographs.
Unspoilt Atlantic coastline
The coast around Essaouira captivates with its unspoilt beauty: over 10 kilometres of natural beach with fine, pale sand and gentle dunes to the south. Shaped by the steady trade wind known as the Alizé, this wide coastal strip offers a refreshing breeze and ideal conditions for outdoor activities, while the Atlantic surf seems to transfer its energy directly to those who experience it.
A playground of beach and sea
Perfect for all kinds of water sports: in Essaouira Bay, there are waves and wind for sailing, surfing and kitesurfing, with courses also available. The beach and southern dunes are ideal for horse and camel riding, as well as quad and buggy tours. In addition, the legendary Golf de Mogador is not far from Essaouira.
In the footsteps of international artists
The medina is home to numerous small galleries showing local and international art. Some of Morocco’s most renowned cultural figures own summer houses in the old town, and in the past artists such as Ernest Hemingway, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Bob Marley lived and worked in Essaouira. The city also became famous as a film location through Orson Welles’ Othello.
Places of wellbeing
Let your gaze wander from a rooftop terrace across the harbour and the sea, enjoy a sunset walk on the beach, or indulge in a traditional hammam ritual, still celebrated in Essaouira in its purest form. Soothing steam, exfoliation and massages regenerate the skin and relax both body and mind.
Argan oil
Around Essaouira and the Souss plain, nature offers precious treasures. Argan oil is produced from the fruit of the argan tree and is known for its golden colour and intense aroma. It is used in high-quality cosmetics and luxurious beauty rituals. Argan oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, antioxidants and plant compounds.
Le Printemps Musical des Alizés
For more than 20 years, classical music and opera have taken centre stage here. The free public concerts combine passion, virtuosity and artistic excellence in every performance.
Gnaoua & World Music Festival
Where cultures meet through music. Gnaoua maâlems blend traditional rhythms with global sounds, creating unforgettable moments filled with trance, funk, jazz and African beats.
MOGA Festival
A vibrant mix of international DJs, cultural events, artistic performances and wellness activities. For a few days, Essaouira becomes a hub of electronic music, connecting different music scenes, cultures and generations.
Festival Les Andalusies Atlantiques
This festival celebrates the rich Jewish-Arab-Andalusian heritage. Mediterranean music and dance take centre stage, bringing to life the shared artistic traditions of Morocco and Spain.
Jazz sous L’ Arganier Festival
Where African, European and Cuban jazz merge into a vivid and unforgettable experience: three full days of live music at the legendary Dar Souiri in Essaouira.
Explore the surroundings
Explore the surroundings
Borj El Barmil
Fishing Harbour
Sqala du Port
Moulay Hassan Square
Caravane Café
Medina
Skala de la Kasbah
Our Pur Life Maroc concierge service offers tailor-made travel experiences designed around your wishes. Discover the most beautiful and authentic sides of Morocco up close, guided by our local experts and Pur Life insiders. Immerse yourself in your own personal Pur Life Maroc journey.
Enjoy a guided walk taking in the Skala, the harbour and the city, including the old town with its souks, the consular district and the Mellah (Jewish quarter). Stroll through lively alleyways dotted with shaded squares and traditional Moorish café terraces.
How about a half-day cooking class at L'Atelier, a former warehouse beneath the stone arches at the entrance to Essaouira's medina? Guided by a top chef, you'll uncover the secrets of Moroccan cuisine and learn how to master tajines, couscous, pastillas and gazelle horn cookies.
Looking for the perfect blend of eco-tourism and walking? Choose from guided half-day or full-day hikes, complete with a tea break or lunch in a traditional Moroccan eatery. Discover the natural beauty of the Essaouira region at a more relaxed pace.
A network of trails linking local villages makes the countryside around Essaouira ideal for mountain biking. Your guide will lead you along winding paths to some of the region's most scenic spots. Of course, you're also free to explore on your own, with mountain bikes and e-bikes available for hire.
A quad tour is an exhilarating way to explore Morocco's stunning landscapes. Our off-road routes take you straight into the dunes, with two- or three-hour excursions leading you along rocky tracks to Cap Sim, where you'll get up close to the dramatic sand dunes and Atlantic beaches.
Discover the beaches, sweeping dunes south of Essaouira and unforgettable sunsets on horseback. Setting off from the town of Diabat, your guide and their experienced team will lead you on a one- to three-hour ride, suitable for both seasoned riders and beginners alike.
No trip to Essaouira is complete without a camel ride. A favourite with both children and adults, this experience offers a memorable way to explore the region's dunes and beaches. Our camel guide looks forward to introducing you to these fascinating animals, perfectly suited to gentle journeys across the sand.
Set against a stunning natural backdrop, Golf de Mogador offers perfect conditions year-round to enjoy challenging greens and superb fairways. Designed by Gary Player, this 18-hole championship course (par 72) in Essaouira is a top-class golfing destination.
Experience first-hand how argan oil is traditionally produced by women under fair working conditions at the Marjana Cooperative. Taste premium-quality argan oil and purchase products directly from the source. Afterwards, visit the coastal village of Sidi Kaouki, whose five-kilometre Atlantic bay is considered one of the world’s finest surfing beaches.
Would you like to experience the hippie flair of the early 1970s? Your guide will accompany you to the Jimi Hendrix Café in the village of Diabat as well as to the ruins of the Dar Solatane Palace, which is said to have inspired Jimi Hendrix’s song Castles Made of Sand. The beach of Diabat captivates visitors with its untouched nature, dunes and peaceful atmosphere, connecting Essaouira with the surfer paradise of Sidi Kaouki.
Spend a night in a traditional Berber tent on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Discover the secrets of Moroccan cuisine, enjoy dinner on the beach and warm yourself by the campfire. Look forward to breathtaking views of the surrounding nature with argan and tamarind trees, as well as a spectacular sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.
Discover the hinterland of Essaouira on a guided excursion. The route takes you through impressive landscapes, past a traditional weekly market and into a village where you will enjoy an authentic lunch in the home of a Berber family. Afterwards, take part in a traditional Moroccan tea ceremony.
A special half-day excursion takes you to one of the largest and most authentic souks in the hinterland of Essaouira. Far away from classic tourist routes, you will experience a lively weekly market where farmers, fishermen and local traders offer their goods — from fresh fruit and vegetables to spices, olives, livestock and traditional handicrafts. Accompanied by a local guide, you will gain fascinating insights into the daily life and culture of the region. Afterwards, enjoy a classic tagine lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant.
A city trip that makes the diversity of a Morocco holiday tangible. From Agadir over to Essaouira to Marrakesh.
