6 Best Day Trips From Essaouira

Laid-back, coastal Essaouira is often popular for day trips or one-night stopovers when visiting Morocco, though its relaxed atmosphere is often alluring. Now with EasyJet flights from London Luton on Tuesday and Saturdays, filling a few days in Essaouira is not hard to do by heading out to the surrounding countryside, although we completely understand wanting to just wander through Essaouira, sipping coffee in the interesting plazas and shopping at ease. For those who want to see more of the Moroccan countryside, including rolling hills dotted with argan and olive trees and home to little Berber villages, we’ve put together our best day trip recommendations from Essaouira.

Sidi Kaouki

If the wind is destroying dreams of beach days in Essaouira, head to nearby Sidi Kaouki where the beach is open and rather untouched. The local surf shops offer lessons and board rentals, while the camels are on-site to provide visitors with another option for wandering along the beach. Don’t expect a range of services; a small café with views over the coast, a couple of local restaurants and basic restrooms are the only facilities available. Getting there is best by car but buses and collective taxis do make the journey.

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Had Dra Souk

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Val d’Argan

Just 30 minutes from Essaouira, French winemaker Charles Melia has developed the Val d’Argan winery, an ideal lunch spot. Upon arrival, guests are invited to tour the impressive facilities where three ranges of red, white and rosé wines are produced, in addition to Moroccan gris (a blend between a rosé and white). In the summer months, don’t forget your bathing suit or swimming trunks for a post-lunch dip under the olive trees in the vineyard.

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La Fromagerie

While the restaurant only serves lunch, we included a visit to La Fromagerie as a day trip because we are always tempted to curl up in one of the hammocks following a feast of locally prepared cheeses. The three-course meal is served under the pergola covered in bougainvillea or under the arcades of the traditional buildings. Be sure to save room for the cheese platter served as dessert, including its speciality goat’s cheese and sheep’s cheese and new creation made from camel’s milk.

Safi

Less than two hours by bus is the industrial town of Safi, known for the colourful pottery available throughout the souks as well as fresh sardines. While the sights and certainly the beach here are not as interesting as other stops, a visit to Safi and wander through the medina affords the opportunity to witness local life. With the help of a guidebook, sites like the Portuguese cathedral and Kechla fortress provide insight in to the days when the Portuguese occupied the city.

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Jardin by Villa Maroc

If lying on the beach isn’t possible, head to Jardins by Villa Maroc, located about 20 minutes outside of Essaouira on the Route de Marrakech. Spend the day lying beneath the olive trees in between dips in the pool heated by argan shells. The Ottolenghi-inspired lunch is served either on the terrace or inside the hip and colourful salon, perfect for escaping when the sun gets to be too much! Given the location in the countryside, the area is always considerably warmer than seaside Essaouira.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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