Things to do · Marrakech
Marrakech is the gateway most travellers pair with Essaouira — about two and a half hours inland by road, and the nearest international airport to the coast. A walled medina of souks and palaces opens onto serene gardens, rooftop cafés and the snow-capped Atlas beyond. From the nightly theatre of Jemaa el-Fna to the Saadian Tombs, here are the experiences worth building into your Essaouira trip.
12 experiences
The medina's vast main square shifts from a daytime market of juice carts and water sellers to an evening stage of storytellers, musicians and food stalls. UNESCO recognises it as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
A late-19th-century palace built for a grand vizier, the Bahia is celebrated for its painted cedar ceilings, zellige tilework and tranquil courtyards. Its rooms sprawl across roughly eight hectares near the southern edge of the medina.
Created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, this cobalt-blue garden is filled with cacti, bamboo and water features. The adjacent Berber Museum showcases North African crafts.
Once one of the largest Islamic colleges in North Africa, this 16th-century medersa centres on a marble courtyard ringed by carved cedar, stucco and tile. Student cells line the upper floors around the central pool.
Dating to the Saadian dynasty and rediscovered in 1917, these royal tombs hold ornate mausoleums beside the Kasbah Mosque. The Chamber of the Twelve Columns, with its Carrara marble and muqarnas, is the highlight.
North of Jemaa el-Fna, a labyrinth of covered lanes groups trades by craft: leather, lanterns, spices, carpets and dyed wool. Souk Semmarine is the main artery; getting pleasantly lost is part of the experience.
A steam bath followed by a black-soap scrub and rinse is a centuries-old Moroccan ritual. Local neighbourhood hammams sit alongside upscale spa versions in many riads, both using argan and rose-based products.
Marrakech's largest mosque and its defining landmark, the 12th-century Koutoubia is crowned by a 77-metre minaret that inspired Seville's Giralda. While the prayer hall is for worshippers, the surrounding gardens are open to all.
These historic olive groves are arranged around a large reflecting basin and a green-tiled pavilion, with the Atlas Mountains framed behind on clear days. The grounds were laid out under the Almohad dynasty in the 12th century.
A restored riad complex in the heart of the medina, Le Jardin Secret pairs an Islamic-style garden with an exotic garden and an original khettara irrigation system. A tower offers rooftop views over the old city.
Guided evening walks weave through the medina to sample tagine, harira soup, msemen, grilled brochettes and mint tea. Many tours finish at the Jemaa el-Fna stalls, the best place to eat with locals.
The drive west from Marrakech to Essaouira takes about two and a half hours through the argan belt, where wild goats climb the trees and roadside co-operatives press the oil by hand. The walled coastal town and its beaches make the classic pairing with the city.
Two to three days is enough to cover the medina, the major palaces and gardens, and a hammam, while leaving time for the souks. Many travellers add the city to the start or end of an Essaouira trip, with the coast a two-and-a-half-hour drive west.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer warm, comfortable days ideal for sightseeing. Summer can be very hot, often exceeding 40C, while winters are mild by day and cool at night.
A licensed guide helps you navigate the maze of souk lanes, adds historical context at sites like the Saadian Tombs and Ben Youssef Medersa, and eases bargaining. Independent exploring works well too, especially for gardens and the main square.
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