Full-Day Medina of Essaouira Tour with Souks and Portuguese Fortress

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Visit the marvellous Portuguese Fortress in Essaouira
• 02 Relax in one of the cafes at Place Moulay Hassan
• 03 See the magnificent fort of Borj El Barod
• 04 Browse Essaouira's souks for leatherwork, pottery, jewellery, carpets, spices, and rare argan oil

Explore the Medina of Essaouira, an exceptional example of an 18th-century fortified town surrounded by walls influenced by the Vauban model. Visit the famous Portuguese fortress, watch fishermen landing their catch at the port, and savour super-fresh grilled fish or shellfish at a seafood stall. Browse the souks for leatherwork, metalwork, glazed pottery, jewellery, brightly coloured carpets, original art, olives, spices, and rare argan oil, then relax with coffee or mint tea at Place Moulay Hassan.

Walk 2 miles along the beach at low tide to see the romantic fort of Borj El Barod crumbling into the sea.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Marrakech, Essaouira

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Explore Essaouira's Medina, Port and Seafront

• Visit the souks of leatherwork, metalwork, glazed pottery, jewellery, brightly coloured carpets, original art, olives, spices, rare argan oil, and more.
• Visit the port and watch fishers land their catch, or learn how boats are crafted using centuries-old techniques. Then eat super-fresh grilled fish or shellfish at one of the seafood stalls.
• Visit Place Joutiya to watch locals auctioning everything from teapots to trousers.
• Visit the Portuguese fortress.
• Walk 2 miles along the beach at low tide to see the romantic fort of Borj El Barod crumbling into the sea.
• Relax and watch the world go by with coffee or mint tea, and maybe a Moroccan pastry, in one of the cafes at Place Moulay Hassan.
• Discover the craftsmanship and exquisite carpentry in the little thuya wood workshops under the ramparts.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Private transportation (air-conditioned)
• Pick-up and drop-off

What's Not Included

• Lunch
• Guide

Know before you go

• Built according to contemporary European military architecture principles in a North African context. Since its foundation, it has been a major international trading seaport, linking Morocco and its Saharan hinterland with Europe and the rest of the world. The Medina of Essaouira, formerly named Mogador (a name originating from the Phoenician word Migdol meaning a "small fortress") is an outstanding example of a fortified town of the mid-eighteenth century.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Marrakech, Maroc

Tour start

Essaouira, Morocco

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.