Top Essaouira Seasonal & Special Occasions

Ride a camel across Essaouira’s beaches, dunes and forests on a 2-hour guided ride. Take in the rhythmic sway of the camel’s gait from a traditional saddle, and absorb stunning views of the Atlantic coast. Scramble up the sides of steep sandy dunes, explore shady forests and get a camel’s-eye view of Essaouira’s tranquil countryside.

Avoid the tourist traps and learn to cook an authentic Moroccan meal with a local chef during this group cooking class. Meet your host in the heart of Essaouira and learn the basics of preparing a traditional tagine meal. Enjoy the famous Moroccan hospitality, get tips on where to see, eat, and avoid for the rest of your trip, and end with a delicious lunch or dinner.

Explore the beaches of Essaouira on the back of a horse or for even more of an adventure, a dromedary camel. You can start whenever you like, maybe early in the day, or later to catch the sunset. You can also walk through argan forests, splash in the waves, or do whatever you feel is right. Go at your own pace and soak up the ambiance.

Traditional Moroccan cuisine is rightly considered one of the tastiest and finest in North Africa. We will meet in the old medina, place de l'Horloge, and will immediately go shopping in the markets of Essaouira. We will explore all the markets and buy the fresh ingredients from the locals to buy food. Later we will go home, I will receive you with Moroccan mint tea. After that we are getting ready to cook together, I will show you how to cook our couscous step by step and I will share with you all the recipes I learned from my grandmother. Finally, we appreciate our work, we will savor our preparations with a great Berber mint tea! I'll show you the secret of good! Welcome to Essaouira with another kind of experience different from regular cooking classes.

Not just a photo, an unforgettable experience. Imagine wearing a breathtaking, flying dress, the wind playing with the fabric, the sun bathing the landscape in golden light and next to you a noble horse or a proud camel. Welcome to Sand and Saddle, where dreams become reality. Why is your experience so unique? Extraordinary setting : Essaouira offers one of the most photogenic landscapes in Morocco with its beaches, dunes and oriental architecture. Majestic animals, your horse or camel shoots bring a special magic and elegance to the picture and make your shoot something you won't forget anytime soon. Whether alone, as a couple or with friends, this experience is ideal for anyone looking for something special. Photos are created with the IPhone and can be forwarded by mail or AirDrop.

The largest rural market in the Essaouira region takes place every Sunday in Had Draa located 30 km up the road towards Marrakech. The farmers of the region travel there by donkey to offer their crops, animals, and crafts, and to also do their weekly shopping. The gathering at Had Draa is mainly attended by men although everyone socializes, chats over tea with friends, and exchanges news in cafés or under tents. The market gives an authentic insight into daily lives in the Moroccan countryside. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, and spices release their plethora of aromas while the market showcases everything needed to live and work. We sample and taste a variety of foodstuffs. Next door are many cafes with open grills which presents us with the unique opportunity to try fresh grilled dromedary, served along with warm bread, olive and Argan oil, as well as traditional mint tea. HIGHLIGHTS ! Discovering rural life and taste local food.

This half-day excursion takes us to Sidi Mbark, a small Berber village 35 km south of Essaouira. We walk to a little cascade and close by visit the old Marabout (residence for the spirit of a Saint or wise man). Here, the convergence of a large sand dune, a small river, and an imposing rock splendidly frames a lovely bay. The stream brings some water (water level depends on season/rainfall) into this very dry region to irrigate local crops. The landscape offers a rich interplay of green, blue and yellow. As it rests on the rocks, the Marabout that gave its name to the village speaks of former times. Walking time is approx. 40 minutes to reach the cascade and 30 minutes back (round trip, plus time for several stops). If you have kids and you’re not sure if they will make the entire walk, get the donkey to take the strain! On the way back to Essaouira we will have tea or coffee at Sidi Kaouki, a relaxed surfers’ village, where we will enjoy a beautiful view over the large sandy beach. As we will be driving through the Argan zone, you have the option to visit an Argan oil cooperative and learn about the production of this beautiful oil - in all the world, a product unique to this area. They will offer us a taste of the lovely things they make with it, too. Very likely you will see the famous goats in the trees on this tour to the south of Essaouira.

Walk in the heart of a forest of argan trees and various species, until you reach the ocean. After a walk along the beach, you will go up towards the waterfalls of Sidi M'Barket and cross terraced gardens. As Morocco is facing drought in the last years, the cascade is dry in this moment. ​ Nature offers a magnificent spectacle here. We then show in the canyon to the village of Sidi Ahmed Essayeh. For lunch, you will be welcomed by a Moroccan family to taste a tajine. You will walk in the morning, because the hike ends in the early afternoon by crossing the village of Sidi Ahmed Essayeh. This hike allows you to meet beautiful people and admire sumptuous and varied landscapes... A beautiful meeting with a local Berber family.

This circuit can be customized according to the desire of the participants (at least 2), you can enjoy your experience as a nomad in a natural semi-desert in some places and desert in others.

Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its dazzling medina. Discover the city in real depth, direct from your hotel, on this three-in-one tour that covers the historic fortifications, the city’s food traditions, and its modern nightlife all in one go. Savor fresh seafood, eat pastries from the city’s oldest bakery, explore traditional herbal medicine, and more. Choose between a licensed guide or (on select evenings) a local couple.

This diverse hike leads us to Cap Sim with a stunning ocean view where we discover the beautiful bay and village of Sidi Kaouki and also traverse the Juniper Forest. During this hike we discover beautiful vistas of sea and wild dunes. After a short 30-minute drive south, we find ourselves in the middle of the peninsula dunes. We head towards the ocean taking small paths between white broom and juniper trees to the beach passing the lighthouse of Cap Sim. We pass Taguenza, a small fishing village on the beach, on our way to Sidi Kaouki where we enjoy our traditional lunch. After refreshing ourselves, we hike up the hills on winding paths through scenic terrain with Argan and Carob trees.

This excursion takes us to Sidi Mbark, a small Berber village 35 km south of Essaouira. We walk along the amazing cliff line overlooking beautiful bays below. We visit the cascade beside an old Marabout (residence for the spirit of a Saint or wise man). Discover nature at its best. Here, the convergence of a large sand dune, a small river, and an imposing rock splendidly frames a lovely bay. The stream brings some water into this very dry region to irrigate local crops. The landscape offers a rich interplay of green, blue and yellow. As it rests on the rocks, the Marabout that gave its name to the village speaks of former times. The hike now takes us southwards on winding paths through rolling hills. Along the way we encounter shepherds with goats and sheep. The trek provides panoramic views of the coastline and the Atlantic Ocean to the horizon. Walking above the bays we come upon stone houses where fishermen store their gear used to eke out a living from the sea. On the return hike we stop at a bay for a refreshing swim (optional). Then, surrounded by beautiful scenery, we enjoy a vegetarian picnic at the waterfall of Sidi Mbark. The walking time of 3.5 to 4 hours can be adjusted to your needs and desires. As we will be driving through the Argan zone, you have the option to visit an Argan oil cooperative and learn about the production of this beautiful oil - in all the world, a product unique to this area. They will offer us a taste of the lovely things they make with it, too. Very likely you will see the famous goats in the trees on this tour to the south of Essaouira.

Spend half a day exploring Essaouira on camelback with a delicious meal included. Departing from Essaouira beach, this walk covers Bordj El Baroud, Dar Soltane, dunes and forests. A delicious meal is offered halfway, allowing you to savor local flavors in a beautiful natural setting.