If you want to see an Atlantic coastal city in Morocco with a laidback, relaxed hippie vibe then you have to check out Essaouira. Its only 2.5 hours away from Marrakech making it  a great weekend or two day getaway. You can sit back and relax while enjoying the scenic route on the way from Marrakech to Essaouira on our Essaouira day trip.

Essaouira is famous for being the center of Gnaoua music in Morocco. Gnaoua music is a fusion of Classical Arabic and West African music styles with a reggae vibe and Sufi spiritualism beautifully mixed into its rhythms. The music has an entrancing, almost hypnotic effect on the listener. You can identify its Gnaoua by a low-toned three string bass plucked lute, called a sintir, as well as cymbals and rhythmic hand clapping. Every spring around May, the population of the quiet, beach city doubles as it welcomes Moroccans and tourist alike for its annual Gnaoua Music Festival.

If you’re a fan of all kinds of seafood and shellfish, you will enjoy taking a walk along the sea port where you can buy the catch of the day and have it grilled right in front of you for super inexpensive prices. You can eat a kilo of shrimp yourself and pay less than 100 Canadian Dollars! Also, you have to try the oysters. They’re fantastic.

Essaouira is also a great place to do some hardcore shopping for Moroccan goods. As its on the coast not too far from Agadir, its one of the best places to buy pure Argan oil or Amlou (a type of liquidy peanut butter made with Argan oil). Also, unlike the medina of Marrakech, shop owners aren’t so aggressive to haggle over prices. There’s lots of fixed prices shops that are very fairly priced.

For more information on what you can include on an Essaouira day trip, speak directly to one of our professional and friendly English-speaking team members Kathi or Mustapha by calling +212 05 24 43 62 87 or you can email us at roamingcamelsmorocco@gmail.com.

If you want to see more from Roaming Camels Morocco, check out “Tours from Marrakech” video below: