3-Day Travel Itinerary for Essaouira, Morocco
Last Updated on 23rd October 2025 by Jessie
Have 3 days in Essaouira? This travel itinerary mixes ocean air with coastal culture—day trips, medina exploring, seafood dinners, and relaxed beach time.
Essaouira is the ideal Moroccan city for travellers – in my not-so-humble opinion. A fishing town that offers a lazy coastal atmosphere, whilst also boasting an incredible ancient medina packed with all the best cafes, art galleries and local craftsmen. It’s little wonder Essaouira has been a melting pot of artists, expats and backpackers for decades. Whether you’re coming from Marrakech, Agadir, or one of the smaller surf villages, a 3-day escape to Essaouira offers the ideal mix of urban novelty and coastal charm.
This itinerary is perfect for a long weekend or a short stop on a longer Moroccan surf coast itinerary. Here’s how to spend three dreamy days in Essaouira.
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Moroccan Travel Essentials
- First and foremost, get travel insurance with SafetyWing. They’re super affordable and one of the few companies that let you buy insurance mid-trip.
- Book the dreamiest Moroccan abode on Booking.com. They’re my go-to for accomodation because you can save loooaads with their loyalty discounts.
- Or if you’re after the one-stop-shop, BookSurfCamps is the best place to find surf camp packages in Morocco.
- Find the best local tours with GetYourGuide. It’s the easiest way to visit places like Paradise Valley or Timlalin Dunes.
- Make sure you’re connected as soon as you get off the plane with Airalo’s Moroccan eSIM.
- Set up a Wise travel card to save on international transaction fees.
- And if you’re working online (or want to watch Netflix in your downtime) I highly recommend getting set up with a SurfShark VPN.
And you’re sorted.
Day 1: Explore the Medina & Watch the Sunset
Day 2: Maxo Relaxo
Day 3: Day Trip or Deeper Dive
Tempted to a longer-term stay? Read my post on Why Morocco is a Dream Digital Nomad Destination, which features Essaouira.
Where to Stay in Essaouira
The best place to stay is inside the medina, where you’ll be steps away from everything. Riad options range from budget-friendly to beautifully restored boutique hotels. For ocean views, consider something just outside the city walls.
Here are my top picks for each budget:
- Best for solo travellers: Hotel Dar El Qdima
- Best private room: Riad Dar Etto
- Best entire apartment: Dar Zin Zin
Final Tips for Visiting Essaouira
- Best time to visit: Spring and autumn offer mild weather. Summer is breezy and cooler than inland Morocco, but very windy.
- What to pack: Layers, a solid tote bag for all your accumulated knick-knacks, comfy walking shoes, and a beach towel.
- Getting here: Essaouira is 3 hours from Marrakech and 4.5 from Agadir by bus or car. Check out my full guide on Essaouira transport.
- Travel essentials: Make sure you have insurance. I highly recommend SafetyWing. A local SIM card and VPN also come in handy.
Continue planning your Morocco adventure with my Tamraght Itinerary or Taghazout Guide. Or head back to the Essaouira travel hub for more.
More tips:
- 5-Day Tamraght Travel Itinerary
- 5-Day Taghazout Travel Itinerary
- Top Things to Do in Mirleft
- Imsouane Travel Guide
- Best Digital Nomad Destinations in Morocco
For more Maroc info and a little less of my own opinions, I’ve created a travel wisdom-sharing hub over on Facebook. Join the group here.
