In the heart of Essaouira's medina, Ksou Café & Restaurant is a stylish place that combines modern elegance with Moroccan tradition. The interior and rooftop terrace offer a charming atmosphere, complete with filigree lighting, sunset over the ocean and live gnawa music. Enjoy creative cocktails, light fare and varied cuisine as you enjoy the city's evening rhythm. Open daily from 8:30am to 11pm. Reservations are recommended for an evening visit. 

The Essaouira medina is small, uncluttered and utterly charming. Every corner smells of freshly baked pastries, you can hear laughter and singing from the small stalls, and the streets are lined with artisan workshops, colourful shops and the smell of spices. You can buy everything from hand-woven scarves to ceramics and argan oil straight from the locals.

Whether you hide in the shade of a cosy café or grab a fresh juice at a traditional restaurant, the medina will engulf you with its calm, welcoming energy. It's a place where you don't wander - you discover.

The castles where the ocean meets history

Skala de la Ville is Essaouira's iconic site, where stone walls look directly into the waves of the Atlantic. Walking among the old cannons here and listening to the sea crash against the cliffs is an experience that transports you back in time.

The views are breathtaking - the endless ocean on one side, the medina and its white walls on the other. No wonder famous films have been made here. It's a place where you stop, breathe and realise you're exactly where you're supposed to be.

The Essaouira harbour is vibrant, raw and utterly authentic. Every day, blue fishing boats return with fresh catches, fishermen gracefully cast their nets, seagulls circle overhead and the smell of salt and grilled fish wafts through the air.

This is where you experience the real Morocco - no embellishment, no filter. Just sit on a rock, watch the action around you and soak up the unique atmosphere. The port of Essaouira is not just a place - it's an experience for all the senses.

La Tolerance is a small family-run restaurant that will make you feel at home - only with a better view and the smell of Moroccan spices in the air. Inside, there is peace, tranquillity and a kind smile from the host, who will be happy to recommend the best of the local cuisine.

For me? Definitely the beef tajine - tender beef, braised with olives, plums and spices that will knock your socks off. The perfect comfort food in a fairy-tale setting. Great food, heart on the plate and an atmosphere to remember.

Moga Yoga Studio is a small quiet paradise hidden in the stone walls of an old medina. As soon as you walk in, you will feel that you are breathing differently here - slower, deeper, with ease.

Lessons take place on the rooftop overlooking the sea or in the cozy shala with an atmosphere of complete tranquility. The friendly energy, the smell of incense and the gentle hum of the city in the distance... whether you're a beginner or an experienced yogi, you'll find your place on the mat here.

Essaouira's beach is long, wide and free - just the way you want it. Perfect for a quiet stroll or barefoot run on the sand in the morning, pulsing with surfing energy during the day, and perfect for watching the sunset on horseback in the evening.

The wind whispers stories, the waves beckon adventurers and the atmosphere is relaxed, unhurried. No crowded deckchairs, just an open horizon and the feeling that this is where you can breathe to the fullest.

 This surf and kitesurf school isn't just about technique - it's about the experience, the joy of movement and a friendly community that draws you in from the first time you meet them. Whether you're a complete beginner or you've had your share of waves, the instructors will guide you through every step with a smile, calmness and a huge amount of experience.

Lessons take place right on Essaouira's wide beach, where conditions are ideal - reliable wind, safe space and plenty of waves for every level. After your lesson, you can relax in the chill zone, discuss technique over tea with other surfers, or rent equipment and keep practicing at your own pace.

Lesson prices are more than friendly:

Group lessons start at just €15 per hour

Semi-private from €25

Individual lessons from €40, including board, wetsuit and leash

You'll find them right on the beach, just a few minutes walk from the medina. To book, just go in person or reach them online at kiteandsurfessaouira.com or via Instagram @kse_official.

Mandala Society is not just a café - it's a place where you go not only for a choice coffee, but also for a moment of silence, inspiration and well-being. Hidden away in one of the medina's side streets, it feels like another world - bright, airy, with a bohemian vibe and a perfect interior that mixes Moroccan details with modern design.

Menu is perfect for those who love quality coffee, healthy breakfasts, avocado toast or fresh smoothie bowls. Whether you come here in the morning after yoga or in the afternoon after a stroll through the city, you'll always find the smiles, relaxed music and tranquility that simply belongs to Essaouira.

Mandala Society is just the kind of place you want to come back to. Whether you're travelling alone, with a book in hand, or just need to switch off - this is where you stop and let the best of Essaouira take you away.

One of the most magical experiences you can have in Essaouira is a horseback ride on the beach - whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, you'll enjoy it to the fullest here. We recommend booking in advance with Ranch Cheval Essaouira, where they have beautifully groomed horses, a friendly attitude and experienced guides who will safely lead you through the dunes, through the forest and along the ocean.

A sunset ride? Pure magic. Golden light, hoofprints in the sand, the sound of waves... and just you, your horse and freedom. It's easy to get to the ranch, you can flag down a taxi right on the street. The local drivers are friendly, helpful and used to driving guests to these experiences.

Hammam Essaidi is not a tourist spa with scented candles and white robes - it is an authentic local spa where Essaouiris go to cleanse their bodies and souls as they have done for generations.

You won't find lockers, a reception desk or spa music. But there's warm steam, tile floors, plastic tubs and the true atmosphere of a place where time has stood still. You simply put things next to each other, and even though it looks simple, you don't have to worry - nothing is lost here. The people are friendly, used to visitors and willing to give advice. For 100 dirhams (about €10), you'll experience what you'll get elsewhere at a luxury price - a natural sense of cleanliness, relaxation and connection to the local culture.

Taros Rooftop Bar is an iconic place you shouldn't miss in Essaouira. Located right on the border of the medina and the ocean, its rooftop terrace offers breathtaking views of the fishing port, the Atlantic Ocean and the orange-coloured walls in the light of the setting sun.

Perfect for a coffee or a fresh lemonade during the day, the terrace transforms into a lively place with music, drinks and a great atmosphere in the evening. Whether you're ordering a traditional Moroccan mint tea, a glass of wine or just watching the sea of people below you, Taros is the kind of place where you realise how good it is to live slowly.

The stylish interior, friendly service and mix of locals and travellers from around the world make Taros a place you want to stay a little longer. Just until the stars are all that's left in the sky.

Morning in Essaouira is the perfect time for a quiet stroll through the medina, when the city is just waking up and the narrow streets are beginning to fill with the smell of fresh baked goods. Already around 8am you'll see mobile stalls and small bakery windows where you can buy a still-warm croissant or a sweet pastry. There's nothing better than taking a slow stroll, enjoying the last moments in the peaceful atmosphere of the old town and, with a fragrant pastry in hand, saying goodbye to Essaouira with style and ease. It's a little goodbye ritual that will stay in your memory as strongly as the sunrise over the ocean.