Essaouira Day Trip from Marrakech: Argan Oil, Medina Walk & Pickup

4.89

(129 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I’d always heard about Essaouira — people talk about its light, that salty Atlantic air. But nothing really prepared me for how it feels when you first step out of the van and hear seagulls over the old city walls. The drive from Marrakech is kind of hypnotic; we passed these tiny villages where goats somehow climb trees (our guide Youssef laughed at my surprise) and stopped at a women’s cooperative where they make argan oil by hand. The smell inside was nutty and warm, almost like roasted almonds. I tried grinding some myself — not as easy as it looks.

The city itself felt different from anywhere else I’ve been in Morocco. Our local guide led us through Essaouira’s medina for about an hour or so, pointing out blue doors and little details I’d have missed alone. He told us stories about Portuguese pirates (I’m still not sure if he was joking about one of them), and there was this moment when a gust of wind sent someone’s hat flying down an alley — everyone just started laughing, including strangers passing by. After the tour we had free time to wander, so I found a spot by the ramparts just to watch the fishing boats bobbing in the harbor. The sun felt softer here than in Marrakech.

I didn’t expect to feel so calm just sitting with my bottle of water, listening to distant music drifting out from a café somewhere behind me. It’s funny what sticks with you — not the big sights but these small pauses. The whole day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech felt both relaxed and quietly full of life, which I guess is why I keep thinking back to it now.