Discover Essaouira: A UNESCO World Heritage Port Town and Famous Filming Location for Outer Banks

During my three-day stay in Marrakech, I decided to explore another city and visited "Essaouira." This UNESCO World Heritage site is just a day trip away from Marrakech and offers a completely different atmosphere, making it a highly recommended destination. Here’s a guide to getting from Marrakech to Essaouira and some recommended spots to check out! ▪️ Tickets from Marrakech to Essaouira I booked my ticket through "Get Your Guide" for 1,800 yen. Another option is to use one of the tour companies in Marrakech. If you’ve walked around the city, you’ll know that Marrakech is full of aggressive touts. There are plenty of tour companies, so booking through them is also possible. You might even be able to negotiate a discount, so it’s worth listening to their offers. 🎀 However, from what I observed, "Get Your Guide" seemed to be cheaper. Plus, the ability to pay by credit card is a convenient feature (many city tours require cash payments). "Get Your Guide" allows for next-day reservations, so you can check prices while sightseeing in Marrakech and book whichever option is cheaper. 😊 ▪️ Getting from Marrakech to Essaouira The journey from Marrakech to Essaouira takes about three hours by car 🚌. It’s a comfortable ride, and although I forgot to take pictures, the van was a sturdy 10-seater with plush seats. 😊 If you prefer not to join a tour, you can also travel individually by bus. The tour I joined included a stop at an argan oil workshop, where we enjoyed tea, sampled argan oil, observed the production process, and had some shopping time (about 20 minutes). ✨ Argan oil is a high-quality oil that can only be sourced in Morocco, and learning about it was fascinating (the explanations were in English or French). There was no pressure to buy anything, so if you don’t want to spend money, you can simply enjoy the experience. (I wanted to buy some oil but had to give up since I was traveling with carry-on luggage only 🥲). ⚠️ The famous goats that climb argan trees are often featured in tour photos, but not all tours include this sight. If seeing the goats is a must for you, make sure to check the itinerary carefully when booking through apps or confirm directly with the tour company. 🐐 ▪️ Recommended Spots in Essaouira The tour allowed for about five hours of free time in Essaouira. While this includes time for lunch, the main attractions are concentrated in a small area, so five hours was more than enough. 🧚 Essaouira is surrounded by city walls, and the old town (Medina) within the walls features a stunning blue-and-white color scheme that’s perfect for photos. As a UNESCO World Heritage site and popular tourist destination, the town is filled with restaurants and souvenir shops. However, the local market offers a more authentic experience, with vegetables sold in the open air and whole pigs hanging outside shops, giving you a true taste of the exotic. Since it’s a port town, I highly recommend trying the seafood! Essaouira has also served as a filming location for popular Netflix series like Outer Banks and Game of Thrones. 😳 ⚠️ Like Marrakech, the side streets can feel like a maze, so if you get lost, aim for the main street to find your way. 📍 Pâtisserie Driss Location: 10 Rue Hajjali, Essaouira, Morocco The sign outside says "1928," suggesting it’s been around for quite a while. Intrigued, I decided to step inside. The shop is filled with unique sweets you won’t find in Japan, all at affordable prices. Despite their appearance, the desserts weren’t overly sweet and were surprisingly easy to eat! It’s a popular spot with plenty of reviews on Google Maps, which is rare for Morocco. ✨ 💰 ~50 dirhams (~775 yen) ⚠️ The restroom requires a fee, so make sure to carry some coins. 📍 Essaouira Fishing Port Location: G65G+QV8, Essaouira, Morocco The sight of countless blue boats lined up is breathtaking! Turn around, and you’ll see the city wall gates behind you. It’s a place where you can truly feel the history of Essaouira. The market sells fresh fish, and while the smell might be strong, it’s a spot you shouldn’t miss. 📍 City Walls On top of the city walls, you can enjoy views of the ocean and see cannons and what appear to be watchtowers. All of this is free to explore, but as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, these structures are undoubtedly valuable. During sunset, the area reportedly gets crowded. ☀️ Once you’ve seen the main attractions, take a leisurely stroll around the charming town until your tour ends. ☺️