Things to Do in Essaouira: the 10 Best Activities
Essaouira means the ocean, the wind and a listed medina. Beyond a stroll on the ramparts, the town is above all a playground: surfing, quad biking in the dunes, horse riding on the beach at sunset, cooking classes. Here is the ranking of the activities travellers rate highest, with real prices.
The best things to do in Essaouira revolve around the ocean and the coastal dunes. Top of the reviews: the 2-hour surf lesson (4.9/5 from more than 500 reviews, from €22), the half-day quad ride in the dunes (4.9/5, from €69) and the one-hour horse ride on the beach (4.8/5, from €34). For something more cultural, the cooking class with a chef scores 5/5 from more than 200 reviews. Most outings last 1 to 3 hours and start from the beach south of town, where steady winds make Essaouira a reference for surfing and kitesurfing. Book the day before in high season, especially sunset outings, which are the most requested. The medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, is free to explore on foot.
Ranking of Activities in Essaouira
| # | Activity | Rating | Reviews | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-hour surf lesson | 4.9 | 515 | 2 h | €22 |
| 2 | Half-day quad ride in the dunes | 4.9 | 337 | 3 h | €69 |
| 3 | 1-hour horse ride | 4.8 | 287 | 1 h | €34 |
| 4 | Cooking class with a chef | 5.0 | 211 | 3 h | €37 |
| 5 | Quad ride: forest, beach and dunes | 4.8 | 198 | 2-3 h | €28 |
| 6 | Camel ride on the beach and dunes | 4.8 | 111 | 3 h | €33 |
| 7 | Waterfall, sunset and dinner | 4.9 | 61 | 3 h | €41 |
| 8 | Sunset horse ride and dinner | 4.9 | 38 | 3 h | €77 |
| 9 | Quad ride with tea break | 5.0 | 35 | 1-3 h | €33 |
| 10 | Kitesurf lesson | — | new | 2 h | €50 |
Ratings, review counts and prices taken from GetYourGuide; they vary with the season.
See all activities in Essaouira· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
1. Surfing: the Signature Activity
Essaouira bay offers regular, beginner-friendly waves, with wind that mostly picks up in the afternoon. The 2-hour lesson usually includes the board, wetsuit and an instructor. Take the morning slot for calmer water. Full details in our Essaouira surf lessons guide.
2. Quad and Buggy in the Dunes
South of town, argan forests and coastal dunes make ideal terrain. The half-day option goes deeper into the dunes; the short option (from €28) suits a first time. See quad biking in Essaouira: forest and dunes.
3. Horse and Camel Rides on the Beach
Galloping along Essaouira beach is one of the most memorable moments of a trip. An hour is enough for a first experience; the sunset version with dinner is the most romantic. Camels, slower, suit families. All the advice in horse riding in Essaouira.
Book a horse ride on the beach· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
4. Cooking Class
Market in the morning, preparing a tagine and Moroccan salads, then lunch: the class with a chef scores 5/5 from more than 200 reviews. A good option on very windy days.
5. What You Can Do for Free
- The medina and the ramparts (the Skala), UNESCO-listed since 2001.
- The fishing port in the morning, when the boats come back.
- The beach south of town, on foot.
- The art galleries of the medina.
What to Do When
| Season | Conditions | Recommended activities |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mild, moderate wind | Quad, horse riding, medina |
| Summer | Cool, strong afternoon wind | Kitesurf, morning surf, cooking |
| Autumn | Mild, regular waves | Surf, sunset horse ride |
| Winter | Cool, bigger swell | Experienced surfing, cooking, medina |
To compare resorts, see Essaouira or Agadir. Coming from Marrakech for the day? See the Essaouira day trip from Marrakech.
Where to Stay for the Activities
Staying in the medina lets you do everything on foot; beachfront accommodation to the south is more practical for surfing. See where to stay in Essaouira and the best riads in Essaouira.
See accommodation in Essaouira· Booking.comFree cancellation on many properties · the best-rated places fill up firstNo prepayment needed on many offers: lock in your room now
Compare activities on Viator· ViatorFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
FAQ — Things to Do in Essaouira
What is the best activity in Essaouira?
Can beginners surf in Essaouira?
How much is a horse ride in Essaouira?
What to do in Essaouira when it is windy?
How many days should you spend in Essaouira?
In Short
- Top 3 → surfing (from €22), quad in the dunes (from €69), horse riding on the beach (from €34).
- Best timing → surf in the morning, horse and quad in the late afternoon.
- Free → UNESCO medina, ramparts, port and beach.
