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Essaouira on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, Essaouira is very good on a budget. Plan on about MAD 370 per person per day (bed MAD 150, food MAD 150, sights MAD 50, transport MAD 20), staying in a hostel or simple riad and eating at the port grills and local eateries.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | MAD150 | MAD400 | MAD1,000 |
| Food & drink | MAD150 | MAD300 | MAD600 |
| Sights & tickets | MAD50 | MAD150 | MAD500 |
| Local transport | MAD20 | MAD60 | MAD200 |
| Per person, per day | MAD370 | MAD910 | MAD2,300 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Essaouira day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk the Skala de la Ville sea bastion with its bronze cannons
- Watch the fishing boats come in and the fish auction at the port, around 8:00–9:00
- Wander the souks, the spice market and the jewellers' quarter
- Explore the Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter in the northern medina
- Walk the long sandy beach south of the medina and watch the kitesurfers
- Watch the sunset from the ramparts
Cheap eats
- Msemen, baghrir or harcha with honey: about MAD 3–10 each
- Grilled sardines or a sardine kefta sandwich: about MAD 20–50
- Fish tagine in a simple medina eatery: about MAD 60–130
- Couscous (often on Fridays): about MAD 60–120
- Mint tea: about MAD 10–20
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in medina hostels and small riads, at about MAD 200–500 a night for a room or less for a dorm bed. Staying inside the medina means you can walk everywhere. Prices rise in summer and especially during the Gnaoua festival in June, when it pays to book early.
Getting around cheaply
From Marrakech, the Supratours or CTM bus (about 3 hours, roughly MAD 90–120) is the cheapest comfortable option. In town everything is walkable; petits taxis cost about MAD 10–20, and shared grand taxis are the cheap way to reach Sidi Kaouki. Essaouira-Mogador airport is about 15 km south, with a few international flights.
A sample budget day
- Morning: fish auction at the port and harcha with mint tea on Place Moulay Hassan (about MAD 20)
- Lunch: grilled sardines at the port grills, price agreed first (about MAD 50)
- Afternoon: Skala de la Ville, the woodworkers' workshops and the beach (free)
- Evening: sunset on the ramparts, then a fish tagine in a medina eatery (about MAD 80–100)
- Total: about MAD 150–170 plus your bed (about MAD 150), so roughly MAD 300–370
More ways to save
- Stay at least one night rather than doing a day trip from Marrakech; you save on tour prices and see the morning port.
- Buy fish at the central market and have it grilled nearby, as some fishmongers allow.
- Bargain politely in the souks; first prices are rarely final.
- Ask for 'sans sucre' tea if you prefer, and drink it in local cafés rather than riad terraces.
- Visit outside the Gnaoua festival week if you want cheaper rooms.
- Book surf lessons directly with schools on the beach and compare prices.
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Common questions
Can you visit Essaouira on a budget?
Yes. Hostels and simple riads, port grills, local eateries and free sights keep a day at about MAD 370.
What is the cheapest way from Marrakech to Essaouira?
The Supratours or CTM bus: about 3 hours and roughly MAD 90–120 one way.
Is Essaouira worth it as a day trip?
It is possible, but about six hours on the road; spend at least one night to see the morning port and sunset on the ramparts.