Five things to do in Essaouira

The coastal city of Essaouira has often been referred to as a ‘sleepy town’, often overlooked by tourists keen to discover the charms of Agadir further south and Marrakech inland.

However, anyone who spends a bit of time in the city will soon discover that there is plenty to do; most emanates from the beach. There is also a charming nightlife culture to discover, inspired by the clientele that the city attracts.

Surf

Surfing in Morocco seems to be a sport that is going from strength to strength, often attracting large numbers of surfers to the country. Essaouira is among the best surf spots in Morocco with a wide variety of beaches available, all with different levels of difficulty.

Depending on the beach you visit, you will also find strong or constant waves. This is created by excellent swell from the Atlantic. Beaches like Sidi Kouaki and La Grotte are famous for entertaining visitors with big waves, while Essaouira beach is a great place for beginners to learn the ropes.

windsurfing

Considered a bit calmer than surfing, windsurfing is another equally popular sport that people practice while on vacation in Essaouira. The collage of sails dancing on the waves creates a spectacular image for those relaxing on the beach, while those in control of the sails are thrilled with the speed generated by the strong winds.

Windsurfing

Kitesurfing is the newest addition to the water sports family, but it has been around for years. Fans of this form of water sport are often seen riding the waves and performing adrenaline-inducing mid-air jumps on the beaches of Essaouira, Sidi Kouaki and La Grotte.

horse riding

However, it’s not all about water sports. Horse riding is immensely popular in Essaouira in large part due to the access to many interesting roots. Lessons are available for those less familiar with the hobby and there are plenty of guided tours to discover.

quads

These trails used for horse riding have also provided access to quad biking, and excursions into the deserts are perfect for off-road fun. Like the horseback riding, many of these excursions are supervised and there are even extended tours of the terrain to different locations. This turns out to be a great way to discover other cities and smaller towns to appreciate the Moroccan culture.

So with many activities available, mainly in the form of surfing in Morocco or various derivatives, there is much to discover about Essaouira.