In a nutshell
- In Essaouira, you should definitely stay in the Medina, the historic old quarter. From here, you can easily reach the most beautiful and important attractions in Essaouira on foot.
- We recommend skipping the standard hotel and booking a riad instead — these are traditional Moroccan townhouses built around a central courtyard. In this article, we show you the 9 best riads in Essaouira, sorted by price from lowest to highest.
- Short on time? Our top pick — and a really affordable one at that — is the Dar El Paco, where we personally stayed. For the best value for money, go with the Riad Dar Awil.
Where to Stay in Essaouira?
Essaouira isn’t just great for a day trip from Marrakech. You can also easily spend a few days in this port city — and if you do, you’ll obviously want a great place to stay.
Our honest advice: book your accommodation in the Medina, Essaouira’s historic old quarter. All the major attractions are in and around the Medina, and you can reach everything easily on foot.
Compared to cities like Marrakech or Fès, Essaouira is a really small city. Honestly, there isn’t much for tourists to discover outside the Medina.
As you may already know, Essaouira sits right on the ocean. As tempting as it might be, we wouldn’t recommend a beachfront hotel here. The selection is very limited, the accommodations aren’t great, and there’s always a road between the hotel and the beach.
That said, you can easily walk to the beach from any lodging in Essaouira. And you really should — for us it’s one of the coolest beaches in Morocco.
Let’s show you on a map where the Medina is located in Essaouira and which area we recommend. The map also shows you that the beach is really not far from the Medina at all.
Our Recommendation: Staying in the Medina
In the Medina you’ll find many small shops, lively markets, beautiful art galleries, and charming cafés and restaurants serving delicious Moroccan food. And surrounding it all are the major sights.
Inside the Medina, though, you won’t be staying in a conventional hotel — instead, you’ll be staying in what are called riads. These are traditional houses found in the medinas of Moroccan cities.
There are also beautiful riads in Marrakech and many riads in Fès. The defining feature of a riad is its inner courtyard. They tend to be small and family-run, usually with only a handful of rooms. Perfect for unwinding.
The 9 Most Beautiful Riads in Essaouira
The selection of beautiful riads in Essaouira is surprisingly large. That’s why we’ve handpicked the 9 best riads for you. Since we know that hotels keep getting more expensive, we’ve sorted these Essaouira riads from cheapest to most expensive.
Our tip: Since Essaouira’s riads are usually very small and book up quickly, reserve your favorite as soon as possible.
Dar El Paco
The Dar El Paco is our absolute top pick. This is where we stayed in Essaouira — it was our first riad experience and one of the best places we stayed on our entire Morocco road trip.
We especially love the authentic, distinctly Moroccan style and the beautiful yet understated pops of color. The rooms feel incredibly cozy because of it. We slept really well here.
The staff is incredibly kind and helpful. You’re welcomed with a delicious Moroccan mint tea, and one of the team members showed us all the highlights on a map and gave us genuinely useful tips.
The location in a small alley, yet right in the heart of the Medina, is perfect — you’re immediately in the middle of everything, but it’s wonderfully quiet at night. The value for money is excellent.
Riad D'AR GANne
A truly beautiful riad with minimalist décor in the popular boho style is the Riad D’AR GANne. A small, really gorgeous spot with just seven rooms.
The absolute standout is the rooftop terrace. During the day you can relax in the sun, and in the evening you can catch a beautiful sunset with a Moroccan mint tea or a tasty mocktail.
You’ll also love the wonderful hospitality of Carole, the owner. She not only shares genuine insider tips for Essaouira, but also whips up an incredibly delicious breakfast every morning.
Admittedly, Riad D’AR GANne isn’t located inside the Medina, but it sits right along the city wall. The upside: you can park right in front of the riad or have a taxi drop you off there.
Riad Dar Awil
For us, the Essaouira accommodation with the best value for money is the Riad Dar Awil. A double room starts at 65 euros — for what you get, that’s an absolutely unbeatable price.
The design is a mix of Moroccan elegance and minimalist modernity — simply beautiful and cozy. You’ll definitely feel right at home here.
Our favorite touch is the combined breakfast room with open kitchen. You can watch your genuinely varied breakfast being prepared right in front of you — and you’re even welcome to make special requests. Sometimes that means tajine with eggplant in the morning. Delicious!
The whole team genuinely cares that you make the most of your time in Essaouira. You’re always looked after and you’ll leave with great recommendations. The location in the southern part of the Medina is perfect.
Riad Chakir Mogador
A truly classic riad is the Riad Chakir Mogador. It’s one of the few riads that has genuinely preserved its traditional charm — and comfort is definitely not lacking here.
The rooms feature a truly authentic Moroccan design, with beautiful mosaics and a simple yet lovingly chosen décor.
We especially love the courtyard with its stunning star-shaped fountain. Every morning you’re served a delicious breakfast with really good coffee right here.
The location in the southern part of the Medina is excellent. You’re right in the middle of everything, yet just a quick walk from taxi stands and more.
Riad Kafila
Want a hotel in Essaouira with ocean views? Then we can highly recommend the Riad Kafila. It’s truly one of the few riads in Essaouira’s Medina with a view of the sea.
The panorama of the crashing Atlantic is our absolute highlight here. Some rooms have ocean views, but you’re guaranteed to get them at breakfast on the stunning rooftop terrace.
The rooms are bright and airy with a minimalist design. The wooden ceilings make everything feel really cozy — serious beach vibes, the Moroccan way.
The riad sits in the northern part of the Medina, right near the fortress — where, by the way, a scene from Game of Thrones was filmed. How cool is that! Rooms with ocean views cost a bit more.
Book Riad Kafila
Riad Al Manara
Right in the heart of the Medina sits the Riad Al Manara, a small riad with five rooms where traditional Moroccan charm meets a stylish and modern interior design.
We especially love the minimalist yet beautifully tasteful rooms. One of them is a truly lovely and spacious family suite, perfect for two adults and a child.
After a long day of sightseeing, you can unwind on the cozy rooftop terrace. Up here you’ll also enjoy a lovingly prepared breakfast every morning — something different each day.
The owner is wonderfully warm and will give you great tips for exploring Essaouira.
Riad Chbanate
The building that houses the Riad Chbanate dates back to the 18th century. It was once home to one of Essaouira’s most important families. In 2010, the current owner undertook an extensive renovation and transformed it into a stunning riad.
Yet the place has retained its Moroccan architecture, unique atmosphere, and elegance. Here you’ll definitely experience a touch of real luxury.
All eight rooms are spacious and feature an individual, minimalist design — a beautiful mix of modern sensibility and authentic Moroccan accents.
In the Oriental courtyard you’ll enjoy a varied breakfast every morning, and the rooftop terrace with whirlpool is the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring.
Riad Emotion
An absolute oasis of calm, the Riad Emotion is a very luxurious riad in the southern part of the Medina — the fulfillment of a long-held dream for owners Giselle and Philippe.
They want their guests to feel right at home. Each of the five rooms is uniquely designed with great attention to detail, blending an elegant mix of traditional and modern style.
You’re welcomed with a delicious Moroccan mint tea and homemade pastries. As a little daily treat, small snacks are placed in your room every day — so thoughtful!
You can enjoy the Oriental breakfast — eggs, juice, yogurt, and delicious baked goods — every morning on the beautiful rooftop terrace. Prices at this riad are a bit higher, but you can feel where the money goes.
Ryad Watier & Spa
Want a hotel in Essaouira with its own spa? Then we can highly recommend the Ryad Watier & Spa. This former school has been a beautiful riad since 2003, with ten rooms.
The wellness area is the real standout. You can treat yourself to a massage or relax with a traditional Moroccan hammam. And throughout the rest of the riad, the air is wonderfully fragrant with flowers and oils.
The rooms are individually furnished, all featuring a bright, minimalist, and distinctly Moroccan design. We especially love the many different colors, used in just the right amount.
And yes — you’ll enjoy your breakfast on the rooftop terrace here too, with a view of the sea to start your morning.
