"Head east from Marrakesh and where Morocco meets the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find the exquisite port town of Essaoueira. It’s absolutely magical in the late afternoon, when the sun turns the medina’s white buildings into subtle shades of orange, the doors and shutters into even deeper shades of blue, and hundreds of gulls circle above the port. At this time of day kite surfers and wind surfers make the most of the late afternoon winds, while further down the coast, in the busy resort town of Agadir, sunset cocktails are shaken and served at bustling beach bars. Further south, quiet coves become quieter still, while inland towards the Anti Atlas mountains, the granite boulders softly lose their midday heat. ”

- Narina Exelby

Essaouira and the Atlantic Coast

Morocco’s laid-back southern Atlantic coastline is dotted with seaside towns and wild beaches… but the region isn’t only about the sea. One of the area’s most intriguing destinations is Sidi Ifni, a clifftop town south of Agadir whose buildings are a curious mix of traditional Moroccan architecture and Spanish Art Deco. The old medina of nearby Tiznit is known for the exquisite jewellery produced by the town’s silversmiths; Tafraoute for the red granite mountains that surround the town; while just north of Agadir Imouzzer, a Berber village, is famous for its waterfalls.

The modern city of Agadir has been developed as the area’s prominent resort destination and what it lacks in character it more than makes up for with sunshine – Agadir famously enjoys blue skies 300 days of the year. Other towns known for their beaches include Tamraght, Aourir and – popular for decades with musicians and bohemian travellers – Essaoueira, whose long and windy stretch of beach is revered by windsurfers and kite surfers.

The charming old town of Essaoueira is a photographer’s dream. It sits on the Atlantic coastline – the wide city walls literally stand on the water’s edge – and every building in the medina is a textured shade of aged whitewash, and all with blue doors, shutters and awnings that try to withstand the insidious salt air. Hanging outside many of the shops are carpets, cotton fabrics and paintings; a muddle of colour that adds to the town’s creative character.

The medina of Essaoueira – which used to be called Mogodor – is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site and revered as “an exceptional example of a late-18th-century fortified town, built according to the principles of contemporary European Military architecture in a North African context”. For centuries it has been an important trading port, linking Morocco with Europe and the rest of the world and today its sheltered harbour, which is just beyond the city walls, is a fascinating and exceptionally picturesque place to visit. Hundreds of blue wooden fishing boats are docked here, and as seagulls soar overhead you can watch as the day’s catches are hauled in and sold at the fish market, or as fishermen repair their nets and clean their boats.

 

When to go

Find out when is best to visit

  • Excellent
  • Good
  • Poor
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

A great time to visit if you prefer to travel away from crowds, allowing you to see Moroccans going about their daily life more authentically than during the hotter months. It is generally sunny and mild, but there is the chance of rain (good for wildflowers), and snow in the mountains. The desert is perfect for visiting now but gets very cold at night.

A great time to visit if you prefer to travel away from crowds, allowing you to see Moroccans going about their daily life more authentically than during the hotter months. It is generally sunny and mild, but there is the chance of rain (good for wildflowers), and snow in the mountains. The desert is perfect for visiting now but gets very cold at night.

The weather in March is much like the start of spring in any country. With flowers coming out and the sun shining, the weather is generally between 10°C and 20°C depending on the region, although it can become cooler. Snow and rain become rare at this time of year, but it would be best to pack clothing for all scenarios, as it can be unpredictable.

This is a popular time to visit due to the favorable spring weather of between 15°C and 35°C from the High Atlas Mountains to the desert. Given the diversity of the landscape, weather can differ significantly from place to place and this is particularly true in spring when showers are common. Labour Day is held on the 1st of May. This can lead to the closing of some shops, banks, and local schools, which can mean the main sites are busier with locals.

This is a popular time to visit due to the favorable spring weather of between 15°C and 35°C from the High Atlas Mountains to the desert. Given the diversity of the landscape, weather can differ significantly from place to place and this is particularly true in spring when showers are common. Labour Day is held on the 1st of May. This can lead to the closing of some shops, banks, and local schools, which can mean the main sites are busier with locals.

June is one of the hotter months in Morocco, however, different regions like Essaouira and Tangier still stay relatively cool because they’re situated on the coast. If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, Morocco is great to visit in June because tourism is relatively low compared to some of the other months. This is the last month to visit the desert region before there's an influx of insects and snakes in July and August, as well as often unbearable heat.

July and August are the hottest months in Morocco so are not the ideal months to visit; however, they should not be ruled out. If you’re looking to escape the unpredictable British summers then this is a great time to visit. Coinciding with the school holidays makes this a popular time for families; as such, many hotels and riads do get booked up in advance, particularly those with swimming pools.

Daytime temperatures can reach the mid-40°Cs, so exploring and sightseeing is best done in the morning or evening, making this is a good time to combine activities and relaxation. This is also a great time to visit the Atlantic coast, which at other times of year can feel on the chilly side.

Whether you are seeking water sports or delicious seafood, Essaouira is a summer highlight. The Atlas Mountains are cooler than the cities, although still very hot. While summer is not ideal if you're wanting to do serious trekking, it is great for short morning walks and lying by a pool with panoramic mountain views.

July and August are the hottest months in Morocco so are not the ideal months to visit; however, they should not be ruled out. If you’re looking to escape the unpredictable British summers then this is a great time to visit. Coinciding with the school holidays makes this a popular time for families; as such, many hotels and riads do get booked up in advance, particularly those with swimming pools.

Daytime temperatures can reach the mid-40°Cs, so exploring and sightseeing is best done in the morning or evening, making this is a good time to combine activities and relaxation. This is also a great time to visit the Atlantic coast, which at other times of year can feel on the chilly side.

Whether you are seeking water sports or delicious seafood, Essaouira is a summer highlight. The Atlas Mountains are cooler than the cities, although still very hot. While summer is not ideal if you're wanting to do serious trekking, it is great for short morning walks and lying by a pool with panoramic mountain views.

Cooling down after the hot summer months, September is an ideal time to visit Morocco as you can enjoy the pleasantly warm weather and clear blue skies the country offers as it heads into autumn. The beaches are not as busy from local holidaymakers, the cities welcome gentle breezes, and exploring the desert becomes pleasant again.

October is one of the best months to visit Morocco, as temperatures are cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. This is a great month for hiking in the mountains and visiting the Atlantic coast, with temperatures dropping in November and Essaouira becoming very windy. As such, October is a month that books up quickly, and trips for this time of year should be organised far in advance.

The latter months of the year are a great window to explore the imperial cities of Morocco. The sunny but cooler days provide a comfortable climate to discover the colourful sights and sounds of Marrakesh and Fez. Other regional centres, such as the coastal town of Essaouira and the High Atlas Mountains, are not to be missed either, but coastal winds and potential snow in the mountains will naturally bring colder weather; particularly in the evenings. One thing to bear in mind when considering travelling during the winter months is that not all riads — particularly not those in the north of the country — have adequate heating, so it's advisable to bring warm layers of clothing.

The latter months of the year are a great window to explore the imperial cities of Morocco. The sunny but cooler days provide a comfortable climate to discover the colourful sights and sounds of Marrakesh and Fez. Other regional centres, such as the coastal town of Essaouira and the High Atlas Mountains, are not to be missed either, but coastal winds and potential snow in the mountains will naturally bring colder weather; particularly in the evenings. One thing to bear in mind when considering travelling during the winter months is that not all riads — particularly not those in the north of the country — have adequate heating, so it's advisable to bring warm layers of clothing.

What People Say

★★★★★
  • The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…

    Chris Hutchens

    feefologo
  • We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!

    Amy Williams

    feefologo
  • Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...

    Margaret and Stephen

    feefologo
  • Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!

    Nick and Sarah

    feefologo
  • Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!

    David Glen

    feefologo
  • Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.

    Amit Roy

    feefologo
  • Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars

    Jessica Harvard

    feefologo
  • We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.

    Glen and Amanda Crawford

    feefologo
  • Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.

    Bob & Jen

    feefologo