Why Essaouira Is Morocco’s Easiest City to Travel Solo
Essaouira was the second city I visited solo on my first trip to Morocco back in 2014. But it was the first city I felt truly comfortable in.
I had flown into Casablanca and got straight on a train to Marrakech, arriving amidst the 40-degree heat of an August day. It was complete overwhelm! The heat, the culture shock and (unfortunately) receiving unwanted attention from men.
After a couple of days, I decided to escape to the coast and was Essaouira-bound.
I immediately fell in love with this whitewashed coastal city. The temperatures were milder, the energy was far more relaxed and the catcalling from men was non-existent.
Fast-forward 10 or so years, and I still think Essaouira is one of the best cities in Morocco for solo travel. It has an ease and accessibility about it, plus that perfect combination of medina sightseeing and beachside relaxation.
I also love the creative energy and that there are so many amazing cafes and restaurants, serving both Moroccan and international food (for those days when I can’t look at another tagine or plate of couscous!)
In this article, I’ll explain why I think Essaouira is one of the best places to travel solo in Morocco and (hopefully) give you the confidence to venture there alone.
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A City That’s Easy to Navigate
Essaouira’s medina is compact, walkable and easy to navigate, compared to Marrakech and Fes at least.
There are two main thoroughfares (running northeast to southwest) that open out onto a big square and Essaouira’s seagull-filled port (just beyond Bab El Marsa).
Radiating from the main streets are lots of narrow laneways where you can still get that lost-in-the-medina feel, without the overwhelm experienced in other cities. In Essaouira, it’s much easier to find your way out!
In my experience, getting lost here rarely feels disorienting – it’s more like taking a scenic detour – and I feel like most solo travellers can wander here without feeling anxious. The medina is smaller in scale and you’re never far from a major landmark to get your bearings.
Within a few minutes, you’ll pop out at Place Moulay Hassan (the main square), Bab Marrakech or Bab Doukkala (two of the main entrances to the medina) or the ramparts of Skala de la Kasbah (Essaouira’s ever-popular sunset spot).
Is Essaouira safe for solo travellers? Personally, I have always felt safe in Essaouira, even when walking alone at night.
The medina feels lived-in and the streets are always active, without being overwhelming. For solo travellers, especially women, that can make a big difference!
A Laid-Back Social Energy
Essaouira is often referred to as “bohemian” and “creative”, but I would also add “calm” to that list of descriptives. It doesn’t have the frenetic energy of other major cities, but a laid-back energy that reflects its coastal setting.
For solo travellers, this softer energy reduces the mental load. You can move through the streets and browse wares at the markets without constantly negotiating attention. While vendors still engage – as they do everywhere in Morocco – many in Essaouira just let you be.
The last time I was there, a friend and I stopped to look at this hole-in-the-wall gallery filled with artwork featuring seagulls and donkeys (very Essaouira!) Instead of striking up a conversation with us immediately, the artist gave us a friendly acknowledgment while he continued chatting with his friend.
It was only when we were ready to ask something about his work that he came over and the whole experience felt very relaxed. We ended up buying a few pieces – partly because we loved his work so much and partly because we had the space to browse without any pressure.
Designed for Slowness
If there’s one city in Morocco where I would suggest arriving with no plans, it’s Essaouira. Honestly, I think you can discover so much by simply wandering and following your curiosity!
If you do want a more structured visit, check out my suggested one-day Essaouira itinerary.
In Essaouira, there are great art galleries, eclectic cafes and breezy squares that are perfect for people-watching. At the same time, there aren’t lots of museums and paid attractions with set opening hours that you need to schedule your day around seeing.
Personally, I think this environment suits solo travel particularly well. When you don’t have to make plans with a travel companion, you can do whatever takes your fancy in the moment.
Explore the handicraft stores, pop your head into a few galleries, and when hunger strikes, pull up a seat outside a cafe to watch the world go by.
Also, Essaouira has a good live music scene and several youthful cafes that are great places to socialise after dark. It’s nothing seedy or alcohol-fuelled – just laid-back settings where you can connect with other travellers and Moroccans.
Easy Encounters
Essaouira is the kind of place that attracts artists, musicians and long-stay travellers, many of whom are travelling solo. Don’t take this the wrong way, but travelling alone in Essaouira is nothing new, as far as locals are concerned.
So it’s rare that you’ll be disturbed if you want to sit alone at a cafe with a book or gaze out into the water during a solo trip to the beach. You won’t be conspicuous, because sooooo many solo travellers have come to Essaouira before doing the same.
Personally, I find conversations really easy with Essaouira locals and there are lots of opportunities to connect without any obligation to buy. Most people are relaxed and friendly – you’re definitely NOT a walking ATM (as I’ve heard some people describe feeling in the souks of Marrakech).
One of my favourite encounters in Essaouira was while stopping to pat a street dog on Avenue de l’Istiqlal (one of the main medina thoroughfares). The owner of a nearby shop came out to tell me all about his friend, who you could tell he had a special bond with.
He grabbed a broom propped against the wall (alongside food and water he had left out for the dog) and the dog immediately rolled over, anticipating the life-changing scratch he was about to receive. You could just tell the shop owner was loving this broom-scratch ritual as much as his four-legged friend!
He never asked me to come and check out his shop – it was just a moment to connect over our shared love of dogs.
A Natural Base for Day Trips
While Essaouira’s medina, port and main beach could keep you busy for a few days, there are lots of wonderful things to do in the surrounding area.
You can join a guided day trip to visit one of the nearby villages and argan oil cooperatives or learn how to surf at one of Essaouira’s uncrowded stretches of sand. Cooking classes, quad-biking and sunset camel rides on the beach are also really popular.
It’s also possible to use Essaouira as a base for visiting Marrakech, particularly if you don’t want to stay in the “Red City” itself. Supratours runs multiple buses between the two cities each day. The journey is roughly 3 hours each way.
A City That Allows You to Be Alone
Perhaps Essaouira’s greatest gift to solo travellers is this: it allows you to be alone without feeling alone. It’s a place where travelling independently feels natural and curiosity is rewarded – you can experience a lot just by wandering around.
In my experience, solo travel in Essaouira is really enjoyable, particularly if you’re someone who loves waking up to a few “no plan” days during your adventures. Those days when you don’t have to be anywhere at a certain time and don’t have to tick anything off your “must see” list. There’s no FOMO here.
Essaouira has long attracted international visitors, and it shows – in its brunch-style cafes, light-filled art galleries and increasing number of concept stores. But the city has not lost its sense of place and it’s still most definitely a historically rich Moroccan port.
For solo travellers who are a little anxious about travelling in Morocco alone, I think this balance is comforting. You can find familiarity when needed, then step back into daily Moroccan life with confidence whenever you’re ready.
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I’m Malika, an Australian-born travel writer with an intense love for Morocco. I first travelled here solo in 2014 and after meeting (and marrying) a local, I made this North African gem my home.
Over the last 10 years, I have explored the country extensively, travelling to all corners with my partner, friends and solo.
