Essaouira is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Essaouira?
A typical traveler spends $62 (MAD557) per day on a trip to Essaouira. This is the average daily price for a vacation in Essaouira based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $26 (MAD235) on meals
- $2.21 (MAD20) on local transportation
- $57 (MAD519) on hotels
A one-week trip to Essaouira for two people costs, on average, $863 (MAD7,798). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$432
MAD3,899
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$863
MAD7,798
-
One Month
Per person
$1,850
MAD16,710
-
One Week
For a couple
$863
MAD7,798
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$1,727
MAD15,596
-
One Month
For a couple
$3,700
MAD33,420
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Essaouira cost?
A one week trip to Essaouira usually costs around $432 (MAD3,899) for one person and $863 (MAD7,798) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Essaouira on average costs around $863 (MAD7,798) for one person and $1,727 (MAD15,596) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Essaouira will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Essaouira on average costs around $1,850 (MAD16,710) for one person and $3,700 (MAD33,420) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Essaouira expensive to visit?
In Essaouira, budget travelers spend $26 (MAD232) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $62 (MAD557) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $136 (MAD1,228) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Essaouira.
Essaouira is a smaller destination that attracts a broad range of travelers, encompassing various travel styles, spending practices, and budget options. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
If you choose to make it so, Essaouira can be very pricey, but you can reduce your expenses by looking for discounts and coupons.
Within Africa, Essaouira is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Africa for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Merzouga, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Dar es Salaam.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Essaouira Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Essaouira?
The average Essaouira trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Essaouira travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Essaouira cost?
Essaouira on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$12
(MAD108)
|
$29
(MAD259)
|
$64
(MAD574)
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$1
(MAD8.47)
|
$2
(MAD20)
|
$5
(MAD42)
|
|
Food2
|
$11
(MAD99)
|
$26
(MAD235)
|
$56
(MAD509)
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$6
(MAD53)
|
$13
(MAD121)
|
$25
(MAD226)
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$4-12
(MAD38-113)
|
$5-15
(MAD46-138)
|
$7-21
(MAD62-186)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people assume they can visit Essaouira on a minimal budget, but most find that style of travel to be uncomfortable. Think about what makes a vacation enjoyable for you. Do you like staying in budget hostels, regular hotels, or high-end resorts? Do you want to experience the local attractions? Do you enjoy dining out? Your budget and itinerary will be determined by your answers to these questions.
Who are Budget Travelers?
While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $26 per day that backpackers often spend.
Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.
Essaouira is packed with plenty of hostels, including Atlantic Hostel, Essaouira Beach Hostel, and The Chill Art. At hostels like these, you can enjoy affordable dorm accommodation and a lively social scene, but amenities might be quite minimal.
Could You Be an Average Traveler?
Couples and families enjoying a vacation will probably want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular dining spots, and explore the key museums and attractions that have entry fees. Tourists visiting Essaouira generally aim to explore the major attractions, museums, and significant landmarks. Keep in mind that most activities cost money. Thus, it's reasonable to expect your daily budget to be around $62 per person, per day.
There's a wide selection of hotels and vacation rentals in Essaouira. If you're traveling with others, sharing a hotel room with a partner, friend, or kids will help split costs and save money. When traveling as a family, look for hotels and restaurants that welcome children. Heure Bleue Palais - Relais & Chateaux is a great choice for kids, and La Maison des Artistes is another wonderful option. For more family and couple-friendly places to stay, check out our Essaouira hotel costs guide.
Want to Escape the Daily Grind in Style?
If you're looking for a high-end escape with every amenity and high-quality service, be prepared for daily expenses around $136. Staying in upscale hotels, enjoying meals at award-winning restaurants, indulging in lavish excursions, and utilizing taxis or private drivers in the destination will entail a more premium price tag. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Kitesurf Lesson Semi Private - 2 People with 1 Instructor in Essaouira - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Essaouira
The range of hotel prices in Essaouira can be pretty surprising. Luxury hotels tend to offer more amenities, but come with higher price tags, especially during peak season. The average off-season room is $53, but during peak season the average price can reach $99. From $31 for budget hotels to $205 for luxury, there's something for everyone. Hostels are cheaper, especially dorms. Book early or travel during the off-season to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Essaouira for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $57 (MAD519). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $29 (MAD259) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Essaouira? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Essaouira include:
- Villa Quieta starting at $93
- Heure Bleue Palais - Relais & Chateaux starting at $207
- Dar Danse starting at $124
- Riad Mimouna starting at $58
- Hotel Riad Benatar starting at $29
If you avoid and go during the low or shoulder season, you'll find better hotel deals and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Essaouira
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $2.21 (MAD20) per person, per day, on local transportation in Essaouira. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Essaouira is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$2.21
MAD20
It's easy to reach Essaouira from Marrakesh. You can hire a grand taxi or shared taxi to make the trip, but there are plenty of buses that are affordable and reliable as well. If the bus doesn't make many stops, the trip takes about 3 hours and there's usually a stop at the halfway point when you can purchase snacks and stretch your legs.
Essaouira's medina is supposedly closed to motorized vehicles, but this restriction is only loosely enforced. Mopeds are quite common in the area and can be a hazard to pedestrians, but in general, walking is easy and the most enjoyable way to explore the town.
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Essaouira Desert Quad and Sandboarding with Photos and Transfer for $71 details
- Essaouira P5: Quad EN route DE la mer (free transfer) for $38 details
- Private Transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira 1 to 4 people for $109 details
How much does it cost to go to Essaouira? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Essaouira will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Essaouira
Food is a major reason many people explore new destinations, so don't skip the chance to try local delicacies.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Essaouira can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Essaouira is $26 (MAD235) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$26
MAD235
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Essaouira is around $26 (MAD235) per person, with previous travelers spending from $11 to $57. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Essaouira are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $8
- Lunch: $4 to $10
- Dinner: $8 to $18
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $4
Food in Essaouira is quite good, but can be surprisingly expensive when compared to elsewhere in Morocco. This is particularly true of the seafood. Your cheapest option is to purchase a fresh catch from a local fisherman, but if you order seafood in a restaurant you will find the price to be dramatically higher.
There is a fresh seafood market in the middle of town that is worth visiting. You can select your catch, and they will cook it up for you on the spot or, if you have access to a kitchen, you can purchase seafood and the necessary spices and sides and prepare your own Moroccan meal.
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Bring a water bottle to avoid frequent drink purchases. It's also a sustainable choice.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Essaouira. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience for $42 details
- 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp for $220 details
- Essaouira Sunset Experience, Waterfall Walk & Romantic Dinner for $43 details
Typical food prices in Essaouira, as reported by previous travelers, are outlined below. These costs offer a snapshot of what meals might cost in the city. Your personal expenses will vary depending on the type of dining experiences you choose and the dishes you order.
-
Baklava
MAD14
-
Breakfast Crepes
MAD5.00
-
Fish for Lunch
MAD150
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Essaouira
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Essaouira typically cost an average of $13 (MAD121) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$13
MAD121
Much of the appeal of Essaouira is the beach and the walled medina. The medina is a beautiful example of an 18th century fortified town and the original canons are still in place. The town has even been featured in several movies and television shows including the HBO show "Game of Thrones".
Many people travel to Essaouira for its nice sand beaches. There are plenty of water sports and outdoor activities available. If you're adventurous, you can try your hand at windsurfing or kitesurfing, or you can simply enjoy long leisurely walks on the beach. Windsurfing is particularly popular because the trade winds blow almost constantly but the protected bay remains waveless.
The town also plays host to the World Music Festival in June which is a fun, although crowded, time to visit.
If you're in the market for a souvenir you can easily find some great local handicrafts at the many shops that line the streets of the medina. Shop around and ask for prices so you know exactly what you should be paying. It's also fun to try your hand at bartering, which can be either fun or annoying, depending on how you approach it.
Many people choose to take a class while they're in Essaouira. In particular, cooking courses and popular. There are also bike excursions and photography excursions that you can arrange within the town. For the weary traveler, there are also Berber massages that you can enjoy.
A nice way to explore destinations in Essaouira is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Essaouira Dar Sultan Palace Horseback Tour Experience for $54 details
- Essaouira P14: 2 Hours Quad Bike Tour and 1 Hour Camel for $89 details
- Essaouira Donkey Tours for $30 details
Nightlife Budget in Essaouira
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $10 (MAD92) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Essaouira per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$10
MAD92
The nightlife scene is a lot of fun, but reducing how much you drink can go a long way in keeping your budget on track.
Travel cost data last updated: Aug 9, 2025
Traveling in Essaouira
Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
Essaouira's climate is Mediterranean with oceanic influence. The weather is pleasant year around with warm summers and mild winters. The average high temperatures remain in the mid 60s to low 70s Fahrenheit year around. Average lows rarely drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the winter months. Rain is much more common during the winter months.
Neighborhoods & Around
At the heart of Essaouira is the city's medina. It is a quaint area with many shops and restaurants and is where you'll likely spend most of your time. For the most part, the medina caters specifically to tourists and visitors.
The city has a fishing harbour that is smaller than the harbours of Agadir and Safi, but still remains a major fishing harbour for Morocco. The bright boats and interesting atmosphere make it a must see for any visitor.
Many of the city's modern hotels are built along the ocean front, but city codes limit their height to four stories, so they are not too intrusive. If you want to stay in the medina or close to it, there are a decent number of privately owned riads that you can rent on either a daily or weekly basis.
Related:
Looking for a hostel in Marrakesh, Cape Town, Nairobi, or Zanzibar?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.