Essaouira is a quiet seaside town, with a slow pace of life, no nightlife and distances that can be easily covered on foot or with a stroller... In short, the perfect place to spend peaceful, quality time with the whole family. Typically tourists stay for one or two days, but with this article we will certainly make you want to stay longer, making you discover that there are many things to do with children in Essaouira. Did you know that some scenes from the films Othello (1951, Orson Welles) and Alexander (2004, Oliver Stone) were filmed here? Essaouira overlooks the ocean and is generally very windy: if you are interested in beach activities, the best period is between September and November. July and August are windier and the air temperature drops to 20 degrees: these are the ideal conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. All year round, however, it is possible to enjoy "maritime" life because the temperatures are always mild and pleasant: by choosing a riad with a swimming pool sheltered from the wind, you can also always go swimming!
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10 things to do with children in Essaouira
Essaouira is an ideal location to enjoy the most authentic Morocco, discovering the nature, history, culture and traditions of the country. In this article we tell you about some family activities to enjoy in Essaouira, to entertain adults and children.
1 - Participate on a cooking class with children in Essaouira
An original activity to do in Essaouira is a cooking class to prepare typical dishes. The experience begins with shopping at the market and then moves on to the operational part of preparing the dishes, and then eating what has been prepared together.
Some of the characteristic dishes are the Tajine (for example the chicken tajine with olives and candied lemon and the cow meat tajine with plums and caramelized almonds), the Pastilla (thin crispy sheets of pastry filled with chopped almonds and a filling of your choice between chicken, fish, pigeon) or the desserts based of almond paste and honey with handmade decorations.
If you are interested in this experience, you can inquire directly at the Ranch de Diabat, which collaborates with some companies that offer it.
2 - Trekking with the family in Essaouira and its surroundings
Perhaps not everyone knows that in Morocco you can have a holiday in close contact with nature, venturing on beautiful hiking excursions. There are numerous treks around Essaouira, but we have chosen a couple of simpler ones suitable for families with children or teenagers.
TREKKING TO DIABAT
We start directly from the Ranch and continue along the riverbed Ksob, where it is possible to admire migratory birds: a beautiful itinerary that passes through a mimosa and eucalyptus forest to arrive on the sand dunes and finally return to the Ranch. An itinerary of approximately 5 - 7 km which takes 3 hours in total, including stops along the way.
The itinerary is explained in detail at this link: https://ranchdediabat.com/en/activities/27/trekking-to-diabat-3-hours
TREKKING TO THE WATERFALLS OF SIDI MBAREK
Take the bus from Bab Doukkala towards Sidi Mbarek and get off after the village of Sidi Kaouki (a well-known surfing place) at the sign indicating the waterfalls.
Here starts a beautiful path that reaches the sea, bordered by green valleys frequented by goats, donkeys, mules and, before the estuary that flows into the sea, you come across high dunes. There are no refreshment points along the route, so it is advisable to bring food and drinks, as well as a swimsuit for those wishing to swim. The path is simple: in about 40 minutes you arrive at the waterfalls and at about 1h30 you go back up. For the return trip, it is a good idea to ask the bus driver for the timetable, or have the contact of a taxi.
3 - Participate on “adventurous” family activities in Essaouira
Even the most adventurous travelers will find something to have fun in Essaouira! If you want to add a pinch of adrenaline to your holiday, we suggest 3 perfect activities.
QUAD TOUR TO DISCOVER ESSAOUIRA AND SURROUNDINGS
It is a unique adventure: a day on board a quad, to explore the most naturalistically "extreme" places, from the villages to the beach, dunes included.
The whole program is on the site: 6-hour quad tour https://ranchdediabat.com/en/activities/24/quad-tour-6h-lunch-on-the-beach
MOROCCAN BIVOUAC
To spend a decidedly unique night, you can stay in a Moroccan bivouac on the cliff, overlooking the sea, with direct access to the beach. An experience suitable for all family members, who will have the opportunity to admire a wonderful sunset and enjoy a magical evening around a bonfire.
Details on the website: Moroccan bivouac https://ranchdediabat.com/en/activities/26/moroccan-bivouac
A WEEKEND ON HORSEBACK
For those who are not satisfied with a night in a bivouac and love to ride, the Ranch de Diabat offers an exciting weekend on horseback between two Moroccan bivouacs: three days of adventures on the backs of wonderful Arab Berber horses for a full immersion in the uncontaminated nature of the place.
If someone in the family doesn't like riding, they can stay at the Ranch to experience other activities and join the "riders" in the evening, at the bivouacs, to sleep together in nature.
On the website you will find the information: weekend on horseback https://ranchdediabat.com/en/activities/8/equestrian-weekend
4 - Try family experiences at Ranch de Diabat
In addition to the "adventurous" activities, which are suitable for slightly older children and teenagers, the Ranch de Diabat also offers various experiences designed specifically for families, even in the presence of younger children.
HORSE RIDE
Riding the horses of the Ranch, it is possible to take a beautiful and simple 1-hour walk at sunset: the children will be on the saddle helped by the guides and will also be able to experience the magical riding of a peaceful trip with expert riders.
On the site: Horseback riding
https://ranchdediabat.com/en/activities/9/1-hour-horse-ride
NIGHT IN BIVOUAC FOR FAMILIES
The night in the bivouac can also be organized for families with small children, with particular attention paid to their needs, including excellent food and cheerful musical entertainment in total immersion in nature.
Information on the website: night in bivouac https://ranchdediabat.com/en/activities/26/moroccan-bivouac
WALK WITH THE DROMEDARY
Can you imagine a ride on a dromedary, passing through a forest of mimosas and eucalyptus and arriving on high dunes where you can sip a good Moroccan tea? Even the little ones can participate in this 3-hour activity, comfortably seated on the Ranch's patented saddle for a safe and completely relaxing seat, which allows you to enjoy the view without worries.
On the site: walk with the dromedary https://ranchdediabat.com/en/activities/17/camel-ride-3h-with-tea
SUNSET TEA RITUAL
An even quieter excursion is to comfortably reach the beach where you can experience the tea ritual: during sunset, positioned in a privileged location with a breathtaking view, you learn the ancient traditions for preparing tea and admire the sun diving into the water.
The information is on the site https://ranchdediabat.com/en/activities/30/sunset-beach-tea-ritual
You can find all the family adventures on the dedicated page: https://ranchdediabat.com/en/activities-in-morocco/browse/19/family-experiences
5 - Discover the musical side of the city of Essaouira
The natural wonders and the atmosphere of Essaouira leave no one indifferent: also for this reason, it is a land rich in painters, sculptors, artists of all kinds, street musicians...
If you love music and art you will have numerous opportunities to dedicate yourself to your passion. Numerous street artists perform in the main square of Essaouira and along the most touristy alleys and every Sunday at Joutia, the northern industrial area of Essaouira, hosts the flea market, where local artists display their works in small wooden shops. The internationally known Gnaoua music festival is held every year: in 2024 it will take place from 27 to 29 June (Gnaoua Festival https://www.festival-gnaoua.net/ ).
Every year the French Institute organizes art exhibitions and it is also possible to visit several galleries including Galerie La Kasbah, Galerie l'Arbre Bleue, Galerie Blue Mogador and Moga Design.
6 - Attend a religious festival in Essaouira
An original way to get to know Morocco up close is to attend or take part in some religious celebrations.
The Regraga festival (Moussem Regraga), for example, is a 44-day pilgrimage that passes through the sanctuaries of the ancient tribe which ends with a 4-day gathering of the magnificent Arab Berber horses: if in those days Erika disappears from the Ranch , you know where to find it! ;-) To find out more you can read this article https://ranchdediabat.com/en/blog/18/celebrating-moussem-regraga-2022-in-essaouira
But the most characteristic moment for a genuine Moroccan experience is certainly that of Ramadan: don't miss the opportunity to experience it in contact with a local family, to fully understand the spirit that animates this sacred month, characterized by profound reflection and understanding. During this period all Healthy adult Muslims cannot drink or eat from moonset (early in the morning) until moonrise (in the evening): the pace of life proceeds more slowly and services and activities may vary in time. It is therefore important to inform yourself well before departure and on site, to better organize your trip: a little more slowness will make you enjoy the holiday you are experiencing even better.
7 - Visit the Medina of Essaouira
An unmissable stop during a trip to Morocco is certainly the Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador), so beautiful that it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001. It not only represents an excellent example of an ancient fortified city, but above all a place rich in life, history and culture: we recommend visiting it freely, walking through its streets, admiring shops, markets, squares, its beautiful white and blue houses, up to the fortifications that protected it.
8 - Visit the Sultan's Palace in Essaouira
Another unforgettable stop is the Sultan's Palace, the Dar Sultan Palace, which is located right in front of the Ranch de Diabat. Built in 1780 and today partially destroyed and submerged in sand, it was also called "The White House" for the grandeur and magnificence of its decorations. The vestiges of the buildings that make up the palace, now located among the sand dunes, are very evocative of its former splendor and walking among them is a bit like traveling through time.
9 - Find out what Argan is
Did you know that the area between Essaouira and Agadir is the only area in the world where the Argan tree grows spontaneously? The famous oil is obtained from the stone of its fruit, widely used both in the kitchen and in the beauty sector, to make skin care products and more.
The Berber populations have handed down from generation to generation all the knowledge relating to the properties of the fruit and its harvesting.
The presence of Argan was and still is an excellent opportunity for the emancipation of Moroccan women, who have organized themselves into cooperatives to protect their work in the cultivation and processing of Argan. Through Erika, from Ranch de Diabat, it is possible to visit one of these cooperatives to learn the entire oil production process.
10 - Stroll among the stalls of the Essaouira market
We conclude this roundup with one of the most characteristic experiences to do in Essaouira and in the other cities of Morocco: the visit to its souk, the city market
It is a dive into the colors, scents and, above all, into the history and traditions of this country.
It is not the classic "European" style market but a large area divided into various areas: one dedicated to the sale of animals, one to that of fruit, etc...
The Essaouira market takes place on Sundays, but in the surrounding area it is also possible to go to Had Draa (40 km, on Sundays) and Larbaa Ida Ougard (20 km, Wednesdays).
They are the perfect places to buy real souvenirs, pieces of this beautiful Morocco to take home to remember every day even after your return!
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