Essaouira is a quiet seaside town, with a slow pace of life, no nightlife, and easy walking distances with a stroller. In short, it's the perfect place to spend quality time with the whole family. Tourists typically stay for a day or two, but this article will certainly make you want to stay longer, by showing you the many things to do with kids 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're interested in beach activities, the best time is between September and November. July and August are windier, and the air temperature drops to 20 degrees Celsius: these are ideal conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. You can still enjoy seaside life year-round because the temperatures are always mild and pleasant. If you choose a riad with a pool sheltered from the wind, you can always go swimming!
Essaouira is an ideal place to enjoy the most authentic Morocco, discovering the country's nature, history, culture, and traditions. In this article, we'll share some family-friendly activities in Essaouira that will entertain both adults and children.
1 - Take a cooking class with children in Essaouira
A unique activity in Essaouira is a cooking class to prepare traditional dishes. The experience begins with shopping at the market, then moves on to the practical preparation of the dishes, and then everyone enjoys a meal together.
Some of the characteristic dishes are the Tajine (for example the chicken tajine with olives and candied lemon and the beef tajine with prunes 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 sweets made with almond paste and honey with handmade decorations.
If you're interested in this experience, you can inquire directly with Ranch de Diabat, which collaborates with several organizations that offer it.
2 - Trekking with the family in and around Essaouira
Perhaps not everyone knows that Morocco offers a vacation in close contact with nature, venturing on beautiful hiking trails. There are numerous treks around Essaouira, but we've chosen a couple that are easier and suitable for families with children or teenagers.
TREKKING TO DIABAT
Departing directly from the Ranch, we continue along the Oued Ksob River, where you can admire migratory birds. This beautiful route passes through a mimosa and eucalyptus forest, reaching the sand dunes, and finally returning to the Ranch. The route is approximately 5-7 km long and takes about 3 hours in total, including stops along the way.
TREKKING TO THE SIDI MBAREK WATERFALLS
Take the bus from Bab Doukkala towards Sidi Mbarek and get off after the village of Sidi Kaouki (a well-known surfing spot) at the sign indicating the waterfalls.
A beautiful trail begins here, leading to the sea, flanked by green valleys frequented by goats, donkeys, and mules. Before the estuary that flows into the sea, you'll encounter high dunes. There are no refreshment points along the trail, so it's advisable to bring food and drinks, as well as a swimsuit for those who want to swim. The trail is simple: in about 40 minutes you reach the waterfalls and in about 1.5 hours you can climb back up. For the return journey, it's best to ask the bus driver for the schedule, or have a taxi contact available.
3 - Participate in family-friendly “adventure” activities in Essaouira
Even the most adventurous travelers will find something to enjoy in Essaouira! If you're looking to add a little adrenaline to your vacation, we suggest three perfect activities.
Quad Tour to Discover Essaouira and its Surrounding Area
This is a unique adventure: a day aboard a quad bike, exploring the most “extreme” natural places, from villages to the beach, including the dunes.
MOROCCAN BIVOUAC
For a truly 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 the whole family, who will have the opportunity to admire a wonderful sunset and enjoy a magical evening around a campfire.
Details on the Moroccan bivouac website: https://ranchdediabat.com/it/attivita/26/bivacco-marocchino
A WEEKEND ON HORSEBACK
For those who aren't satisfied with a night in a bivouac and love horseback riding, the Ranch de Diabat offers an exciting weekend on horseback between two Moroccan bivouacs: three days of adventure on the back of wonderful Arabian-Berber horses for a full immersion in the pristine nature of the area.
If someone in the family doesn't like riding, they can stay at the Ranch to enjoy other experiences and rejoin the "riders" in the evening, at the bivouacs, to sleep together in the nature.
You can find information on the website: weekend on horseback https://ranchdediabat.com/it/attivita/8/weekend-a-cavallo
4 - Try family experiences at Ranch de Diabat
In addition to the "adventure" activities, which are suitable for slightly older children and teenagers, Ranch de Diabat also offers several experiences designed specifically for families, even those with younger children.
HORSE RIDE
On the Ranch's horses, you can take a beautiful, easy one-hour ride at sunset. Children will be in the saddle, assisted by guides, and they too can enjoy the magical experience of a peaceful ride with expert riders.
On the site: Horseback riding
https://ranchdediabat.com/it/attivita/9/escursione-a-cavallo-di-unora
NIGHT IN A BIVOUAC FOR FAMILIES
A night in a bivouac can also be organized for families with small children, with special attention paid to their needs, including excellent food and lively musical entertainment, all in complete immersion in nature.
Information on the website: night in a bivouac https://ranchdediabat.com/it/attivita/26/bivacco-marocchino
A WALK WITH THE CAMMEDARY
Can you imagine a ride on a dromedary, passing through a forest of mimosa and eucalyptus trees and arriving at high dunes where you can sip a delicious Moroccan tea? Even the littlest ones can participate in this three-hour activity, comfortably seated on the Ranch's patented saddle, offering a safe and relaxing ride, allowing them to enjoy the scenery without worries.
On the website: dromedary ride https://ranchdediabat.com/it/attivita/17/passeggiata-in-dromedario-3-ore-con-il-the
SUNSET TEA RITUAL
An even more peaceful excursion takes you to the beach for a tea ritual: during sunset, from a privileged location with a breathtaking view, you can learn the ancient traditions of tea preparation and admire the sun dipping into the water.
Information is available on the website https://ranchdediabat.com/it/attivita/30/rituale-del-te-in-spiaggia-al-tramonto
Find all the family adventures on the dedicated page: https://ranchdediabat.com/it/attivita-in-morocco/browse/19/esperienze-per-famiglie
5 - Discover the musical side of the city of Essaouira
Essaouira's natural wonders and atmosphere leave no one indifferent: for this reason, it is a land rich in painters, sculptors, artists of all kinds, street musicians...
If you love music and art, you'll have plenty of opportunities to indulge your passion. Numerous street artists perform in Essaouira's main square and along the more touristy alleys, and every Sunday in Joutya, Essaouira's northern industrial area, a flea market is held, where local artists display their works in small wooden workshops. The internationally renowned Gnaoua music festival is held annually: in 2024, it will take place from June 27th to 29th (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 celebration.
The Regraga festival (Moussem Regraga), for example, is a 44-day pilgrimage that passes through the sanctuaries of the ancient tribe of the same name and ends with a 4-day gathering of the magnificent Arabian-Berber horses: if Erika disappears from the Ranch during those days, you know where to find her! ;-) To learn more, you can read this article https://ranchdediabat.com/it/blog/18/festeggia-il-moussem-regraga-2022-ad-essaouira
But the most distinctive time for a genuine Moroccan experience is undoubtedly Ramadan: don't miss the opportunity to spend it with a local family, to fully understand the spirit that animates this holy month, characterized by deep reflection and understanding. During this period, healthy Muslim adults are prohibited from eating or drinking from moonset (early in the morning) until moonrise (evening). The pace of life is slower, and services and activities may be subject to change. It's therefore important to obtain thorough information before departure and once you arrive, to best organize your trip: a little extra slowness will make you enjoy your vacation even more.
7 - Visit the Medina of Essaouira
An unmissable stop on a trip to Morocco is undoubtedly the Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador), so beautiful that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. It is not only an excellent example of an ancient fortified city, but above all a place rich in life, history, and culture. We recommend visiting it at your own pace, strolling through its narrow streets, admiring the shops, markets, squares, its beautiful white and blue houses, and even reaching the fortifications that once protected it.
8 - Visit the Sultan's Palace in Essaouira
Another unmissable stop is the Sultan's Palace, Dar Sultan Palace, located directly across from the Ranch de Diabat. Built in 1780 and now partially destroyed and submerged in sand, it was also known as "The White House" for the grandeur and magnificence of its decorations. The remains of the palace's buildings, now nestled among the sand dunes, are evocative of its former splendor, and walking among them is a bit like taking a journey back in time.
9 - Discover what Argan is
Did you know that the area between Essaouira and Agadir is the only place in the world where the argan tree grows wild? Its fruit kernel is used to produce the famous oil, widely used both in cooking and in beauty products, including skincare and more.
The Berber populations have passed down from generation to generation all the knowledge relating to the properties of the fruit and its harvest.
The presence of argan has been and continues to be an excellent opportunity for the emancipation of Moroccan women, who have organized themselves into cooperatives to safeguard their work in growing and processing argan. Through Erika, of Ranch de Diabat, you can visit one of these cooperatives to learn about the entire oil production process.
10 - Stroll among the stalls of the Essaouira market
We conclude this overview with one of the most characteristic experiences to have in Essaouira and in other cities of Morocco: a visit to its souk, the city market.
It's a dive into the colors, scents, and, above all, the history and traditions of this country.
It is not the classic "European" style market but a large area divided into various zones: one dedicated to the sale of animals, one to that of fruit, etc...
The Essaouira market takes place on Sundays, but nearby you can also go to Had Draa (40 km, on Sundays) and Larbaa Ida Ougard (20 km, on Wednesdays).
They are the perfect places to buy real souvenirs, little pieces of this beautiful Morocco to take home and remember it every day even after you return!
Milena Marchioni
