Cornelius Amann
October 06, 2026
5/5
Morocco: Marrakech, Essaouira and the Atlantic Coast
6 days from Marrakech: three nights in the medina with Majorelle, a hammam, a cooking class and an Agafay sunset, then two nights on the Atlantic in Essaouira.
6 days · Round trip from Marrakech · up to 12 guests
Blue fishing boats in the harbour at Essaouira Photo: Mustang Joe, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Essaouira_Fishing_Boats.jpg)
The facts
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days, 5 nights
- Start and end
- Round trip from Marrakech
- Group size
- 7 to 12 guests
- Activity level
Easy
Easy walking on flat but busy medina lanes, about 3 to 4 hours on foot on the longest day, and a beach walk of about 3 to 6 km each way on firm sand in Essaouira. No mountains or desert nights; the longest drive is about three hours, and every walk can be cut short.
- Meals included
- 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
- Room of your own
- + CAD 200 (estimated price)
- Season
- Year round; best March to June and September to November
Highlights
Why this trip
- The Jardin Majorelle at the first entry of the day, before the crowds
- The Marrakech medina on foot with a licensed local guide, with no commission shops
- A hammam steam and black-soap scrub, included
- A market visit and cooking class, then lunch of what you cooked
- Sunset over the Agafay plateau and dinner at a desert camp
- Sunset on the Skala de la Ville ramparts in Essaouira
- The fishing harbour in the morning and grilled fish from the catch for lunch
- A beach walk to the ruined fort of Borj el-Berod
What makes this trip different
Free time is part of the plan
Free time and choices are marked on the days they fall.
Solo without the penalty
A room of your own is + CAD 200 (estimated price).
Day by day
Itinerary
Tap any stop on the map to open that dayClick any stop on the map to open that day
Arrive in Marrakech
Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) to your riad in the Marrakech medina
- Dinner
- Stay in Marrakech
- Drive about 18 min
Fly into Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), about 6 km from the old city, at any time of day: a driver meets every flight and drives you to the edge of the medina, where a porter wheels your bags down the lanes to the riad, since cars cannot reach most riad doors. If you land early, rest on the roof terrace or take a first look around the nearby lanes.
Evening
In the early evening your See Sight Tours guide meets the group for a short briefing on the five days ahead: how the medina is laid out, what fair prices in the souks look like, how tipping works, and what to wear in the hammam. Then we walk together to Jemaa el-Fnaa as the square fills with food stalls, musicians and storytellers, and sit down to a welcome dinner of salads, tagine and mint tea at a restaurant in the medina.
Included
- Pick-up at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), whatever your flight time
- Welcome briefing with your guide, including souk prices and tipping
- Dusk walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa
- Welcome dinner in the medina
Free time: Free until the early-evening briefing
Activity: Plan to land by about 5 pm to join the briefing; later arrivals are met and briefed the next morning.
Majorelle at opening, the medina, then the hammam
Jardin Majorelle, then the Marrakech medina on foot, then a hammam
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Marrakech
- Drive about 18 min
Morning
We leave the riad early to be at the Jardin Majorelle for the first entry of the day, before the garden fills by late morning. The painter Jacques Majorelle laid it out from the 1920s; Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé later restored it, and at opening the cobalt-blue studio, the bamboo and the cactus beds are quiet. We book the combined ticket for the garden and the Berber Museum inside it. A short drive takes us back to the medina, listed by UNESCO in 1985, where a licensed local guide joins us on foot: the Koutoubia minaret from its gardens, the carved and painted courtyards of the Bahia Palace, the spice squares of the Mellah, then north through the souks of dyers, metalworkers and leather-sellers. There are no commission shops on this walk.
Afternoon
Lunch is a sit-down meal in the medina, then the afternoon is free. Late in the day we go to a hammam for a steam, a black-soap scrub and a rinse.
Included
- Jardin Majorelle at the first entry of the day, on the combined garden and Berber Museum ticket (included)
- Medina walk with a licensed local guide: the Koutoubia gardens, Bahia Palace (entry included), the Mellah and the northern souks
- Sit-down lunch in the medina
- Hammam with a black-soap scrub (gommage), late afternoon
Optional experiences
- Yves Saint Laurent Museum, next to the Jardin Majorelle
- Ben Youssef Madrasa
- A massage after the hammam
Easier option: Leave the walk after the Bahia Palace and return to the riad with the guide to rest before lunch; the hammam can also be swapped for a quiet afternoon on the roof.
Free time: Afternoon free until the hammam
Activity: About 3 to 4 hours on foot on flat, busy lanes; motorbikes share the alleys, so keep to the side. The hammam has separate sessions or areas for men and women; swimwear is fine.
Cooking class, then sunset in the Agafay
Marrakech medina, then out to the Agafay plateau and back
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay in Marrakech
- Drive about 1.5 h
Morning
The morning starts in a neighbourhood market with the cook who will teach us, buying vegetables, herbs and spices for the day and learning how the stallholders sell them.
Afternoon
Back in the kitchen we make two or three dishes together: zaalouk, a cooked aubergine and tomato salad, a tagine, and bread or a sweet to finish, and the class ends with lunch at one table, eating what we cooked. The afternoon is yours, to rest at the riad, go back to the souks or see the Ben Youssef Madrasa. At about four o'clock we drive roughly 40 km south-west, about 45 minutes each way, to the Agafay, a stony desert of bare hills between Marrakech and the Atlas. As the sun drops the plateau turns gold and the snow on the High Atlas, when there is some, turns pink.
Evening
Dinner is at a desert camp with lanterns and a fire, and we are back at the riad by about ten.
Included
- Market visit and cooking class, with lunch of the dishes you cook
- Sunset over the Agafay plateau
- Dinner at a desert camp in the Agafay
Optional experiences
- A short camel ride in the Agafay before sunset
Easier option: Skip the Agafay evening and have dinner on your own in the medina; the guide arranges a taxi home if you need it.
More active option: Walk the last stretch to the sunset viewpoint over the Agafay hills, about 3 km on stony tracks, while the van meets you at the top.
Free time: Afternoon free in Marrakech
Activity: The Agafay is a stony plateau, not sand dunes, and evenings there are cool for most of the year; bring a warm layer.
West to the Atlantic and the Essaouira ramparts
Marrakech to Essaouira, with an argan cooperative on the way
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Essaouira
- Drive about 3 h
We leave Marrakech at about nine and drive roughly 190 km west, about three hours, across the Haouz plain and into the argan country near the coast, with a coffee stop halfway. Before Essaouira we stop at a women's argan cooperative to see how the nuts are cracked by hand and pressed, and to taste amlou, a spread of argan oil, almonds and honey; there is no pressure to buy.
Afternoon
We reach Essaouira for a sit-down lunch, check in to our riad inside the walls, and in the afternoon a licensed local guide walks us through the medina, listed by UNESCO in 2001: the 18th-century grid laid out for Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah, the old Jewish quarter, the woodworkers of thuya burl under the ramparts.
Evening
We end on the Skala de la Ville, the sea bastion lined with old bronze cannons, for sunset over the Atlantic and the Mogador islands.
Included
- Drive from Marrakech to Essaouira with your guide
- Women's argan cooperative visit
- Sit-down lunch in Essaouira
- Medina walk with a licensed local guide
- Sunset on the Skala de la Ville ramparts
Free time: Evening free in Essaouira
Activity: The coast is often windy and noticeably cooler than Marrakech; bring a windproof layer.
Essaouira: the harbour, the souk and the beach
Essaouira fishing harbour, the souk, then the beach south towards Diabat
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Essaouira
Morning
The fishing harbour is busiest in the morning, when the blue boats come in and the catch is sold on the quay, so that is where we start, with the guide explaining who sells what and climbing the Skala du Port for the view back over the boats and the medina.
Afternoon
Lunch is the classic Essaouira one: at the grill stalls by the harbour you choose fish, prawns or squid from the morning's catch and they are cooked in front of you. The early afternoon is free in the souk, which is calmer than Marrakech's and good for spices, argan oil and woodwork; your guide helps if you want to bargain. Late in the afternoon, timed to the tide, we walk along the wide beach south of the town, where kitesurfers work the wind, to the ruined fort of Borj el-Berod beyond the Oued Ksob river mouth at Diabat, about 3 to 6 km each way; if the river is up, the van takes us round by road.
Evening
Dinner tonight is your choice.
Included
- Morning at the fishing harbour with your guide, and the Skala du Port
- Grilled-fish lunch at the harbour stalls
- Beach walk to the ruined fort of Borj el-Berod near Diabat, timed to the tide, with the van round by road if the river is up
Optional experiences
- A kitesurf or surf lesson
- A horse or camel ride along the beach
- A massage or a second hammam
Easier option: Walk as far as you like along the beach and take a taxi back to the medina gate.
More active option: Carry on past the fort into the dunes behind Diabat and walk back along the beach, about 8 to 14 km in all depending on the start point, tide and river allowing.
Free time: Early afternoon and evening free
Activity: The beach walk is about 3 to 6 km each way on firm sand. The fort sits south of the Oued Ksob river mouth, which can be impassable at high tide or after rain, so we time the walk to the tide and use the van or a taxi round by road if needed. The Atlantic here is cold and the wind strong for much of the year; swimming is for the brave.
Back to Marrakech and home
Essaouira to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK)
- Breakfast
- Drive about 3.5 h
Morning
A last walk on the ramparts or a coffee in the main square, Place Moulay Hassan, before we leave Essaouira mid-morning, at about ten, for the drive back east, about 195 km and a little over three hours to Marrakech Menara Airport, with a coffee stop on the way.
Afternoon
We drop you at the airport in the early afternoon, or at a riad or hotel in Marrakech if you are staying on; your guide checks your flight before saying goodbye. If you would like more time on the coast or in the city, we can book extra nights before or after the trip in Essaouira or Marrakech. Book a flight leaving Marrakech after about 3 pm; if you need an earlier flight, the private trip can leave Essaouira earlier. Essaouira also has its own small airport with a few flights to Europe, so if you would rather fly out from the coast, tell us when you book and we will drop you there instead and plan the transfer around your flight time.
Included
- Drive from Essaouira to Marrakech with your guide
- Drop-off at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) or a hotel in Marrakech
Activity: Book a flight leaving after about 3 pm from Marrakech; earlier flights can be handled on the private trip.
- Marrakech3 nights
- Essaouira2 nights
- Marrakechend
- Overnight stop
- Day trip
- By boat or train
Wildlife and weather: This trip runs all year. Marrakech often passes 40 C in July and August, so summer days start early and rest at midday, while Essaouira stays mild and windy. Winter days are sunny but nights are cold, with some rain from November to March.
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Before you book
Right for you?
Good for you if you want
- A first, short trip to Morocco with the city and the sea and no long drives
- Travellers who want riads, food and markets rather than mountains or desert camps
- A slower pace with free afternoons in both bases
- Adding on to a longer trip or a week in Europe
Not for you if you want
- Travellers who want the Sahara dunes or a night in a desert camp: see our Imperial Cities and Sahara trip
- Hiking in the High Atlas: see our Marrakech, High Atlas and Essaouira trip
- Step-free access: riads have steep stairs and the medinas have uneven lanes
- A warm-water beach holiday: the Atlantic at Essaouira is cold and windy
Book flights after we confirm your seat.
5 nights
Where you'll stay
Your hotels are named in your trip confirmation.
- Marrakech3 nights
- Essaouira2 nights
One price
What's in the price
Included
Accommodation
- 5 nights: 3 in a riad in the Marrakech medina and 2 in a riad inside the Essaouira medina walls
- Rooms shared, or your own for a supplement
- Each riad named when we confirm your dates
Transport
- Pick-up and drop-off at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) whatever your flight time
- An air-conditioned van and driver for the group for the whole trip, including the Agafay evening
- Porters for bags in the medinas
- Bottled water in the vehicle
Your guide
- A See Sight Tours guide for the whole trip
- Licensed local guides for the medina walks in Marrakech and Essaouira
Activities
- Jardin Majorelle at the first entry of the day, on the combined garden and Berber Museum ticket (Marrakech)
- Medina walk with Bahia Palace entry (Marrakech)
- Dusk walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa (Marrakech)
- Hammam with a black-soap scrub (Marrakech)
- Market visit and cooking class (Marrakech)
- Sunset over the Agafay plateau with dinner at a desert camp (Agafay)
- Women's argan cooperative visit (near Essaouira)
- Medina walk with a local guide and sunset on the Skala de la Ville (Essaouira)
- Morning at the fishing harbour and the Skala du Port (Essaouira)
- Beach walk to Borj el-Berod (Essaouira)
Meals
- 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners
- Welcome dinner in Marrakech and dinner at a desert camp in the Agafay
- The cooking-class lunch and a grilled-fish lunch at the Essaouira harbour
Not included
- International flights to and from Marrakech
- Visa, if your passport needs one
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed, including lunch on day 6 and three dinners
- Drinks
- Tips
- Optional activities such as the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, a massage, a camel ride, surf or kitesurf lessons
- Personal expenses and shopping
Extras
- Room of your own
- CAD 200 (estimated price)
When you can go
Dates and prices
Pick your start date when you request to book. We check that date and confirm it in your quote.
Prefer to travel without a group or guide? Ask us about arranging hotels, transport and city tours for you to travel independently.
Before you book
Booking terms
Nothing is charged now. Full terms and the cancellation schedule come with your quote, before you accept.
Business addresses
See Sight Tours Trips (USA): 3172 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89108, United StatesSee Sight Tours Trips (Canada): 5305 50 Avenue, #1091, Red Deer, AB T4N 4B6, Canada+1-888-961-6584Guest reviews
What guests say
Reviews from guests on our day tours.
Jane
October 06, 2026
5/5
Susan
October 06, 2026
5/5
Tom L
October 05, 2026
5/5
MandL83
October 05, 2026
5/5
Darren O
October 05, 2026
5/5
Good to know
Questions
Prices in these answers apply from Jan 1, 2027. Black Friday offer: 15% off the small-group price for requests received by Dec 1, 2026. From CAD 1,005 per person. Dec 2 to Dec 31: from CAD 1,090. From Jan 1, 2027: from CAD 1,185.
What does the price include?
Five nights in central riads, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners, airport transfers both ways, a van and driver, your See Sight Tours guide throughout, licensed local guides in both medinas, and every visit in the day plan: Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace, a hammam, a cooking class, the Agafay sunset dinner, the argan cooperative and the harbour fish lunch.
How big is the group?
The small-group trip runs with 7 to 12 guests in one vehicle, so the group can follow one guide through narrow medina lanes, fit around one table at lunch and share one kitchen in the cooking class.
Who leads the trip?
A See Sight Tours guide travels with the group from the first evening to the airport. Licensed local guides join for the medina walks in Marrakech and Essaouira, so you also hear the city from someone who lives there. We name your guide when we confirm your dates.
How fit do I need to be?
Not very. The longest day is about 3 to 4 hours on foot on flat but busy lanes, and the Essaouira beach walk is about 3 to 6 km each way on firm sand, timed to the tide. Every walk can be cut short. Riads often have steep stairs and no lift, so tell us if stairs are hard for you.
I am travelling solo. What does a single room cost?
A room of your own is from CAD 200 more for the trip, about 17 percent of the price, and you pay it only if you ask for your own room. If you are happy to share, we try to match you with another solo guest of the same gender; if we cannot, we confirm the room before you pay.
When is the best time to go?
The trip runs all year. March to June and September to November are the most comfortable. July and August are very hot in Marrakech, often over 40 C, but Essaouira stays mild. Winter is sunny by day with cold nights and some rain. Essaouira is windy for much of the year.
How does booking work?
Prices are per person sharing a room, with taxes, and differ by style. The small group starts from CAD 1,185 and the private trip from CAD 2,135. Send your preferred dates as an enquiry. We check availability and provide the final quote, itinerary and booking terms before you accept. No payment is taken when you send the request.
Can we travel privately or on our own dates?
Yes. Besides the small group, the trip runs as a private trip for your party only, on a date you choose, with your own guide and vehicle. If you would rather travel independently on your own dates, ask us from the dates section and we will quote the riads, transfers and local guides for you.
Do I need a visa for Morocco?
Canadian, US, UK and EU passport holders can visit Morocco without a visa for up to 90 days. Other passports may need one. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after you arrive. We confirm the current rules for your passport when you book.
What is the hammam like?
A hammam is a steam bath: you sit in the heat, then an attendant scrubs you with black olive soap and a rough mitt and rinses you down. Men and women have separate sessions or areas, and swimwear is fine. If it is not for you, take the afternoon on the riad roof instead.
Will I be pressured to buy things, and is the food safe?
Your guide stays with the group in the busy medinas, there are no commission shops on our walks, and you never have to buy. Included meals are at restaurants and stalls our guides use and trust, chosen for clean kitchens and busy turnover, and we point out safe places for your free meals.
Is the Agafay a real desert? Will we see the Sahara?
The Agafay is a stony desert of bare hills about 40 km from Marrakech, not the sand dunes of the Sahara, which are a long day's drive away. We go for the sunset and dinner. For the Sahara, our Imperial Cities and Sahara trip spends a night by the dunes.
Can I swim at Essaouira?
You can, but the Atlantic here is cold and the trade winds are strong for much of the year, which is why the beach is known for kitesurfing rather than swimming. Most guests walk the beach, and surf or kitesurf lessons can be booked as an option.
See Sight Tours has been providing travel services across North America since 2006. Operating in 20 cities across Canada and the USA, the company specializes in small group tours that offer personalized, high-quality experiences for travelers.
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