Extend your stay in the Atlantic port town of Essaouira. The town has a wide sandy beach which is great for a stroll along. The town itself is divided into two with the old town's medina a maze of narrow streets, vibrant art galleries and street vendors selling crafts and surrounded by ramparts, a great spot to watch the sun set. The town also hosts a lively port, it's a photographers dream, with brightly coloured blue fish boats the perfect backdrop to the town beyond.
Beach extension - can be combined with any trip ending in Marrakech.
Cookery class - prepare a three course meal with freshly purchased ingredients.
Characterful medina - head into the old walled medina and the maze of streets lined with craftsmen selling souvenirs.
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Our beach extension starts at the airport or your hotel in Marrakech. A transfer from Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) or your Marrakech hotel is included provided we receive your flight or hotel details no later than 10 days prior to departure. The journey from the central bus station in Marrakech to Essaouira is around three hours, we will make a stop along the way.
We use the modern Supratours bus service which has a regular services from Marrakech central station to Essaouira. Please note this is a public bus, you will be met either at your hotel in Marrakech or the airport and transfered to the Supratours bus terminal next to Marrakech train station. Your transfer represenative will have your bus tickets ready for you and provide assistance and guideance on where to board.
On arrival in Essaouira you will be met, your main luggage will be taken for you. Its a short ten minute walk to our riad, as cars are not allowed in the old town we use a cart to carry your bags. If you arrive early, there are plenty of sights to keep you occupied. In contrast to other towns and cities in Morocco, Essaouira has a relaxed, European feel to it. The town is easy to navigate, our riad is in the heart of the old town which is crammed full of craft shops, exotic spices and food stalls.
Our accommodation for this beach extension is a characterful riad in the heart of the old town medina. The riad is set out in a traditional manner with rooms arranged around a central courtyard. Each traditionally furnished bedroom has a different design. The riad features a sun terrace and has a restaurant, offering a choice of freshly prepared Moroccan dishes. Please note, this is a stand-alone extension and can be booked on any date of your choosing, subject to availability.
Whilst this itinerary has been designed to complement several of our group tours, we'd like to point out that it's not a group experience and you're unlikely to be travelling with other Explore customers. Please note, this extension is unescorted and is not accompanied by a Trip Leader.
Riad Al Madina (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Riad
This morning our local guide will meet us at reception at 10am and accompany us on a two to three hour orientation tour. The town has a rich and somewhat colourful history and its importance as a trading port during the 18th and 19th centuries saw it prosper, attracting British, French, Arab and Jewish merchants and sailors to its shores. These influences are still reflected in the architecture and layout of the town, which is divided into the old town (including its medina) and the new town. We will visit the ramparts, with its cannons facing out to the sea, head into the medina and take in the Mellah (the old Jewish Quarter) where we can witness skilled silversmiths at work.
The rest of the day is free to spend the day as we wish, uncovering the colourful coastal town. Head into the old walled medina and the maze of streets lined with craftsmen selling souvenirs from handmade leather belts to jewellery to wooden boxes inlaid with mother of pearl. Outside of the medina, sink your feet into the golden sands of the beach and watch the fishermen return to shore with their day's catch.
The morning is left free. With a near constant sea breeze coming off the Atlantic, even in the hottest months of the year taking a stroll along the town's expansive beach is a very pleasant experience. Visit the port to see the fishermen land their catch or wander through the old town browsing the wares on sale or pop into one of the towns many art galleries or workshops. The wood products are particularly good quality in Essaouira and the traders more laid back and relaxed compared to other towns and cities in Morocco. This afternoon we have a cookery class, our local guide will accompany us to our cookery school where we'll prepare a three course meal with freshly purchased ingredients. It's a chance to refine our cookery skills to impress friends and family back home and enjoy a delicious meal together.
Our beach extension to Essaouira ends at our riad after breakfast.
Check out is 1100, a Supratours bus transfer is included between Essaouira and Marrakech central station with the following departure times (subject to change) 0700, 0915, 1115, 1415, 1530, 1700, 1815. Your luggage will be transfered to the bus station by cart as cars are not permitted in the old medina. You will be presented with your bus ticket at the station. If you are booked on a later bus, you can leave your luggage at the riad to enjoy your final day in the town.
Once you arrive in Marrakech a onward transfer will be provided to either Marrakech airport or a centrally located hotel, please inform us of your destination choice at the time of booking.
We've graded the accommodation for this trip as comfortable but it's worth noting that the standards might differ from home, the riad has no lift.
Please note, this extension is unescorted and is not accompanied by a Trip Leader.
Essaouira experiences steady trade winds all year round, if you're looking for an idyllic sheltered beach spot this isn't the best destination.
Street selling and bartering are common in Morocco, although Essaouira is generally regarded as more relaxed and the locals are friendly and will give you a warm welcome.
Moroccan food is delicious but fragrant - if you have a fussy eater, you might want to plan ahead and stock up on snacks from supermarkets in the cities.
Morocco is an Islamic country and so most locals observe Ramadan. During this time, there might be slight changes to our itinerary. For more details about travelling during Ramadan visit <https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/ramadan>
GMT+01:00
Type E/F (European Schuko) - Two round pins + ground contacts
Islam (Sunni)
Surfing lesson 400 Moroccan Dirham per person
Only lightweight clothing is needed, Essaouira as a temperate climate - if travelling in the winter months it is worth packing a light fleece and waterproofs.
One main piece of baggage and daypack.
The Riad Al Madina is a three star riad style hotel located in the heart of the old town and just 200 meters from the beach. The riad used to be a private dwelling and has been restored retaining individual charm so each bedroom is different. Ther riad has an open courtyard and restaurant that serves a mixture of Moroccan and international dishes. There is wifi, but no swimming pool.
Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.