8 Best Family Activities in Essaouira

Essaouira's main beach — a vast, wide expanse of golden sand stretching several kilometres south of the medina — is one of Morocco's best family beaches. The sand is fine and perfect for sandcastle building, the shallow gradient makes paddling safe for young children, and the sheer space means it never feels crowded even in summer. The beach is divided into zones: the area closest to the medina walls (sheltered from the worst wind) is best for families with young children; the middle section is popular for football and beach games; and the far southern end is where kitesurfers and windsurfers play. Morning is the golden time for families: the wind is calmer, the tide is often out (exposing huge sand flats), and the temperature is perfect. Bring buckets and spades from the medina shops (5-10 MAD each). The beach has gentle waves for splashing — though the Atlantic current is cold (16-20°C) and can be strong, so supervise carefully beyond knee-depth. Kite-flying is a natural activity here: Essaouira's constant wind (the alizés) is famous, and cheap kites sold in the medina for 20-30 MAD provide hours of entertainment.

A camel ride along Essaouira's beach is one of the most photogenic family activities in Morocco. The dromedaries are lined up at the southern end of the main beach, near the river mouth, and rides go south along the sand with the Atlantic waves crashing beside you. Children as young as 3 can ride with a parent (the handler walks alongside and keeps the camel steady); older children ride their own camel with confidence. The sunset timing is magical: the golden light on the water, the silhouettes of camels against the sky, and the wind-carved patterns in the sand create a scene straight from a movie. The ride is gentle and rhythmic — the camels walk at a slow pace, and the handlers are experienced with children. Most rides last 30-60 minutes, with the longer rides reaching the dunes beyond the beach where you stop for photos. The handlers provide turbans for the full experience (kids love dressing up). The beach setting makes these camel rides more dramatic than inland rides — the combination of ocean, sand, and sunset is unforgettable.

Essaouira's working fishing port — located just north of the medina — is one of the most exciting family visits in the city. The port is a bustling, colourful scene: blue fishing boats bobbing in the harbour, fishermen mending nets and sorting their morning catch, seagulls wheeling overhead, and cats prowling for scraps. Children are fascinated by the boat activity, the piles of fresh fish (sardines, sea bream, swordfish, octopus, shrimp), and the general maritime energy. The highlight for families is the line of open-air grill stalls at the port entrance: you choose your fish from the display (the vendors help — point at what looks good), they grill it on the spot over charcoal with salt and cumin, and you eat it at the communal tables with bread and salad. It's the freshest fish you'll ever eat, and children who normally resist fish often love it here (seeing it chosen and grilled makes it exciting). Prices are low: a family lunch of grilled fish, bread, and drinks typically costs 200-400 MAD total.

The Skala de la Ville — Essaouira's 18th-century sea-facing ramparts — is an atmospheric and family-friendly walk along the fortress walls that protected the city from Portuguese and pirate attacks. The rampart walk stretches along the northwestern edge of the medina, high above the crashing Atlantic waves, and features a line of 19th-century European bronze cannons still pointing out to sea. Children love the cannons (they can touch and climb on them), the dramatic views of the ocean and the Îles Purpuraires (islands where the Phoenicians produced purple dye), and the sense of being in a real fortress. The walkway is wide enough for families to walk comfortably, with stone walls on both sides for safety. At the southern end, a round bastion offers 360-degree views. The ramparts appeared in Game of Thrones (Season 3, as the city of Astapor) — a fact that thrills teenage fans. Below the ramparts, woodworking workshops line the walls: craftsmen carving thuya wood into boxes, chess sets, and decorative items.

Essaouira is famous for thuya wood — a rare, fragrant local wood with a beautiful burl grain used to make decorative boxes, chess sets, backgammon boards, and furniture. The thuya wood workshops, clustered beneath the Skala ramparts and in the medina's side streets, offer a fascinating family visit. The craftsmen work with simple hand tools: lathes, chisels, and inlaid-work tools passed down through generations. Children can watch the entire process: rough wood being turned on a pole lathe (powered by a bow — an ancient technique), detailed inlay work with lemonwood and mother-of-pearl, and the final polishing that reveals the wood's rich golden-brown swirls. The smell of fresh-cut thuya is gorgeous — warm, resinous, almost like cedar. Most workshops welcome visitors and are happy to show children their craft (there's no entrance fee — they make their living from sales, but there's no pressure to buy). Small items (boxes, coasters, small animals) make excellent souvenirs and start at 50-100 MAD. Some workshops offer short carving sessions where older children can try basic techniques under supervision.

Horse riding along Essaouira's vast beach is a thrilling family activity — especially for older children and teenagers. Several stables near the beach offer rides ranging from gentle walks for beginners to cantering along the surf for experienced riders. The standard family ride goes south from the main beach along the sand, past the river mouth, and into the dune area beyond — about 1-2 hours depending on the group's level. Riders range from complete beginners (who walk the entire time with a handler leading) to confident riders who canter along the water's edge. The horses are Arab-Barb crosses: sturdy, sure-footed, and accustomed to the beach. Children aged 6+ can ride their own horse (accompanied); younger children ride with a parent or handler. The sunset rides are extraordinary: galloping along the water's edge with the sun dropping into the Atlantic, spray flying from the waves, and the wind in your hair. The stables provide helmets and basic instruction.

A boat trip to the Îles Purpuraires (Mogador Islands) — the small rocky islands visible from Essaouira's ramparts — is an exciting family nautical adventure. The islands are a nature reserve home to Eleonora's falcons (one of the world's rarest raptors, which nest here from April to October), yellow-legged gulls, cormorants, and other seabirds. Fishing boats depart from the port and take about 20 minutes to reach the islands. You circle the islands (landing is restricted to protect the wildlife) while the captain points out bird colonies, rock formations, and the remains of a 19th-century prison. The boat ride itself is the adventure: bobbing on the Atlantic swells, watching the Essaouira skyline from the sea, and spotting dolphins (common in these waters, especially in spring and autumn). Children love the boat ride, the bird-spotting, and the sense of being on the open ocean. The boats are traditional wooden fishing vessels — not luxury yachts — which adds to the authenticity. Life jackets are provided.

Essaouira's consistent waves and sandy beach make it an excellent place for family surf lessons. Several surf schools along the beach and in the medina offer beginner sessions specifically designed for families. The lessons take place in the shallow water at the northern end of the main beach (the most sheltered section), where gentle whitewash waves roll in predictably. Children aged 6+ can take their own lesson; younger children can play in the shallows while parents surf. A typical 2-hour lesson includes: beach safety briefing, practising pop-ups on the sand, then into the water to catch real waves. The instructors are patient, encouraging, and experienced with children — most kids stand up on the board within the first lesson (the thrill is unforgettable). Wetsuits are provided (essential — the Atlantic is 16-20°C year-round). The surf schools provide all equipment: soft-top boards (safe for beginners), wetsuits, and rash guards. The constant wind means Essaouira always has waves — but morning sessions have lighter wind and cleaner conditions.