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Accommodation Guide
Best Hotels in Essaouira
From rampart-edge suites with crashing waves below to surf-shack guesthouses on the beach — the 10 best hotels in Essaouira for 2026.
Quick Picks
Best Overall
Heure Bleue Palais
Rooftop pool, ocean views, Relais & Châteaux
Best Character
Villa Maroc
Pioneer since 1990, labyrinthine charm
Best Sea Views
Dar L'Oussia
Built into the ramparts, waves below
Best for Surfers
Ocean Vagabond
On the beach, surf culture, restaurant
Best Location
Madada Mogador
Main square, contemporary, top restaurant
Best Budget
Riad Baladin
Courtyard riad charm, near souks, clean
The 10 Best Hotels
1
Heure Bleue Palais
Luxury 4.8€130–300/night Medina (near Bab el-Marsa)
Essaouira's finest hotel — a Relais & Châteaux property in a restored 18th-century palace. The rooftop pool overlooks the ocean and medina rooftops. Inside: a cinema room, spa, and restaurant serving refined Moroccan-French cuisine. The blue-and-white decor echoes Essaouira's palette.
Rooftop pool with ocean viewsRestored 18th-century palaceCinema roomFull spa
Best for: Best overall luxury
2
Villa Maroc
Upper Mid-Range 4.7€80–180/night Medina
The hotel that put Essaouira on the tourism map — Villa Maroc was the first riad-hotel in the medina (1990) and retains its pioneering spirit. Multiple connected riads, winding staircases, rooftop terraces, and rooms filled with antiques and textiles. It has the most character of any hotel in town.
Pioneer medina hotel since 1990Connected riadsLabyrinthine charmRooftop terraces
Best for: Authentic Essaouira character
3
Riad Dar Maya
Mid-Range 4.7€60–140/night Medina
A British-Moroccan owned riad that perfectly balances traditional Essaouira architecture with contemporary comfort. The rooftop terrace has Atlantic views, the rooms are crisp and stylish, and the breakfast (with homemade jams and Moroccan pastries) is one of the best in town.
Contemporary-meets-traditionalTerrace with sea viewsBritish-Moroccan hospitalityExcellent breakfast
Best for: Warm hospitality and design
4
Riad Chbanate
Mid-Range 4.6€55–120/night Medina
Part riad, part art gallery — Riad Chbanate integrates a rotating exhibition space with guest rooms. The courtyard is intimate, the port is a 2-minute walk, and the owners are deeply connected to Essaouira's art scene. If you appreciate African and Moroccan contemporary art, this is the one.
Art gallery integratedCourtyard with fountainNear the portArt-focused stays
Best for: Art lovers
5
Dar L'Oussia
Upper Mid-Range 4.7€90–200/night Medina (rampart edge)
Built into the rampart walls with suites that have direct ocean views — waves crash below your window. The Italian-Moroccan owners have created an intimate, design-forward property that feels like staying in a friend's impossibly chic Essaouira home. Only 7 rooms.
Rampart-edge positionOcean-view suitesIntimate 7 roomsItalian-Moroccan style
Best for: Sea views from the medina
6
Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa
Luxury Resort 4.5€120–280/night Mogador (south of town)
The only full resort-style property near Essaouira, set on a golf course south of the medina with pool, spa, and beach access. It is removed from the medina buzz (10-minute drive) but offers the space and amenities that the compact medina hotels cannot.
Golf courseFull resort with poolSpaBeach access
Best for: Resort amenities and golf
7
Ocean Vagabond
Budget-Mid 4.4€40–90/night Beachfront
A beach-shack-turned-guesthouse right on Essaouira's beach. The vibe is surf-culture casual, the restaurant serves excellent fish, and the location puts you steps from the waves. Rooms are simple but the beach-bar-to-bed commute is about 30 seconds.
On the beachSurf culture vibeRestaurant and barKitesurf/windsurf connection
Best for: Surfers and beach lovers
8
Dar Adul
Mid-Range 4.5€50–100/night Medina
A beautifully tiled riad with a central courtyard fountain and a rooftop terrace. The rooms are decorated in traditional Essaouira style — white walls, coloured accents, argan wood furniture. Central location, warm service, and very good value for the quality.
Beautiful tiled courtyardRooftop with Atlas views on clear daysCentral locationWarm service
Best for: Classic riad experience
9
Riad Baladin
Budget 4.3€30–65/night Medina
A budget riad that delivers the medina courtyard experience without the mid-range price tag. The rooms are simple but clean, the courtyard is genuine, and the location near the souks is convenient. It proves you don't need to spend much to stay beautifully in Essaouira.
Budget with characterCourtyardNear souksClean and simple
Best for: Budget with atmosphere
10
Madada Mogador
Upper Mid-Range 4.6€80–170/night Medina (Place Moulay Hassan)
A contemporary hotel overlooking Place Moulay Hassan — the beating heart of Essaouira. The rooms are modern and stylish, and the ground-floor restaurant (La Table by Madada) is one of the best in town. You step out of the front door onto the main square.
Overlooking the main squareLa Table by Madada restaurantContemporary roomsBest location in town
Best for: Location and dining
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I stay inside the Essaouira medina or by the beach?
The medina has the most atmosphere — whitewashed walls, narrow lanes, and walking distance to the port and ramparts. Beach hotels are scarcer (there are very few beachfront properties) but offer more space and wind protection. Most visitors stay in the medina: it is compact, charming, and puts you at the heart of Essaouira. The beach is just a 5-minute walk from the medina gate.
How much do hotels in Essaouira cost?
Budget: 150–300 MAD ($15–30)/night. Mid-range: 400–800 MAD ($40–80). Luxury: 1200–2500 MAD ($120–250). Essaouira is cheaper than Marrakech — a beautiful medina riad costs what a basic room costs in Marrakech. The Gnaoua Festival (usually June) and peak summer see higher prices; shoulder seasons are excellent value.
How many nights should I stay in Essaouira?
Two nights is ideal — enough to explore the medina, eat seafood at the port, walk the beach, and catch a sunset from the ramparts. One night works as a Marrakech day-trip extension. Three nights if you want to surf, take a cooking class, or day-trip to the argan cooperatives in the hinterland.