Car Rental in Essaouira

Why rent a car in Essaouira?

Essaouira is a fascinating place to explore. Once the preferred holiday destination of Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens, the city has developed a lot over the last few decades, but it’s medina, coastline, and distinct atmosphere continue to attract visitors to this day. After seeing Essaouira, you can explore Morocco’s shoreline by going up or down the coast or travel inland to Marrakesh and perhaps even as far as the Sahara. 

Top ways to enter Essaouira

• Essaouira Airport: Also known as Essaouira-Mogador, this small airport is served by five airlines, although only two (Transavia and Royal Air Maroc) offer flights year-round. In addition to domestic connections, the airport also hosts flights to and from France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Located 17 km (11 miles) southeast of the city center, Essaouira Airport can be reached in about 20 minutes.
• Marrakesh Airport: With an increase of 20% from the year before, Marrakesh Menara Airport served more than five million travelers for the first time in its history in 2018. The airport offers flights to a number of European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. Located 184 km (114 miles) east of Essaouira, the airport can be reached in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Agadir Airport: Also known as Al Massira Airport, it handled almost two million travelers in 2018. The airport is handled by around 20 different airlines, including low-cost airlines like Condor, Ryanair, and easyJet. Located 200 km (125 miles) south of Essaouira, Agadir Airport can be reached in about three hours with a good portion of the road taking you right along the Atlantic coast.
• Casablanca Airport: By far the largest in Morocco, Casablanca Mohammed V Airport is also among the ten busiest in all of Africa. A large base for Royal Air Maroc and Air Arabia, it hosts many flights to and from destinations in North and Sub-Saharan Africa as well as Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Casablanca Airport is 380 km (236 miles) north of Essaouira and can be reached in about four hours.
• Rabat–Salé Airport: Serving the capital city region of Morocco, Rabat-Salé Airport handled almost one million travelers in 2018. The airport is served by nine different airlines offering flights to destinations like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Belgium, Italy, and many others. The airport is 480 km (298 miles) north of Essaouira and can be reached in just over five hours.

City facts

• Essaouira has a semi-arid climate with Mediterranean influences. Temperature differences are very low between the seasons - the average high temperature is 22°C  (72°F) in September, the warmest month, and 18°C  (65°F) in January, the coolest. There is almost no precipitation from mid-May all the way to September, but Essaouira is quite rainy from November to January. 
• As elsewhere in Morocco, the local population is divided rather evenly between Arab and Berber speakers. Knowledge of French is very high among the local population, and languages like English and Spanish are also much spoken among the people working in the tourism and service industries. Essaouira used to have a large Sephardic Jewish community, but almost all of them have emigrated during the last century. However, some Jewish architecture survives in the city to this day.

Top sights and activities

• Essaouira Citadel. Located by the harbor, the Citadel is one of Essaouira’s symbols - if you’ve ever seen a photograph or a postcard of this city, it probably featured that impressive building. Visitors are allowed to access the top of Citadel from where you can enjoy beautiful views of the nearby Medina to one side and the ocean to the other.
• Essaouira Medina. No Moroccan city is complete without its old town or medina, but the one in Essaouira is among the most beautiful. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is made up of wide main pathways, narrow side streets, and countless doors and window frames painted in the distinct blue that Essaouira is famous for. During the day, life is brimming here as the area is full of restaurants and market stalls - but try to also visit the Medina after dark when its unique atmosphere can be appreciated even more.
• The beach. In addition to architecture and cuisine, Essaouira also boasts a beautiful coastline that stretches for kilometers. Although the city is very windy and a little cooler than beach destinations in Southern Morocco, Essaouira Beach is still a great place to make local friends, take long walks, or observe the blue boats of fishermen. A number of nearby beach spots, like Cape Sim and Sidi Kaouki, can also be reached by a rental car. Essaouira offers great surfing opportunities, along with kitesurfing, though the strong winds means it is not the best place for beginners.
• Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum. Named after a sultan who resided in Essaouira, this museum is dedicated to the rich and varied history of the city. Essaouira has been inhabited by Carthaginians, Romans, and ancient Berber dynasties, and the museum has vases, coins, artworks, weapons, and other artifacts left by these impressive civilizations.
• Diabat. It has not been proved that the village of Diabat was the favorite spot of Jimi Hendrix when the legendary rock star spent his time in the area, but that has not stopped the locals from claiming it — there is even a Hendrix Café (though the most interesting landmark of Diabat is arguably its abandoned fort). Beginning where the southern beaches of Essaouira end, Diabat is within walking distance; if you prefer to drive, that’ll take about ten minutes from the city center.
• The Fishing Port of Essaouira. The port was the country's main fishing port during the 1900s and is nowadays a photogenic spot to see the fishermen unload their catch of the day and sell it to the locals.

Traffic and parking

• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 120 km/h on highways (autoroutes), 100 km/h on roads outside urban cities that are not highways, and 60 km/h within populated areas.
• In some big cities and most smaller towns and villages, there are no special lanes for cyclists or sometimes even sidewalks for pedestrians. In those cases, you’ll be sharing the road with them, so be extra careful.
• Road signs are written in both Arabic and French. If you don’t know either of these languages, it’s good to learn at least basic terms in one of them before renting a car.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.00% for both experienced and novice drivers. Drunk driving can lead to large fines and even jail time or deportation.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation need to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The nation-wide emergency police number is 19 and the nation-wide ambulance and fire safety department number is 15.
• Parking within the center of Essaouira is not allowed. You can find parking outside the city's walls.

Toll roads

A toll needs to be paid for using most of Morocco’s highways or autoroutes. All of the toll roads in Morocco are administered by the state-owned company Autoroutes du Maroc (ADM). 

Morocco uses a “closed system” for its toll roads, meaning that there is a toll booth both at the entrance and the exit of the toll road. You pay either by cash or by credit card (although some toll points might only accept cash, so it’s good to have some available at all times). Make sure to keep proof that you have paid for the toll road as police checks are frequent and fines can be hefty. The prices for using the toll roads are generally quite low.

Most of the toll roads connect the largest cities of the country. Oftentimes you can opt to use regional roads instead - while traveling along those will be much slower, the views are usually much more scenic.

Ideas for day trips

• Marrakesh. According to many travelers, Marrakesh is the most impressive city in all of North Africa. Its large main area, or Djemaa el-Fnaa, is a place that never sleeps. The central square is full of singers, drummers, snake charmers, and craftsmen, while the backstreets are a mazy labyrinth of shops and guesthouses that seem to have changed little over the last few centuries. Outside Djemaa el-Fnaa, travelers love to visit the city's many impressive mosques and beautiful Majorelle Gardens. Located 190 km (119 miles) east of Essaouira, Marrakesh can be reached in about 2 hours and 40 minutes. 
• Taghazout. A tiny, but beautiful coastal town, Taghazout is one of the most relaxing places in all of Morocco. The weather is good for surfing year-round, the city is full of little cafes and local restaurants, and it’s very easy to find a room for rent that has both a mountain view and an ocean view. Located 150 km (93 miles) south of Essaouira, Taghazout can be reached in 2 hours and 40 minutes with most of the road going right along the Atlantic coast.
• Agadir. A large coastal city just south of Taghazout, Agadir is mainly known for the many beautiful beaches that surround it. But there are interesting attractions inside the city, too, including the Municipal Museum that has a great collection of traditional Berber musical instruments and the impressive Agadir Fortress. With a rental car, you can also easily reach the beautiful Paradise Valley, an area of impressive cliffs, canyons, and waterfalls, and Souss-Massa National Park. Located 175 km (109 miles) south of Essaouira, Agadir takes about three hours to reach by car.
• Safi. Similar to Essaouira in some ways, but not as well-known among international travelers, Safi is a quaint and pleasant city to visit. The city is home to well-preserved architecture and interesting historic sites as well as the ‘The Largest Tagine in the World,’ a monument dedicated to the national dish of Morocco which is excellently made by many of Safi’s restaurants. Located just 135km (84 miles) north of Essaouira, Safi takes about two hours to reach.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Essaouira is the Dacia Sandero, closely followed by the Peugeot 208 and Fiat 500. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and standard.

Further destinations

• Rabat. The capital of Morocco is better known for its political importance than touristic delights, but that is a shame as the city has plenty to enjoy. Some of Rabat’s attractions include the Museum of History and Civilizations, the old Oudaias fortress or kasbah with the Andalusian gardens, and the Rabat Medina, UNESCO World Heritage site. Located 450 km (279 miles) north of Essaouira, Rabat can be reached in about five hours; you’ll also pass Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca, on the way.
• High Atlas. This beautiful mountain region is one of the trademarks of Morocco. Best accessed from Marrakesh, its foothills are home to many traditional Berber villages; if you travel higher, you’ll reach the impressive Ourika Valley, the mud-brick city of Aït-Benhaddou, or the Oukaimeden winter sports resort. The latter is 260 km (160 miles) east of Essaouira and can be reached in about four hours.
• Ouarzazate. A small and relaxed city located over 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above sea level, Ouarzazate is located in the southeastern part of the country. The city is famous for its impressive kasbah or fortress, the Museum of Cinema, and the nearby Dadès gorges, but the number one attraction of Ouarzazate is that it can serve as a gateway for the Moroccan Sahara. Located 385 km (239 miles), Ouarzazate can be reached in about 6 hours and 30 minutes.
• El Jadida. A coastal city located roughly halfway between Safi and Casablanca, El Jadida has many beaches that are less built-up and touristic but just as beautiful as those of the more famous coastal towns of Morocco. The number one attraction of El Jadida, however, is Cité Portugaise, its well-preserved Portuguese colonial town which dates back to the 16th century. Located 280km (174 miles) north of Essaouira, El Jadida can be reached in about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
• Casablanca. Distinctly different from all the other large Moroccan cities, Casablanca is a very busy and modern metropolis. While those who most enjoy the historical ambience of Marrakesh and Fez will not find the same thing here, the city has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment and contemporary culture, as well as landmarks such as the King Hassan II Mosque (one of the largest in the world) and the city’s posh waterfront. From Essaouira, a car trip takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Car rental prices in Essaouira

• Small cars - from $25 per day
• SUVs - from $41 per day
• Large cars - from $38 per day
• Premium cars - from $58 per day
• Station wagons - from $39 per day
• Medium cars - from $29 per day
• Vans - from $41 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are different things you can do in Essaouira to get a great rental car, such as:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Essaouira is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 50% cheaper than the yearly average and 81% cheaper than renting in July.