The salty breeze hits your face the moment you step out of the airport. You’re finally here.
Essaouira waits just twenty minutes away—a dreamy coastal town where the Atlantic crashes against centuries-old ramparts, where blue fishing boats bob in the harbor, and where the pace of life slows to a gentle stroll.
But first, you need to get there.
The journey from Bab Essaouira to Essaouira Airport might seem like a simple transfer. It’s short, sweet, and sets the tone for your entire Moroccan adventure. Whether you’re arriving on a late-night flight or heading home after an unforgettable stay, knowing your options makes all the difference.
I’ve traveled this route more times than I can count. Let me share everything you need to know.
Why Travel from Bab Essaouira to Essaouira Airport?
This isn’t just any airport transfer. It’s your first taste of Moroccan hospitality—or your final farewell to this enchanting corner of the world.
The route connects Essaouira’s historic heart with its modern airport. Bab Essaouira (one of the main gates to the Medina) serves as the perfect starting point. From there, you’ll wind through the city’s outskirts, catch glimpses of the Atlantic, and arrive at one of Morocco’s most charming small airports.
Why Travelers Love This Route
It’s incredibly convenient. The short distance means less time in transit and more time exploring. You can literally go from browsing souk treasures to boarding your flight in under half an hour.
The scenery surprises you. Even this brief journey offers peeks at argan tree groves and coastal views. Keep your camera handy.
Stress-free connections matter. Essaouira’s airport may be small, but it connects to major hubs like Casablanca and international destinations seasonally. A smooth transfer ensures you never feel rushed.
Local drivers add value. The drivers know this road like the back of their hand. They’ll share stories, point out landmarks, and welcome you to their city with genuine warmth.
Travel Options & Pricing: Your Complete Guide
Let’s break down exactly how to get from Bab Essaouira to Essaouira Airport. I’ll cover every option so you can choose what fits your style and budget.
Private Transfer: The Smart Choice
Private transfers are hands-down the most popular option—and for good reason. Search results show these services consistently earn 5-star ratings from travelers .
Price Range: $26–$40 per vehicle (not per person!)
Travel Time: 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic and exact pickup location
Available Vehicles:
- Economy Sedan: Perfect for solo travelers or couples. Comfortable, air-conditioned, and fuel-efficient. Fits 3 passengers with luggage.
- Minibus/Van: Ideal for families or small groups. Accommodates up to 8 people with plenty of space for suitcases.
- Luxury Vehicle: Want to arrive in style? Upgrade to a premium sedan or SUV for that VIP treatment.
- Minivan with Extra Space: Traveling with surfboards or bulky gear? Request a vehicle with additional cargo room.
What’s Included:
- Door-to-door service from your exact location
- Professional, English-speaking driver
- Air conditioning (essential during summer months)
- Bottled water (a nice touch on hot days)
- Flight monitoring—drivers track arrivals and adjust for delays
- 24/7 availability for red-eye flights
Why Choose Private Transfer?
You’re not sharing space with strangers. You set the pace. Need to stop for last-minute souvenirs? Some drivers accommodate reasonable requests. The price stays fixed regardless of traffic or time of day.
Grand Taxi: The Local Experience
Grand taxis are the classic Moroccan way to travel between cities and suburbs. These aging Mercedes sedans pack a cultural punch.
Price Range: 80–120 Moroccan Dirhams ($8–$12) for the whole vehicle, or cheaper if you share
Travel Time: 20–25 minutes
The Deal:
Grand taxis operate on a shared or private basis. You can hire the entire vehicle (recommended for airport runs) or join other passengers heading the same direction.
The Experience:
Expect character. These cars have seen decades of Moroccan roads. Seats may sag, but the drivers? They’re seasoned professionals who know every shortcut.
Pro Tip: Agree on the price BEFORE you load luggage. Confirm it’s for the whole vehicle, not per person. Have small bills ready.
Petit Taxi: City-Only Limitation
Petit taxis serve Essaouira’s city center but cannot legally go to the airport. They’re smaller, cheaper, and painted in distinctive colors (blue in Essaouira).
Can you use one? Technically no—they’re restricted to city limits. Some drivers might bend rules for a negotiated fare, but it’s safer to book a grand taxi or private transfer.
Public Bus: The Budget Adventure
Essaouira actually has a public bus (Route 02) connecting the airport to Bab Doukkala .
Price: Approximately 5 Dirhams ($0.50)
Travel Time: 30–40 minutes
Schedule: Limited frequency, especially on Fridays and Sundays
The Reality Check:
While cheap, the bus isn’t ideal for airport transfers. You’ll walk from the bus stop to your final destination carrying luggage. Schedules don’t always align with flight times. During summer, buses fill quickly.
Best For: Backpackers with minimal luggage, flexible schedules, and a sense of adventure.
Rental Car: Maximum Freedom
Driving yourself gives you flexibility, especially if you’re exploring beyond Essaouira.
Car Rental Companies at the Airport:
- Europcar
- Avis
- Hertz
- Local agencies with competitive rates
Prices: Starting around €25–€35 per day for a small car
Considerations:
Parking in Essaouira’s Medina is impossible—cars cannot enter. You’ll park outside the walls and walk or take a petit taxi with your luggage.
Roads are generally good, but Moroccan driving styles take getting used to. If you’re arriving at night, consider a transfer for your first day, then pick up a rental later.
Best Attractions in Bab Essaouira & The Medina
Bab Essaouira isn’t just a gateway—it’s surrounded by the city’s most captivating sights. Before your airport departure, make time to explore these treasures.
Skala de la Ville
The city’s most iconic landmark. These 18th-century fortifications offer breathtaking ocean views and a glimpse into Essaouira’s strategic importance.
Entry Fee: 70 Dirhams ($7)
Why Go: Game of Thrones fans might recognize this as a filming location for Astapor. The cannons, the sea spray, the endless horizon—it’s pure magic at sunset.
Photography Tip: Arrive late afternoon for golden light. The brass cannons gleam, and the ocean sparkles.
The Medina Walls
UNESCO recognized Essaouira’s Medina as a World Heritage site for good reason. Walk the perimeter and soak in the blend of European and Moroccan architecture.
The walls tell stories of Portuguese occupation, French influence, and Berber resilience. Each tower, each gate has a history.
Place Moulay Hassan
This central square pulses with daily life. Locals gather for coffee. Musicians set up impromptu performances. Horse-drawn carriages wait for tourists.
Don’t Miss: Watch the sunset from a café terrace. Order mint tea and observe the evening parade of families, couples, and friends strolling the square.
The Fishing Port
Wake up early (really early) to witness the fishing fleet return with the night’s catch. The harbor comes alive around 6–7 AM.
Blue boats fill every inch of water. Seagulls scream overhead. Fishermen haul nets, sort catch, and repair equipment. It’s raw, authentic, and utterly photogenic.
Local Secret: Buy fresh sardines directly from boats for a fraction of market prices. If you have kitchen access, you’re in for a treat.
Sqala du Port
Connected to the fishing port, these additional fortifications protected the harbor. Walk along the walls for different perspectives of the city and sea.
Galeries d’Art
Essaouira attracts artists like nowhere else in Morocco. Galleries dot the Medina, showcasing everything from traditional Gnawa art to contemporary installations.
Must-Visit: Galerie Damgaard on Rue Laâlou remains the city’s most prestigious gallery. Frédéric Damgaard championed Essaouira’s art scene for decades.
Synagogue Slat Lkahal
Essaouira once housed a thriving Jewish community. This restored synagogue in the Mellah (Jewish quarter) offers moving insights into that vanished world.
Entry: Free (donations appreciated)
Borj El Barmil
This round tower at the port’s entrance makes for dramatic photos. It’s less crowded than the main Skala and equally beautiful.
Best Restaurants Near Bab Essaouira
Hungry travelers, rejoice. Essaouira’s food scene punches above its weight class.
Taros
Location: Place Moulay Hassan
Cuisine: Moroccan-International fusion
Price: $$-$$$
The rooftop terrace offers the best people-watching in town. Come for sunset, stay for dinner and live music. Their tagines are solid, but the international dishes (pasta, salads) also deliver.
Pro Tip: Reserve a rooftop table at least a day in advance during summer.
Le Chalet de la Plage
Location: Beachfront
Cuisine: Seafood, French
Price: $$$$
This historic beachfront restaurant oozes old-world charm. White tablecloths, attentive service, and exceptional seafood. The lobster thermidor is legendary.
When to Go: Sunday lunch draws fashionable locals and visitors alike. Book ahead.
Salut Maroc
Location: Ramparts near the port
Cuisine: Moroccan, International
Price: $$$
Part hotel, part restaurant, all style. The rooftop dining area features colorful cushions, ocean views, and creative cocktails. Food ranges from excellent tagines to solid burgers.
Best For: Sunset drinks and small plates with friends.
La Table by Madada
Location: Rue Youssef El Fassi
Cuisine: Modern Moroccan
Price: $$$$
Intimate, sophisticated, and utterly delicious. This small restaurant inside Madada Hotel feels like a secret. The tasting menu showcases Moroccan flavors reimagined.
Reservation Essential: Only about eight tables fill quickly.
Restaurant Khmissa
Location: Rue Sidi Magdoul
Cuisine: Traditional Moroccan
Price: $
Want authentic without pretension? Khmissa delivers. Families crowd this unassuming spot for generous portions of tagine, couscous, and pastilla at reasonable prices.
Order: Lamb with prunes and almonds tagine. Thank me later.
Chez Sam
Location: At the port
Cuisine: Seafood
Price: $$$
The most famous restaurant at the port. Chez Sam sits literally on the water—waves lap against the building. It’s touristy but charming. Seafood freshness is guaranteed.
Reality Check: Service can be slow. Embrace it. You’re on vacation.
Café Clock
Location: Rue Skala
Cuisine: Café, Moroccan fusion
Price: $$
Marrakech’s favorite café expanded to Essaouira, and locals couldn’t be happier. Camel burgers (yes, camel) are the signature dish. Cooking classes, storytelling nights, and live music round out the offerings.
Patisserie Driss
Location: Avenue Mohammed V
Cuisine: Moroccan pastries
Price: $
Step into a sugar lover’s paradise. Glass cases overflow with honey-soaked pastries, almond-filled cookies, and flaky briouats. Take a box to go.
Insider Move: Grab coffee and pastries, then walk to the beach for an impromptu picnic.
Best Hotels Near Bab Essaouira
Where to stay? These properties range from budget-friendly to bucket-list luxury.
Luxury Stays
Villa Maroc – The original Essaouira boutique hotel. Housed in connected riads, this property oozes character. Rooftop terrace, sea views, and impeccable service. Rooms from €150.
Heure Bleue Palais – Part of Relais & Châteaux, this palace hotel defines luxury. Spa, pool, multiple restaurants, and rooms that blend Art Deco with Moroccan craftsmanship. From €250.
Madada Hotel – Intimate, stylish, and perfectly located. Only eight rooms, each individually designed. The owners prioritize art and design. From €180.
Mid-Range Gems
Riad Baladin – Family-run, over 250 years old, and full of character . Expect creaky stairs, traditional decor, and warm hospitality. From €80.
Riad Watier – Italian-owned riad with impeccable style. Rooms surround a peaceful courtyard. Breakfast on the terrace is a highlight. From €90.
Riad Inna – Modern and minimalist. White walls, clean lines, and pops of color. The rooftop hot tub seals the deal. From €85.
Budget & Hostels
Moga Hostel – Central, social, and clean. Dorms and private rooms available. Brotherhood Coffee next door makes the city’s best spiced latte . Dorms from €15.
Welkam Inn – Near the bus station and beach. Quiet, comfortable, and popular with digital nomads. Private rooms from €40.
Ocean Vagabond – Part hostel, part surf camp, part beach club. Just south of town, this spot attracts the young and active. Dorms from €20, private rooms from €60.
Best Attractions in Essaouira (Beyond Bab Essaouira)
You’ve got time before your flight? Excellent. Here’s what to add to your list.
Beach Life
[Insert Image: Kitesurfers soaring above waves at Essaouira Beach. Colorful kites against blue sky. Credit: Shutterstock]
Plage d’Essaouira stretches for miles. The wind is constant—hence the city’s reputation among kitesurfers and windsurfers.
Rent Equipment: Several shops along the beach offer rentals and lessons. A two-hour session runs about €35–€50.
Just Want to Relax? Find a spot away from the windiest sections. The southern end near the Sofitel offers more shelter.
Sidi Kaouki
Thirty minutes south of town, this laid-back village attracts surfers and seekers. Smaller, wilder, and utterly relaxing.
Getting There: Grand taxi (about 150 Dirhams one way) or organized tour.
Do: Surf, ride horses on the beach, eat grilled fish, breathe deeply.
Diabat
This village just south of Essaouira holds a special place in music history. Jimi Hendrix supposedly visited in 1969. The “Castle of the Berbers” ruins add mystery.
Getting There: 15-minute taxi ride or 45-minute beach walk at low tide.
Do: Visit the ruins, explore artist studios, imagine Hendrix jamming by the sea.
Quad Biking
The dunes and forests around Essaouira beg for exploration. Several companies offer guided quad tours .
Options:
- 1-hour tours (€35)
- 2-hour adventures (€50–€65)
- Half-day excursions with lunch (€80–€100)
Includes: Free hotel transfers, safety gear, guide.
Horseback Riding
Ride along the beach like a local. Several stables offer guided rides for all skill levels.
Duration: 1–3 hours
Price: €25–€50
Best For: Sunset rides create unforgettable memories.
Argan Oil Cooperatives
Women-run cooperatives produce Morocco’s liquid gold. Visit one to see the process—cracking nuts, grinding paste, extracting oil.
Buy Directly: Prices are fair, quality is guaranteed, and your purchase supports local women.
Location: Several cooperatives line the road to the airport. Ask your driver to stop.
Best Restaurants & Hotels Near Essaouira Airport
If you’re staying near the airport (perhaps for an early flight), here’s where to eat and sleep.
Restaurants Near the Airport
Café Restaurant L’oasis – Basic but convenient. Tagines, grilled meats, and cold drinks. Perfect for a pre-flight meal.
Chez Mimi – Slightly further toward town, this roadside spot serves generous portions. The mixed grill feeds two easily.
Restaurant du Port – Actually at the port, but only 10 minutes from the airport. Worth the short detour for spectacular seafood.
Hotels Near the Airport
Sofitel Essaouira – Five-star luxury 5 minutes from the airport. Pool, spa, golf course, and ocean views. From €200.
Atlas Essaouira – Reliable chain hotel with pool, gardens, and comfortable rooms. About 10 minutes from airport. From €80.
Le Médina Essaouira Hotel – Beachfront property with traditional architecture and modern amenities. From €90.
Pro Travel Tips for Essaouira Airport Transfers
After countless trips along this route, here’s what I want you to know.
Best Times to Book
Book in Advance: Private transfers should be reserved at least 24–48 hours ahead, especially during summer and festival periods.
Peak Season (June–August): Book everything early. Essaouira fills up.
Ramadan: Hours shift. Restaurants close during daylight. Book transfers normally, but expect different traffic patterns near sunset.
Essaouira Airport (ESU) is small but efficient. Here’s what to expect:
Airport Facilities
Size: One terminal. You can’t get lost.
Check-in: Opens 2 hours before flights. For early departures, arrive closer to 3 hours ahead—lines form.
Café: Small café past security serves coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.
Shopping: Limited souvenirs, newspapers, and drinks.
ATMs: Available before security. Get cash here if needed.
WiFi: Free but spotty. Download entertainment beforehand.
Local Customs to Know
Greetings matter. A handshake and “Salam Alaikum” go far. Wait for your driver to initiate the greeting.
Dress modestly at religious sites. Shoulders and knees covered. Women may need scarves for mosque visits.
Photography requires permission. Ask before photographing people, especially in rural areas. Some may decline—respect that.
Tipping is appreciated. For transfers, 10–20 Dirhams ($1–$2) is standard for good service. More for exceptional help with luggage.
Packing Essentials
For the Transfer:
- Passport and flight confirmation easily accessible
- Small bills for tipping (Moroccan Dirhams)
- Phone with driver’s contact saved
For Essaouira Stay:
- Layers! The wind changes everything. Even summer evenings turn cool.
- Closed-toe shoes for Medina walking (cobblestones punish sandals)
- Scarf for sun, wind, and modesty
- Camera with extra battery (you’ll shoot constantly)
- Universal adapter (outlets take European plugs)
Special Offers & Discounts
Watch for seasonal promotions on private transfers. Some providers offer:
- Round-trip discounts (book both ways, save 10–15%)
- Group rates (per vehicle pricing makes 3–4 travelers cheaper per person)
- Extended stay packages (combine transfer with tours)
Book your transfer here and check current offers.
Gnawa Festival: Plan Around Magic
If your visit coincides with the Gnawa World Music Festival (usually June), congratulations—you’ve timed it perfectly.
The city transforms. Musicians from across Morocco and beyond fill every square. Nightly concerts run until dawn. Crowds multiply.
Transfer Impact: Book well in advance. Prices rise. Availability shrinks. Traffic increases around Bab Doukkala and the port.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. This is Essaouira at its most vibrant.
Why Private Transfer Wins Every Time
Let me be direct about this.
take the bus for 5 Dirhams. You could haggle with a grand taxi driver. You could even walk (please don’t—it’s 15 kilometers along a busy road).
But after years of travel writing and countless airport runs, I’ll always recommend a private transfer for this specific route.
Here’s why:
The price difference between a grand taxi and a booked private transfer is negligible—maybe $5–$10. For that tiny premium, you gain:
- Certainty. Your ride waits when you arrive. No haggling, no stress.
- Comfort. Air conditioning, clean seats, space for luggage.
- Safety. Professional drivers, licensed vehicles, tracked bookings.
- Welcome. Your first interaction in Essaouira is positive, warm, and helpful.
For the return trip to the airport? Even more important. Your driver arrives early. You don’t watch the clock nervously. You arrive relaxed, not frazzled.
That’s worth something.
Book Your Essaouira Transfer Today
Ready to experience Essaouira the right way?
Secure your transfer now and start your Moroccan adventure stress-free. Professional drivers, comfortable vehicles, and that famous Moroccan hospitality—all waiting for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Bab Essaouira from the airport?
Approximately 15 kilometers. The drive takes 15–20 minutes.
Is Uber available in Essaouira?
No. Uber doesn’t operate here. Use registered grand taxis or pre-booked private transfers.
Can I walk from the airport to town?
Technically yes, but please don’t. The road lacks sidewalks, traffic moves fast, and it’s 15 km. Take a transfer.
What if my flight is delayed?
Professional transfer services monitor flight times. They adjust pickup automatically. Always provide your flight number when booking.
Are child seats available?
Most private transfer companies can provide car seats with advance notice. Request when booking.
Do drivers speak English?
Many do, especially those working with booking platforms. Even those with limited English are friendly and helpful.
What’s the best currency for tipping?
Moroccan Dirhams. Small bills (10–20 DH) work perfectly. Euros may be accepted but dirhams are preferred.
Safe travels, and enjoy every moment in Morocco’s coolest coastal city.
