Ilaria Pelegrini
Essaouira has got to be my new favourite place to stay as a digital nomad. I’ll be honest, when I first got here, I found it a bit too quiet for my liking (I’m more used to fun tropical places or Latin America and Spain). But, as I started making my new habits, finding my regular spots, and meeting my community, it really grew on me. If you’re looking for a chill, affordable town on the coast where you can relax as well as do deep-focus work, Essaouira will soon be your favourite remote work town, too!
Table Of Content
- Ilaria Pelegrini
- Why Essaouira? Reasons To Love Living In Essaouira As A Digital Nomad
- How To Reach Essaouira?
- Where To Stay: In The Medina Or Outside? Different Neighbourhoods And Their Characteristics
- Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Coliving And Coworking Spaces In Essaouira
- WELKAM Home and Coworking
- Noqta Space Coworking and Coliving
- Surfing, Kitesurfing, Wavesurfing And More (from 300MAD pp)
- Horse Riding And Camel Riding On The Beach
- Mint Tea At Sunset (from 5MAD pp)
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class At L’Atelier (600MAD pp)
- Day Trip To Imsouane from Essaouira
- How Much Does Life Cost In Essaouira? Breakdown Of Average Living Costs of Things
- What To Wear In Essaouira? Are Bikinis Ok In Essaouira
- Frequently Asked Questions On The Digital Nomad Life In Essaouira
- Is Essaouira Good For Digital Nomads?
- Is The Wi-Fi In Essaouira Good Enough For Remote Work?
- Is Essaouira Safe For Solo Travellers? And For Female Travellers?
- What’s The Cost Of Living Like?
- Is English Widely Spoken?
- Can I Find Vegetarian Or Vegan Food In Essaouira?
- Is Essaouira The Right Place For Your Digital Nomad Stay?
- Your Travel Resources Handy In One Place 🗺️
- 🧳 Travel Insurance
- 💰Travel Finances
- 🏨 Accommodations
- 🏡 Recommended places for long-term stay
- 🎫 Book tours
- 🚗 Rent a car
- ✈️ Book a flight
- 🛡️ VPN
Why Essaouira? Reasons To Love Living In Essaouira As A Digital Nomad
Essaouira, previously known as Mogador, is a small coastal town in Morocco, about 3 hours West of Marrakesh. It became an important fishing port thanks to the fact that the Alisios, or Trade Winds, constantly blow on its coast, making it easier to sail to and from here since the 5th century BC, when motorboats weren’t an option. Today, Essaouira is known as a surfing spot with a chill vibe, growing in popularity among remote workers and digital nomads.
If you’re planning your next digital nomad adventure, don’t forget to get travel insurance. I always get mine through Safety Wing, which was created especially for digital nomads like me. Insurance coverage for 4 weeks in Morocco costs as little as ~50€!
How To Reach Essaouira?
Whether you are already in Morocco or abroad, Essaouira is just as easily reached from different Moroccan cities by bus, or from other countries by plane. Book your flights on Kiwi.
How to reach Essaouira from abroad? You can fly directly to Essaouira (its international airport, code ESU, is only 15km from the Medina), especially if you’re coming from France, as a few airlines fly there from Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. If there are no direct flights from your country, you can fly to Marrakesh and take a 3-hour bus to Essaouira.
How to reach Essaouira from Marrakesh? There are two bus companies that drive the route from Marrakesh to Essaouira, CMT and Supratours. I took a Supratour bus and had a really smooth experience: the ride cost 100 MAD (10€) one way, the bus was clean, had working A/C, and was perfectly on time. When you arrive in Essouira, just be aware that the CMT station will be a 15-minute walk to the Medina, while Supratours stops just outside the city walls. To reach the bus stations in Marrakesh, download InDrive, the local version of Uber.
How to reach Essaouira from other Moroccan cities? From cities on the coast, like Agadir or Casablanca, you can easily find bus routes and buy tickets on Markoub. If you’re coming from other cities in the interior, you will have to book separate tickets from your city to Marrakesh, and from Marrakesh to Essaouira, or hire a car or driver.
Where To Stay: In The Medina Or Outside? Different Neighbourhoods And Their Characteristics
Essaouira is made up of the old town near the port, with its Medina, and the new part that develops south of the Medina walls. If you are on a tighter budget, enjoy the quiet, or if you’re coming to Essaouira to surf, then I recommend staying outside the Medina. If, on the other hand, you enjoy being right in the middle of where stuff happens and want to shop for souvenirs and visit popular bars and restaurants, the Medina will be your spot!
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Coliving And Coworking Spaces In Essaouira
At the time of writing, there is limited choice when it comes to accommodation that serves digital nomads specifically! Expect to find lots of new places soon, but for now the options are described below.
WELKAM Home and Coworking
This is the place where I stayed during my time in Essaouira. It’s tidy and clean, and the coworking seats about 10 people. It’s worth noting that it’s outside the Medina (about 20 minutes on foot), which means it’s a lot quieter. They offer good deals if you stay longer, so contact them at [email protected] if you’re staying more than 2 weeks for a good discount. Otherwise, find them on Booking.
This is the place where I stayed during my time in Essaouira. It’s tidy and clean, and the coworking seats about 10 people. It’s worth noting that it’s outside the Medina (about 20 minutes on foot), which means it’s a lot quieter. They offer good deals if you stay longer, so contact them at [email protected] if you’re staying more than 2 weeks for a good discount. Otherwise, find them on Booking.
Noqta Space Coworking and Coliving
Tucked within the breezy coastal medina of Essaouira, Noqta Space is a gem for digital nomads looking to blend productivity with Moroccan soul. This boutique coliving and coworking riad offers a serene escape from the chaos of big-city hubs, while still keeping you plugged into a creative and connected community.
Noqta Space is an old Moroccan riad tastefully transformed into a multifunctional work-live space. The interior blends traditional craftsmanship with minimal design, and the Wi-Fi is strong enough to handle calls and uploads from the plant-filled rooftop terrace. Whether you want a quiet desk for deep work, or to network over mint tea in the common lounge, the space adapts to your rhythm.
For those staying longer, Noqta also offers private coliving rooms with desks, private bathrooms, and access to shared spaces like the kitchen, rooftop, and library nook. The vibe is laid-back and homey, but still focused — perfect for remote workers, freelancers, and creatives who want to get things done without losing the magic of travel.
What really sets Noqta apart is its location and atmosphere. Just steps from Essaouira’s markets, cafés, and windswept beaches, it’s easy to unplug after a work sprint. The hosts have created a place that feels personal, community-oriented, and thoughtfully curated — a home for nomads who value both quiet focus and spontaneous connection.
Surfing, Kitesurfing, Wavesurfing And More (from 300MAD pp)
Essaouira is VERY windy. During my time there, there were only one or two days where I could hang out on the beach and not eat sand. That’s because this part of the Moroccan coast is hit by the Alisios winds, or Trade Winds, which are constant throughout the year in intensity and direction. It makes for a great spot if you’re interested in all the various beach sports, and in particular kite surfing. You will find plenty of surf houses along the beach, outside the Medina. A perfect mix of remote work and sports! Don;t forget to buy travel insurance that covers Adventure Sports, too – check out Safety Wing, which was created specifically for digital nomads!
Horse Riding And Camel Riding On The Beach
If you’re a seasoned digital nomad and traveller, you know that animal riding is a controversial choice. I personally avoid these kinds of activities as I don’t want to encourage this type of animal (ab)use, but in all fairness, I’ve seen that people cared quite well for these horses and camels, feeding them, playing with them and giving them water. They all hang out towards the end of the beach, from mid-morning until after sunset. As I did not engage in this activity, I’m unsure about the price.
Mint Tea At Sunset (from 5MAD pp)
One of my favourite activities – because it’s spiritually beautiful and almost free – is sunset watching, and in Essaouira it’s even more special because the city faces west, so the sun sets into the ocean waves every evening. My favourite spots to watch the sun set are the main square in the Medina, marked as Sunset Port on Google Maps, or Ocean Vagabond, about a 30-minute walk south, if you’re staying at one of the surf houses. Another spot worth mentioning is the beautiful Salut Maroc, a colourful tiled terrace in the Medina, however, I personally found it to be quite posh for the context. Sunset watching is a lovely way to end the day outdoors after working from your laptop!
Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class At L’Atelier (600MAD pp)
Morocco is very famous for its delicious food: from the famous couscous and tagine, to the pastilla and almond paste sweets. Walking around the Medina I stumbled upon L’Atelier, a beautiful space that hosts both a charming concept store and the most beautiful cooking school – I definitely took inspo pictures for my kitchen (for the day I stop being a nomad). The class includes food making (obviously), a souk tour to learn more about the spices, and lunch, where you eat what you made. The class is led by local Chefs, so you’re sure to make something authentic!
The menu for my cooking class was carrots with charmoula and the typical chicken tagine with olive and preserved lemon. The first person to book for a date will have the opportunity to choose the menu, so the sooner you book, the better! They can accommodate vegetarians. The best way to request information and book your cooking class is to send a message to Maryam on +212700189017
Day Trip To Imsouane from Essaouira
I loved visiting the nearby surf town Imsouane! I absolutely recommend going on a day trip or spending at least one night in this small, quirky village on a cliff. The views are spectacular, and the sea water is clear which means swimming is in order! Take a look at my article with all the details you need to plan your trip to Imsouane from Essaouira. (add link to this article)
How Much Does Life Cost In Essaouira? Breakdown Of Average Living Costs of Things
I noticed that in Essaouira, especially outside the medina, Moroccans tend to charge you the same price they charge locals, or maybe simply round up to the next decimal, which makes for a less stressful stay. I, at least, got extremely stressed when I visited other cities in Morocco or other countries where haggling is the norm – which I’m not used to – so I found this aspect here to be extremely refreshing. Some sample prices for everyday items:
- Accommodation: starting from 100 MAD per night
- Mint bunch (to make tea): 1 MAD
- Eggs: 6 eggs for 6 MAD
- Bread and pastries: 1-2 MAD per piece
- Taxi ride: 7 MAD to and from the Medina (fixed price, don’t fall for paying more!)
- Tajine: 35-90 MAD depending on the place and if vegetarian or with meat
- Mint tea: 5-20 MAD
In June 2025, 1€ = ~10 MAD.
What To Wear In Essaouira? Are Bikinis Ok In Essaouira
Morocco is a predominantly muslim country, so attire, especially for women, is something you should pay attention to when planning your trip to Essaouira. While it’s definitely not illegal to wear tight clothes or shorts, and many Moroccan women choose not to wear a veil, it is still a respectful choice to dress like the locals. It is ok to wear bikinis on the beach and shorts or tops in the city, but, as a solo female traveller, I chose the safe option and wore modest clothes (loose-fitting linen pants and shirts) and a one-piece swimsuit. On the one hand, it’s not that hot because of the wind, and on the other hand, if you wear revealing clothes, you WILL be subject to unwanted stares and attention.
Frequently Asked Questions On The Digital Nomad Life In Essaouira
Is Essaouira Good For Digital Nomads?
Essaouira is perfect for digital nomads and remote workers, as it is a small coastal town served by a few co-working spaces and coliving homes. Beyond work, you can enjoy quiet walks along the beach, drink a mint tea watching the sunset, as well as take part in water sports
Is The Wi-Fi In Essaouira Good Enough For Remote Work?
Internet connection is pretty strong in all of Morocco. In Essaouira, I stayed at WELKAM Home and Coworking where I had perfect connection at all times. Other places where you have reliable internet for remote workers are Noqta Coworking and L’Atelier Café. If you need an e-SIM, get one on Airalo before you take your plane and activate once you land in Morocco!
Is Essaouira Safe For Solo Travellers? And For Female Travellers?
As a solo female traveller, I personally felt very safe at all times in Essaouira. I recommend wearing modest clothes if safety is a concern, as revealing clothes will get unwanted stares from men – while still being safe, it can be uncomfortable. If you need digital nomad travel insurance, check out Safety Wing!
What’s The Cost Of Living Like?
Compared to Europe or to Marrakesh, Essaouira is still very affordable for digital nomads who earn in Europe or North America. A meal costs 40-100 MAD, tea less than 20MAD, and accommodation as low as 100 MAD per night.
Is English Widely Spoken?
Not so much if you’re out and about. French and Arabic tend to be the most widely spoken languages, but Moroccans in Essaouira tend to really try and make an effort to understand if you speak broken French, so I encourage you to practice – it will make a massive difference in how you’re treated!
Can I Find Vegetarian Or Vegan Food In Essaouira?
Yes! As I was told by Maryam during my Moroccan cooking class at L’Atelier, meat is often reserved for the holidays and not an everyday meal, so pretty much every restaurant has vegetarian tagine and cous cous on the menu.
Is Essaouira The Right Place For Your Digital Nomad Stay?
If you’re looking for an affordable and relaxing stay to do some deep-focus work, Essaouira should absolutely be on the table. With its long beach, lovely sunsets, and exciting water sports, it’s a growing digital nomad hub in Morocco.
Your Travel Resources Handy In One Place 🗺️
🧳 Travel Insurance
Enjoy peace of mind during traveling and don’t leave your country without good travel insurance. We recommend Insured Nomads or Genki for international travel insurance.
💰Travel Finances
Get your travel finances smart and straight with Wise or Revolut.
🏨 Accommodations
For a short stay check out Booking or Agoda. Staying longer? Take a look at the offers at Airbnb. Hostels are the cheapest option that you can explore at Hostelworld.
🏡 Recommended places for long-term stay
Wanna know the accommodations where we lived during our digital nomad journey? Check out the places we enjoyed the most!
🎫 Book tours
Are you up for taking part in epic guided tours? Book ones you like using GetYourGuide or Viator.
🚗 Rent a car
To find great rental car deals check out Rental Cars and get ready for your car trip!
✈️ Book a flight
For the hottest deals check out Skyscanner, Kayak, Google Flights or WayAway.
🛡️ VPN
To stay safely connected while traveling, don’t forget about a good VPN. We recommend Surfshark or NordVPN.
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Thank you for sharing! Nice article.
Thank you for sharing! Nice article.