Things to Do in Essaouira With Kids

You’ll find Essaouira absolutely perfect for families, and I’m thrilled to show you why this breezy Atlantic coastal town beats crowded Marrakech when you’re travelling with little ones.

The UNESCO-listed medina welcomes prams on flat, manageable lanes, the beach stretches for two kilometres of soft sand and gentle waves, and yes, you can even find nappies at the local supermarket without any fuss.

But the real magic starts when your kids discover what’s waiting at the ramparts, the fishing port at dawn, and those magnificent sunset camels.

Give Kids a Shopping List Treasure Hunt in the Medina

How do you turn a maze of ancient market stalls into an unforgettable adventure that’ll keep your little ones engaged and excited?

Hand them a shopping-list treasure hunt through Essaouira’s UNESCO-listed medina!

This late-18th-century grid layout makes navigation wonderfully straightforward, even with energetic kids in tow.

Create a concrete checklist they can actually complete: beaded babouche slippers, a steaming crepe from a vendor’s stall, fresh orange juice, argan oil, and colourful spices.

The beauty here is that sellers aren’t pushy, so your children can practice simple French phrases and handle dirhams while bargaining gently.

The pram-friendly medina and wide promenade mean toddlers can nap comfortably while older siblings tick off items.

Need Pampers or everyday supplies? They’re available throughout the medina and at Carrefour on the main road.

Climb Essaouira’s Ramparts and Cannons With Kids

Scrambling up centuries-old stone fortifications while pretending to be fortress defenders never gets old, and Essaouira’s ramparts deliver exactly that kind of magic for adventure-loving kids.

Access the free ramparts through the stone arch at Rue Skala’s top, where historic cannons become instant climbing frames that young kids adore.

Walking along the wide bastion after turning right rewards families with stunning north-facing views, perfect for memorable family travel photos.

The Skala du Port section, famous as Game of Thrones’ Astapor, features dramatic arches ideal for exploration.

While strolling the medina is pram and buggy friendly, parents leave the buggy behind here due to steps and uneven stones.

Kids will love walking around at sunset when cooler Atlantic breezes arrive, though supervision near low walls remains essential throughout your walled medina adventure.

Watch Fishermen Haul in the Catch at the Fishing Port

Watching genuine working fishermen haul in their daily catch transforms an ordinary morning into an unforgettable sensory adventure that your kids will talk about for years.

Head to Bab El Marsa, Essaouira’s active fishing port, around 7 AM when small boats crowd the harbour, and crews unload nets bulging with sardines, octopus, crab, and sole.

The morning market on the quay buzzes with activity as fishermen gut fish, mend nets, and prepare boats for the next voyage, creating brilliant photo opportunities your children will find fascinating.

You’ll love the authentic atmosphere, even if the fish smells are strong!

Purchase fresh fish directly from the stalls, then take your selection to nearby open-air BBQ restaurants where cooks grill it immediately, a delicious, interactive lunch your family won’t forget.

Play on Essaouira Beach: Trampolines, Paddling and Playgrounds

Stretching two glorious kilometres along the Atlantic, Essaouira’s main beach delivers everything families need for a perfect seaside day, soft sand for castle construction, shallow paddling zones where toddlers can splash safely, and a brilliant concrete playground mid-beach that includes bouncy trampolines for just 10 dirhams per child.

You’ll love how pram-friendly the wide promenade is, letting you roll easily between play spots and cafés without wrestling wheels through deep sand.

Rent sun loungers near the medina end for 25 dirhams each to create your family base camp, perfect for supervising paddling sessions in the shallow water.

The central stretch remains beautifully calm for sandcastle building, while livelier activities: camels, quad bikes, surf schools, cluster at the far end, keeping your little ones’ beach time peaceful and family-friendly.

Book Surf Lessons Kids Can Actually Handle (Ages 6+)

Introducing your adventurous six-year-old to surfing in Essaouira is genuinely thrilling, and the town’s kid-focused surf school options like Moga Surf make it wonderfully achievable even for absolute beginners who’ve never touched a board.

These schools supply wetsuits and helmets, so you won’t haul gear across Morocco, and their English-speaking instructors run small supervised groups that teach water safety, paddling technique and standing drills tailored perfectly for young learners.

Request lessons at Sidi Kaouki, south of town, for gentler beginner waves rather than the windier city-centre beach, especially when strong winds blow.

Look for schools offering pickup and drop-off from your riad and 1–2 hour sessions, many kids stand on their boards by lesson’s end!

Always confirm child-to-instructor ratios and tide/time recommendations when booking to ensure safer, flatter conditions.

Ride Camels on Essaouira Beach at Sunset

As the late afternoon light turns golden over the Atlantic, climbing onto a patient camel at Essaouira’s southern beach offers families an unforgettable way to explore the coastline while tiny adventurers giggle from their swaying perches high above the sand.

Head to the far end of Essaouira Beach toward Diabat, where experienced handlers help all family members mount safely, and camel rides range from quick 10-minute jaunts to longer sunset rides along the beach.

You’ll catch stunning Atlantic Ocean views, perfect for photos, as your caravan plods gently across wet sand.

Book a walk-up at the end of Essaouira Beach or arrange through your riad in advance, confirming weight limits and tide times.

Many operators welcome families with non-experienced riders, and some extended treks include mint tea stops, making this a wonderfully gentle adventure.

Take a Quad Biking Day Trip to Diabat Dunes

Revving your engine across the rolling Diabat dunes transforms a typical beach day into an adrenaline-pumping family expedition, and the brilliant news is that even younger children can join the adventure on two-seater quads alongside a parent.

When you head south from the coastal town of Essaouira, you’ll reach these magnificent sand dunes in just 20–30 minutes, making them perfect for day trips from Essaouira.

Discuss with the operator to provide helmets, windbreakers, and thorough safety briefings before you explore this buggy-friendly town’s stunning terrain.

You can choose short 1–2 hour beach loops or full-day excursions through argan forests and Berber villages, keeping them entertained with photo stops along the windy beach.

Solo quad bike riders typically need to be 13+, though this play area welcomes families riding together.

Eat Street Snacks, Crepes and Fresh Juice in the Medina

Wandering the narrow lanes of Essaouira’s medina with hungry kids becomes an adventure in itself when you discover the treasure trove of street snacks, golden crepes, and freshly squeezed juices waiting around every corner.

You’ll find crepe stalls everywhere, with Jooba Crepes drawing the longest queues for their Nutella and Biscoff toppings that kids absolutely devour.

Fresh orange juice stalls by the port entrance serve chilled, made-to-order cups that become instant favourites.

French patisseries dotted around offer familiar cakes if your children need something comforting, while little stalls sell tajines, shawarma, and sweet bread perfect for on-the-go exploring.

Just remember, pancakes and crepes at cafés require a 20-minute wait, so ordering ahead keeps everyone happy while you continue your medina discovery.

Where to Buy Nappies and Baby Essentials in Essaouira

Running out of nappies while exploring Morocco’s breezy coastal gem doesn’t have to send you into a panic, because Essaouira makes it wonderfully easy for travelling families to stock up on everything your little one needs.

You’ll find Pampers readily available at small shops throughout the Essaouira medina, perfect for quick purchases while wandering the souks.

For a comprehensive selection, head to the large supermarket on the main road into town, where you’ll find absolutely everything from formula and wipes to baby food and larger nappies.

This large French supermarket chain is particularly handy when your little one is napping, giving you time to restock.

Taxis cost just 8 DH, and local pharmacies scattered around the medina offer infant formula and creams for last-minute needs too.

Final Words

You’ll find Essaouira perfectly suited for families, with safe medina exploring, ocean breezes that keep everyone comfortable, and activities that truly work for different ages.

Your little ones can hunt treasures in the souks, splash in gentle Atlantic waves, and ride camels while the sun sets over the beach.

Pack your sense of adventure, bring sunscreen and comfortable shoes, and prepare for sticky fingers from crepes, sandy toes from beach play, and memories you’ll treasure forever.