Game of Thrones Hunt in Essaouira with Muslimah Travel Buddies [+ KiteSurfing, Riads, Solo Tips & More!]
Sometimes we go for a seaside trip with our MSTravel Buddies too! ;)
![Game of Thrones Hunt in Essaouira with Muslimah Travel Buddies [+ KiteSurfing, Riads, Solo Tips & More!]](https://muslimsolotravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/A_Muslim-friendly_Weekend_Trip_Essaouira_.webp "Game of Thrones Hunt in Essaouira with Muslimah Travel Buddies [+ KiteSurfing, Riads, Solo Tips & More!]")
Want to explore a diverse culture beyond the walls of Essaouira? Join me on my first trip to Mogador Essaouira, a city known for its beautiful scenery and rich history.
This time, I went to Essaouira with my Muslimah Travel Buddies.
As soon as we arrived, we paid for our room, dropped off our luggage, and went out to find a place to eat lunch and discover the city
Because I went to Essaouira from a busy city like Casablanca, I felt a huge difference in the atmosphere. Essaouira has a calm, cozy vibe that offers a more relaxed and laid-back experience compared to bustling cities like Casablanca. If you’re coming from a hectic urban environment, you’ll notice the difference.
Essaouira is the perfect blend of a relaxed lifestyle and water sports. This coastal city invites you on a journey through time. Explore its Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and soak up its unique atmosphere.
Read on to get an overview what Essaouira is like.
Let’s Discover Essaouira, the City of the Game of Thrones Fan
So What is Essaouira Known For? The Old Medina & Surfer’s Weather!
As you may know, most Moroccan cities have their own Medina, but Essaouira’s has a different vibe with more Portuguese influence, especially in the oldest part of town.
We spent most of our time walking along the ramparts of the old Medina, a healing place.
The weather in Essaouira is different, so don’t worry if you visit during the hot season. Even in the hottest months, temperatures only reach up to 24°C (75°F)
MST Crash Course on Essaouira: The city is known for its constant wind making it a Surfer’s Paradise. So it’s advisable to bring a warm piece of clothing like a jacket or sweatshirt. And layer on, as evenings can be cool, even in summer.
Is Essaouira Safe for Muslimah Solo Travelers to visit? + Do You Need A Tour Guide?
I will say yes, there is no need to worry about safety here. You will enjoy being there even if you are alone.
Essaouira is renowned for its incredible level of safety, making it a welcoming destination for Muslimah Solo Travelers. See what the community has said about it ⤵️
And don’t worry about the language barrier. Essaouira is used to tourists from all over the world, so many locals speak English, and some of them speak it very well. Even if you don’t know Moroccan Arabic!
There were times when I went out by myself to buy things, and I never felt unsafe or experienced any harassment, even though I’m not a hijab-wearing girl. I even saw tourist walking around in swimwear with a scarf covering their hips, and no one approached her. Maybe some people looked at her, but no one bothered her.
I also don’t think you will need any tour guide inside the Old Medina. Perhaps outside if you want to discover the surrounding area of Essaouira.
Tours outside of Essaouira’s Medina
Camel Ride on the Beach, Moroccan Cooking Class & So Much More!
As Muslims, we know that Muslimahs wear respectful clothing. So there’s no need to worry as the general consensus in this part of the world is that you would be respected when you cover.
One safety concern that is worth noting is perhaps when walking on cobblestones in the old Medina. Personally haven’t had any issues. I wear sneakers for sightseeing and slippers for casual wear. Avoid flip-flops, as they can be slippery. Regardless, always be cautious when walking on uneven surfaces.
Where to Find the Game of Thrones Scenes filmed in Essaouira?
Besides the seaside, Essaouira is known for the hit Game of Thrones series. Where can you find them? I’ll show you.
1. Sqala of the Port
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Astapor when you visit Essaouira.
The Sqala of the port, where Daenerys Targaryen purchased the Unsullied, and the city’s ramparts were used as the setting for this iconic scene. For a journey into the heart of Westeros, don’t hesitate to visit the Sqala du port.
- Entry tickets range from 70 dh 7$/adult and 30 dh 3$/child
- Location here
- Opening hours: from 9 am to 5 pm
2. Sqala of the Kasbah
The second must-see location for Game of Thrones fans is the Sqala of the Kasbah.
- Admission is free, and it’s open from 9 AM to 7 PM
🤔 So, what is a Sqala in Morocco? This term, which you’ll find in several Moroccan cities, not just Essaouira, refers to a fortress used for military purposes dating back to the 18th century
ESSAOUIRA 1 Day Shared Tour from Marrakech
This tour shows Essaouira as exceptional example of a late 18th-century fortified town listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous for surfing, film sets (Games of Thrones, John Wick) as well as cuisine. Fresh Atlantic fish and seafood at the local restaurants is a must-do when visiting Essaouira.
Did You Know That Essaouira Was Once a Major Center for Morocco’s Jewish Community? ft Bayt Dakira
Many Jews still live there today. While wandering through the Medina, you might spot Hebrew inscriptions. If you have time, I recommend visiting Bayt Dakira(house of memory in Arabic), a place dedicated to preserving the memory of Essaouira’s Jewish community and promoting tolerance.
- Location here,
- Opening hours every day from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM except Saturdays
If You’re a Music lover, Essaouira is Renowned for its Spiritual Gnawa Music Festival & in Their Restaurants!
The city is renowned for its Gnawa Festival, a spiritual music event that’s one of the largest of its kind.
The Gnawa Festival generally takes place in June.
The 2025 edition is scheduled for June 26th to 28th. If you wish to attend, booking your accommodation in advance is highly recommended, as the event attracts many visitors and both tickets and accommodations sell out quickly.
- Suppose you want to visit Essaouira outside of the festival. In that case, it’s best to avoid this period to fully enjoy the city without the tourist crowds
If you want to experience Gnawa music, you can find some restaurants that offer nightly shows. Be sure to make a reservation beforehand.
Most restaurants in Essaouira offer music shows start from 9 PM at night. We wanted to try one but couldn’t because it was full, and we forgot to make a reservation, so it’s worth remembering next time!
To make a reservation, call them using the phone number listed on their social media or Google. If you don’t have a local Moroccan number or if your number doesn’t work in Moroccan territory, be sure to contact them via Instagram or WhatsApp at least one or two days before the date you want to reserve.
MST Tip on Making Reservations in Morocco
Essaouira Cooking Class
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of booking, how about a cooking lesson about Moroccan food in Essaouira instead?
Stay tuned on the website as I will share about the different places where you can eat in Essaouira
As in all Moroccan Cities, The Medina is Full of Mosques!
In this very Kasba mosque that I visited, the spaces reserved for women are usually marked with a sign in Arabic that says ‘women only.’
Make sure to ask someone if you’re unsure, or follow the women who are entering for prayer time.
If you want to learn some Arabic, why not, try to memorize these two words (خاص بالنساء)
- However, it should be noted that these places of worship only open their doors during prayer times.
- Location of Kasba Mosque here
Enjoying The Beach Life at Essaouira
We can’t visit Essaouira without enjoying the beach. It’s located near the old Medina, so you don’t need to take a taxi. You can walk and enjoy the Atlantic waters.
- Plage d’Essaouira location here
Worth Knowing About Shared Taxis in Essaouira
My travel buddies and I decided to take a walk along the Essaouira beach promenade, as we had already visited Sidi Kaouki Beach, a village located about 20 kilometers from Essaouira. To get there, we took a taxi.
The fare was 15 dirhams per person, and the large Moroccan taxis can seat up to six passengers.
Since there were three of us, we had to wait for three more people to fill the shared taxi.
To save time, we ended up paying for the remaining three seats and left immediately. 15dh per person 1,5$ so paid (90dh / 9$)
- Saht BAB DOUKAL taxi location
💡 And don’t hesitate to join the Facebook group Connect with Muslimah Solo Travelers. It’s a great way to find a Muslim friend from another country
Sidi Kaouki – A Famous Surfer’s Spot in Essaouira (Pros & Cons)
Because Sidi Kaouki is a rural area, there were a lot of stray dogs on this beach on my visit. People also brought their own dogs here.
Con: Some of them walk their dogs without leashes, which can be annoying.
Pro: However, Sidi Kaouki beach is very popular with tourists, especially surfers. If you want to try kitesurfing, I can recommend Yalla.surf.kite.
- Lessons starts at 100 dh /10$ per hour, and 150 dh/ 15$ for two hours.
- If you want a personal coach, it’s 250 dh /25$.
- You can find more information on their Instagram page, and they speak English.
Similar Surfing Experiences / Rental in Essaouira
If you’re not into kite surfing, how about these…
P/s: Read this MSTer’s first-time surfing experience in Bali
Bus Trip Back to Essaouira
For the return trip, we took the bus that stopped right in front of the Sidi Kaouki beach parking lot.
The last bus leaves around 7 pm and the ticket costs 8 dh / less than 1$
Is Essaouira Worth Visiting, and How Many Days Should You Spend There?
Yes, Essaouira is definitely worth visiting!
It’s a charming coastal city in Morocco that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. I highly recommend visiting Essaouira if you’re planning a future trip to Morocco. It’s located near Marrakech, so if you want to do a circuit from Marrakech, spending 3 days in Essaouira would be sufficient.
There’s no need to spend the entire week there.
Every weather is a good opportunity to discover Essaouira. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, Essaouira has warm weather all year round. However, I wouldn’t recommend visiting Essaouira during holidays because it can be crowded with people.
How To Travel to Essaouira from Casablanca
To travel to Essaouira, there are two options:
- The first is to take a train to Marrakech and then transfer to a Supratour bus, as there is no train station in Essaouira.
- Alternatively, you can take a direct bus from Casablanca or Rabat.
So we choose the second alternative direct bus from Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco. With my Muslimah travel buddies, we took a CTM bus from the Maarif station at 7:45 AM.
We arrived in Essaouira around 2 PM to fully enjoy the afternoon. The trip takes 6 hours and costs (210 DH / 20$).
Bus Trips to Choose to Essaouira
Marrakesh to Essaouira
Casablanca to EssaouiraWhere Did We Stay in Essaouira? + My Recommendations!
For our stay, we opted for a modest Riad in the heart of the Essaouira Medina. to let us experience the city’s unique vibe, as the Medina is where Essaouira’s rich history comes to life.
🤔 “You might be wondering what a Riad is. It’s a traditional Moroccan townhouse often found in the Medinas of Moroccan cities. Riads typically feature a central courtyard or interior garden, creating a peaceful oasis within the bustling city.
While there are many Riads to choose from online via Booking.com or Hotels.com, we stayed at the budget-friendly Riad(450 DH/$45 per night). Breakfast was an additional (40 DH/$4), but I opted to explore the city’s cafes for their wider variety of breakfast options.
If you book your hotel inside the Medina, all the hotspots of Essaouira are within walking distance. No taxis or cars are allowed inside, so you’ll have to explore on foot!
Popular Riads in Essaouira
Riad in Booking.com
Riads in Hotels.comMy Perfect Short Trip Recharge for This Year
My trip with Muslimah Travel Buddies to Essaouira was fantastic!
I loved it and was not disappointed. It was so healing for me after a month of nonstop work.
I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a relaxing and laid-back getaway. It’s the perfect place to unwind and soak up the carefree atmosphere.
Even if you are solo, you can enjoy your trip to Essaouira because the people are very friendly, and the city is full of tourists. You might even meet new friends from all over the world!
