Essentials
- City
- Essaouira, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco
- Population
- Approximately 80,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber available in many Riads: 50-100 Mbps; 4G speeds around 30 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Moroccan Dirham (MAD). 1 USD ≈ 10.10 MAD, 1 EUR ≈ 10.95 MAD
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; use bottled water like Sidi Ali (6 MAD for 1.5L)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Maroc Telecom (best coverage) or Inwi. 10GB data costs approx. 100 MAD
- Banking for Expats
- Attijariwafa Bank or BMCE. Revolut/Wise work at most ATMs (Al Barid Bank has low fees)
- Accommodation
- Traditional Riads in the Medina or modern apartments in Ghazoua and Al-Kasbah
- Cashless Friendly
- Low; most local shops and markets are cash-only. Upscale hotels/restaurants accept cards
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; Expect 400-800 MAD per night for a quality Riad room
- Budget Accommodation
- The Chill Silo or Essaouira Beach Hostel (approx. 120-150 MAD/night for a dorm)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The Medina (historic center) or the Beachfront (Boulevard Mohammed V)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- The Medina for atmosphere, or Ghazoua (8km out) for quiet villas and better parking
Other Services and Amenities
- Community Centers
- Association Bayti (focuses on youth and local community support)
- Gaming Lounges
- Local 'Teleboutiques' and small gaming cafes in the New Town
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (nearest in Agadir or Marrakesh)
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex or DHL (located near the bus station)
- Tech Repair Services
- Cyber shops in Petit Quartier for basic mobile and laptop repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Movenpick Resort (accessible with a day pass)
- Language Classes
- Centre de Langues Essaouira - Moroccan Darija and French
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque de l'Institut Français
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 15,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 600,000 MAD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 9,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 360,000 MAD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 14,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 840,000 MAD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 8,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 510,000 MAD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 13,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,040,000 MAD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 7,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 600,000 MAD)
- Corporate Tax
- Progressive rates from 10% to 31% (standard for many SMEs is 20%)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Residents are taxed on worldwide income; non-residents on Moroccan-sourced income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 38% for income over 180,000 MAD
- VAT
- 20% standard rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Morocco has anti-avoidance legislation
- Property Tax
- Taxe d’habitation and Taxe de services communaux (based on rental value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 6% (Registration duty) + 1.5% (Conservation/Land registry)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific '0%' nomad visa yet, but Auto-Entrepreneur scheme offers 0.5%-1% turnover tax
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No Mad (Medina) - 150 MAD/day; includes high-speed fiber and community events
- Best Cafe for Work
- Mandala Society (Rue Touahen) - excellent coffee, fast Wi-Fi, and laptop-friendly tables
- Networking Events
- Digital Nomad Essaouira Facebook Group meetups; often held at Taros Rooftop
- Social Events for Expats
- Language exchange at L'Atelier or Sunday brunch at Les Jardins de Villa Maroc
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use 'Petit Taxis' (Blue). Flat rate 7-10 MAD within the city
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Palma Quad or local shops near the beach; approx. 150 MAD/day for a scooter
- Best Beach Nearby
- Sidi Kaouki (25km south) - world-class surfing and wide sandy beaches
- Top Regional Airline
- Royal Air Maroc (Connects via Casablanca)
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair and Transavia (Direct flights from London, Paris, Brussels)
- Highway Access
- National Route N1 connects to Agadir; R207 connects to Marrakesh (3 hours)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Supratours Bus Station (near Bab Mouchtar) - connects to Marrakesh train station
- Public Transport Passes
- No city-wide pass; pay-as-you-go for local buses and shared 'Grand Taxis'
- Regional Travel
- Supratours or CTM buses to Marrakesh (100 MAD) or Agadir (70 MAD)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hôpital Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah (Public) or Clinique de la Plage (Private)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Sidi Kaouki Surf Station Yoga or M Ocean (Beachfront) - 150 MAD/session
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Jim Essaouira (Avenue Aqaba) - basic equipment, approx. 300 MAD/month
- Laundry Services
- Pressing Al-Mostaqbal in the Medina; approx. 20-30 MAD for a 5kg load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo (Service is limited compared to Marrakesh, but growing)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fresh Grilled Sardines at the Port Stalls (approx. 50 MAD for a meal)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Shabby Chic (Medina) - healthy bowls and vegetarian-friendly Moroccan fusion
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie Driss (since 1928) - legendary almond pastries and Mille-feuille
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- The Sunday Souk (Had Draa) for produce; local Medina markets for daily spices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia.ma (National delivery for electronics and household goods)
- Grocery Delivery
- Glovo or local Epiceries (small shops) that deliver via WhatsApp
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Taros (Place Moulay Hassan) or Beach and Friends for sunset cocktails
- Local Brewery
- Casablanca Beer (National brand) widely served in licensed bars
- Wine Bars
- La Fromagerie (15 mins outside city) - incredible wine and cheese pairings
- Street Food Stalls
- The 'Msemmen' stalls near Bab Doukkala (10 MAD for stuffed Moroccan pancakes)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Silvestro (Italian) - authentic wood-fired pizzas and pasta
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Skala de la Ville - historic sea bastions and cannons
- Museums & Art Venues
- Bayt Dakira (House of Memory) - Jewish-Moroccan heritage museum
- Historical Sites
- The Mellah (Old Jewish Quarter) and the Portuguese Ramparts
- Religious Sites
- Mosque Ben Youssef; Jewish Cemetery
- Annual Events
- Gnaoua World Music Festival (June) - world-renowned spiritual music event
- Cultural Districts
- The Kasbah (The upscale administrative and artisan quarter)
- Theater Venues
- Institut Français Essaouira (hosts films, plays, and talks)
- Local Markets
- Fish Market (for lunch) and the Spice Souk in the Medina
- Music Scene
- Live Gnaoua music at Café d'Horloge
- Street Art
- Vibrant murals primarily found in the New Town and alleyways of the Medina
- Cooking Classes
- L'Atelier Madada - classes including market tour (starts at 500 MAD)
- Art Galleries
- Galerie Damgaard - showcasing local 'Singular' Essaouira artists
- Historic Buildings
- Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum (housed in a 19th-century mansion)
- Local Heritage
- Thuya wood carving - local craft unique to this region
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Mogador Island (accessible by boat for birdwatching and views)
- National Parks Nearby
- Souss-Massa National Park (approx. 3 hours south)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Beach walk from the Port to the Diabat sand dunes (approx. 6km)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Rooftop of Chalet de la Plage - perfect view of the bay and Purpuraires Islands
- Birdwatching Locations
- Oued Ksob river mouth - habitat for Eleonora's falcons
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Sidi Kaouki beach (check local conditions and wind)