Travel Answers

HELLO, I plan to attend this end of June's Gnawa Festival in Essaouira and I have some ardent questions, if anyone could help please.
1. I shall be mostly alone as a woman and planning to stay at Ryad Malaika. How safe is that? Concerts will finish late at night, so how could I come back to my ryad?
2. Any new impressions about Ryad Malaika?
3. How is the weather, generally, during the day and during the evenings, end of JUne?(20th)?
4. Which flight plan would be more convenient: to fly to Marrakesh, or to casablanca?
I would gladly spend a night in Marrakesh too...
5. How is the Festival public? mostly local? baba-cool from all over the planet? late hippies? (too) excited youngsters?
many thanks for your help!

Any nice bars to relax over a few drinks after dinner?

Guys I know this is crazy, but is there anywhere in or around Essaouira where I might find some gluten free ingredients. I don't expect Planet Organic or Wholefoods Market, but maybe somewhere that sells, you know, that kind of thing. Also somewhere that sells those immersion boilers for perhaps concocting some kind of gruel in our room.

A bakery that produces some non-wheat bread would be cool too!

BecauSe we are staying for so long, The Atlas have given us their biggest room, easily big enough to accommodate a family of six, and that's just in the bed!

Seriously, any assistance with this would be gravely appreciated.

Can anyone recommend a a bar overlooking the water? We are 3 female and 1 male in late 20's and early 30's, so we are looking for a place that will be welcoming to and respectful toward women and tourists. We would love to meet and chat with other travelers and locals, however, we absolutely do not want to deal with any propositions for sex or to buy drugs. I hope this isn't asking for too much. Thank you to any replies.

I am traveling to Essaoura in a few weeks with my girlfriend who has limited mobility. She can walk up to about 300 metres. We will be taking her wheelchair with us.

I see from google maps that our hotel, The Atlas, is about 400 metres from the old port. My question is this: when we visit the medina, for restaurants and shopping trips, will I be able to navigate the narrow streets with the wheelchair?

Obviouly, I don't expect the medina to be fully wheelchair accessible, I just need some information on local conditions and how much of a challenge they may present.

Hi, I am considering buying an apartment inshallah in either Essaouira or Marrakech. If both apartments are the same price, which would be the better long term investment and where would you rather live and why? salaaams

Hello All, I'll be going to my first Gnaoua Festival this June. Noticed there is a pass that can be purchased, some free concerts and some entrance fees on the website: http://www.festival-gnaoua.net/en/ My French is minimal at best. Any idea if I should get the pass or just pay entrance fees as I go? I'm not sure what it covers. Back to Morocco! :) ~Deneen

Husband and I are travelling from Marrakech for a 5 night stay. We really do just want to chill out and Essaouira seems like the perfect mix of some sightseeing and then watching the sights. Can anyone give advice of where we could go for some maassages/spa type places (and not necessarily the big hotels) along with prices we'd expect to pay. As for watching the world go by, are there street/beach cafes/bars where we can sit with a bottle of wine? Again, what sort of prices do you pay for this? First visit to Morocco so have absolutely no idea what to expect! But really really looking forward to it!

Hi just arrived today and saw a poster for a week-long magic festival in the town. Bit of googling has suggested today there is a close up magic show this afternoon (but also states 'pass only'?) and another event tonight at 8.00pm at 'dar chebab' - does anyone know where/if I can tickets to any of these events (and how much they are? where Dar Chebab is? any other information about this festival in english? Thanks Richard

Does anyone have any information about this festival? I can only find last years programme!

I am visiting Essaouira next week and would be interested to know if it is generally safe to eat in the restaurants and cafes there. I do know the basic food hygiene rules but on this trip it is particularly important that we don't get ill. Is there anywhere your would particularly recommend or suggest that we avoid? Also, is there anywhere there where we can buy good, safe food for a picnic? Finally, is bottled water readily available? Many thanks

Hi! We are going to spend dec 17-25 in Marocco and mainly the city Essaouira as we have heard good things about the place, and that it's nice for someone like us who wishes to have a relaxing break from the winter and holidays in Sweden. We are looking for hostels and places to stay but don't feel like pre-booking the whole week, instead maybe just the first 2-3 days and then hope to meet people and find nice places to visit and stay at. 1. Is this a good idea? Does anyone know if the hostels are crowded in Essaouria over christmas? Any hostel you would like to recommend? 2. We are both musicians and would love to get in contact with and hear some gnawa musicians/music, where should we go look? 3. We are flying to and from Agadir, any tips on where to stay, or what to do in case we choose to stay there 1-2 days? 4. Any other recommendations? Best wishes to you and thanks for any help =) / Martin and Evnita

Hope to rent a place in Essaouria next June, the place we have in mind comes with a house keeper and cook, I would like to know how does the tipping work? or is this help included in the price, do you go and do the grocery shopping etc, any advice would help, merci Bleueyes

Hi, I'm trying to get from Marrakech to Essaouira but land too late to get a bus. I know I can get a taxi but am unsure how! Do I have to prebook? If so, does anyone have a contact number or email please? Many thanks!

Hi, I have heard that sea can be dangerous to swim in due to the current. Is this true and is there a safe area of the beach? Are there any hotels that you can recommend for swimming? My children are aged 12, 9 and 5. The older two are good swimmers but the younger one is not a strong swimmer. Any other recommendations for things to do with children? The 9 year old is a competent rider, the rest of us are beginners. Could we ride together and if so what is a good price for 1/2 a day's riding?

I am considering Morocco for a honeymoon stop and Essaouira looks promising. We will be flying into Europe though, and I'm wondering if there are any ferry/boating options from Spain/Portugal to Essaouira. Thanks, Adam

Thinking of trying Essaouira next summer. I've read reviews that state the wind can be very strong. Would the wind prevent a relaxing afternoon on the beach and in the sea? I read one review that said the wind was so strong that it prevented the reviewer from using the hotel pool. Would this be a regular occurrence? Beach, pool and doing nothing would be high on the agenda for this visit.

Hello everybody! Loving this forum and hoping to find some directions.... I am a single traveller who's decided to go to Morocco in search for colours and totally new experiences but who's at a total loss for ideas of places to stay... I have set my mind on Essaouira and I would like to book a nice and friendly place, near the sea.... Unf.I got totally lost in the internet jungle and now I am totally unable to make up my mind about any place!!!... Does anybody have any suggestions...?? I would also love to visit Marrakesh and accommodation is a "?" there as well... I would like to go 16 to 30th october... I truly hope to meet here some like-minded travellers who have been there or are going there.... I thank you in advance for any help you would give me!!!!

Hi everyone! I'm traveling to Essaouira by bus from Marrakech toward the end of September. I plan to stay two nights, then take a bus to Casablanca for my last night before flying home. I was reading on tripadvisor.com that the bus ride from Essaouira to Casa is 7 to 10 hours????? Is this on a Supratours or CTM bus? Looking at a map Essaouira looks to be south of Casa on the coast so I figured it would make more sense to take the bus to Casa than to backtrack to Marrakech to take the train. Can I take a Supratours or CTM bus to Casablanca from Esssaouira and if so does anyone know the average time of the trip? Thanks so much, Deneen

What is the best way to arrange a taxi or coach ride from Marrakesh Airport to Essaouira and what is the cost. We are flying there on 20th August.

Are ther specific places where it possible to hear the Gnaoua musicians playing? We are going during January and february which obviously affects things. Glad of any ideas or help. Michael

Bahja De Mogador 596, Av, Al Aqaba, 44000 Essaouira I am interested in staying in this small hotel w/in walking distance of the bus station in late September. I can't find an email address, telephone number or anyway online to book a room. Can anyone send me some contact information for them? Thanks in advance! ~Deneen

Hey everyone, we're going to Morocco in october for ten days. We would like to stay 5 days in Essaouira and 5 days in Marrakech, starting in Essaouira. Our flight lands at 3 pm in RAK. What would be the cheapest way to get in Essaouira? Kind regards, Timothy

Hello, I am very confused about local taxes for tourists. I can't find info in every riad I will stay (Fes, Merrekesh, Essaouira) Just received email, and owners gave me different taxes in the very same city ! and the difference is 5x times, so I 'd be very happy if someone could give me some info about it, thank you in advance

We (almost) decided not to go to Agadir at all, and just stay in Essaouira until the last day (Sat 25/09). Our plane leaves at 7pm so we figure we need to be at the airport at around 4-5pm. From what we can see, buses leave at 3am and 2pm only, so it would seem that the first one is way too early, and the second one is too late. Do you guys know how much a taxi to the airport would be? We saw somewhere that the price is around MAD700, is that about right? Any other transport suggestions? Also, is there somewhere to eat at the airport?

Hello everyone, great forum great website, so many information... It's my first post here, scenario is: We are European couple traveling to Morocco from London. It's our first trip to Morocco and non European country, We are looking for advice where to go in Morocco ? We decide to stay in Essaouira for a first week and then travel to Marrakesh for a few days and maybe somewhere else ? (any recommendations welcome) We have flight from London to Agadir (it's cheapest option I think) Date is to choose, but we think about 11th of September, ( we want to enjoy a bit of beach and sun and then next week - travel around to see beauty of Morocco) So here's a question is it good idea to travel on that day ? considering it's Eid ul-Fitr, would it be difficult to travel to Essaouira from Agadir (plane lands about 18.30 pm, so - evening) I know there is only one bus in the morning, and I know there are taxis, but we can't afford to rent whole taxi...:( budget for whole trip is stretched... so : 1. would it be difficult to travel on 11th September ? 2. Is it better idea to got to Essaouira same evening, or better to stay in Agadir for night or longer ? 3. I have several contacts to raids in Essa., thanks to folks from this website, but we plan to stay 7 days only in one place then go to Marrakesh for 2-3 days then, somewhere else, we didn't decided, so any advice - very welcome. (we don't like to travel longer then 4 hours per day, so 8 hours trips - are rather out) 4. It's our very first time to Africa and Muslim culture country, so please give us some details - what to do, what to do not, etc... big thanks in advance

Hi Thanks so much for all the useful answers to my question about taxis. Does anyone have any tips of things to do in Essaouira with young children - nice places to swim, see, eat etc or any general tips. Thanks in advance

Hi I have been quoted £130 return fare for a taxi from Marrakesh to Essaouira (not sure what this is in local currency). Is this reasonable? Haven't looked into buses but I'll be traveling with kids so looking for the most convenient way to get there. Thanks in advance

We would like to escape Essaouira for a few months and are looking to advertise for a long term renter, Where would be a good & free site to find suitable tenants. I know it is not allowed on VT. Thanks for any help..

I'm looking for a partner to share accommodation in Essouiara during the Gnawa festival. It is difficult to find single rooms. I would be happy to hear from anyone who might be interested, or who has any suggestions of a decent but not expensive place that might have single rooms. Thanks