Marrakech to Essaouira — Atlantic Coast & ArganCountry.
Distance
195 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
400 m
Marrakech to Essaouira — Atlantic Coast & Argan Country.
A 195km descent from imperial Marrakech to the walled fort city of Essaouira on the Atlantic. The road crosses the Haouz plain into argan oak country — the only place on earth where this tree grows, and where domestic goats famously climb high into the branches to eat the bitter fruit. The Essaouira UNESCO medina sits behind 18th-century sea-walls battered by Atlantic trade winds.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance195 km
Days1
Total climb400 m
Fuel stops1 along route
DifficultyEasy
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The route.
MarrakechStart · Start in Marrakech. Head west on N8 to Chichaoua, then R207 to Essaouira. 3 hours straight ride or all day with stops.
ChichaouaFuel Stop · Modest provincial town at the edge of the argan zone. Last large fuel station before Essaouira. Quick espresso at the central café and watch the donkey carts.
OunaghaRestaurant · Last village before the Atlantic. Fish tagines from the Essaouira fleet land here daily. The wind picks up steadily from here on — gear up.
Essaouira Skala RampartsPhoto Spot · The 18th-century sea-walls walked by Orson Welles for Othello and used as Astapor in Game of Thrones. Bronze cannons cast in Spain face the Atlantic.
EssaouiraEnd · End inside the UNESCO medina. Park outside Bab Doukkala — the medina is car-free. Famous for windsurfing, gnaoua music, and grilled sardines off the boats.
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