Is Essaouira Safe in January 2026?

The fish grill stalls on the Essaouira port and along the ramparts near Skala du Port display fresh catch prominently and invite tourists to choose fish by weight. Prices quoted per kilo are sometimes applied incorrectly, fish is weighed inaccurately, or extra dishes (bread, salads, mint tea) are added to the bill as mandatory sides.

How to avoid: Agree on the price per kilo and confirm the weight on the scale before cooking. Clarify whether bread, salad, and tea are included or charged separately. The port fish grill area has consistently better value than the tourist-facing grills near Place Moulay Hassan.

Essaouira is surrounded by argan trees and is a primary production area for genuine argan oil, but many tourist-facing shops in the medina sell diluted or entirely substitute oils labeled as pure argan. Genuine cold-pressed culinary argan oil has a strong nutty smell; cosmetic argan oil has a lighter scent. Many tourist shops sell blended products at pure prices.

How to avoid: Purchase argan oil from women's cooperatives (Amal, Marjana, Ti'Ziri) that have UCFA (Union of Argan Oil Cooperatives) certification displayed. Watch the press demonstration if available. Pure culinary argan oil should smell distinctly of roasted nuts.

Carpet and craft shops in the Essaouira medina use the same approach as in Marrakech: an invitation for tea that leads to a presentation of merchandise with prices inflated 400-800% above what the shopkeeper will accept. Refusing to buy after tea is treated as a social violation requiring persuasion.

How to avoid: You are never obligated to purchase after accepting tea. You are free to leave any shop at any time. If you intend to buy, make an opening offer at 20-25% of the first stated price and negotiate from there.

The CTM and Supratours bus stations are located outside the medina walls, and petit taxi drivers at the station quote tourist rates of 50-80 MAD for the 10-minute ride to the medina center, where the legitimate fare should be 10-15 MAD on the meter.

How to avoid: The walk from the bus station to Bab Doukkala takes 10-15 minutes and is manageable with moderate luggage. If taking a taxi, insist on the meter (compteur) or agree on the legitimate fare in MAD before entering. Locals pay metered rates.

Men near the Bab Doukkala and Bab Sbaa medina gates offer to show tourists the "real Essaouira" for a small fee that escalates once inside the medina, with the tour inevitably ending at a relative's carpet or craft shop. Essaouira's medina is small and easily navigable independently.

How to avoid: The Essaouira medina is compact and well-signposted. Decline guide offers at the gates. If you want a guide, hire through the official Délégation du Tourisme office on Avenue du Caire. Licensed guides wear official armbands.