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Best beachfront & sea-view hotels in Essaouira

November 25, 2025 · by Sébastien Joumel

Essaouira's long Atlantic beach is its playground — for surfers, walkers and sunset-watchers. But "beachfront" here comes with a caveat most guides skip: the wind. Here's where to stay for sea views and beach access, and how to choose so the famous breeze works for you, not against you.

At a glance

Beachfront strip: Boulevard Mohammed V, just south of the medina.
Best for: surfers, sea views, hotels with a pool.
The catch: it's windy — great for watersports, less for sunbathing.
From: ~$55 for beach hotels; sea-view riads in the medina from ~$48.

Beachfront vs sea-view: two different things

True beachfront hotels line Boulevard Mohammed V, the avenue running along the sand south of the ramparts — handy for surf schools and pools. For a sea view with more atmosphere, some medina riads by the ramparts (the Skala) look straight out over the Atlantic. Decide which matters more: beach access, or old-town character with a view.

Best beach & sea-view stays

Le Médina Essaouira – Thalassa Sea & Spa (MGallery) — the big beachfront 5★, pool and thalassotherapy spa, from ~$160.
Ocean Vagabond Guesthouse — relaxed, surf-friendly, right by the beach, from ~$42.
Villa de l’Ô — boutique with sea-view suites near the ramparts.
Riad Mimouna — budget medina riad with rooms facing the ocean, from ~$48.

Essaouira ramparts and Atlantic — The ramparts (Skala) look straight out over the Atlantic — some riads here have sea-view rooms.

About that wind

Essaouira is the “Windy City of Africa”. On the open beach that’s brilliant for windsurfing and kitesurfing, but it can make lying on the sand blustery. If a calm sunbathing-and-pool day is your dream, pick a hotel with a sheltered pool (the MGallery, or a dunes resort north of town) rather than expecting still beach days.

Tip: For guaranteed relaxed swimming, prioritise a hotel pool — the Atlantic here is cool and breezy, more for surfing and paddling than long swims.

Beachfront Essaouira FAQ

Can you swim at Essaouira beach?

You can paddle and surf, but the Atlantic is cool and windy — it’s a watersports beach more than a swimming one. A hotel pool is worth having.

Where are the sea-view hotels?

Along Boulevard Mohammed V (beachfront) and in some riads on the ramparts (the Skala) facing the ocean.

Compare beach & sea-view hotels

See live prices for beachfront hotels and sea-view riads in our guide to hotels in Essaouira.

→ Compare hotels in Essaouira and find the lowest price

Written & researched by Sébastien Joumel Entrepreneur and travel enthusiast · founder of Hotels4Travelers

I personally research the destinations we cover — comparing prices, reading reviews and digging into neighbourhoods — to help you travel smarter, off the beaten track.