Is Essaouira Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Essaouira is generally considered to be safe for solo female travelers. The residents are welcoming and most possible safety issues can be avoided with regular travel precautions. However, like most travel destinations, always awareness and respect for local customs and culture is encouraged. Incidences of harassment are comparatively lower than larger cities but you might experience some mild verbal harassment such as unsolicited attention or comments, mainly in crowded areas such as markets. Always keep an eye on your belongings and avoid isolated areas, especially at night.

Safety rating

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How safe is Essaouira?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

Essaouira is generally considered fairly safe for solo female travelers during the night. Nevertheless, it is always crucial to exercise common sense precautions. Incidences of crime are relatively low but occasional hassles from touts and male attention can be encountered. The medina is well-lit and often busy into the evening, which improves the feeling of safety. However, it's still best to avoid desolate or poorly lit areas late at night and always stay aware of your surroundings.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Essaouira is relatively safe. There are various forms including taxis, buses, and trams that are frequently used by locals and tourists alike. As a solo female traveler, daytime trips are more advisable. Always ensure to keep personal belongings close. Petty theft can occasionally happen but violent crime is rare. It is also common to share taxis with other passengers to save on cost. However, ensure to negotiate taxi rates before getting in to avoid overcharging. Though English is not widely spoken, apps can be really helpful or having the name of your destination written in Arabic. Overall, with basic vigilance, using public transport in Essaouira is relatively safe.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

Essaouira is generally safer and less hectic than other Moroccan cities. Even though you might experience some instances of individually targeted attention, often in the form of local men attempting to engage in conversation or giving unsolicited compliments, severe street harassment is much less common. As a solo female traveler, always remember to dress modestly to respect local customs and reduce unwanted attention, keep your personal belongings safe, and be confident. locals are friendly and often helpful.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Essaouira is generally considered a safe destination for solo female travelers. Petty crimes, like pickpocketing and purse snatching, do occur, mainly in crowded tourist areas and markets. However, it is not rampant, and a little extra vigilance can go a long way in preventing such incidents. Always keep personal belongings within sight and securely stored. Local people are usually friendly and respectful towards visitors, and the local police are quite responsive.

Is Essaouira worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 10 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.2/5

Safety

4.2/5

Food

4/5

Budget-friendly

4/5
Kaouthar

Kaouthar

Morocco

Group travel

Travelling to Essaouira became my habit whenever I need to relax and just enjoy life. Essaouira is a very safe city with simple and peaceful locals and tourists. You can be out at 3 am with no worries to get rubbed or sexually harassed. There are activities such as horse riding, quads, camels riding, surf, renting bicycles ( normal or electric ones) Essaouira is very alive, young people play guitar and music in its streets or perform. It is kinda windy but I find the weather to be good. Just take warm clothes with you, it’s at night that it gets cold.

Posted: December 24, 2024
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Meryem

Meryem

Morocco

Group travel

Essaouira is a safe place to visit. I recommend exploring the medina, the old port (Merssa), and the Skala (Sekala). For food, try Alma Restaurant, Riad Al Madina, and Grand Café—great food and kind people. We stayed for 3 days, and it cost around 1,000 MAD per person. Our accommodation was Riad Al Madina, located in the heart of the medina, which was lively and safe. Getting around was easy as the medina is walkable with plenty of people around. It was a great experience overall!

Posted: December 5, 2024
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Solo travel

Essaouira is an amazing destination for solo travellers, especially during the gnaoua festival. It's a magical city that brings a lot of peace. My travel there was a spiritual experience and it helped me become a better person and get to know new people.

Posted: July 20, 2024Experienced: May, 2022
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Group travel

* Budget ~100€ for 3 days including ~ 8-12€/person/night for hostels 10-15€/person transport from Marrakech around 1,5-2,0€ for transitional pie with vegetable 3-4€ for groceries (fresh fruits & vegetables) 10-12€/person for full meal (big portions) fresh fish, salad, bread ✓ Difficult to find alcohol, only 3 bars. ✓ No chance to buy tobacco in Morocco, only packages of cigarettes. ✓ Even if it's cheap always try to negotiate for the price. * Very artistic city, lots of crafts and handmade cute decorations, paintings, lots of live concerts even in the streets. * Walking around, no need for transportation, no need for taxi. * Level of safety: moderate. #Moroccans are sometimes more expressive with their body language and they might grab your hand and pull you slightly. I felt that I always have to settle my boundaries. Also, they are very friendly and social but as a white European woman I was constantly seen as wife material. # Pickpockets. Nothing to report. Actually, we have lost several times valuable items and they have been returned to us.

Posted: July 10, 2024Experienced: December, 2023
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Alessandra

Alessandra

Italy

Solo travel

i loved every part of the city and people living there. after marrakech i had a full rest in this beautiful city where the fish is amazing and food is everywhere. I felt very safe and people will help you out in every way. There are a lot of surf school where you can go and try and solo meet new people

Posted: May 6, 2024
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Solo travel

I made a day trip from Marrakech, I hired a driver for the whole day. It was beautiful and really peaceful, and I felt very safe the whole time.

Posted: May 24, 2023
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Group travel

I adored Essaouira. I went there after a group tour with a friend and we stayed there for 3 days. We indulged in massages and hammams every day. It was very affordable and definitely one of the most relaxing cities we visited in Morocco. We stayed at a hotel near the beach, which had a sea view from the balcony.

Posted: December 10, 2022
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Solo travel

I considered Essaouira a good place for a day trip, but I didn't want to stay there longer. I loved the area of the sea wall and the local market there. I also recommend visiting the argan oil cooperative near Essaouira and watching goats climb trees along the road.

Posted: December 10, 2022
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Meet locals in Essaouira

Nouhaila

Nouhaila

About Me

Hello I’m a young lady who loves meeting new people exchanging languages and creating good memories trough learning about other countries cultures

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Safety in Morocco