November is when Essaouira gets its breath back. The festival weekends of late October are over, the European holidays have not started, and the town returns to its own rhythm: fishermen at the port, cats on the harbour wall, long walks on an almost empty beach. Essaouira in November is ideal for travellers who want calm, good light, mild weather and fair prices — with a few cultural events to keep the evenings lively.

Weather in Essaouira in November

  • Days are usually mild, around 20–22 °C in the afternoon; nights cool down to about 12–14 °C.
  • The wind stays light most days — far from the strong summer trade wind.
  • The sea is still around 19 °C, fine for a short swim on a sunny day.
  • Rain: the first autumn rains arrive, usually as a few short showery days rather than long wet spells.

Pack layers: a T-shirt for midday, a sweater and a light waterproof jacket for the evening. Our best time to visit Essaouira guide compares every month.

Events in Essaouira in November 2026

  • 1 November: the last day of the Festival des Andalousies Atlantiques (dates to be confirmed).
  • Until 3 November: the Moussem of Tan-Tan, far south — a road trip for the adventurous, via Agadir.
  • 6 and 18 November: Green March Day and Independence Day, two national holidays. Moroccan families travel, so book ahead if your dates include a long weekend.
  • Late November: the Rendez-vous de la Photo, with exhibitions across the medina (dates to be confirmed).
  • All month: talks, concerts and exhibitions at Dar Souiri and the town's art galleries.

And the big winter events are just around the corner: the Casablanca Biennale moves to Essaouira from 10 December — see Essaouira in December.

Things to do in Essaouira in November

  • Surf the winter swells. From November, Atlantic swells grow; experienced surfers head to the point breaks north and south of town, while beginners stick to sheltered spots with a school. Our Essaouira airport to Moulay Bouzerktoun transfer reaches the famous wave village in about forty minutes.
  • Walk the beach to Diabat and the old fort at the mouth of the Ksob river.
  • Visit the port in the morning, when the boats come in — then eat the catch at the grills.
  • Take a hammam and a cooking class on a cooler afternoon.
  • Explore the countryside, green again after the first rains, on our half-day argan route excursion or a golden-hour private picnic.
  • Read up on the town's heritage and walk the mellah with our guide to the Jewish heritage of Essaouira.
Shoppers in coats and jackets at the market by the port walls of Essaouira on a cloudy day
Market day by the port walls, in the cool season. Photo: Adam Harangozó, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

What to pack for Essaouira in November

  • Layers: T-shirts for the sunny middle of the day, a warm sweater for the evenings.
  • A light waterproof jacket for the occasional shower and the wind on the ramparts.
  • Comfortable walking shoes — the medina's paving can be slippery after rain.
  • A wetsuit if you surf (or rent one locally) and a swimsuit for sunny days.
  • Warm sleepwear or socks: traditional riads are designed for the heat and can feel cool at night; ask whether yours has heating.

Day trips in November

November light is soft and clear, perfect for photographs. Drive north along the coast towards Moulay Bouzerktoun and the cliffs of the Chiadma, or south to Sidi Kaouki and the argan forest. If you are curious about rural Morocco, a weekly souk in the countryside is a wonderful experience — see our guide to Berber weekly markets. And if you are heading back to Marrakech, plan a stop on the way: our guide to the best stops on the Marrakech to Essaouira road suggests a few.

Prices and crowds

November is low season. Many riads and hotels offer their best rates of the year, restaurants have free tables at sunset and you can walk the Skala without queues for photos. The only busier moments are the national holiday weekends and the photography festival.

A four-day plan for Essaouira in November

  1. Day 1: arrive from Marrakech in the late morning, lunch at the port, sunset on the ramparts.
  2. Day 2: medina, mellah and galleries; dinner on a rooftop with a heater.
  3. Day 3: half-day in the argan country, afternoon on the beach or a surf lesson.
  4. Day 4: morning hammam, then back to Marrakech or on to the airport.

Prefer a slower rhythm? Our 2-day Essaouira itinerary works just as well in November.

Getting to Essaouira in November

  • From Marrakech: our Marrakech to Essaouira transfer takes about 2 h 30 and costs from €90 per vehicle for up to three passengers, €120 in a van for four to seven, at the time of writing.
  • By plane: from Essaouira-Mogador airport, our airport transfer takes about twenty minutes, from €20 per vehicle.

Essaouira in November is the town at its most authentic — contact us and we will take care of the road.