Ask people who live on the Moroccan Atlantic coast for their favourite month, and many will say October. The summer crowds have gone home, the strong trade wind of July and August has eased, the sea is still warm enough for a swim and the light turns golden by late afternoon. Essaouira in October also has a busy cultural calendar — in 2026, a fantasia on the road from Marrakech and a festival of Andalusian music in the medina.
Here is what to expect: the weather, the events, what to do and how to get there.
Weather in Essaouira in October
- Daytime temperatures are typically in the low to mid-20s °C, and nights around 15–17 °C.
- The wind is generally much lighter than in summer, which makes the beach, the rooftops and the ramparts far more pleasant.
- The sea is at its warmest of the year, around 20 °C.
- Rain is rare; the first autumn showers sometimes arrive late in the month.
Bring light clothes for the day and a warm layer for the evening — especially if you are going to concerts in stone halls. Our best time to visit Essaouira guide compares every month.
Events in Essaouira in October 2026
| Dates | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 19–24 Oct | Trek des Gazelles, sea edition | Coast south of Essaouira |
| 22–25 Oct | Moussem of Sidi El Mokhtar — tbourida, fair | About an hour inland, on the Marrakech road |
| 27 Oct | First direct Nantes – Essaouira flight | Essaouira-Mogador airport |
| 29 Oct – 1 Nov (TBC) | Festival des Andalousies Atlantiques | Medina: Bayt Dakira, Dar Souiri |
| 30 Oct – 3 Nov | Moussem of Tan-Tan | Far south, via Agadir |
The highlight for many visitors is the double bill at the end of the month: the tbourida at Sidi El Mokhtar — read our complete guide to the Moroccan fantasia — followed a few days later by the Andalousies Atlantiques, a long weekend of Judeo-Andalusian music. Our Andalousies Atlantiques weekend plan shows how to fit the festival into three days.
What to do in Essaouira in October
- Walk the medina and the ramparts in comfort, without the summer crowds — our medina walking guide shows the way.
- Surf. Autumn brings the first Atlantic swells to Sidi Kaouki and the breaks around Essaouira; it is a good month for lessons. Our Essaouira airport to Sidi Kaouki transfer takes about 25 minutes.
- Swim and relax on the long beach, with lighter wind than in summer.
- Explore the argan country on our half-day argan route excursion or a full day to Sidi Kaouki and the Berber markets.
- Watch the sunset from the Skala with the whole town — a daily ritual.
What to pack for Essaouira in October
- Light clothes for the day, plus a sweater or light jacket for the evenings and the concerts.
- Swimwear and a beach towel: October is still a swimming month.
- Comfortable shoes for the cobbled lanes and the ramparts, and closed shoes if you plan to watch a fantasia in the dust.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat: the autumn sun is strong by the ocean.
- A scarf — useful against the wind on the beach, and for visiting religious places or a moussem.
Day trips worth taking in October
The lighter wind makes October ideal for exploring the coast. Spend a day at Sidi Kaouki, with its wild beach and its marabout; follow the coast north to the windsurf village of Moulay Bouzerktoun; or head south to Imsouane, famous for one of the longest waves in Morocco. Our guide to day trips from Essaouira compares the options, from half a day to a full day.
Prices and crowds
October is shoulder season. Riads and hotels are noticeably cheaper than in July and August, except around festival weekends, when the medina fills up with visitors from Casablanca, Rabat and Europe. Book a few weeks ahead if your stay includes the Andalousies Atlantiques. Our guide to where to stay in Essaouira compares the medina, the beachfront and the countryside.
A sample week in Essaouira in October
- Arrive on Thursday 22 October from Marrakech, stopping at the Sidi El Mokhtar moussem for the afternoon tbourida.
- Friday and Saturday: medina, port, beach, sunset on the Skala.
- Sunday: a day trip along the coast to Sidi Kaouki.
- Monday to Wednesday: surf lessons, a hammam, the art galleries — see our Essaouira art galleries guide.
- Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November: the Andalousies Atlantiques.
Getting to Essaouira in October
- 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 and €170 in a minibus, at the time of writing. Ask for a stop at the moussem if your dates match.
- By air: the Essaouira airport transfer takes about twenty minutes, from €20 per vehicle — handy with the new flights arriving from late October.
Essaouira in October is a month of good weather, good music and room to breathe. Contact us with your dates, and we will organise your transfers.
