10 days in Morocco by car along the coast

There’s something magical about experiencing Morocco by car. The freedom to explore at your own pace, stop at hidden gems along the way, and truly immerse yourself in the local culture makes for an unforgettable journey.

I recently completed a beautiful 10-day adventure along the Moroccan coast, starting from El Jadida, where I rented a car, and ending in the beautiful city of Marrakech.

This itinerary offers a perfect blend of historical sites, stunning beaches, and authentic culinary experiences.

Practical Information for 10 days in Morocco by car

Let’s start with some practical information before jumping to the description of my trip

• Car rental: I rented a car at the Marrakesh Airport, which provided the flexibility needed for this coastal journey. I used a comparison website called DiscoverCars, basically an airbnb of rentals. It has been my go-to website for rentals for the last 5 yars. Easy, no-frills, great value for money, and free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to the trip (just in case)
• Parking: In cities like Essaouira, expect to pay around €7 per day for parking. Many accommodations within the old towns offer porter services to transport your luggage from the parking areas. El Jadida and Oualidia offer free or extremely cheap parking. Marrakesh costs around 10-15 Euros/day
• Accommodation: Throughout Morocco, you’ll find options ranging from traditional riads to modern hotels. I found staying within the old towns provided the most authentic experience. You will find in this guide my favourite options for each destination.
• Language: While Arabic and French are the primary languages, many people in tourist areas speak some English. I suggest downloading Google Translate.
• Internet: there are SIM providers just outside the border control at the Marrakesh Airport, on the left side. I personally use an eSIM which is slightly more expensive but so much more practical.

El Jadida: Portuguese Heritage and Local Cuisine

My first stop was El Jadida, home to a captivating Portuguese fort with a beautifully preserved old town. What makes this place special is that it remains inhabited by locals, creating a genuine atmosphere rarely found in tourist destinations.

The Portuguese Fort

Formerly known as Mazagan, El Jadida was founded by the Portuguese in 1513 and remained under their control until 1769. The city’s UNESCO-listed citadel, Cité Portugaise, showcases remarkable European military architecture adapted to Moroccan conditions.

The Portuguese cistern, with its stunning vaulted ceiling and central pool that creates unique reflections, is a must-visit architectural destination that even appeared in Orson Welles’ adaptation of “Othello.”

As you explore the medina, keep an eye out for the evolving street art scene. Local artists have transformed many of the weathered walls into vivid canvases depicting traditional Moroccan life, maritime themes, and abstract interpretations of cultural heritage.

These colorful murals provide a striking contrast to the ancient stonework, creating a connection between El Jadida’s rich past and its creative present. Don’t miss the narrow alley near the main square where a collective of artists has created a stunning gallery of interconnected works.

The best way to experience El Jadida is simply to wander through its narrow lanes and along the coastal fortifications, which offer stunning views of the Atlantic.

Dining Recommendation

While the beach in El Jadida isn’t particularly impressive (in fact, it’s one of the less appealing beaches I encountered in Morocco), the town makes up for it with its exceptional cuisine.

For seafood lovers, I highly recommend Tchikito Fish Restaurant, a truly local fish restaurant located right in the middle of the market. We were the only tourists eating there and, although the interior is not impressive, the fresh food and the authentic preparation methods will always stay in my memory.

Stay Recommendation

I feel like 1-2 nights is sufficient for El Jadida, depending on your arrival time. The medina is beautiful and the market is so genuine and characteristic. In saying that you will run out very soon of things to do or places to explore in El Jadida.

Of course, if you are just looking for a distinctive place to relax, than El Jadida is a great spot, however, keep in mind that the beach is not great, probably not even good enough for a swim, although you can always have a dive in the canal nearby the fort, the favourite spot of the local kids.

My suggested stay: A Casa da Mare

The Beaches South of El Jadida

Just one hour south of El Jadida, you’ll find absolutely stunning beaches with massive dunes meeting the ocean. If you’re traveling south as I did, this makes for a perfect stop on your way to the next destination. These beaches are perfect if you are looking for natural beauty without the crowds.

You can look on Google Maps for these beaches. You cn also think to camp there, in case you are travelling with a camper van. These are three great spots:

• Bakir Beach
• Mrizika
• Sidi Moussa

I loved my last spot at Mrizika Beach where they also run an organised camping area just behind the gigantic dunes. And yes, it’s accessible by car or campervan/RV.

Besides camping, there is not much accommodation options around and in this respectI suggest this area as a stop over from El Jadida to Oualidia, my next stop on the map.

Oualidia: Lagoon Paradise

The second stop on my coastal journey was Oualidia, home to an incredible standing lagoon with several small islands scattered throughout. Local boats are available for exploring the lagoon, offering a great way to explore this natural wonder.

Outside of the lagoon you will find a fantastic Ocean beach, with possibilities of surfing too, and the fishing village where you can buy fresh fish at the local market for a super convenient price.

Culinary Delights

Oualidia’s restaurant scene is truly superb, particularly if you are into seafood. You can choose between more Western-style establishments or local restaurants where you’ll experience the most authentic flavors.

The local eateries are extremely affordable too. Just to give you an idea, we enjoyed a fantastic meal with soup and freshly made bread for just €5 for three people!

The meat restaurants of the main road are organised in a very unusual way. In fact, I would not call them restaurants but just cooking corners. The process is quite simple, once you know it.

• First step, buy your like of meat at the 2-3 butchers around. These are small shops, literally 2 metres wide. I personally suggest to go for meatballs/burgers, they prepare the meat blend for you. Pay your meat.
• Second step, take it to the cooking shops, again very small, where they cook it for you on a bbq
• Third step, seat at a table. Someone will come to ask for drinks. Once the meat is ready, they will take a big dish with all you have ordered.
• Fourth step, pay your bill for service/drink and the cooking.

Activities

At the lagoon you will find calm, shallow waters, making it perfect for families with children.

At the entrance to the lagoon, there’s a section where you can catch some small waves when the tide is high. This is a great spot for long boards, however, for more serious surfers, the ocean beach offers much better conditions with plenty of waves.

Other activities in the area include:

• Horseback riding
• Swimming
• Coastal walks
• Quads riding

You can also take a boat to explore remote restaurants by the beach in the lagoon.

Stay Recommendation

We spent four fantastic days in Oualidia, which I feel is the ideal duration to fully appreciate the area. It’s a very relaxing spot, in fact, there is not much going on and that’s the part I loved the most.

The view and the beach are both spectacular. Besides, the local restaurant scene is really unique, with almost no international influence.

My suggested stay: Dar Assalam 1

Essaouira: Artistic Heritage and Water Sports

Established in 1784, Essaouira boasts a beautiful Medina (old town) surrounded by a fortress featuring 200-year-old cannons. With a population of around 85,000 spread between the old and new towns, Essaouira maintains a good balance between tourism and local life.

Essaouira has a fascinating artistic history, particularly from the 1960s when it was frequented by legendary musicians like Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, who came here seeking inspiration.

The city is famous for its consistent winds, making it a great destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing. You’ll also find opportunities for camel rides, horseback riding, and quad biking among the dunes.

We decided to go for horse riding and we had so much fun. There are plenty of operators at the end of the beach. Check with a few about the price and horses too, which can vary a fair bit. Don’t be stressed by booking straight away, they are all on Instagram so it’s quite easy to message back and forward.

My biggest tip here is to organise the ride in the morning, possibly early morning. Although sunset is obviously beautiful for the light, it can also be really windy. In fact, that’s the best time to go out windsurfing or kitesurfing. Typically the wind picks up after 3-4pm.

Dining Recommendation

While the old town is the main attraction, Essaouira’s new town also offers pleasant surprises, including excellent pizza places with great value for money. My personal favorite area in the new town is Av. Princesse Lalla Amina, which is lined with local restaurants and has a vibrant atmosphere.

Back to the Medina, you should not miss the fish market, next to the pier. Once again, you will find the usual process of buying your fresh fish from the local vendors and taking it to the bbq guys for cooking and drinks. And once again, it’s all very affordable.

Another street I highly suggest visiting is Rue Sayaghine. This is a small lane with a few tiny restaurants, just 2-3 tables each, cooking only local excellent food. One of my favourites is surely Cafe Jalil, although it’s not very consistent with the opening time.

Stay Recommendation

3-4 days gives you enough time to explore both the cultural and sporting aspects of Essaouira, unless you are planning for a wind/kitesurfing week of course.

My suggested stay: Ryad Watier & SPA

Marrakech: The Grand Finale

Our coastal journey concluded in Marrakech, a city that needs little introduction I guess.

Of course Marrakesh deserves a few days which we did not have. In our short time, just one night, we visited the famous street markets and the iconic Jemaa el-Fnaa square.

The square comes alive with food stalls, performers, and vendors as the day progresses, creating an unforgettable experience.

In saying that, I personally suggest planning the trip to Marrakesh well in advance, otherwise you will end up spending your time in the central area, full of shops, that at the end of the day all look very similar to each other.

My suggested stay: Ryad Challa Hotel & SPA

My video

Conclusion

This 10-day road trip along Morocco’s Atlantic coast offers a perfect blend of historical exploration, beach relaxation, and cultural immersion. From the Portuguese influences in El Jadida to the artistic heritage of Essaouira and the bustling energy of Marrakech, each destination provides a unique perspective on Moroccan coastal life.

What I personally loved the most was the genuine market and restaurants of El Jadida, the amazing lagoon of Oualidia and the amazing medina of Essaouira. Overall a great experience which I suggest to everyone.