Prices for grills and restaurants are orders of magnitude: they vary with the day's catch and the season, and there is no official tariff. Always ask the price before cooking.

How the port works

The fishing port lies at the foot of the ramparts, southwest of the medina. The blue boats come back in the morning and late afternoon; the auction and fish market are near the quay. The grills occupy a row of stalls in front of the port: each one displays sardines, squid, prawns, sea bream, red mullet and sole depending on the arrivals. They show you the fish, weigh it, grill it and bring bread, tomatoes and lemon. Seagulls are everywhere: keep an eye on your plate.

The port can be seen in about an hour. For the ramparts and the Skala cannons, see the Essaouira page.

Eating at the port grills

  1. Arrive before noon: that is when the choice is widest and the fish freshest.
  2. Choose the fish yourself and ask for the total price (fish, cooking, bread, salad) before it goes on the fire.
  3. Grilled sardines are the cheapest dish; larger fish is paid by weight.
  4. Drinks are rarely sold on the spot: bring bottled water.
  5. If a tout leads you to a stall, you can visit another: several look alike.

The port restaurants

A handful of restaurants around the port serve fish and seafood à la carte with posted prices: the choice of travelers who want to sit indoors or out of the wind. Among the places often mentioned is Chez Sam, at the end of the jetty; check hours and recent reviews before going, as menus and prices change. For a large seafood platter, budget well above the stalls.

Pitfalls to avoid

  • Price quoted by weight with no total: ask for the final amount, in writing if needed.
  • Touts at the port entrance: they earn a commission; you do not have to follow them.
  • Fish never shown: insist on seeing the raw fish before cooking.
  • Slow hours: after 3 pm the choice shrinks and the fish has spent the day in the air.
  • Wind: the coast is cool and windy even in summer; bring a jacket.
  • Allergies: say so before ordering; oil is shared between fish.

With a guide: cooking class or port tour

Two online offers cover this topic, with their October 2026 "from" prices, to be checked on the listing:

  • Family cooking class (most booked): the traditional Moroccan cooking class starts with a market visit with a guide, then you cook a three-course menu in a family home. About 4 h, 4.97 out of 66 reviews seen, about $70 per person. A vegetarian version is possible. Meeting point in front of a pharmacy on Rue Allal El Fassi.
  • Tour of the port, Sqala and fish auction (private option): the tour of the port Sqala, medina ramparts and fish auction lasts about 3 h, including about thirty minutes at the fish market. One traveler reports an auction visit cancelled because of bad weather: confirm the stop before booking. The tour does not necessarily include a meal: you pay for the fish afterwards at the stalls.
  • More ideas at once: the category of Essaouira: Food Tour with Local Guide and local food tours gather other departures, including a private food tour of about 4 h 30 with a meal.

For a longer stay, see Essaouira in 1 or 2 days and where to stay in Essaouira. If you come on a day trip, first read Essaouira from Marrakech: which excursion? and keep at least an hour for lunch at the port.

Which option to choose?

  • A simple, authentic lunch: the port grills, before noon.
  • Sitting somewhere calm: a port restaurant, with the menu in front of you.
  • Learning to cook: the cooking class with a market visit.
  • Understanding the port: the Sqala and fish auction tour, then lunch at the stalls.
  • With family: grilled sardines for children, simpler than whole fish.

Frequently asked questions

What time should I go to Essaouira's port? In the morning for the auction and market, before noon for the grills, late afternoon for the boats' return.

How much does a fish meal at the port cost? There is no official tariff: sardines cost least, sea bream, red mullet and sole more. Agree the total price before cooking.

Is the port's fish safe? Choose a whole, fresh fish, cooked in front of you and served very hot. With a sensitive stomach, avoid raw seafood.

Do I need to book? Not for the grills. For the cooking class or guided tour, book a few days ahead in high season.

Can I come on a day trip from Marrakech? Yes, but the day is short: 5 to 6 hours of road. A night on site leaves time for the port.

La rédaction Marrakech Authority