The ratings are based on traveller reviews, out of 10. For a hotel with a swimming pool or on the seafront, see our selection of the best hotels in Essaouira, and to explore the neighbourhood, check out our guide to the medina.
By the sea
These five places have a terrace or rooms with sea views.
Chems Bleu
Located on Rue Moulay Azouz, Chems Bleu offers views of the beach and the harbour from its terraces. It is the most reviewed riad in this selection, with nearly 1,300 reviews, scoring 9.6 overall and 9.9 for staff; facilities, at 9.5, are its lowest score.
Chems Bleu
A guesthouse with a flower-filled patio and an Andalusian-style fountain, wide terraces overlooking the beach and the harbour, and rooms each decorated around one colour. Massages are available, and breakfast can be served in your room.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome and the location. Cleanliness and comfort are rated just as highly. Facilities, also very well rated, come last.
Riad Perle D'Eau
Located on Rue du Koweït, right by the sea, this riad has two terraces with sea views and prepares Moroccan dishes on request. It scores 9.2 from 540 reviews, with a 9.7 for the staff; its Wi-Fi, rated 7.2, is the lowest in this selection.
Riad Perle D'Eau
A riad with rooms featuring a seating area and bathrobes, with views of the sea or the medina, and two terraces overlooking the sea. It has a spa with a hammam and massages, and a bar.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome and the location. Comfort and cleanliness are also very well rated. The Wi-Fi is the lowest-rated point.
Riad Baladin
On Rue Sidi Magdoul, Riad Baladin has a terrace with sea views, and activities such as surfing can be enjoyed on site or in the surrounding area. It scores 9.4 from over 800 reviews, with 9.8 for both staff and location; value for money, at 9.3, is its lowest score.
Riad Baladin
A riad where all the rooms open onto the patio, with a bathroom with a shower or a bath. It has a restaurant, a terrace, a garden and a hot tub, and runs yoga and cookery classes.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome and the location. The Wi-Fi, comfort and cleanliness are also very well rated. Value for money, also very well rated, comes last.
Dar Adul
Located 600 metres from the beach, this guesthouse offers views of the sea and its inner courtyard. It scores 9.5 from over 900 reviews, with 9.9 for both the location and the staff; Wi-Fi, at 8.8, is its weakest point.
Dar Adul
A guesthouse with views of the sea and the inner courtyard, family rooms and a sun terrace; some rooms have a kitchenette with a fridge. A continental breakfast is included, and pets are welcome.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome and the location. Cleanliness, comfort and value for money are also very well rated. The Wi-Fi is the lowest-rated point.
This guesthouse also features in our selection of the best hotels in Essaouira.
Riad Maison Du Sud
Just 300 metres from the beach, this 18th-century riad has a sunny terrace with sea views. It scores 8.4 from over 500 reviews, the lowest rating in this selection, but 9.6 for its location; the facilities, rated 8.2, are its weak point.
Riad Maison Du Sud
A riad with rooms and suites featuring a mezzanine and sitting area, all opening onto a light-filled patio. It has a hammam, a spa offering massages, a restaurant and a terrace, and runs cookery and yoga classes. Pets are welcome.
Guests particularly appreciate its location in the heart of the medina and the staff's welcome. Value for money and comfort score reasonably well. Facilities and cleanliness are the lowest-rated points.
This riad also features in our selection of the best hotels in Essaouira.
In the heart of the medina
These five riads overlook the narrow streets of the medina and are arranged around their patios or terraces.
Riad Emotion
A 5-minute walk from the beach, on Rue Malek Ben El Morahal, Riad Emotion serves regional cuisine for lunch and dinner. It scores 9.6 from 160 reviews, and 10 for Wi-Fi; value for money, at 9.2, is its lowest score.
Riad Emotion
An adults-only riad with spacious rooms decorated with handcrafted items and local rugs, each with a seating area. It has a terrace with a fountain and another with sun loungers, and offers massages and cookery classes.
Guests above all praise the Wi-Fi and the staff's welcome. Location, cleanliness and comfort are rated just as highly. Value for money, also very well rated, comes last.
Riad Babette
Located 500 metres from the beach on Rue Laalouj, this riad offers a concierge service and a tour desk. The staff score 10, for 9.6 overall from nearly 700 reviews; Wi-Fi, at 7.8, is its weakest point.
Riad Babette
A riad with air-conditioned, soundproofed rooms featuring a seating area and a television. It has a garden, a shared lounge, a terrace and a restaurant, and the reception is open 24 hours a day.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome, which scores perfectly, and the location in the heart of the medina. Cleanliness and comfort are also very well rated. The Wi-Fi is the lowest-rated point.
Riad Chbanate
Situated along the city walls, 100 metres from Bab Marrakech Square, Riad Chbanate features a rooftop terrace overlooking the medina and a 24-hour reception. It scores 9.6 from over 750 reviews, with no individual rating falling below 9.1.
Riad Chbanate
A riad with spacious, air-conditioned rooms, each with a fireplace, a television and a bathroom with a bath, all opening onto the patio. It has a roof terrace, a hot tub and a restaurant, and a continental breakfast can be served in your room.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome, followed by the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms. Facilities and the location near the ramparts are also very well rated. The Wi-Fi is the lowest-rated point.
This riad also features in our selection of the best hotels in Essaouira.
Riad Lyon Mogador
This 18th-century riad, renovated in a traditional Moroccan style, serves table d'hôte meals on request, booked at least 24 hours in advance, except on Tuesdays. It scores 9.0 from over 800 reviews, with 9.7 for the staff; Wi-Fi, at 8.4, is its lowest rating.
Riad Lyon Mogador
A four-storey riad with traditionally decorated rooms. Breakfast is served every morning on the terrace, and it has a restaurant, a patio and a sun terrace.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome and the location in the medina. Cleanliness, comfort and value for money are also well rated. The Wi-Fi is the lowest-rated point.
Riad Dar Maya
On Rue d'Oujda, the Dar Maya riad welcomes its guests with Moroccan pastries, and breakfast, continental or Moroccan, is served on the roof terrace or in the patio. It has a rating of 9.0 based on nearly 650 reviews, with a score of 9.6 for the staff; value for money, at 8.9, is its lowest rating.
Riad Dar Maya
A riad with air-conditioned rooms featuring a fireplace, some with a balcony. It has a roof terrace with a hot tub, a library, a hammam and massages; breakfast is continental or Moroccan.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome and the location in the medina. Cleanliness and comfort are also well rated. Value for money is the lowest-rated point.
This riad also features in our selection of the best hotels in Essaouira.
How to choose
- Top ratings: Chems Bleu, Riad Emotion, Riad Babette and Riad Chbanate (9.6).
- Sea view: Chems Bleu, Riad Perle D'Eau, Riad Baladin, Dar Adul, Riad Maison Du Sud.
- A hammam: Riad Perle D'Eau, Riad Maison Du Sud, Riad Dar Maya.
- A hot tub: Riad Baladin, Riad Chbanate, Riad Dar Maya.
- Adults only: Riad Emotion.
