Gnaoua World Music Festival 2027: things to do nearby between sets

24 to 27 June 2027 · ExpectedEssaouira, Morocco

At Gnaoua World Music Festival the music runs from the afternoon, so mornings and the day after are free. This guide covers the town around the site: boat trips, a real meal, a shower and a day out from Essaouira.

Tours in Essaouira Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Essaouira fills completely: book riads months ahead or stay in Marrakech and drive in.

Airport to Moulay Hassan Square and the beach stage

Essaouira Mogador (ESU) has few flights; most visitors fly into Marrakech (RAK) and take the Supratours bus or a car, about 2.5 to 3 hours.

All stages are walkable inside and next to the Medina.

Public transport directions to Moulay Hassan Square and the beach stage

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Medina riads	Small guesthouses inside the walls.
Mid-range	Beachfront Avenue Mohammed V	Hotels facing the bay.
Splurge	Diabat and the golf resorts	Quiet resort hotels south of town.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Riad Chbanate
Mid-range: Le Médina Essaouira Thalassa Sea and Spa
Splurge: Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf and Spa

Links search the nights from 23 June to 28 June. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual festival weekend schedule for 24 to 27 June 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Before the gates open

Thursday 24 June

Music runs from the afternoon. Mornings are free: get out on the water or into town.

Easy outingCooking class Half day · Food · Indoor
Fish tagine and pastries.
FreeWatch the boats come in at the port in the afternoon.

A day off-site

Friday 25 June

Skip the early acts and take a day trip. Be back for the headliners.

Half-dayKitesurf or windsurf lesson Half day
Reliable wind most afternoons.
EatTaros Roof terrace bar and restaurant

Campers: shower, food and a break

Day passes for pools and spas, and a real meal in town.

Rain or heat backupWoodwork and thuya craft shops under the ramparts.
EatLa Table by Madada Seafood in a former carob warehouse

Recovery day

Monday 28 June

Slow outings only.

Easy outingArgan cooperative visit Half day · Low walking · Family
See argan oil pressed by hand.
EatTriskala Small café in the Medina walls

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Low walking · Family

Argan cooperative visit

See argan oil pressed by hand.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Camel or horse ride on the beach

Along the dunes to Diabat.

See times and prices

Beach days on the long bay; it is windy, so bring layers.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

Live Gnaoua music in small bars of the Medina.

5 tours worth booking for Gnaoua World Music Festival

Tour	Length	Good for
Kitesurf or windsurf lesson	Half day	Everyone
Cooking class	Half day	Food lovers, Bad weather
Argan cooperative visit	Half day	Tired legs, Families
Medina and port walking tour	Half day	Everyone
Camel or horse ride on the beach	Half day	Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Port fish grills Choose fish and eat it grilled at the port
Taros Roof terrace bar and restaurant
La Table by Madada Seafood in a former carob warehouse
Triskala Small café in the Medina walls

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Food · Indoor

Cooking class

Fish tagine and pastries.

See times and prices

Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah museum.
Woodwork and thuya craft shops under the ramparts.

Getting around on event days

The Medina is walkable. Taxis wait at Bab Sbaa and Bab Marrakech.
Petit taxis run inside each city on the meter: ask the driver to switch it on, or agree the fare before you get in. Grand taxis are shared and run fixed routes between towns.
Careem and inDrive work in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Tangier and Agadir. Expect to pay in cash in dirhams in most places.
Al Boraq high-speed trains link Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca. Classic ONCF trains continue to Marrakech and Fez. Book on the ONCF app; first class is cheap and worth it on busy days.
Fridays around midday prayers and the evenings during Ramadan change opening hours and traffic.

Day trips from Essaouira

Marrakech: 2.5 to 3 hours
Sidi Kaouki beach: 30 minutes

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Gnaoua World Music Festival.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Gnaoua World Music Festival 2027?

The next edition is 24 to 27 June 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Moulay Hassan Square and the beach stage?

Essaouira Mogador (ESU) has few flights; most visitors fly into Marrakech (RAK) and take the Supratours bus or a car, about 2.5 to 3 hours. All stages are walkable inside and next to the Medina.

Where should I stay for Gnaoua World Music Festival?

For most visitors the best base is Beachfront Avenue Mohammed V: Hotels facing the bay.

What else can we do around Gnaoua World Music Festival?

Good short outings in Essaouira include Camel or horse ride on the beach, Kitesurf or windsurf lesson, Cooking class. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Gnaoua World Music Festival?

Family-friendly picks: Camel or horse ride on the beach, Argan cooperative visit. Beach days on the long bay; it is windy, so bring layers.

How far is Moulay Hassan Square and the beach stage from Essaouira centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. All stages are walkable inside and next to the Medina.

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Everything we cover in Essaouira