During the golden age of Essaouira‘s commercial port, merchants would watch from rooftop terraces for ships returning laden with valuable goods. Now transformed into vibrant, breezy spots, these rooftops offer unmatched views over the Moroccan medina and its Vauban-style fortifications towering over the Atlantic. From Berber breakfasts to electro nights, here are our 9 best rooftops in Essaouira.
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LE PALAZZO – IMPERIAL VIEWS

This historic building in Essaouira has been transformed into a cozy boutique hotel (12 rooms and suites), now crowned with one of the most spectacular rooftops in the medina. Up high, the panorama stretches from the ochre walls of the Méchouar to the celadon waves crashing against the islands. It’s perfect for sunset aperitifs (with a great spritz menu) and lunch, offering fresh, flavorful dishes like octopus salad with fennel, truffle shell pasta risotto, or pastrami club sandwiches. The decor, inspired by marine hues from lagoon greens to deep blues, harmonizes with the spirit of the place. Open daily from noon to 10 PM.
✦ Good to know: No wild parties here—just a relaxed, chill vibe, true to Essaouira’s laid-back charm. |
Prices: Shared plates from €6.40, mains from €11, desserts €7.50. Drinks start at €7.50 for a spritz, €4 for beer, and €6 for a glass of wine.
📍 Le Palazzo – Avenue Oqba Ibn Nafiaa, Medina, Essaouira
ROOFTOP BY DLO AT DAR L’OUSSIA – A GOURMET JOURNEY

Perched at the tip of the new Kasbah district, this rooftop terrace invites you to enjoy the scenery from morning until night, starting with breakfast at 8 AM.
Before reaching the rooftop of this historic house (in the same family since 1949), you’ll need to climb several stairs—but the reward is a breathtaking view that rivals the soaring seagulls! With deep blue lounge chairs on the solarium side and sofas decorated with palm-print cushions on the restaurant side, this vast terrace is the perfect place to soak up the day. From here, you can watch the great beach and rolling dunes stretching all the way to Cape Sim.
✦ Pro Tip: Breakfast is served daily on the terrace unless the weather is bad. It’s best to check in advance and make a reservation for other meals. |
Prices: Just over €7 for a nearly brunch-style homemade breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice, hot drinks, fruit salad, yogurt, warm bread, pain au chocolat, Moroccan pancakes, cakes, and eggs on request. Beers start at €3.20 (25 cl).
📍 Rooftop by DLO – 4 Rue Mohamed Ben Messaoud, Essaouira
HOSTEL LA SMALA – PANORAMIC VIEWS OF THE CANNON BATTERIES

Probably the best view over the Skala’s 18th-century artillery platform aimed at the Atlantic! This is also one of the most unique rooftops in the medina. No alcohol is served, but you can enjoy fresh fruit juices, vitamin-packed mocktails, and quick bites of sweet and savory treats. With a lively soundtrack (sometimes a strong chaouia) and live music on select nights, it’s a favorite among young crowds, making it the perfect place to feel the local pulse. You can also take in the views at breakfast—but not before 9 AM!
✦ Pro Tip: Arrive early in the evening for front-row ocean views. Also, bring a windbreaker—it can get quite gusty up here! |
Prices: Espresso €1.90, crêpes €2.30, fresh fruit juice €2.80.
📍 Hostel La Smala – 26 Bis Rue Skala, Essaouira
IL MARE – A GAME OF THRONES VIBE

Want to immerse yourself in the fantasy world of Astapor from Game of Thrones or revisit the legendary scenes from Orson Welles’ Othello? From Il Mare’s rooftop, you get front-row views of the Promenade of Punishment, also known as the Skala, and the Cyprus Island prisons—where master artisans craft thuya marquetry in real life. Bonus: a killer playlist featuring Gnaoua music, Moroccan gospel, and DJ sets, setting the mood for a 21st-century escape inside.
Prices: Local beer (25 cl) from €4.50, a good Moroccan wine bottle €30, fish dishes from €19.50, tagines from €13, pizzas from €13.
✦ Pro Tip: To access the rooftop, it’s usually necessary to book a lunch or dinner table (decent food), but the lower terrace also offers stunning sunset views. |
📍 Il Mare Restaurant – 43 Rue Yémen, Essaouira
SALUT MAROC – AN ARTSY BOAT DECK

Board this terrace like stepping onto a boat: tables set against a low wall adorned with colorful zellige tiles and a view that sweeps across the endless ocean and sky blues. The menu features the catch of the day, beautifully prepared Moroccan-style with a twist: fresh crab, pickled organic veggies, exotic chutney, and garlic croutons. The English owner, Helen, loves mixing flavors in both her kitchen and decor—this is also a boutique hotel with a pop-art vibe!
Prices: Starters from €12, paella for two €36. Drinks are on the pricier side—€8.50 for Moroccan wine, €12.50 for a spritz, and €33 for a bottle.
✦ Pro Tip: You can stop by for drinks only, but the best-located tables are reserved for diners (reservations recommended!). Forgot a sweater? The house provides shawls—essential for Essaouira’s chilly nights. |
📍 Salut Maroc – 32 Rue Ibn Rochd, Essaouira
HEURE BLEUE- A CHIC OASIS IN THE AZURE

The rooftop at Heure Bleue is an invitation to indulge in relaxation: the heated pool and pristine lounge chairs encourage guests to extend their break until dusk. No need to wait for the blue hour, that magical moment when the sky turns electric, to appreciate the refined atmosphere of this chic rooftop crowning Essaouira’s only Relais & Châteaux. Simply book a lunch and settle into one of the comfortable alcoves, surrounded by pale blue reed shades and light drapes. The daily specials feature delightful flavors: spider crab delicately scented with argan oil, freshly caught fish, tagines, and irresistible desserts. The heated pool (11m x 5m) and immaculate lounge chairs invite lingering until dusk, when the city is bathed in golden light (reservation required).
✦ Tip: With an elevator, this is the only rooftop accessible to people with reduced mobility. The pool is a major advantage. |
Price: €45 for lunch, including pool access, towel, sun lounger, and two courses (excluding drinks). Around €18 for the fish of the day, €9 for dessert. A plate of kémias (Oriental tapas) costs €15. Cocktails start at €14, a glass of wine at €9.50, and fresh fruit juice at €4.50.
📍Heure Bleue Palais, 2 Rue Ibn Battouta, Essaouira.
BEYTT MOGADOR- THE CLUBBING WAVE

Beytt Mogador has become a prime clubbing destination in Essaouira. To soak up the sea breeze and savor ocean flavors, just cross the street—the beach is right there! Alternatively, you can enjoy it all without leaving this terrace, adorned in the hues of the southern seas. Eclectic cuisine draws from Mediterranean influences as well as Atlantic seafood, with a wide array of dishes, from tapas and pizzas to seafood platters and grilled fish. Live music and regular performances make Beytt Mogador a top spot for nightlife in Essaouira, open from noon to 2 a.m.
✦ Tip: It’s best to reserve a table, especially for late dinners, as the terrace fills up after 9 p.m. |
Price: Around €6.50 for tapas, €17.50 for a seafood platter, €3.70 for draft beer, €6.50 for a glass of Moroccan wine, and €17.50 for a bottle of wine.
📍BEYTT Mogador, 60 Avenue Mohammed V, Essaouira
LA COUPOLE ESSAOUIRA BEACH- A BEAUTIFUL TABLE FACING THE SUNSET

At La Coupole, timing is everything—watch for the decisive moment when the setting sun sets the sky ablaze behind Mogador Island. This exquisite hour is perfect for dining in the evening breeze on a bohemian rooftop designed by John Quinn, a renowned decorator. The menu showcases well-prepared Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, from black truffle gnocchi with chicken, cooking juices, Parmesan, and arugula, to octopus carpaccio with basil purée and citrus condiments, all served by a professional and friendly staff, including Ilyas, the manager. A carefully curated selection of Moroccan and international wines and signature cocktails complement the dishes. Open daily from noon to midnight.
✦ Tip: Reservation is a must! |
Price: Starters from €6.50, pasta from €14.70, main courses from €13, draft beer (25cl) at €3.70, cocktails at €8, and quality Moroccan wine at €28 per bottle.
📍La Coupole Essaouira Beach, 50 Avenue Mohammed V, Essaouira
LE TAROS- FRESH CATCH AND DANCING IN THE WIND

Le Taros is more than just a name—it refers to both the oceanic trade winds and one of Essaouira’s most iconic rooftops, still at the height of its popularity! Throughout the day, the atmosphere shifts: relaxed at lunch with a menu inspired by the fresh catch of the day and panoramic views from the beach to the port ramparts. By evening, the place transforms into a lively clubbing spot with live bands and DJs. For those seeking a more intimate vibe, the Club—a cozy first-floor space—offers tapas paired with fine wines and expertly crafted cocktails by Sanaa, as well as the Cosmo dining bar.
✦ Tip: At night, the rooftop caters primarily to those looking to party—the music is turned up every evening! |
Price: From €3.70 for draft beer (25cl), €4.70 for tapas, €16 for the fish of the day, and €13 for clam pasta.
📍Le Taros, Place Moulay Hassan, Essaouira