The port of Essaouira in brief
The fishing port lies below the ramparts and is open to visitors without an entry fee. The local tourism portal describes fish stalls, nets being repaired, trawlers coming in, a fish auction hall and restaurants grilling fish and seafood. Fishing boats in blue and white fill the harbor.
Free access to the harbor is not a free pass to everything around it. The Skala du Port, the bastion above the quay, is a separate monument with a ministry ticket. Free entry to the port and a ticket for the bastion are two different things. This guide is independent and has no link to the port authority or to any operator.
What happens at the harbor
Landing, auction, sale and grill are different activities. Do not expect them all at one hour.
Boats and nets
Fishing boats come and go through the day, and men repair nets on the quay. Boats in blue and white are the classic sight. There is no fixed number of boats or a set arrival time, so treat any schedule you read with caution.
Landing and auction
Trawlers bring in the catch, and the port has a fish auction hall. The landing and the auction are trade between fishermen and buyers. No daily time is published, and you should not assume that you can walk into every part of the working harbor.
Fish stalls
Fish is sold at stalls in the port. No uniform market hours, weekly closing day or official price per kilo is published. Ask the seller for the price before you agree, and look at how the fish is stored.
Grill restaurants
Restaurants at the harbor cook grilled fish and seafood. They are a separate business from the stalls, and prices differ. Ask what the portion costs and how it is priced before you sit down.
Our picks: port and fish market
Two guided tours that start from Essaouira.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Full-day guided tour with a local
Hotel pickup and a guide. Entrance fees, food and drinks and tips are extra.
Check availability →
Port, ramparts and fish market walk
Three hours with a licensed local guide and some free time. Transport and tips are not included.
Check availability →Harbor and fish market tours
Guided walks that include the port, the ramparts and the Skala du Port, plus cooking classes and day trips from Essaouira.
Skala du Port tickets and hours in 2026
Rates as listed by the Ministry of Culture, read on 20 October 2026.
| Category | Entry in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Foreign adults | 60 MAD |
| Foreign children aged 7 to 13 | 30 MAD |
| Moroccan or resident adults | 30 MAD |
| Moroccan or resident children aged 7 to 13 | 10 MAD |
The ministry page lists free entry for people with reduced mobility, and for Moroccan citizens on Fridays and on the first day of national and religious holidays. That does not extend to foreign tourists. For children under 7, ask at the ticket desk. The ministry also offers tickets online, so you can buy ahead if you prefer.
The general footer of the ministry ticket page shows 09:00 to 17:00. It does not give a separate closing day or a Ramadan schedule for this bastion, so check the current hours at the gate before you walk up. Some websites claim free access to the harbor walls at certain hours in the afternoon. The ministry lists a ticket, so plan to pay.
Skala du Port or Skala de la Kasbah?
Visitors often mix the two. The Skala du Port is the ticketed bastion at the harbor. The Skala de la Kasbah, called the Skala de la Ville in many guidebooks, is the cannon platform at the north-western tip of the medina, and the local portal lists free access. Seeing the port from the quay is free, and seeing it from the bastion costs money.
If you only want one, think about what you want to see. The bastion above the quay gives a view of the harbor and the boats. The Skala de la Kasbah gives cannons over the Atlantic. You can do both, and the Skala de la Kasbah costs nothing.
Visiting the port well
A few practical points.
Walk in from the medina
The harbor and the medina are best combined on foot, because the medina is a pedestrian zone.
Respect the work
This is a working harbor. Stay out of the way of crates, carts and boat crews, and ask before you photograph people.
Mogador island
The local portal describes the islands as a bird reserve and states that landing is forbidden. A boat trip around the island is mentioned as an option, and it is different from a visit.
Essaouira port: frequently asked questions
Is the fishing port free to enter?
Access to the harbor is free, according to the local tourism portal. The Skala du Port is a separate monument with its own ticket. Free access to the harbor does not mean that every work area is open to visitors.
How much does the Skala du Port cost in 2026?
The Ministry of Culture lists 60 MAD for foreign adults, 30 MAD for foreign children aged 7 to 13, 30 MAD for Moroccan or resident adults and 10 MAD for Moroccan or resident children aged 7 to 13.
When is the fish auction?
No daily time is published, and the auction is a trade event, not a show for visitors. Ask your accommodation or a guide whether visitors can watch on your day.
Can I buy fresh fish and have it grilled?
The port has fish stalls and grill restaurants. They are separate businesses, and no official price per kilo or portion is published. Ask for the price first, and agree on it before the fish is cooked.
Can I visit Mogador island from the port?
No. Landing on the island is forbidden. A boat trip around it is mentioned by the local portal as an option, but there is no guarantee of a departure.