Agadir to Essaouira by Car: The Coastal Road Trip Guide

Essaouira is the trip our customers in Agadir talk about most when they come back. The town itself is relaxed and walkable, and the road there is half the experience: surf beaches, argan country and long stretches of Atlantic coast. Here is how to plan it with a rental car.

The route along the coast

Head north from Agadir through Taghazout and keep following the N1 toward Essaouira. The first part runs right along the ocean past the surf villages, then the road moves inland through hills covered in argan trees before reaching the coast again near Essaouira.

Stops worth making on the way

• Taghazout: about 20 km north of Agadir, the best-known surf village on this coast. A good place for a first coffee with an ocean view.
• Argan cooperatives: along the road you will see women’s cooperatives producing argan oil. Many welcome visitors and explain the process.
• Goats in argan trees: a famous sight in this region. If you stop to look, park fully off the road.
• Viewpoints over the ocean: several lay-bys before and after Tamri give wide views of the coast. Pull over only where it is safe.

Arriving and parking in Essaouira

The medina of Essaouira is pedestrian. You will find paid car parks just outside the walls, close to the port and the main gates, with attendants. Leave the car there and explore on foot: the ramparts, the Skala de la Ville, the port with its blue fishing boats and the long beach to the south are all within walking distance.

The places our customers enjoy most are on our Destinations page: Essaouira Beach, the citadel, the Sqala du Port and the port itself.

Day trip or overnight?

A same-day return is possible but long: around 6 hours of driving for a few hours in town. We usually recommend at least one night in Essaouira. You get the evening light on the ramparts and a relaxed drive back the next day.

Which car for the coastal road?

The N1 is paved and in good condition, so any of our cars will do. For comfort on a long day with bends and climbs, our customers like the Dacia Sandero Stepway for its higher driving position, or an automatic like the Volkswagen T-Roc for a smoother drive. Prices start at 300 DH (30€) per day; see all our cars.

Renting directly for Essaouira

If you start your holiday in Essaouira rather than Agadir, we can deliver the car there for an extra fee, or set up a one-way rental between Agadir and Essaouira with a return fee. Already planning more coastal driving? See our guide to day trips from Agadir by car.

Written by the JAFWHEELS team in Agadir from our day-to-day work delivering rental cars across the Souss region. Distances and driving times are approximate and depend on traffic and road works, so check a live map before you set off. Last reviewed: October 2026.