Electric Motorcycle Tour Essaouira: 3-Hour Coastal & Argan Discovery

Itinerary

1. 1

   Medina of Essaouira

   5 min — choose bike and helmet

   The tour begins 80 metres from Bab Sbaa in the medina. You select an electric motorcycle colour and a vintage Italian helmet — both included — for the three-hour loop. The guide runs through controls and safety before you set off. The meeting point is on a quiet corner behind Dar Saouiri, easy to find from the main gate.

2. 2

   Essaouira Ramparts

   10 min — briefing and test ride

   A short ride brings you to the 18th-century ramparts overlooking the Atlantic. Here the guide gives a practical test session: throttle, brakes, and balance on the wide promenade. The walls offer the first views of Mogador Island and the harbour. This stop builds confidence before the route leaves the paved seafront.

3. 3

   Essaouira Beach

   15 min — Mogador Island and city history

   From the ramparts you drop onto the broad sandy beach, riding the firm sand at low tide. The guide points out Mogador Island, a former Portuguese fortress and now a bird reserve, and explains how Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah commissioned the current city layout in the 1760s. Photo stop with the walls behind you.

4. 4

   Barakat Mohammad Sculpture

   10 min — contemporary art stop

   A brief pause at the Barakat Mohammad sculpture, a modern metalwork piece near the coast. The guide offers context on the artist and the work’s connection to Essaouira’s cultural scene. It’s a quick photo opportunity before the route turns inland toward the Oued Ksob valley.

5. 5

   Oued Ksob and Caravan Route

   10 min — Horse Adventure Essaouira

   At the Horse Adventure centre you cross the seasonal Oued Ksob riverbed. The guide outlines the historic caravan route that once linked Essaouira to Marrakech and the Sahara, carrying argan oil, salt, and spices. The electric motorcycles handle the gravel approach easily; horses from the neighbouring stables sometimes graze nearby.

6. 6

   Dar Sultan Palace

   5 min — the sandy castle

   Known locally as the sandy castle, Dar Sultan Palace sits on a dune ridge. The 18th-century ruin was a sultan’s retreat; wind-blown sand has half-buried its lower rooms. You park the motorcycles and walk the perimeter for photos of the crumbling arches against the sky. The stop is brief but visually striking.

7. 7

   Diabat — Music Legends and Gnawa

   5 min — Hendrix, Morrison, Plant and Gnawa culture

   Diabat village is famed for its 1960s counterculture visitors: Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Robert Plant all spent time here. The guide also explains the village’s deep roots in Gnawa music, a spiritual tradition brought by sub-Saharan enslaved people. You see the ruins of the house where Hendrix allegedly stayed, now partly reclaimed by sand.

8. 8

   Golf d'Essaouira Mogador — Norfolk Pines

   5 min — coastal pine avenue

   The route skirts the Gary Player-designed golf course, where an avenue of Norfolk Island pines lines the fairways. These tall, symmetrical conifers were planted during the French protectorate and thrive in the salty wind. A quick stop for photos under the canopy before the track turns toward the argan forests inland.

9. 9

   Ghazoua — Coastal Views

   10 min — photo stop over the coast

   Climbing a gentle rise near Ghazoua, the track opens onto a panoramic view of the Atlantic coastline stretching back toward Essaouira. The guide points out the ramparts, Mogador Island, and the bay. This is a designated photo stop — ‘I love Essaouira’ sign included — before you descend into the village and forest.

10. 10

    Track Through the Forest

    Pass by — ride through argan forest

    The electric motorcycles follow a sandy trail through dense argan forest. The trees, endemic to southwest Morocco, create a shaded corridor; the quiet electric motors let you hear birdsong and the occasional goat bleating in the branches. No formal stop — this is a transit section, but the change of terrain from coast to woodland is noticeable.

11. 11

    Ghazoua — Argan Tree

    10 min — argan tree and local significance

    A pause beside a mature argan tree where the guide explains its ecological and economic importance — ‘the gold of the region’. You learn how goats climb the thorny branches to eat the fruit, and how the nuts are harvested for oil. The tree itself is gnarled and wide-trunked, a good subject for close-up photos.

12. 12

    Crossing Ghazoua Village

    Pass by — drive through the village

    The track threads through Ghazoua’s narrow lanes, past low whitewashed houses and small shops. Residents are accustomed to the tour groups; children often wave. The motorcycles move at walking pace here. No stop — it’s a cultural glimpse of rural life between the forest and the argan cooperative ahead.

13. 13

    Ghazoua — Argan Oil Production

    15 min — cosmetic argan oil and Berber spread demo

    At a women’s cooperative you watch the traditional cold-press extraction of cosmetic argan oil: cracking nuts, grinding kernels, and pressing. The guide translates explanations from the producers. You can sample the oil and amlou (a Berber spread of argan oil, almonds and honey). Products are for sale; no pressure to buy, but purchases support the cooperative directly.

14. 14

    Ghazoua — Tea and Pastries

    20 min — tea in a restored farmhouse

    The longest stop: mint tea and Moroccan pastries served in a renovated farmhouse courtyard. The setting is quiet, with views over the argan groves. It’s a chance to rest, ask the guide questions, and chat with other riders. The tea is sweet, poured from height in the traditional style. Snacks are included in the tour price.

15. 15

    Track in Dunes and Forest

    Pass by — off-road section through dunes

    Leaving the farmhouse, the route re-enters sandy tracks winding between low dunes and argan trees. The electric motorcycles’ torque handles the loose surface well; the guide sets a moderate pace. This section feels the most adventurous — open terrain, few other visitors, and the sound of wind in the branches. Pure transit, no stops.

16. 16

    Diabat — Natural Swimming Pool and Dunes

    15 min — wadi pool and large dunes

    The final highlight before returning: a natural pool formed where the Oued Ksob meets the sea, fringed by high dunes. In summer the water is cool and swimmable; year-round it’s a scenic spot for photos. The guide explains the seasonal dynamics of the wadi. From here it’s a short ride back to the medina start point.

For reference — the operator may change the order of stops.