Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Beirut or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beirut and Essaouira. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Beirut or Essaouira?
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Beirut Prices
Lebanon PricesEssaouira Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.77Essaouira $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.77, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $60. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Beirut and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Essaouira $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Essaouira $56
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Beirut or Essaouira? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Beirut Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Essaouira $2.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $200
- Beirut-Rafic Hariri Airport Luxury Car Transfer: $70
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $50
- Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $25
- Private Departure Transfer | Beirut Hotel to Airport: $10
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: From your hotel in Beirut to Airport: $10
- Private Arrival Transfer | Beirut Airport to Your Hotel: $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- private transfer essaouira to casablanca or casablanca-essaouira: $290
- Transfert Marrakech to Essaouira Or Essaouira to Marrakech: $114
- Transfer services between Essaouira Airport and the city center: $18
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $127
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $142
- Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech: $118
- Private transfer Marrakech airpot - Essaouira: $107
- Private transfer Essaouira Taroudant.: $201
- Private Transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira 1 to 4 people: $109
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh Menara (RAK) Airport: $139
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech: $115
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Taroudant: $237
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Beirut change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBeirut $1.23Essaouira $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $35
- Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
- Beirut Street Food Tour, Lebanon: $85
- Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
- Beirut Street Food Tour | Hummus, Knefeh & Manoushe: $135
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142
- Beirut Street Food Tour | 4 Neighbourhoods · All Inclusive: $150
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava$1.51
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Breakfast Crepes$0.54
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Fish for Lunch$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agadir Cooking Class Experience with Local Market Visit: $31
- Cooking class: How To Be a Real Moroccan Chef: $41
- Essaouira Sunset Tour: Sidi M’barek Waterfall,Coastal Walk&Dinner: $48
- Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience: $53
- Kids Moroccan Cooking Class: $53
- Sidi Kaouki Sunset Walk and Berber Tent Dinner by Atlantic: $53
- Essaouira Cooking Class At Home: $53
- Souk Stories Essaouira Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Essaouira Berber Cooking Class & Organic Farm Tour Al Aaila Farm: $65
- Essaouira Family Dinner Experience: $66
- Essaouira Street Food Tour: $70
- Essaouira Walking Food Tour: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Essaouira $13
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Days Lebanon Holiday Tour Package: $264
- 3 days tour package : Jeita grotto-Byblos-Baalbek & Beirut tour: $295
- 3-Day Tour of Beirut with Pick Up: $264
- ATV (2 Seat) Full Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $195
- ATV (2 Seat) Half Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $120
- ATV Adventure Half Day Guided Tour: $120
- Anjar baalback & Ksara tour: $130
- Anjar, Baalbek & Ksara Semi-Private Tour | Max 10 · Lunch Incl: $55
- Anjar, Baalbek & Ksara Winery Small-Group Tour | Lunch Included: $55
- Archery Activity Experience with Guide From Beirut, Lebanon: $58
- BEYOND CHOUF mountains - Hidden Gems Mountains Day Tour: $250
- Baalbek, Jeita Grotto & Byblos Private Tour | From Beirut: $150
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- 1 Day Horseback Riding Tour with Overnight Stay in Berber Tent: $296
- 1-Day Quad Adventure in Essaouira near Marrakech: $210
- 1-hour buggy tour in Essaouira desert (2 places/buggy): $78
- 2 – Hours Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira Desert with Moroccan Tea: $58
- 2 Hours Dromedary Ride Tour in Essaouira Morocco: $53
- 2 Seater Dune and Ocean Buggy Tour: $59
- 2-hour quad adventure between beach and dunes: $59
- 3-Days Desert Tour From Fes to Marrakech: $201
- 3H Buggy Adventure – Dunes, Ocean & Sunset Ride: $236
- Beginners surf experience in Essaouira: $34
- Big Cap Sim dunes and forest 3 hours tour.: $76
- Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS: $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Essaouira $9.94
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut (Entrance Fee Included): $91
- Private Bekaa Wine Tour | Saint Thomas, Kefraya & Ksara · Beirut: $100
- Private Wine Tour | Chateau Musar, Ixsir & Batroun from Beirut: $100
- Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour | 3 Wineries from Beirut: $100
- Private Bekaa Wine Tour | 3 Wineries · St Thomas, Kefraya & Ksara: $100
- Private Wine Tour | Chateau Musar & Ixsir Winery from Beirut: $100
- PRIVATE Wine Tour in Central Bekaa Valley: $113
- Discover Wine Tasting Lebanese Tour Experience: $170
- Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $232
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Essaouira, we can see that Essaouira is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut is in Middle East and Essaouira is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Essaouira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Essaouira than you might in Beirut.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beirut Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Essaouira?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Beirut and Essaouira, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.