Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Tangier?
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 Tangier or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tangier and Essaouira can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tangier or Essaouira?
Tangier
Welcome to the gateway to Africa. Sitting on the coast of the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier, Morocco has historically served as the meeting point of the Mediterranean and Africa.
After World War II, this city became a destination for eccentric foreigners, artists, spies and hippies. After that, the city was neglected and gained a horrible reputation for the hustlers cheating visitors left and right.
In 1999 Morocco saw the beginning of a new monarch who was more progressive with his vision for tourism. This message lit a fire under Tangier, helping the people see the amazing potential in their great city. They built a new port, a new business district and revamped the airport. The beaches and streets have been cleaned up of trash and hustlers and there's a sudden surge in cultural activities.
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, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
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Tangier Prices
Morocco PricesEssaouira Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTangier $82Essaouira $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Tangier is $82, 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 Tangier and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTangier $25Essaouira $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTangier $50Essaouira $56
Compare Hotels in Tangier and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Tangier 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: Tangier Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tangier $25Essaouira $2.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tangier
Also for Tangier, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Tangier : Private Transfer to Fez via chefchaouen (bleu City: $295
- Tangier to Fez Private Transfer Including Chefchaouen Visit: $284
- Private Transfer from Tarifa to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $283
- Transfer Private From Tangier To Marrakech: $237
- Private Transfer from Tanger-Ibn Batouta (TNG) Airport to Chefchaouen: $235
- First-Class Private Transfer from Tangier to Chefchaouen: $224
- Luxury transfer from Tangier to Tamuda bay or vice versa: $212
- Private Airport Transfer From Tangier to Chefchaouen: $208
- Transfer Private Form Tetouan To Airport Casablanca: $203
- Transfer Private From Tanger To Casablanca: $198
- Tangier to Fez: Bespoke Private Transfer with a Chefchaouen Tour: $180
- Private Transfer Tangier to Fez: $178
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
- Private transfer Essaouira Ouarzazate.: $238
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Taroudant: $237
- Private transfer Essaouira Taroudant.: $201
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $142
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh Menara (RAK) Airport: $138
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Agadir: $130
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $127
- Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech: $118
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech: $115
- Transfert Marrakech to Essaouira Or Essaouira to Marrakech: $114
- Private transfer Essaouira Safi.: $111
Is it cheaper to fly into Tangier or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Tangier 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 dayTangier $38Essaouira $25
Typical Food Prices in Tangier
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tangier:
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Fruit & Yogurt$1.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tangier
For Tangier, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Souk Secrets Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Tangier Family Dinner Experience: $65
- Tasting Tangier Food Tour: $75
- Cooking and eating with a local family: $77
- Inclusive Beach Camel Ride, Cap Spartel, Hercules & Full Dinner: $78
- Tangier Food Tour: $84
- Taste of Morocco Guided Food Tour in Tangier: $91
- Tangier Food Tour with Souq Visit and Moroccan Cooking Workshop: $92
- Tangier Private Cooking Class With a Local Family: $95
- Blue Door Cuisine Cooking & Dining Experiences: $95
- Tangier Tasting Food Tour: $101
- Inclusive Beach Camel Ride, Cap Spartel, Hercules & Full Dinner: $118
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
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
- 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
- Sidi Kaouki Sunset Walk and Berber Tent Dinner by Atlantic: $53
- Essaouira Cooking Class At Home: $53
- Spice Shores Essaouira Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tangier $21Essaouira $13
Tours and Activities in Tangier
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tangier.
- 3 Hours Tour Cap Spartel and Hercules caves with Camel ride: $71
- 3-Hour Driving Tour in Tangier: $71
- 3-Hour Private Enchanting Tangier Coastal Adventure: $39
- 3h Private Walking Tour in Tangier Kasbah Medina & Colorful Souks: $59
- 3h Private Walking Tour of Kasbah, Medina & Souks: $63
- 4 Hour Deluxe Private Guided Tour of Tangier: $78
- 4 Hour Deluxe Private Guided Tour of Tangier: $78
- 4 Hour Panoramic Tangier Tour with Camel Ride: $59
- 4 Hour Tangier City Private Tour: $107
- 4 Hour private luxury Experience of Tangier: $91
- 4 Hours Tangier Tour: $188
- 4 hour private Tour of Tangier: $113
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 Hour Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira desert: $33
- 1-Day Quad Adventure in Essaouira near Marrakech: $210
- 1-Hour Scenic Quad Bike Tour: Discover Essaouira’s Coastline: $36
- 1-hour buggy tour in Essaouira desert (2 places/buggy): $78
- 2 – Hours Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira Desert with Moroccan Tea: $58
- 2 Hour Horseback Adventure in Essaouira: $41
- 2 Hour Quad & ATV Experience: $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
- 2H Buggy Adventure in Essaouira beaches ́Dunes & Forest Ride: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTangier $11Essaouira $9.94
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tangier and Essaouira, we can see that Tangier is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Tangier would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tangier than you might in Essaouira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tangier Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tangier or Essaouira?
Tangier has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Tangier 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.