A Travel Price Comparison for Morocco Tangier vs. Essaouira for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tangier is $83, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $61. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tangier $25
    Essaouira $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tangier $50
    Essaouira $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.

Hotels in Tangier


Hotels in Essaouira


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tangier $26
    Essaouira $2.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tangier

Also for Tangier, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Tangier to Casablanca (Vice Versa) - M Class E: $438
  • Transfer from Tangier to Rabat (Vice Versa) - M Class E: $431
  • Private Transfer Tangier To Fes/Fes To Tangir Via Chefchauen: $284
  • Transfers From Tangier To Marrakech: $261
  • Transfer Tangier to Assilah (Vice Versa): $250
  • Special - Fes Guided Tours with Lunch and Transfer to Casablanca: $233
  • Private Transfer : Tangier ⇆ Fez: $233
  • "Fez to Marrakech: Enjoy a Private Transfer for a Smooth Journey": $230
  • VIP transfer from Tangier to Chefchaouen: $220
  • Transfer Private Form Tetouan To Airport Casablanca: $200
  • Private Transfer from Tangier city hotels to Ceuta Cruise Port: $195
  • Transfer Private From Tanger To Casablanca: $195

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira

Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Private Transfer to Casablanca: $342
  • Airport transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh : $268
  • Private transfer Essaouira Ouarzazate.: $233
  • Private Transfer Essaouira-Taroudant: $233
  • Private transfer Essaouira Taroudant.: $198
  • Private Transfer from or to Agafay Desert: $194
  • Transfert Essaouira to Agadir - Private Agadir to Essaouira : $174
  • From Private Transfer to Taghazout or Agadir: $160
  • Essaouira private transfer from Essaouira city to Agadir airport (AGA): $148
  • Essaouira transfer to Marrakech : $139
  • Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh Menara (RAK) Airport: $136
  • From Private Transfer to Marrakech: $131

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tangier $38
    Essaouira $26
Typical Food Prices in Tangier

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tangier:


  • Fruit & Yogurt
    $1.85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tangier

For Tangier, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Full Thousand and One Nights Experience Tour with dinner: $5.70
  • Tangier Food Tour : A Delicious Walking Adventure: $67
  • Tasting Tangier Food Tour: $75
  • Tangier food tour : $76
  • Caves, sunset, camel ride on the beach and barbecue dinner: $76
  • cooking class with local family from Tangier: $77
  • Inclusive Beach Camel Ride, Cap Spartel, Hercules & Full Dinner: $77
  • Cooking class with a local family with Chef Latifa - Local dishes: $78
  • Tangier Food Tour: $80
  • The Food tour of Tangier: $81
  • Dinner with a Berber family in tangier: $85
  • Tangier Cooking Class With a Local Family: $87

Typical Food Prices in Essaouira

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:


  • Baklava
    $1.53
  • Breakfast Crepes
    $0.55
  • 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:

  • Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
  • Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience: $50
  • Traditional Moroccan and Berber cooking classes: $58
  • l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $70
  • Essaouira Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $73
  • Essaouirra cooking class: $74
  • Essaouira Cooking Class: $76
  • Essaouira Food Tour: $86
  • Berber Cooking Class at a Farm in the Countryside & shopping at a rural Souk.: $99
  • Moroccan cooking classes in Essaouira with Service Photo et Vidéo Pro: $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tangier $22
    Essaouira $13

Tours and Activities in Tangier

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tangier.

  • 3-Hour Private Enchanting Tangier Coastal Adventure: $93
  • Full Day Private Chefchaouen Guided Tour: $140
  • Full Day Private Tour of Tangier : $122
  • Highlights of Tangier Half Day Tour Include Lunch: $104
  • Luxury Tangier private Day Tour from Tarifa Spain All inclusive : $291
  • Private LuxuryTour of Tangier for 4hours: $81
  • Private Tour in Tangier : $119
  • Tanger private tour cruise ship -up Luxury City Tour: $94
  • Tangier Private Tour with Ferry & Lunch from Tarifa : $271
  • The Best of Tangier Walking Tour : $208
  • "Rabat to High-Speed Train Guided Day Tour": $151
  • 2 Days Luxury Tour to Merzouga Desert from Fez with Small Group: $268

Tours and Activities in Essaouira

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.

  • Experience the Ultimate Adventure with our Surf Lessons in Essaouira: $33
  • 1-Day Quad Adventure in Essaouira near Marrakech: $206
  • 2 Hour Quad & ATV Experience: $62
  • 3 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga with Luxury Camp: $215
  • Day Tour on Dromedary and Overnight Stay Near Essaouira Morocco: $290
  • Essaouira 2-Hour Camel Adventure Ride: $41
  • Essaouira : 1 Hour Quad Bike Tour and 1 Hour Dromedary Ride: $65
  • Essaouira Dar Sultan Palace Horseback Tour Experience: $42
  • Essaouira Donkey Tours : $29
  • Essaouira Guided Tour: 3 on 1 - Nightlife tour, Live like a local & Street food: $70
  • Essaouira Sand Dunes: Half Day Quad Bike Tour: $76
  • Essaouira Tour - Half day visit to berber market : $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tangier $12
    Essaouira $10


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.