Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira: airport taxi and transfers

What is the Gnaoua and World Music Festival?

The Gnaoua and World Music Festival is the largest event of the year in Essaouira. Since 1998 it has brought the Gnaoua masters, the maâlems, on stage with jazz, blues and world musicians from many countries. Most of the big concerts are in the open air and free, which fills the town with several hundred thousand visitors over the weekend.

When it takes place

Time of the year: late June. Length: three days. The organisers announce the exact dates and the programme of each edition: check them on the official site of the event before you book flights and rooms, then book the transfer for the same dates.

Where it takes place in Essaouira

The main stage is on Place Moulay Hassan, between the port and the medina, and a second large stage stands on the beach. Smaller, more intimate concerts take place in the evening at Dar Souiri and in riads and zaouias of the medina, usually with a ticket.

Getting to Essaouira for the Gnaoua and World Music Festival

Most visitors land at Marrakech Menara Airport and continue by road. The taxi from Marrakech Airport to Essaouira takes about 2 h 45 for 190 km and costs from 65 € per car: the driver waits in the arrivals hall with your name and takes you to your address in Essaouira, or to the nearest gate if you stay inside the medina. If you land at Essaouira Airport, the transfer to the town takes 20 minutes. Flights to Agadir Airport and Casablanca Airport are the other two ways in.

By road from the other cities, per car and one way:

• Marrakech to Essaouira: 65 €.
• Agadir to Essaouira: 75 €.
• Casablanca to Essaouira: 165 €.
• Agafay desert to Essaouira: 90 €.

On the days of the event

During the festival the streets around Place Moulay Hassan and the port are closed to cars from the afternoon until late at night. The driver leaves you at Bab Sbaa or Bab Marrakech, the nearest gates still open to traffic, and picks you up at the same place. The Marrakech road is busy on the Thursday and Friday towards Essaouira and on the Sunday on the way back.

Good to know

• Rooms in Essaouira sell out weeks ahead for this weekend. Many visitors sleep in Marrakech, Sidi Kaouki or Ghazoua and come by car for the concerts.
• The last concerts end after midnight. Book the return in advance with the hour you want: free taxis are rare when the main stage empties.
• Evenings on the Atlantic are windy and cool, even in June. Take a jacket for the beach stage.
• Travelling as a group? See the sizes on the our cars page, and all prices on the price list.

MG Taxis Morocco is an independent transfer company and is not linked to the organisers of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival. Dates, venues and programme are decided by the organisers and can change.