Guests are important in the culture of Morocco, and you are important to us! The Moroccan staff at Riad Dar Adul will welcome you with traditional, warm hospitality. Coming from the Mogador region, and from villages in the Atlas Mountains, Dar Adul staff members care deeply about their home, cultures, and traditions. Together they have more than 40 years of hospitality experience, and want to make sure your time in our riad surpasses your expectations. Creating lasting memories for others is the life passion of Riad Dar Adul owner Mary Franklin, who has led event production in nineteen countries for ardent pop culture fans. Now keen to welcome travellers to Morocco, Mary, with the help of her local team, wants to ensure your experience is authentic, that it benefits family-run businesses, and that it is gentle on the coastal environment. Between us, we speak Arabic, French, English, and Berber.

Buoyant and tranquil, Riad Dar Adul is ideally located inside the historic Medina of Essaouira. Within steps of our front door you can browse traditional Moroccan handcrafts, stroll on the 18th century ramparts, or be well on your way to Essaouira’s beautiful beaches. The warm, welcoming staff of Riad Dar Adul looks forward to serving you. We want you to be relaxed and comfortable, and to enjoy a perfect home away from home from which to discover the magic of Essaouira. Rooms at Riad Dar Adul are clean and peaceful, with whimsical décor, quality linen, and comfortable beds. Each room has a private toilet and shower, with shampoo, soap, a hair dryer, and a space heater provided. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. Enjoy complimentary continental breakfast in the shared indoor courtyard and salon, or on the rooftop terrace. On the rooftop terrace you will appreciate stunning views of the medina ramparts and the ever-changing Atlantic Ocean coastline. Listen to the surf, enjoy a cup of mint tea, and plan your day’s adventures. From kitesurfing to fine dining to live music to browsing the shops in the market, Essaouira is waiting for you, and we at Dar Adul are here to help you enjoy your stay. While no cars can drive inside the Medina, there are parking lots conveniently located just outside the gates.

Riad Dar Adul is located inside Essaouira’s 18th century Medina, one of Morocco’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visible from the terrace of our riad, and a very short walk away from our door, are ramparts featuring canons once installed for the defence of the city. Follow the city wall to the south, and you’ll find yourself in Essaouira’s fishing port and boat harbour. Each day, the commercial fishing vessels, including the traditional small, blue wooden boats, depart and return. See the variety of fresh seafood for sale, right from the boats, and eat in one of the small, local fish cafes nearby. The beaches and shores of Essaouira are known for world-class kitesurfing and windsurfing. It’s a laid-back atmosphere with great (windy!) conditions most days, and a number of options for equipment rentals or lessons near the beach. Novice surfers can find ideal waves for practicing their budding surf skills. Essaouira beaches welcome those who prefer to relax, too, with long stretches of inviting sand, swimming, cafes, and camel and horse rides along the shore. The Atlantic waters might be a little cool, but the weather is frequently warm and dry. Just outside the door of Riad Dar Adul are the winding passageways of the Essaouira Medina, with shops featuring traditional and new Moroccan crafts. These include handwoven rugs, hand-cast pottery, and intricately inlaid wood furniture, which is a local speciality. The argon oil co-ops, many of them owned and operated by local women, are regional to Essaouira, and feature not only the oil, but also argon cosmetics. Essaouira is renowned for live music and excellent restaurants, both traditional and modern. If you are looking for recommendations for good food and music, please feel free to ask our staff about their favourites.