The Chill Art Hostel

The Chill Art Hostel sits inside Essaouira's UNESCO-listed medina on Rue Abderrahamane Eddakhil, a quiet lane a short walk from the 18th-century Skala de la Ville ramparts and the Atlantic beach. The building follows traditional riad proportions, with tile and marble floors throughout and a sun deck terrace that catches the coastal wind Essaouira is known for.

The hostel runs a denser social programme than most medina guesthouses: bar crawls, themed dinners, live music, cooking classes, and yoga sessions are all staffed in-house. Temporary art galleries rotate through the common areas — an unusual touch that reflects the city's long-standing role as a refuge for painters and musicians. Bicycle rental and horseback riding can be arranged on-site, practical for reaching the argan forest trails south of town.

Lockers, a shared kitchen, a Turkish steam bath, and 24-hour security round out the facilities. Rated 9.0 from over 1,000 reviews.