Safi Morocco: 15 Things to Do in Safi Morocco (A Local’s Travel Guide by Trekking Pals)
Most travelers rushing between Casablanca and Essaouira barely glance at Safi on the map. But for those who slow down, this Atlantic city reveals something unique: a blend of sea, clay, and community that captures Morocco’s heart in its rawest form.
Safi is my hometown and a place that always grounds me. I’ve watched the sun set from its cliffs, shared coffee with friends at Sidi Bouzid, and wandered through its medina where artisans still mold earth into art.
Safi isn’t a polished city, but it’s a living, breathing coastal city where fishermen mend nets by hand, and potters turn clay into beauty. It’s a place where time slows, and if you give it a day or two, you’ll be rewarded with warmth, authenticity, and views you won’t forget.
Here’s your complete guide with the 17 best things to do in Safi, Morocco, curated from my own walks, memories, and some hidden finds.
1. Watch the Sunset from Rass Lafaa in Sidi Bouzid
If you see one sunset in Safi, make it from Rass Lafaa, the scenic cliffside viewpoint in Sidi Bouzid. From here, you can see the entire city hugging the coastline while the Atlantic stretches endlessly beyond.
Right beside the “Safi Love” sign, the view comes alive in the golden light. Between the Cadi Ayyad University campus and the Engineering School ENSA, a small coffee truck called Simo serves great espresso and iced drinks. In summer evenings, Simo often sets up live music, a perfect local moment.
2. Walk Down to the Beach from the Cliffs
From Rass Lafaa, follow the descending stairs past the snake sculpture to reach the beach below. It’s a beautiful scenic trail with ocean views all the way down.
At the bottom, you’ll find a quiet stretch of sand where locals gather to watch the sunset, picnic, or simply breathe. It’s an ideal spot for reflection, especially in the late afternoon light when cliffs turn golden and the water mirrors the sky.
Bring a light jacket, as the Atlantic breeze can be cool in winter. The waters on the coast can be really rough, so be careful if you decide to swim and follow the golden rule, “do as locals do.” If you don’t see many locals swimming, there’s a reason to be a bit more careful if you choose to swim.
3. Visit the Guinness World Record Tajine Monument
In the heart of Safi, near the city’s roundabout, stands something both whimsical and iconic: the world’s largest tajine.
Built as a symbol of pride for the city’s culinary heritage, this giant tajine once made headlines by entering the Guinness World Records. When it was inaugurated, locals prepared a massive sardine ball tajine and invited the public to feast, celebrating Safi’s love for seafood and community spirit.
Today, it’s a fun monument to photograph, especially if you’re exploring the city center. Locals often use it as a meeting point and as a reminder that food, here, is culture and celebration.
4. Explore the Old Medina Walls
The Old Medina of Safi is wrapped in thick, timeworn walls that whisper history at every corner. These fortifications date back centuries, blending influences from Moroccan dynasties, Portuguese colonists, and later French administrators.
Step through Bab Chaaba, one of the main gates, and you’ll enter a labyrinth of alleys echoing with the sounds of artisans at work and children playing soccer between walls. The medina feels intimate, more local, and less touristy than cities like Fes or Marrakech.
Take your time to wander. You’ll pass tiled doorways, spice shops, bakeries, and colorful pottery stalls. Bring small change, you’ll find countless treasures to buy directly from artisans.
5. Visit the Pottery Quarter (Colline des Potiers)
Safi is Morocco’s capital of ceramics, and the Pottery Hill, known as Colline des Potiers, is its creative heart.
This area, near Bab Chaaba, is where potters have worked for generations. Walk through the narrow path up the hill, and you’ll see artisans shaping clay, firing kilns, and painting intricate designs by hand. The smell of wet earth and wood smoke fills the air.
Don’t just browse, stop and chat with the craftsmen. Many are happy to show their process, from raw clay to finished vases, bowls, and tagines. Some will even let you try shaping your own piece on the wheel.
If you climb to the top of the hill, you’ll find panoramic views of Safi and the Atlantic.
At Bab Chabaa and close to the pottery quarter is a nice cozy coffee shop called The Seventh Wave, a cozy cultural cafe where artists, writers, and youth of Safi hang out. They often have artistic events, board game afternoons, or you can simply stop by to grab coffee and a snack.
6. Visit the National Museum of Ceramics
Right in the Kechla Fortress, you’ll find the Musée National de la Céramique, a hidden gem of a museum showcasing Morocco’s ceramic history.
Here, hundreds of pieces from Safi and other regions are beautifully displayed, from rustic clay jars to ornate zellige tilework. The museum gives context to Safi’s legacy as a major pottery hub.
The museum is generally open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays), but double-check opening hours locally.
7. Step Inside the Kechla Fortress (Dar Sultan)
The Kechla Fortress, also called Dar Sultan, stands as one of Safi’s most striking historic sites. Built in the 16th century by the Portuguese and later expanded by Moroccan sultans, its thick stone walls overlook both the medina and the port.
Inside, you’ll find arched corridors, courtyards, and sometimes exhibitions of pottery and local crafts. Even if the fortress is closed to the public, which happens often due to ongoing preservation issues, walking around its base gives a powerful sense of history.
8. See the Portuguese Sea Castle (Ksar el Bahr)
At the edge of the port sits the Portuguese Sea Castle, or Ksar el Bahr, “Castle by the Sea.” This 16th-century fort was built to defend the coast during the Portuguese occupation of Morocco.
Although parts of it have deteriorated, its structure remains a hauntingly beautiful relic. Standing near it, with waves crashing against the base, you can almost imagine the old cannons pointing out to sea.
9. Wander the Port: Safi’s Beating Heart
The Port of Safi is busy, noisy, and fascinating. It’s where the city’s fishing life unfolds, boats coming in, nets being repaired, seagulls flocking overhead, and vendors selling the day’s catch.
It’s not a sanitized tourist attraction; it’s real Morocco. If you love photography, this is a goldmine of moments: weathered boats, fishermen laughing, baskets of silver fish glinting in sunlight.
Avoid blocking workers or photographing people without asking.
10. Taste the Freshest Seafood in Morocco
You can’t visit Safi without tasting its seafood, especially sardines. The city is one of the world’s largest sardine exporters, and locals treat fresh fish as both a staple and a point of pride.
Head to the port early in the day to see fishermen unloading their catch. If you want to eat right there, mention to the officer at the checkpoint that you’re heading to the port restaurant, and they’ll often let you through.
Two great options besides the port:
Le Filet du Pêcheur is known for amazing grilled fish platters.
Chez Hosni is a local favorite for tajines.
11. Try Local Sweets and Shorba in the Medina
Beyond seafood, Safi has a few local specialties that reflect its coastal charm and simplicity.
Try Kaak, a circular, slightly crunchy pastry that’s lightly sweetened and flavored with anise or sesame. Every bakery has its own version.
And if you’re in the old Medina of Safi during summer, ask locals where to find Shorba, a refreshing local drink sold in a tiny medina shop. hard to describe the location, but it’s been made by the same family for generations and has a cooling flavor that instantly revives you after walking through the heat on a warm day.
12. Walk Along the Corniche
For a peaceful stroll, head to La Corniche, Safi’s seaside promenade. The long walkway hugs the Atlantic, with waves crashing just below and rooftop cafés dotting the skyline. My favorite place to go to every time I’m home is Le Rooftop, especially during sunset. The light turns everything gold: cliffs, ocean, rooftops, and you’ll understand why locals never tire of this view.
13. Try Surfing in Safi
Safi is one of Morocco’s surfing capitals — particularly loved by experienced surfers for its powerful right-hand point break. But even beginners can catch their first wave here.
Head to the Surf Club Safi near the main beach, where local instructors offer short beginner sessions with board rental included. The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly, perfect for trying something new even if you’ve never surfed before.
Bring a sense of humor and an appetite for fun — falling is part of the experience!
14. Discover the Ruins of the Portuguese Cathedral
Tucked within the old medina, you’ll find the remains of a Portuguese cathedral, one of the oldest European churches in Morocco. Built during the 1500s, it stands as a silent reminder of Safi’s colonial past.
Its arched windows and thick stone walls have endured centuries of change. Standing there, surrounded by the hum of the medina, you can feel how history and daily life coexist in this city.
15. Enjoy a Half-Day or Full-Day Walking Tour with Trekking Pals
If you prefer to explore Safi with context and stories, join our Safi City Walking Tour designed for travelers who want more than just sights.
The full-day guided walking tour includes Rass Lafaa’s panoramic views in Sidi Bouzid, the old medina, the pottery quarter, the Portuguese fortress, and more. You’ll meet artisans, taste local snacks, and uncover the layers of history that shaped this coastal gem.
Book the Safi City Walking Tour on GetYourGuide here.
While the half-day walking tour is shorter and focuses on the old medina, the tajine and pottery quarter.
If you’re planning a private visit or want to include Safi in a broader Morocco itinerary, contact us at Trekking Pals. We’ll help design your perfect experience.
Practical Travel Tips for Visiting Safi
Safi is located on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, about halfway between Casablanca and Essaouira.
Getting There:
From Casablanca: 3.5 to 4 hours by car (or by CTM/Supratours bus).
From Marrakech: around 3 hours by car via R207.
From Essaouira: about 2 2-hour drive north.
Best Time to Visit:
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer mild weather and clear skies. Summers can be hot, but coastal breezes make it more bearable.
Where to Stay:
Riad du Pêcheur mid-range stay near the sea.
Hotel Atlantique Panorama for sunset views from the cliffs.
Dar El Bahar boutique riad in the medina.
What to Eat:
Fresh grilled sardines (everywhere!)
Seafood tajine at Chez Hosni
Kaak pastries, shorba drink, and mint tea
What to Buy:
Hand-painted ceramics from Colline des Potiers
Clay tajines or serving dishes (ask for lead-free glaze)
Small handwoven baskets and local spices
Language:
Arabic and French are widely spoken; English is
Etiquette:
Ask before taking photos of people or inside workshops. Dress modestly, especially in the medina.
Final Reflections: Safi’s Quiet Magic
Safi isn’t the most glamorous city, but it’s about presence. It’s the warmth of a potter’s smile, the scent of sardines grilling by the sea, the thrill of descending from cliff to shore under the orange sky.
What makes Safi special is its authenticity, the way it invites you to slow down, to notice, to connect. It’s not a city that performs for visitors; it simply is. And that’s why it’s unforgettable.
If you’re traveling through Morocco and crave something simple and away from the crowds, let Safi surprise you. And if you want to go deeper, come explore it with us
