Safi

Safi is a city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, known for its pottery industry, Portuguese-era fortifications and working port.

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Safi, also called Asfi, is a city on the Atlantic coast of western Morocco and the capital of Safi Province. Visitors can see two surviving Portuguese-era fortifications: the Ksar el-Bahr, or Sea Castle, and the Kechla Fortress. Portuguese forces occupied Safi from 1488 to 1541, and the city became a Portuguese fortress in 1508. Pottery remains part of Safi’s economy, and a pottery school was founded in the early 20th century. The city had 346,888 residents in 2024.

Safi is a working port with two main facilities: the historic Safi Ville port and the newer deep-water Safi Atlantique port. Near the port, the OCP Group’s chemical complex makes fertilizer and phosphoric acid. Sardines are another local industry. Safi is one of Morocco’s main centres for sardine production, and sardines from the area can carry the protected regional label Sardine d’Asfi. Arabic is the native language of almost all residents; Berber languages are spoken natively by about 1% of the population, according to the 2024 census. The city’s port activity and industrial sites are part of its present-day character.

Safi in five

Visit the ceramics museum on any day but TuesdayThe museums foundation lists the National Ceramics Museum as open 10:00 to 18:00 and closed Tuesdays, with adults at 20 DH. It holds Moroccan pottery and ceramics and was created in 1990.
Walk the Kechla and the Qasr al-BahrThe tourist board names the Portuguese fort, the sea castle, the potters' hill and the Portuguese cathedral as Safi's main sights. The Kechla's high towers give views of the medina and the ocean.
Shop in the potters' quarter, with a plan to carry itThe tourist board describes craftsmen displaying terracotta and clay pieces in the pottery district. Agree prices first, ask about packing and check airline baggage limits before buying large items.
Treat the surf at Lalla Fatna as an expert breakThe tourist board lists Lalla Fatna beach and Safi's surf reputation. The UK government warns of strong currents on Moroccan beaches, so go with local advice and lifeguard cover.Travel insurance
Use Safi as a bridge, not a baseThe tourist board puts Essaouira 122 km and 1 hour 50 minutes away and Marrakech 157 km and 2 hours 15 minutes. Break a coast road trip here, or tuck it into a Marrakech loop.Essaouira travel guide

Things to do in Safi

See all attractions in Safi

Sight · SafiLa Colline des Potiers : Ateliers de poterie & de peinture

Historic site · SafiKsar El-Bahr

Market · SafiOld medina

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SafiPut the places you like in Safi on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Marrakech (RAK), 157 km by road, about 2 hr 15 min
Getting there: Road from Marrakech (2 hr 15) or Essaouira (1 hr 50), tourist board figures
Getting around: Walking in the medina; taxis to the beach and potters' hill
Best base: The medina or a seafront hotel
Time needed: A half day; one night with the surf

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good

JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Mild
FebruaryClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Mild
MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild
AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Mild, good
MayClear3 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Warm, good
JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low18°Warm, good
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Warm
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Warm
SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low20°Warm, good
OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Warm, good
NovemberClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Mild
DecemberClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild

Average daily high and low in Safi, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Safi

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 19°
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 16 km/h
Chance of rain: 3%

Safi

08:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today25°16°3%Monday: Fog. High 25°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 3%.
Tue26°16°10%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 10%.
Wed22°17°35%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 35%.
Thu24°16°3%Thursday: Fog. High 24°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 3%.
Fri28°16°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat26°16°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun26°18°16%Sunday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 16%.

Updated 05:30 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.842 MAD

Amount

Converted to

MAD · Moroccan Dirham

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Essaouiraabout 1 hour 50 minutes by roadA walled Atlantic port, 122 km away by the tourist board's figures.Read the guide
Marrakechabout 2 hours 15 minutes by roadThe imperial city, 157 km inland by the tourist board's figures.Read the guide
Lalla Fatna beachin townA beach the tourist board lists among Safi's essentials and a known surf spot.

Before you go to Safi

Safi pottery and coast toursGuided stops along the Atlantic roadCompare tours

Hotels in SafiMedina and seafront staysCheck availability

eSIM for SafiMaps for the medina and coast roadsRead the guide

Insurance for SafiCover for surf and coast road daysRead the guide

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Rules for Safi, checked

National Ceramics Museum, Safi: open 10:00 to 18:00, closed Tuesday; adults 20 DH, ages 12 to 18 10 DH, under 12 5 DH.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Safi surf beaches: lifeguard cover is limited on many Moroccan beaches and unexpected waves occur (FCDO), so take local advice before entering the water.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Safi

Essaouira travel guide

The walled Atlantic port to the south

Read the guide Marrakech travel guide

The city 157 km inland by road

Read the guide All of Morocco

Cities, desert, coast and entry basics

Read the guide Best time to visit Morocco

Which months suit the Atlantic coast

Read the guide Getting around Morocco

Rail, coach and rental options

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for surf and road days

Read the guide Casablanca

Gateway city up the coast

Read the guide

Safi FAQ

Is Safi worth visiting?

Yes if you like pottery, working harbors and fewer visitors than Essaouira. The sea castle, the Kechla and the potters' hill fill a half day. Skip it if you want a lively old town or beach resorts.

What is Safi famous for?

Pottery. The tourist board calls it one of Morocco's ceramics capitals, with craftsmen in the potters' district selling terracotta and clay pieces. The National Ceramics Museum, created in 1990, shows the history.

How far is Safi from Marrakech?

The tourist board gives 157 km and about 2 hours 15 minutes by road. Essaouira is 122 km and about 1 hour 50 minutes away, so Safi fits on a loop between the two.

Is the ceramics museum open on Tuesday?

No. The museums foundation lists it as open 10:00 to 18:00 every day except Tuesday, with adult tickets at 20 DH. Plan your Safi day around that closure.

Can you surf in Safi?

Safi has a surfing reputation, and the tourist board lists Lalla Fatna beach. Conditions are strong, and the UK government warns of currents on Moroccan beaches, so go with local advice and check your insurance.