The 5 neighbourhoods of Essaouira to rent an apartment

The neighbourhoods to rent year-round in Essaouira, rents in dirhams, the effect of tourism on supply and the rules of the lease in Morocco.

The Remoters editorial team

Published on

2 November 2023

Updated on

6 October 2026

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To rent an apartment in Essaouira year-round, five areas come up in most searches: the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001; Ghazoua and its recent residences; Bouzama and Azlef, popular with foreign residents settling for the long term; the coastal village of Diabat to the south; and the outskirts along the Marrakech road for those looking for a house. The choice depends on your budget, your need for quiet and your relationship with the car.

Long-term rents start at around 3,000 dirhams a month for a small apartment on the outskirts. A furnished two-bedroom in the medina or near the centre is generally negotiated between 4,000 and 7,000 dirhams, and a high-end family villa reaches 12,000 to 15,000 dirhams.

The market is not very centralised and competes with seasonal rentals, which are very present in a city that lives off tourism and its festivals. This guide details the neighbourhoods, budgets, how to search and the rules to know before signing a lease in Morocco.

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The neighbourhoods to rent in Essaouira

The medina: the historic heart

Riads and old apartments in the lanes, everything on foot, an artistic atmosphere: the medina is the choice of those who want to live in the centre. Rents there are higher than on the outskirts, and damp is the weak point of many homes. Inspect walls, ceilings and ventilation, preferably in winter or after a spell of rain.

Ghazoua: modern and accessible

This developing neighbourhood offers recent residences, more accessible rents and proximity to the beach and shops. A good choice for a first functional home, without the constraints of old houses.

Bouzama and Azlef: space

These residential neighbourhoods attract foreign residents settling for the long term. You find more spacious homes and villas with gardens, at higher rents than in the rest of the outskirts.

Diabat: calm by the ocean

South of the city, Diabat is a quiet coastal village, with rents lower than in the centre. It suits those who put nature first, but means travelling for shopping and errands.

The Marrakech road: houses and villas

On leaving the city, country houses and villas offer plenty of space. This area is mostly for families with a car.

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What budget to plan for

Monthly rent ranges for a long-term rental, excluding charges:

Studio or small apartment on the outskirts (Ghazoua, Bouzama): from 3,000 dirhams.
Two-bedroom apartment in the medina or near the centre: from 4,000 to 7,000 dirhams.
Renovated riad in the medina: from 7,000 to 10,000 dirhams.
High-end family villa: from 12,000 to 15,000 dirhams.

Water, electricity and internet are rarely included in the advertised rent: ask for the latest bills to estimate these costs. The security deposit is in principle one month's rent; if the landlord asks for more, have the exact amount written into the contract.

A market driven by tourism

Essaouira-Mogador airport welcomed 310,436 passengers in 2025, 34.4% more than in 2024, according to the National Airports Office cited by Telquel. Links with France are multiplying: easyJet is opening a Nantes-Essaouira route from 27 October 2026, with two flights a week, competing with Transavia. Festivals also weigh in: according to a study by the firm K&Co cited by Telquel, the roughly 15,000 participants of the MOGA festival spent 51.5 million dirhams in 2025.

The consequence for a tenant: some landlords prefer to rent by the week rather than year-round, which reduces long-term supply. The phenomenon goes beyond Essaouira: in January 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing cited short-term tourist rentals through platforms among the causes of rising rents in Morocco, and announced a study of rent control, according to Le360. Avoid searching during the major festivals, when homes are reserved for visitors.

Searching and signing: the steps to follow

Set your budget and neighbourhood before you begin: apartment, riad or villa, medina or outskirts.
Use many channels: local agencies, national portals such as Avito.ma and Mubawab.ma, and word of mouth, which remains essential in a city of this size.
View in person: check for damp, insulation, the internet connection and the equipment included.
Negotiate the rent, the furniture and the deposit, and note down everything agreed.
Sign a written lease and have the signatures certified by the local authority (commune) so that the contract is enforceable.
Do a detailed inventory, with photos, on move-in and move-out, to protect your deposit.

Mistakes to avoid

Paying before viewing: pay no advance on the strength of photos, and check that the person you are dealing with is really the owner or their representative.
Settling for a verbal agreement: without a written, certified lease, you will have little means of asserting your rights.
Viewing only in summer: a home that is dry in July can turn out damp in winter, especially in the medina.
Forgetting the wind: the trade winds blow much of the year. An exposed terrace or poorly sealed windows change everyday comfort.

Searching from France with support on the ground

In Essaouira, a good share of year-round rentals circulate outside the portals and go quickly. From France, it is hard to spot these offers, judge the condition of an old house or have a lease legalised. A Remoters home finder based in Essaouira searches for you according to your criteria, visits properties, prepares your application and reviews the lease before signing. The first conversation and the quote are free.