Accommodation in Morocco
Hotels · Riads · Rentals · Short & Long Term
🏠 Accommodation at a Glance
| Type | Best For | Typical Price (per night) | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏨 Hotel | Business, convenience, full service | $30–$300+ | Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia |
| 🕌 Riad | Authentic experience, couples, culture | $40–$200+ | Booking.com, direct booking, riad websites |
| 🏠 Apartment Rental | Families, long stays, self-catering | $20–$150+ (night) / $300–$1500 (month) | Airbnb, Avito.ma, Mubawab, Facebook groups |
| 🛏️ Hostel / Guesthouse | Budget travelers, solo travelers, social | $10–$30 | Hostelworld, Booking.com |
| 🏖️ Resort / Club | All-inclusive, families, luxury | $100–$500+ | Marrakech, Agadir, Taghazout, Saidia |
🏨 Hotels · From Budget to Luxury
⭐ Budget Hotels ($20–$50/night)
Basic but clean, often family-run. Usually located outside medinas or in modern districts.
Examples: Ibis (city centers), local guesthouses
Booking platforms: Booking.com, Agoda, Trip.com
⭐⭐ Mid-Range ($60–$150/night)
Comfortable hotels with amenities like pools, restaurants, and central locations.
Examples: Kenzi, Zalagh, Atlas, Mogador chains
Booking platforms: Booking.com, Expedia, direct hotel websites
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Luxury ($200+/night)
5-star hotels, often with spas, golf courses, and world-class dining.
Examples: Four Seasons, Fairmont, Royal Mansour, Mandarin Oriental
Booking platforms: direct booking (best rates), Amex Travel, Mr & Mrs Smith
🕌 Riads · The Heart of Moroccan Hospitality
A riad is a traditional Moroccan house built around an interior courtyard or garden, often with a fountain, intricate tilework (zellij), and carved plaster. Many have been converted into boutique hotels or guesthouses.
✨ Why Stay in a Riad?
- Authentic Moroccan architecture and atmosphere
- Intimate, often family-run, personalized service
- Typically located within historic medinas
- Rooftop terraces with stunning views
- Often include breakfast and traditional meals
📍 Best Cities for Riads
- Marrakech: Hundreds of riads in the medina
- Fes: Historic riads near the tanneries
- Chefchaouen: Blue-washed riads in the Rif
- Essaouira: Coastal riads with ocean views
- Rabat: Quieter, more refined riads
📌 Riad Booking Tips
- Book in advance, especially during peak season (spring, autumn, holidays)
- Check reviews on Booking.com, Google, or TripAdvisor
- Many riads offer airport transfer (for a fee)
- Note: Riads in medinas may not have elevators or parking
🏠 Renting an Apartment or House · Short & Long Term
Whether you're staying for a month or moving to Morocco permanently, renting is a popular option. Here's what you need to know.
📱 Short-Term Rentals (1–30 days)
Platforms: Airbnb, Booking.com (apartments), Vrbo
Typical prices: $30–$150/night depending on city and season
Advantages: Fully furnished, often with kitchen, WiFi, and laundry. Hosts can provide local tips.
Tips: Read reviews carefully. Check the exact location (some listings say "close to medina" but are far).
📆 Long-Term Rentals (1 month – 1+ years)
Platforms: Avito.ma, Mubawab.ma, Facebook Marketplace, local real estate agents
Typical prices (monthly):
- Studio / 1-bedroom: $300–$700
- 2-bedroom: $500–$1,200
- 3-bedroom / villa: $1,000–$3,000+
Prices vary significantly by city and neighborhood.
📍 City & Neighborhood Guide for Renters
Neighborhoods: Ain Diab (beachfront), Gauthier (upscale), Maarif (central), Anfa (luxury).
Rent: $500–$2,000/month
Neighborhoods: Agdal (modern), Souissi (embassy area), Hay Riad (family-friendly), Medina (historic).
Rent: $400–$1,500/month
Neighborhoods: Gueliz (modern), Hivernage (luxury), Palmeraie (villas), Medina (riads).
Rent: $400–$2,000/month
Neighborhoods: Founty (beachfront), Talborjt (center), Dakhla (residential), Nouveau Talborjt.
Rent: $350–$1,500/month
Neighborhoods: Malabata (coastal), California (hills), City Center, Marshan.
Rent: $400–$1,800/month
Neighborhoods: Ville Nouvelle (modern), Medina (historic), Fes Jdid.
Rent: $300–$1,200/month
📝 Rental Tips & Requirements
📋 What You'll Need
- Valid passport or national ID
- Residence permit (for long-term renters)
- Proof of income or employment (sometimes)
- Deposit (usually 1-2 months' rent)
- First month's rent in advance
⚠️ Important Considerations
- Lease contract: Always sign a written contract (in French or Arabic)
- Utilities: Clarify if included or separate (water, electricity, internet)
- Furnished vs. unfurnished: Most rentals for foreigners are furnished
- Language: Contracts are typically in French or Arabic. Have it translated if needed
- Agent fees: Real estate agents may charge 1 month's rent as commission
🏡 Villas & Luxury Properties
For those seeking privacy, space, and luxury, villas are available for rent by the week or month, particularly in resort areas.
🌴 Popular Villa Destinations
- Marrakech Palmeraie: Private villas with pools and gardens
- Taghazout / Agadir: Beachfront villas with Atlantic views
- Casablanca (Anfa): Upscale neighborhood villas
- Rabat (Souissi): Embassy district villas
- Tangier (Malabata): Mediterranean coast villas
📌 Booking Platforms
- Airbnb (luxury section)
- Vrbo (vacation rentals)
- Plum Guide (curated luxury)
- Local luxury real estate agencies
- Direct booking via property owner websites
Typical price: $200–$1,000+ per night depending on season and location.
🎓 Student & Shared Accommodation
📚 University Housing
Moroccan public universities offer dormitories (cités universitaires) for students at very low cost (approx. $50–$150/month). Priority is given to Moroccan students, but international students may apply.
Private student residences: Available in major cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech. Prices: $200–$500/month.
🏠 Shared Apartments (Colocation)
Popular among students and young professionals. Find rooms on:
- Avito.ma (search "colocation")
- Facebook groups (e.g., "Appartements et colocation Casablanca")
- University notice boards
Typical room price: $150–$400/month including utilities.
🔍 Where to Search · Platform Summary
| Platform | Best For | Language | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | Hotels, riads, apartments (short-term) | Multi-language | booking.com |
| Airbnb | Apartments, houses, villas (short-term) | Multi-language | airbnb.com |
| Avito.ma | Long-term rentals, rooms, property for sale | Arabic, French | avito.ma |
| Mubawab.ma | Long-term rentals, real estate | Arabic, French | mubawab.ma |
| Facebook Marketplace | Rooms, shared apartments, short-term rentals | Various | facebook.com/marketplace |
| Hostelworld | Hostels, budget accommodation | Multi-language | hostelworld.com |
⚖️ Legal & Practical Notes
Long-term leases (over 1 month) should be registered with the local authorities. Your landlord may require a copy of your passport/residence permit.
Rent is typically paid in cash or bank transfer (MAD). For short-term online bookings, credit cards are accepted on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.
Electricity, water, and gas (bottled or piped) are usually tenant-paid. Internet (Maroc Telecom, Orange, Inwi) can be installed for an additional fee.
🌟 Local Wisdom: Always inspect the property in person before signing a long-term lease. For riads and hotels, read recent reviews carefully. If you're new to Morocco, start with a hotel or riad for a few days while you search for longer-term accommodation. Negotiating is common for long-term rentals — don't be afraid to ask for a better price!
🇲🇦 Morocco — A kingdom with accommodation for every traveler and every budget.