Dar Beida – 4-Bedroom Holiday House in Essaouira Medina
A Characterful Private Holiday House in the Heart of Essaouira
Dar Beida is a distinctive 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira Medina, created from a beautifully restored 200-year-old Moroccan home. Known as “The White House”, it brings together original Moroccan architecture, eclectic 1960s interiors and local craftsmanship. Two private roof terraces add to the relaxed feeling of having a house of your own.
Sleeping 2–8 guests, the entire house is yours to enjoy. Across four floors, you will find a peaceful central courtyard, generous living spaces, open fires and two private roof terraces. Step outside and you are in the Old Medina; walk for around ten minutes and you are on Essaouira’s long sandy Atlantic beach.
“A cool, tranquil oasis amongst the excitement of the Medina. I only wished we’d had longer, but what a great excuse to return.”
– Kirsty P.
4-Bedroom Holiday House in Essaouira — At a Glance
4 Bedrooms · Sleeps 2–8 · Entire Private House · 4 Floors · 2 Roof Terraces
Dar Beida is made for people who want to experience Essaouira together without having to live on top of one another. You have the entire 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira to yourselves, with generous spaces for long lunches, Moroccan dinners and evenings around the fire. At the same time, there are bedrooms, terraces and quiet corners when you want time alone.
Traditional Character · Eclectic 1960s Interiors · Modern Comforts
Ancient sandstone columns, thuya wood ceilings and curved whitewashed walls sit alongside eclectic 1960s furniture and Moroccan artisan pieces. Throughout the house, unexpected details add to its character. Open fireplaces bring warmth and atmosphere, while books, games, a stereo and Wi-Fi make it easy to settle in and stay awhile.
Daily Housekeeping · Local Knowledge · A Relaxed, Private Stay
Daily housekeeping is included, along with guest and beach towels, arrival essentials and an information pack. The pack includes recommendations for restaurants, hammams and activities. In addition, Emma can help with restaurant bookings, experiences, transport and other arrangements during your stay.
Old Medina · Bab Doukkala · Food Quarter · 10 Minutes from the Beach
Dar Beida sits towards the quieter edge of Essaouira’s fortified Old Medina, close to Bab Doukkala and the food quarter. Restaurants, cafés, artisan shops and local markets are all within easy walking distance. Nearby, you’ll find Place Moulay Hassan, the harbour and Skala, while the long sandy Atlantic beach is around ten minutes away on foot.
Inside Dar Beida — 4-Bedroom Holiday House in Essaouira
Four Bedrooms Across Four Floors — Space to Gather, Space to Retreat
Dar Beida unfolds vertically through four floors. Each level reveals another part of the house’s unusual character. At its heart is a traditional Moroccan courtyard, while the floors above open into bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces and private outdoor areas.
Room to Be Together — And Room to Be Alone
The layout gives families, friends and couples travelling together plenty of room to be together. At the same time, it is easy to find a quiet corner of your own.
With four double bedrooms and space for up to eight guests, you have the freedom of an entire 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira. It feels very different from a collection of hotel rooms. Unlike a conventional hotel, everyone has somewhere to retreat to without losing the feeling of being together.
Breakfast can stretch into late morning, afternoons can disappear on the roof and evenings can gather around the fire.
You have the whole house. You set the pace.
Ground Floor
Entrance, Library, Fireplace Room & Moroccan Courtyard
The ground floor begins at the entrance and leads into the traditional Moroccan courtyard at the heart of this 200-year-old Jewish house. Light and fresh air move naturally through the space, while the library offers a quieter corner for reading, browsing the books or simply settling into the slower rhythm of Medina life.
There is also a separate room with a fireplace, adding warmth and character to this level of the house. Original stone columns, wooden ceilings and curved whitewashed walls preserve the character of the historic home, while the courtyard gives the ground floor its unmistakable sense of place.
First Floor
A Double Bedroom, Long Living Room & Kitchen
The first floor is where much of everyday life at Dar Beida unfolds. One of the four double bedrooms sits alongside its own shower room, with a distinctive Yoruba beaded chair and fireplace giving the room an especially individual character.
Elsewhere on the floor, the kitchen and dining area flow into the long living room. A fireplace at each end creates warmth and atmosphere, while the generous layout makes it easy to cook, eat, read, listen to music or simply spend time together.
It is a floor made for lingering. Breakfast can stretch into late morning, meals can become long conversations and evenings can gather naturally around one of the fires.
Second Floor
Two Double Bedrooms & A Terrace Above the Medina
The second floor is home to two further double bedrooms and a shower room, with a terrace opening onto the rooftops of the Medina. The bedrooms provide comfortable spaces to retreat to, while the terrace adds another way to experience the house and its surroundings.
Comfortable seating makes it an inviting place for morning coffee, an afternoon read or a drink as the day begins to cool. Above the bustle of the streets below, the rooftops and sky become part of the experience.
Top Floor
A Private Double Bedroom & Terrace
At the top of Dar Beida, the fourth double bedroom occupies the highest level of the house. An outdoor sink sits alongside the room, while a private terrace with comfortable cushion seating creates a peaceful place to spend time above the Medina.
It is an especially quiet corner of the house. Natural light, open sky and the rooftops beyond make the terrace a lovely spot for slow mornings, afternoon reading or an evening drink as the light begins to fade.
As you move upwards through Dar Beida, the atmosphere changes with each level — from the cool courtyard and historic rooms below to the generous living spaces and increasingly open terraces above.
A Unique 4-Bedroom Holiday House in Essaouira’s Old Medina
A 200-Year-Old Moroccan Home with an Extraordinary Personality
Dar Beida is not an ordinary holiday rental in Essaouira. Known as “The White House”, this remarkable 200-year-old Moroccan dar sits towards the quieter edge of the fortified Old Medina, close to Bab Doukkala and the city’s lively food quarter.
The original architecture has been carefully retained, from ancient sandstone columns and traditional thuya wood ceilings to curved whitewashed walls. At the centre is the traditional courtyard around which the house is built. Around it, you’ll find an eclectic mix of 1960s furniture, colourful lighting, Moroccan artisan pieces, driftwood, stone and unexpected objects. Together, these details give the house its unmistakable personality. The interiors feel collected rather than designed in one stroke.
As a result, the house sits somewhere between a traditional Moroccan home, a Sixties hideaway and an extraordinary private retreat. It feels collected rather than styled, and personal rather than polished. Above all, it feels unlike anywhere else you are likely to stay in Essaouira.
It is the kind of house you remember long after you leave.
A Medina House with a Story
Dar Beida has attracted attention for this particular combination of architecture, design and atmosphere. The New York Times described it as a “glowing Pop Art cavern”, reflecting the meeting of historic Moroccan architecture and eclectic mid-century interiors.
However, you do not need to be interested in design to enjoy staying here. At heart, Dar Beida is a comfortable private house in Essaouira’s Medina. There is a kitchen for slow breakfasts and a dining area for long dinners, while fireplaces, terraces and quiet corners give you plenty of ways to settle into the day.
With four bedrooms spread across four floors, there is space to be together as well as room to retreat when you want a little peace. It feels lived-in rather than formal — and that is part of its charm.
Staying in Essaouira’s Historic Medina
A Quieter Corner of Essaouira’s Old Medina
Step outside Dar Beida and you are immediately in the winding streets of Essaouira’s Old Medina. The house sits towards the quieter edge of the fortified city, near Bab Doukkala and the lively food quarter. Cafés, restaurants, artisan shops and local markets are all around you. You are in the heart of the old city, but away from some of its busiest streets.
Nearby, Place Moulay Hassan, the harbour and the Skala are all within easy walking distance. Meanwhile, Essaouira’s long sandy Atlantic beach is around ten minutes away on foot. Wander through the souks in the morning and stop for lunch in the Medina. Afterwards, walk down to the sea before returning to your own 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira as the light begins to soften.
A Private Holiday House Between Essaouira’s Medina and Beach
There is no need to choose between staying in Essaouira’s Old Medina and being close to the Atlantic. At Dar Beida, you can wake in the historic centre, have breakfast on the terrace, wander through the souks and walk down to the beach whenever you feel like it.
Spend the afternoon by the sea, return through the old streets, stop for dinner and then climb back through your own 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira to settle onto the roof. It is one of the pleasures of having your own 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira rather than staying somewhere removed from everyday Medina life.
Your Own 4-Bedroom Holiday House in the Heart of Essaouira
That freedom is part of the pleasure of staying at Dar Beida.
Stop for coffee, browse the souks, pick up fresh bread or linger over lunch. Afterwards, your own private house is always close by. There is no hotel timetable to follow and no need to organise every moment of the day.
Make coffee when you wake up and come back from the beach whenever you feel like it. Later, light the fire in the evening or disappear upstairs with a book. It is not a hotel or resort, but your own Moroccan house in the heart of Essaouira.
Guest Reviews
A Holiday House Guests Remember
Dar Beida tends to leave an impression. Guests often mention its unusual character, peaceful courtyard and rooftop terraces. They also describe the feeling of having discovered somewhere quite different from an ordinary holiday rental.
They also talk about the freedom of having a whole house in the Medina to themselves. It is somewhere to gather, cook, relax and retreat at their own pace. Ultimately, it is the atmosphere of the house, as much as its location, that makes a stay memorable for many guests.
Read what previous guests say about staying at Dar Beida.
Recent Guest Reviews
Dar Beida Rates & Availability
Stay in Your Own 4-Bedroom Holiday House in Essaouira
Dar Beida is available throughout the year. The minimum number of guests depends on the season and length of stay. The house is rented as a private home, giving your group complete privacy and freedom.
Peak Season
£300 per person, per week · Minimum 6 guests
Peak season includes Christmas, New Year, Easter, summer and school half-term holidays.
Children aged 4 and under stay free.
Off-Peak
£300 per person, per week · Minimum 3 guests
Children aged 4 and under stay free.
Flexible Stays & Smaller Groups
Shorter stays and last-minute bookings may occasionally be possible, depending on availability. Couples are also welcome to enquire, even though our standard minimum stay is 3 guests.
A Family-Friendly Holiday House in Essaouira Medina
Space to Be Together Without Feeling Crowded
Dar Beida works particularly well for families, groups of friends and couples travelling together because this 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira gives everyone something hotels rarely can: space.
Gather around the dining table for breakfast or cook together in the kitchen. Spend the afternoon on the roof, then bring everyone into the courtyard for a Moroccan dinner. When you have had enough company, there is always somewhere to retreat with a book and a little quiet.
Children are very welcome at Dar Beida, with children aged four and under staying free. A travel cot with mattress and high chair are available for younger guests, making the house a relaxed alternative to a hotel for families visiting Essaouira.
The house has stairs between its different levels, so it is best suited to families who are comfortable with a traditional multi-level Medina house. Even so, it gives everyone space to spend time together without having to spend every minute together.
Longer Stays in Essaouira
Settle Into a 4-Bedroom Holiday House in Essaouira Medina
A week at Dar Beida feels very different from a few nights in a hotel. You have space to unpack properly, settle into the house and gradually become familiar with the Medina around you.
Gradually, you start to recognise the shops, find a favourite café and know where to buy bread. Before long, you also learn the easiest walk down to the beach. As the days pass, the city begins to feel less like somewhere you are visiting and more like somewhere you are temporarily living.
For longer stays in Morocco, Dar Beida gives you the space and atmosphere to settle into Essaouira rather than simply pass through it. For a little while, the house becomes home.
A Home-Cooked Moroccan Dinner
A Moroccan Feast at Dar Beida
Some of the best evenings in Essaouira happen without going anywhere at all.
After a day exploring the Medina or walking along the Atlantic, return to Dar Beida and settle around the table. Meanwhile, a traditional Moroccan feast is prepared for you. Generous dishes arrive alongside the warmth of the house, turning dinner into an evening to linger over rather than something to rush through.
For 300 dh per person, you can arrange a home-cooked Moroccan feast during your stay. Eat together, open a bottle of wine, put some music on and let the evening carry on around the courtyard or beside the fire.
Good food, good company and nowhere else you need to be.
Things to Do in Essaouira
Explore Essaouira’s Medina, Beach & Atlantic Coast from Your Private Holiday House
One of the joys of staying at Dar Beida is having the freedom to follow your own rhythm. Wander through the Medina in the morning, spend the afternoon by the Atlantic or settle into a long lunch and let the day unfold around you.
There is plenty to discover, from surfing and kitesurfing to hammams, horse riding and local markets. Beyond that, there are quieter corners of the coast to explore. Emma is happy to share her favourite places and help arrange experiences during your stay.
On other days, you may simply want to stay home. Instead, find a sunny spot on the roof, gather around the table, light the fire and enjoy the house at its best.
Explore Essaouira at your own pace — or simply enjoy having nowhere else to be.
Pieces from Dar Beida
You may spot a piece of furniture, a rug, a painting or one of the beautiful Moroccan objects in the house that you’d happily take home with you. Some of the things you see at Dar Beida are available to buy.
If something catches your eye, just ask us about it. We’re happy to tell you what’s available and what it costs. We’d much rather see a piece find a new home with someone who loves it than have you leave wondering if you could have asked.
Photoshoot & Film Location Hire in Essaouira
A Distinctive Essaouira Holiday House for Photoshoots & Film
Dar Beida is available for selected photoshoots, fashion editorials, film productions, commercial campaigns, interiors photography and creative projects.
Set across four levels of a historic Essaouira Medina house, the location combines original Moroccan architecture with an eclectic 1960s interior. It also has two private roof terraces and a traditional courtyard. Sandstone columns, thuya wood ceilings, curved whitewashed walls, fireplaces and collected Moroccan objects give the setting real character. As a result, it feels like a genuine home rather than a staged or generic studio.
A Production Location with Natural Visual Variety
Natural light, changing textures and the surrounding Medina offer plenty of visual variety. For example, there are intimate bedrooms, atmospheric living spaces, terraces, courtyards and distinctive architectural details.
Dar Beida can suit fashion and lifestyle editorials, interiors and design photography, advertising and branded content. It can also work for film, television, architecture, travel and other creative productions. Meanwhile, the streets of the Old Medina are immediately outside. They add another layer of Essaouira to the location.
If you are looking for a photoshoot location in Essaouira or a distinctive film location in Morocco, Dar Beida offers something difficult to recreate elsewhere. It is a genuine historic house with an established visual identity and lived-in character. Beyond its doors, the Medina adds another layer to the setting.
Dar Beida in the Press & Creative Productions
A House with More Than 20 Years of International Press
Dar Beida has attracted attention since the early days of its restoration. Its combination of historic Moroccan architecture, eclectic 1960s interiors and original craftsmanship has attracted interiors, architecture, travel, fashion and lifestyle publications. Its highly individual design is part of the appeal.
This is not a house that was designed to look like a magazine shoot. It simply happens to have enough character to keep photographers, editors and travellers looking.
Featured Across International Design, Travel & Lifestyle Press
Dar Beida has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Telegraph, Remodelista, Monocle, ELLE Decoration, and other international design and travel publications.
The New York Times famously described Dar Beida as a “glowing Pop Art cavern”, while other features have explored its sandstone columns, thuya wood ceilings, vintage furniture, artwork, Moroccan craftsmanship and distinctive white interiors.
Beyond travel and interiors, the house has also been used for photography, fashion shoots and film production, extending its story into the wider creative world.
The Dar Beida Press Archive
The story of Dar Beida stretches back more than two decades, with coverage documenting the house at different stages of its life. From early travel features to specialist interiors publications and more recent international coverage, the archive reflects the enduring interest in the architecture, design and atmosphere of this unusual Essaouira house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dar Beida in Essaouira?
Dar Beida is a 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira, tucked inside the historic Old Medina towards the quieter edge of the fortified city near Bab Doukkala. The house is close to the food quarter, cafés, restaurants, artisan shops and local markets, with Place Moulay Hassan, the harbour and Skala all within easy walking distance. The long sandy Atlantic beach is around a 10-minute walk away.
How far is Dar Beida from Essaouira beach?
The long sandy Atlantic beach is around a 10-minute walk from Dar Beida. You can easily combine time at the beach with exploring the Medina, visiting the harbour or returning home for a relaxed afternoon on one of the house’s terraces.
Is Dar Beida a private house?
Yes. When you stay at this 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira Medina, the entire house is yours. The house unfolds across four floors and includes a peaceful central courtyard, generous living spaces and two private roof terraces, giving you plenty of room to relax throughout your stay.
What is Dar Beida like inside?
Dar Beida is a beautifully restored traditional Moroccan dar with a distinctly eclectic personality. Original sandstone columns, curved whitewashed walls and traditional thuya wood ceilings sit alongside 1960s furniture, Moroccan artisan pieces, unusual objects and contemporary details. The house also has a library, open fireplaces, a peaceful courtyard and generous living spaces.
Does Dar Beida have private roof terraces?
Dar Beida has two private roof terraces, with outdoor seating and space to enjoy the Essaouira sunshine. They are ideal for morning coffee, an afternoon with a book or settling in as the light changes over the rooftops of the Medina.
How many guests can stay at Dar Beida?
This 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira Medina works particularly well for families, groups of friends and couples travelling together, with generous shared spaces as well as quieter corners and separate floors to retreat to. A travel cot with mattress is also available if needed.
Does Dar Beida have Wi-Fi and housekeeping?
Yes. Free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping are included with your stay. Guest and beach towels are also provided, so you can settle in without having to worry about the everyday details.
What is included with a stay at Dar Beida?
Your stay includes the entire private house, daily housekeeping, guest and beach towels, free Wi-Fi and an initial supply of logs for the open fires. Tea, coffee, milk, sugar and other arrival essentials are provided, along with an information pack containing recommendations for restaurants, hammams and local activities. For stays of seven nights or more, a complimentary fruit bowl is also included.
Can Emma arrange a Moroccan meal or help plan our stay?
Yes. Emma is happy to recommend restaurants, hammams and local experiences, and can help arrange activities during your stay. You can also arrange a home-cooked Moroccan feast at Dar Beida for £300 dh per person, giving you the chance to enjoy a traditional meal together without leaving the house.
Is Dar Beida suitable for families, groups and couples?
Yes. Dar Beida is a spacious 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira Medina, with generous living areas and plenty of room to be together or find a little space of your own. It works well for families, groups of friends and couples travelling together. Children aged 4 and under stay free. The house is arranged over several floors, with stairs connecting each level, making it well suited to guests who are comfortable with a traditional Medina house layout.
Are Dar Beida’s stairs and terraces suitable for children?
Dar Beida is a traditional Medina house arranged across several floors, with stairs connecting the different levels and two open roof terraces. As with any house of this character, parents and guardians are responsible for supervising children and deciding what feels appropriate for their individual child.
Do cats come into Dar Beida?
No. Cats are a familiar part of everyday life in Essaouira, and you will see plenty around the Medina, but they do not come into Dar Beida. The house has an enclosed central layout, so you can enjoy the character of a traditional Medina home without unexpected feline visitors.
What is the minimum stay at Dar Beida?
The standard minimum stay is 7 nights. In peak season, a minimum of 6 guests applies, while outside peak season the minimum is 3 guests. Children aged 4 and under stay free. Shorter stays, last-minute bookings and stays for couples may occasionally be possible, depending on availability, so please enquire and Emma will be happy to check what may be possible.
How do I check availability at Dar Beida?
Simply get in touch with Emma with your preferred dates and number of guests for your stay at this 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira. She can confirm availability, answer any questions about the house and help you arrange your stay.
Make Dar Beida Yours
Wake up in a 200-year-old Moroccan house and have coffee on the roof. Wander out into the Medina, walk down to the Atlantic, then come home for the evening light. Light the fire, gather around the table, put some music on — or disappear upstairs whenever you feel like a little quiet.
There is a particular pleasure in knowing that, after a day in Essaouira, you have a whole house waiting for you. Come back from the beach, stop for something cold in the courtyard, let dinner stretch into the evening and watch the rooftops grow quiet as the streets outside carry on at their own gentle pace.
With the whole house to yourselves, the days are yours to shape. Explore the Medina in the morning, spend the afternoon on the beach, or do absolutely nothing at all. This 4-bedroom holiday house in Essaouira gives you the space to gather, slow down and experience Essaouira at your own pace.
Dar Beida is a 4-bedroom holiday house in the heart of Essaouira Medina, full of history, character, colour and unexpected details. A place to come back to, settle into and make your own for a while.
Ready to Make It Yours?
Looking for a Smaller Holiday House in Essaouira’s Historic Medina?
Discover Dar Emma — A Two-Bedroom Holiday House in Essaouira’s Old Medina
If you love the idea of staying in Essaouira’s Old Medina but are travelling as a couple, a small family or a group of up to four, you may also like Dar Emma, our intimate two-bedroom holiday house.
Tucked inside the same historic Medina, Dar Emma has its own character, with traditional Moroccan details, two private terraces and a wonderfully central location. It offers the same freedom of having your own house in Essaouira, with a little less space and a more intimate feel.