Area Code 5247 – Essaouira

Geographic Overview

The Moroccan national destination code 5247 is a geographic area code assigned to the Atlantic coastal city of Essaouira and its surrounding province. Administratively, this falls under the Marrakesh-Safi region, but the 5247 prefix specifically routes calls to the fixed-line PSTN network serving Essaouira’s urban center, adjacent communes, and rural exchanges within the provincial boundary. As a historic port town and a UNESCO-listed medina, Essaouira’s telecom infrastructure supports a mix of residential, commercial, and hospitality services.

Dialing Formats

For callers within Morocco, the national trunk prefix 0 is dialed before the area code, resulting in the full domestic format: 05247 XX XX XX. This 9-digit national significant number includes the leading 0, the area code 5247, and a 6-digit subscriber line number. International callers must omit the trunk prefix and dial Morocco’s country calling code +212, followed directly by the area code without the leading zero: +212 5247 XX XX XX. For example, a local call to a business in Essaouira would be dialed as 05247 12 34 56, while an international caller would dial +212 5247 12 34 56.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Morocco): Always dial the trunk prefix 0 before the area code, even when calling from a mobile phone. The full number is 05247 XX XX XX.
• International callers: Replace the leading 0 with +212. The correct format is +212 5247 XX XX XX.
• Fixed-line to fixed-line within the same area: Some local networks may allow abbreviated dialing, but for reliability, always use the full national format.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Morocco’s numbering plan is regulated by the Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Télécommunications (ANRT). The 5247 code is a geographic allocation, and as of the latest updates, no overlay code has been introduced for Essaouira. Subscriber numbers under this prefix are typically 6 digits long, and the total length of a national significant number in Morocco is 9 digits. When dialing from abroad, ensure you do not include the initial 0 of the trunk prefix.

Practical Usage

Businesses, hotels, and administrative offices in Essaouira commonly use this prefix. For travelers or international partners, storing the number in international format (+212 5247 XX XX XX) ensures seamless connectivity from any country. Always verify the subscriber number length, as some older lines may have 5 or 7 digits, but the standard is 6 digits following the area code.