The best things to see and do in Asilah (Morocco), a charming town

When some time ago I started traveling regularly to northern morocco, in addition to knowing the main cities such as Tetuan o Tangier, I wanted to plan a visit to other notable places.

Specifically, near Tangier you have Asilah and closer to the aforementioned city of Tetouan, Chefchaouen.

Both places are characterized by having very picturesque medinas that reflect the long history of Spanish presence, and which have become places highly visited by tourists.

In order to prioritize the visit, when asked to experts from both places about which they liked more, there was really no coincidence.

The key is that while Chefchaouen It is a small mountain town whose medina extends along a hillside, Asilah It is a town on the Atlantic coast.

After having visited a few times Asilah. I will tell you that it is a charming corner with its own personality that is due to its location on the seashore.

Indeed, Asilah It is located just about 30 kilometers south of Tangier, and it is the most recommended visit in its surroundings during a getaway that was international city in northern Morocco.

History of Asilah

Its long history dates back to the time of the Carthaginians when said coastal enclave became a strategic port for maritime trade.

When it fell into the hands of the Romans, Asilah became populated by iberians, with which his connection with the Iberian Peninsula.

A key moment in its history was when in 1471 the Portuguese sent a large naval fleet to occupy Asilah, the place where they built the current walled enclosure that you will see on the seashore.

A century later was when Portugal and its possessions in the north of present-day Morocco passed into the hands of the Spanish, although at different times later it was controlled by the rifeños.

Asilah was also part of the Spanish protectorate in Morocco, until the independence of this country in 1956, which you can see by the presence of a couple of restaurants named after their Spanish owners.

For get to Asilah from nearby Tangier, my advice is not to go on the inland highway that goes to Rabat.

On the contrary, when leaving Tangier, just before accessing said highway, follow the indication for Asilah along the road that runs next to the enormous and very long Atlantic beach that extends practically from the Cape Espadel to the coastal enclave itself.

You will have the opportunity to see some very beautiful landscapes of the coast and said impressive beach.

If you sign up for one excursion to Asilah Instead of going on your own, you have the option of a private tour with guide in Spanish 8 hours long, ideal for groups of family or friends.

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What to see and do in Asilah

Asilah It is an enclave that has about 12.000 inhabitants, but due to its tourist attraction in summer it can exceed 100.000 inhabitants.

I have never visited it in summer, but in spring and winter, and this time outside the holiday season is when you can appreciate its true charm.

Your visit should focus on a walk through its small and charming medina located in the center of the town, next to the port, where you have a parking lot to leave your car.

You will see that the medina is surrounded by the wall built by the Portuguese, and its interior is completely pedestrian.

You will access the medina through the door Bab Al Kasbah, and after passing by the Grand mosque (the first one you find on the left), you will reach its main square, where a large defensive tower (Borj Al Kamra).

It is an eminently residential medina, in this sense very different from the aforementioned one of Chefchaouen.

Although there are some streets with Craft shops and just remembrances, above all you will walk through narrow streets and passages with houses.

All of these houses have a very bright white color on their facades, in which the blue and green decoration of the window lattices also stand out.

In this regard I have to tell you that Asilah It is a place where many reside artisans, either in small establishments or on the street they will offer you their products.

You will also see many house facades decorated with artistic murals, which are renewed every year for a festival that takes place in the town.

Walking through narrow streets and going towards the walled area next to the coast, you will reach the most popular enclave for visitors in Asilah, the southeastern bastion of the wall.

From there you have beautiful views of the coastal façade of the town, in which the white color of the houses is combined with the ocher color of the stones that make up the wall.

Next to said bastion, where on all my visits there was a group playing traditional Moroccan music, you will also see the Kuba of Sidi Mansur and its colorful cemetery.

And at sunset, I can confirm that at any time of the year this corner is always packed with people who gather to see the spectacular sunset over the ocean.

Where to eat in Asilah

When eat in AsilahAlthough next to the main door of the medina there is a small street full of tourist restaurants, I am going to specifically recommend the two “Spanish” restaurants mentioned above.

Both have in common that their specialty is a wide variety of fresh fish, and that their owners are old Spaniards from the time of the protected.

Right next to the aforementioned main door is the small restaurant Max, and in the beach area, on a parallel street you have Garcia House, a large establishment well known and always very busy.

In short, I tell you that Asilah It is one of the most charming corners and one essential visit in a route through northern Morocco.

Photos of Asilah

Here you have more photos of the beautiful Asilah, to visit south of Tangier.