Morocco day 22. Asilah

Submitted by maria on Sat, 28/09/2024 - 14:33

One of the most interesting places to visit near Tangier is the small fishing village of Asilah.

Asilah

We have breakfast at the Tropicana café (you can pay in euros but they give you the change in dirham), eggs, oil, bread, juice, mint tea for 165dh the four of us.

We say goodbye to Oscar and Marina who are returning to Spain today.

We decided to spend the day in Asilah, a small village on the coast about forty minutes by train from Tangier.

From the Tropicana café it is a twenty minute walk to the train station in Tangier, which is very modern and clean.

Asilah

There are several trains every day between Tangier and Asilah, the fare is 20dh per person and you can take it from the machines inside the station, so you don't have to queue.

Morocco's main cities are connected by train. Our journey took just 40 minutes.

Asilah

Asilah train station is located about two kilometres from the Medina. If you want to go by taxi, you have to take the petit taxi (blue), which costs 20dh for two people each way.

Asilah was founded by the Phoenicians. In the 15th century it was conquered by the Portuguese who built the walls that still surround the old city today. At the end of the 17th century, Asilah came under the control of Mulay Ismail after a brief occupation by the Spanish.

Tangier Train Station

What to see in Asilah

1. The Medina. The ancient walled city is made up of labyrinthine streets of white, blue and green. Highlights include the murals that cover some of its whitewashed walls, painted by school children in collaboration with a group of international artists, thanks to the annual International Cultural Festival of the Arts that has been held every August since 1978.

Asilah

Inside the Medina you cannot miss the tower of San Francisco, the tower Al Karma and the tower of the Kasbah.

Asilah

2. Bab Souk. This gate in the wall gives access to the souk of Asilah through a square with a fountain next to the Mosque.

Asilah

3. The Walls. Built in the 15th century by the Portuguese, its stone walls stand out against the white Medina.

4. Raisuni Palace. This palace was built at the beginning of the 20th century and houses a cultural centre. Raisuni was a ruthless politician and military man who led the resistance against the Spanish protectorate and became the Pasha (governor) of Tangier between the 19th and 20th centuries.

Asilah

5. The Kuba of Sidi Ahmed el Mansur. This small mosque and mujahedin cemetery is located outside the city walls by the sea.

Kuba

6. Beaches. Asilah has two main beaches, a kilometre-long one outside the town and a smaller one inside. On the smaller one we saw people riding horses but it was very dirty and full of plastic.

7. Krikia viewpoint. Located next to the Kuba de Sidi Ahmed el Mansur, it offers beautiful views of Asilah and the coast.

Our recommendation. Get lost in the Medina and enjoy every little corner.