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    Asilah

    Morocco

    Asilah

    City

    Asilah is located 31 kilometers south of Tangier on the Atlantic coast. The Portuguese conquered the town in 1471 and built the walls that still enclose the whitewashed medina today.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Morocco
    7. Tangier & the North
    9. Asilah
    Asilah is located 31 kilometers south of Tangier on the Atlantic coast. The Portuguese conquered the town in 1471 and built the walls that still enclose the whitewashed medina today. Since 1978, the Kulturmoussem has transformed the old town into a gallery every year, with artists repainting the house walls.

    Sights in Asilah

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Raissouni Palace
    Historic Landmark

    1Raissouni Palace

    The Palace by the Sea was built in 1909 for the Rif leader Ahmed al-Raissouni and is among the most distinctive buildings in the Old Town.
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    Restaurants in Asilah

    1

    Casa García

    A Spanish-influenced fish restaurant, offering paella, grilled prawns and seafood, as well as Moroccan dishes.
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    2

    Port XIV

    Modern restaurant opposite the harbor with fish, seafood, and Mediterranean cuisine.
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    Culture & History

    Portuguese and SpanishFollowing the Portuguese conquest in 1471, fortifications with the gates Bab Homar and Bab al-Qasaba were built. From 1912 to 1956, Asilah belonged to Spanish Morocco. Tortilla and paella in many restaurants recall this time.The Cultural MoussemMayor Mohamed Benaissa and painter Mohamed Melehi founded the international Cultural Moussem in 1978. Each year, new murals are added to the Medina; the 47th edition took place in 2026.

    Exploring Locally

    Getting ThereAsilah has an ONCF train station, with Tangier just 40 minutes away by train.The medina is small and car-free; explore it on foot.

    Accommodations in Asilah

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    Nearby

    Tangier & the North

    Tangier & the North

    Northern Morocco looks out over the Strait of Gibraltar towards Europe. Tangier is the terminus of the high-speed train Al Boraq, in the Rif Mountains lies the blue-washed mountain town of Chefchaouen, along with the Medina of Tétouan and the coastal town of Asilah.
    Tangier

    Tangier

    Tangier is situated on the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean and Atlantic converge, and for many travelers from Spain, it is the gateway to Morocco. From 1923 to 1956, the city was an international zone, attracting writers and artists. Today, the Al Boraq connects Tangier with Casablanca in just over two hours.
    Tétouan

    Tétouan

    Tétouan is located at the foot of the Rif Mountains, approximately 60 kilometres southeast of Tangier. Andalusian refugees rebuilt the city at the end of the 15th century; its whitewashed medina, which earned the city the nickname "White Dove," has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. From 1913 to 1956, Tétouan was the capital of the Spanish Protectorate.
    Tarifa

    Tarifa

    Tarifa, situated at the southernmost point of mainland Europe, is a hub for wind and water sports on the Strait of Gibraltar. The Old Town offers narrow streets and the Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno, a Moorish-era castle. At Playa de Los Lances, kite and windsurfers shape the relaxed, international atmosphere. On a clear day, you can gaze across to the African coast, and whale and dolphin watching tours are also popular. You'll find fresh seafood in the Old Town's tapas bars. You'll enjoy mild weather, especially in spring and autumn.

    Chefchaouen, located in the Rif Mountains, is known for its blue-washed houses and medina alleys. Founded in 1471 as a fortress, the city today has about 46,000 residents. The Kasbah, Ras el-Maa Spring, and the Spanish Mosque viewpoint are key attractions.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI