Small and charming Asilah, also known as Arcila, is located in northern Morocco. Due to its former protectorate status, it has influenced Portuguese and Spanish culture. Its whitewashed structures and crooked street layout along the Atlantic Ocean’s edge are what make it so appealing. There isn’t much more to see in Asilah save that. It’s the best kind of day trip for relaxation.
Things to see in Asilah?
There aren’t many things to see in Asilah, Morocco, despite the city’s popularity during the summer due to its attractiveness and affordable prices. The best thing to do is stroll the streets, peruse the art galleries, and take in the city’s most picturesque nooks.
Colorful murals depicting a variety of subjects are painted on Asilah’s white façade to represent an art gallery, a craft store, or simply for decoration. Additionally, this street art exhibition is recreated annually, and new artists can showcase their talent at the Asilah International Cultural Festival, which also attracts scholars, academics, journalists, and researchers from all across the nation.
Learn more about Asilah’s main draws by reading on.
Things to see in Asilah the Medina is a must-see.
The Bab Al Kasba wall entry, which lies next to the Muslim cemetery, is the only way into the Medina. The Portuguese built the defensive tower Borj Al Kamra inside, which is a famous landmark of the city, as well as the Grand Mosque.
The Medina is mostly a residential area, and there are many artisans who sell their goods on the street. The town has a distinctive, lively style that gives the streets the appearance of being wider thanks to the white facades and blue and green window decorations.
The Asilah medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the harmonious combination of white houses, the contrast of the ochre stones of the city wall, and the background sound of the sea.
The roadblock
The wall enclosing the medina was constructed in the fifteenth century by Alfonso V of Portugal. The most well-known gates are Bab Hamar, Bab Bhar, and Bab Al Kasba, however there are many others. The southwest is unquestionably the busiest region because to the ocean vistas. At the Caraquia viewpoint, you might also get a chance to catch a stunning sunset.
Viewpoint of Caraquia
The overlook provides amazing views and is close to the Borj Krikia tower. It’s advisable to arrive early to secure a nice spot to view the sunset because the jetty gets very busy. You can hear the villagers praying as the sun goes down. It’s also typical to see street musicians.
Zoco Ahfir
A street market with stalls offering food, clothing, and handmade goods is called Souq Ahfir. The Bab Homar wall gate is relatively close by. For the riot of hues, aromas, and general mayhem, it is a must-see. Get ready to barter as you’ve never bartered before.
Things to see in Asilah Activities available
Asilah is quite little and only appears in the morning, as was previously said. However, there are other Things to see in Asilah the vicinity, including going to Larache or lying on a beach and sunbathing.
Larache
On the road to Casablanca or Rabat, there is a coastal city called Larache that was first inhabited by the Carthaginians, then by the Phoenicians, and finally by the Romans. This area is where the remains of the ancient Phoenician settlement Lixus can be found. Asilah and Larache are only separated by 48 km with excellent transportation. You can get there in a cab, car, or bus in between 30 and 40 minutes.
Things to see in Asilah Beaches to visit
There are 40 kilometers of undeveloped white sand beaches on either side of Asilah. Some of the beaches are as follows:
Only five minutes from town lies Briech Beach, a sizable, superb sandy beach with views of the hills.
Tahaddart Beach, also referred to as Boat Beach. The beach is great for families. It is broad, has gentle waves, and offers a range of amenities, such as the ability to rent boats, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and camels. Along the beach are numerous beach bars where you can grab lunch or just a cool drink and enjoy Moroccan delicacies made from fish. The drive to the beach from Asilah takes ten minutes.
You can walk to Canyons Beach, which is the city beach in Asilah. It is one of the busiest beaches because of how close it is. In the spring and summer, camel rides are also available.
A must-see in Asilah is Cave Beach, one of the area’s most beautiful beaches. It can be reached on foot, by donkey cart, or by driving in the direction of Rabat. Walking from Asilah takes about an hour. You may take a taxi from the front gate of the medina straight to the beach for 200 dirhams. It requires about 15 minutes. The beach is perfect for water sports since it has plenty of waves and is wind-protected by being situated between rocks. Low tide is also when you can view the caverns that give the beach its name.
Visit Asilah for a day.
It is possible to explore all of Asilah in a single day. Because the city draws a lot of visitors, we advise beginning your visit early, especially during the summer. At nine in the morning, the city starts to stir, though not to a great degree.
The architecture, the white facades, the murals, and the views from the city wall to the sea are the city’s main draws, so you don’t need to make any special plans to visit. The best course of action is to wander the alleyways of the Medina, browse the street stalls, and sample the regional food.
We can take a nap on one of the beaches or take a camel ride after touring the city. There are many stunning beaches close by, but if you don’t want to travel far, you may stay at Asilah beach, which is accessible by foot. Although the entrance is very congested in the summer, if you look around a bit, you can locate a place to set your towel down.
A magnificent sunset and views of the Atlantic are the ideal way to end the day.
Accommodations in Morocco’s Asilah
Asilah is a little city with few lodging options. The good news is that lodgings start at €35, so it’s not overly expensive. There are also a number of more choices, which are displayed below. Here are a few of our suggestions for accommodations in Asilah:
A Moroccan-style hotel named Hotel Al Alba is close to the beach and ten minutes from the Medina. Although it is in a great location and has all the amenities, the price is a touch high when compared to other options. 80 euros or so per night.
There are self-catering apartments with coastal views at Casa Garcia. There is a restaurant nearby, and there is abundant parking. The name is a throwback to the previous Spanish protectorate.
Hotel Dar Manara: Located in the heart of Asilah’s Medina and one kilometer from the beach, this hotel has rooms starting from €50 per night. Additionally, it offers a private parking lot and an airport shuttle.
Camping: Several campgrounds with washing machines, WiFi, electricity, and pet-friendly rules can be found on Asilah’s beaches. The Echrigui Asilha and Assada campgrounds are a couple such examples.
The best places to eat in Asilah, Morocco
Let’s move on to the important information: where to eat well. We already know what to see in Asilah. The city’s location by the sea means that, as one might expect, seafood and fresh fish are among its specialties. In the medina, there is a street lined with tourist eateries just next to the main entrance, and the promenade is also lined with choices. These establishments are a bit pricey, so if you’re looking for a less expensive option, head to the eateries that are connected to the wall via the Bab Homar gate.
- During the protectorate period, Spaniards created Casa Pepe and Casa Garcia, two restaurants that now serve superior fresh fish. On the other hand, the cuisine is less Moroccan and more global.
- In addition to being a hotel, the Al-Alba Restaurant serves authentic Moroccan food.
- Dar Al Maghribia: Try some of the renowned Moroccan pastries here.
- Despite being somewhat expensive, Restaurant Port XIV is a highly recommended place to eat fresh seafood.
- 10€ lunches are available at fast food restaurants such Dar El Merrakchia, Alibaba, Tahadart, and Farah.
How can I travel to Morocco’s Asilah?
The greatest alternative to flying from Spain to Tangier, which is well connected to the mainland and has regular flights at affordable fares, is to fly from Tangier to Asilah. Asilah and Tangier are separated by 46 kilometers, and there are many ways to get there:
- Bus: There are numerous bus companies with rates between 7 and 10 dirhams.
- Transportation by train: A 40-minute trip on the train costs 18 dirhams.
- One of the best ways to go around Morocco is by taxi, especially if you share. It can cost around 20 dirhams per person to take a taxi from Tangier.
- Private vehicle: Boats leave from Tarifa, from whence you may go to Morocco in a private vehicle for as little as €80. If you decide to drive alone, we advise taking the coastal route to Asilah, which skirts Cape Espadel’s coastline and offers more picturesque scenery than the expressway to Rabat. Keep in mind that you will want a driver’s license, a passport, and a green card in order to drive your car to Morocco; these documents can be provided by your insurance company.
Things to see in Asilah Advice on where to go
- Bring either your hotel registration confirmation or the address of your lodging with you.
- Because not all businesses take credit cards, carry cash.
- The dirham is the currency of Morocco. Because airport currency is more expensive, we advise you to exchange your money before you travel.
- The best season to travel to Asilah, Morocco, is spring. There aren’t as many tourists, and the weather is great. In the summer, the city is extremely busy.
- Be aware of things sold at street booths that aren’t labeled.
- No visa is required for entry into Morocco if you are a citizen of Spain.
- In the event of unforeseen medical issues or luggage theft, it is important to get travel insurance.
- Take care with your personal belongings, especially in tourist areas. As in most cities, pickpocketing is a possibility.
- Disconnect your data roaming or contact your operator as there is no roaming in Morocco.
How to Plan a Trip to discover Things to see in Asilah
- Use the experiences of other travelers as inspiration.
- Make your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app.
- Add the places you’re most interested in seeing as well as the eateries and bars you wish to visit (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organize your schedule according to the route days and where they are on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Examine the trip budget that the program creates depending on the places you stop for food, places you go to for recreation, and other factors.
- Make the required adjustments, and you’ll be prepared for your journey.
- Describe your experience for us. Use the app to upload pictures of each place you visited while traveling and share your recommendations with other tourists.
Please be aware that we are a travel company that plans excursions from a number of Moroccan cities: