Located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, about 40 km south of Tangier, you will find the small city of Assilah, famous for its picturesque walled medina right near the sea. Whether you are staying in the area or just passing through, a visit to Assilah will not disappoint you. Check out here what you can find in this small but charming town.
How to get to Assilah
- By private car. This is the easiest way. The A1 motorway, which runs from north to south following the Atlantic coast, has an exit near Assilah, just two minutes away from the downtown. You can park on the street near the beach, or in a parking lot next to the port.
- By taxi, from Tangier. If you take the taxi in the airport, you will find a panel with the rates to the main cities in the area next to the exit. It You should check these rates carefully sure with the taxi driver that they will be respected.
- By train. The trains in Morocco (except the TGV) are not particularly fast, but they work well. Assilah can be reached from Tangier in about 35 minutes.
- By bus. The bus company “ALSA” has a line connects these two cities (LI2). You can take the bus on the N1, and purchase the tickets upon boarding.
The alleys of the medina
The medina of Assilah is the ancient city, located inside the walls, known for its characteristic houses painted white and occasionally blue or green. Many of the houses in the medina are for residential use although, on the ground floor of some of them, you will find cafes, shops selling typical products or crafts (ceramics, carpets, silver, argan oil…) or art galleries. Almost all of these businesses are located near Sidi Abdellah Square, next to the Al-Hamra tower. Here, you will also probable see women offering to do henna tattoos.
Most of the houses inside the medina are restored (some of them belong to foreigners), which gives the city a tidy appearance. This is what, together with its tranquility, has made Assilah a trending destination for both Moroccans and foreigners.
Towers and walls
During your visit to Assilah you will notice the mix of cultures since, in addition to the local people, the Spanish and Portuguese setteled in the city at some point. This is the reason why the town may remind you of other cities in southern Spain and Portugal (and others in Morocco, such as Essaouira).
One of the elements left by the Portuguese is the Al-Hamra tower, also “Torre de Menagem”, which is located next to the access to the medina from the port. The tower was built in a Portuguese military style in 1509.
The Portuguese also started construction of the walls. Two of the five doors that exist today are of Portuguese origin: Bab Al-Homer (“Porta da Vila”) and Bab Al-Bahr (“Porta da Ribeira”). Close to the Al-Hamra tower, you will find the Al-Bahr tower, also of Portuguese origin.
Viewpoints
There are several points in Assilah with good views over the city and/or the sea.
The first of them, outside the medina, is the port dam. Moving along it you can get a great panoramic view of the medina with its walls and the small beach between the dam and the fortification.
The second point, inside the medina, is a small esplanade next to the wall close to the Ibn Khaldoun school. You can only see the sea, but the color is sometimes impressive.
The last point, which is also the most famous, is the Krikiya viewpoint. It is located at the southern end of the wall, next to a small cemetery. From it, you get the quintessential view of Assilah with the walls and white houses near the sea. You can also see the sea, the rock formations of the shore (in case you are interested in geology). If you go there in the evening, make sure you stay until the sunset – the sunsets over the Atlantic are amazing!
Culture and street art
During the International Cultural Festival, which takes place every summer and lasts three weeks, Assilah is the meeting point for painters, writers and musicians. The city becomes an open-air museum, where the murals that decorate the city stand out. These murals, that change with each edition of the festival, give a unique appearance to the city year after year. You will find murals in the vicinity of the Al-Hamra tower, and also at the access to the Krikiya viewpoint, among others.
In addition to the paintings, during the international Cultural Festival there are also concerts, conferences, cinema and theater.
The Beaches in the area of Assilah
If you like going to the beach and you are in Assilah, you are in luck. Both in the city and in its surroundings you can find several beaches where you can spend some time and take a good swim. However, you should be careful, since it is open sea and sometimes the current is strong.
These are the beaches in the area:
- Assilah Beach. It is the beach near the city. It begins in front of the new area of Assilah and extends towards the north. It is the most convenient if you don’t have a lot of time, but it is not the most impressive.
- Tahaddart Beach. North of Assilah, heading towards Tangier on the N1, you will find this beach, at the mouth of the Oued Tahaddart.
- Playa de las Cuevas. This beach is located on the south of Assilah. It is wilder and cleaner than the previous ones. I addition to enjoying the sand and water, you can also enjoy having a drink at a beach bar. The Chiringo Miguel is particularly well known, although depending on the time of the year it can be full of people.
- Sidi Mughait Beach. It is located on the south of Las Cuevas beach. It is even more remote than Las Cuevas, and also the quietest of all. The beach is quite large, and the views are absolutely stunning. If you go there, you can have a drink “chez Mounir”, from whom you can also rent sun beds.
Of all the beaches in the area, this is the one where you should be most careful. The waves and currents can be strong, and there is rarely mobile signal, so it is best to avoid any danger. Moreover, it is possible that the beach is quite deserted, so under some circumstances, it may be hard to get help from others.
Where to eat and sleep
You will find many restaurants and accommodations in Assilah. Although we don’t know all of them, these are the ones we have tried and recommend:
• Restaurants: “Port XIV” (Mediterranean cuisine), “Casa García” (Spanish cuisine, best for fish or shellfish) and “La Perle d’Assilah” (French cuisine with an Asian touch).
• Hotels: Al Alba. A small charming hotel that will certainly not disappoint you.
In conclusion…
Our rating: 5/5.
