North & Mediterranean
Asilah
A white, mural-painted medina inside Portuguese walls on the Atlantic.
Asilah is a small seaside town south of Tangier, enclosed by Portuguese ramparts from the late 15th century. Its whitewashed lanes are among the cleanest and calmest in Morocco.
Since 1978 the town has hosted an international cultural festival each summer, when artists paint new murals on the medina walls.
Highlights
White and blue lanes with fresh murals painted every summer.
Walk along the sea walls to the promontory at sunset.
The former Raissouni palace, now a venue for exhibitions and the festival.
Wide, wild beach a few kilometres south of town.
Things to do
- Monuments & medinasMedina walk — An easy hour or two through the lanes and along the walls.
- Festivals & musicAsilah cultural festival — Exhibitions, talks and mural painting in summer (dates vary).
- BeachesBeaches north and south — Town beach and Paradise Beach, reached on foot, by taxi or by horse cart.
- Food & marketsFish and seafood — Grilled fish in the restaurants by the ramparts.
- Monuments & medinasLixus Roman ruins — Ancient site near Larache, about 40 km south.
Where to stay
Guesthouses inside the medina or hotels along the seafront road.
Hotel Al Khaima
ComfortLong-established hotel with a pool, a short walk from the medina walls and the beach.
- Address
- Km 2 Route de Tanger, 90050 Asilah
- Phone
- +212 539 417 428
Contact details come from the hotels’ official websites or consistent public listings. We are not paid for listings. Always confirm prices and conditions directly with the property.
Getting there
About 45 km south of Tangier. Asilah has a station on the Tangier–Rabat line, and Tangier Ibn Battouta airport (TNG) is nearby.
Local tip
Combine Asilah with Tangier for an easy day or overnight trip by train.