Holiday in Asilah

What makes Asilah special as a destination?

Asilah is Morocco's hidden gem on the Atlantic coast - a small, white-blue coastal town with Portuguese fortress walls, a vibrant art scene, and the most relaxed atmosphere in northern Morocco. Located just 46 kilometers south of Tangier, Asilah feels like a Moroccan version of a Greek island village, with snow-white houses, narrow streets filled with flower pots, and a city beach where fishermen and sunbathers share the bay. The Medina of Asilah is a small work of art in itself: The 15th-century Portuguese fortress walls surround a labyrinth of alleys, whose walls have been adorned by international artists with large-scale murals. Every summer, the International Cultural Festival Moussem transforms the entire Medina into an open-air gallery, as artists from around the world paint the walls with new works, musicians play in the squares, and the narrow streets overflow with life. The murals remain visible throughout the year, making a stroll through the old town a museum visit in the open air. From the northern tower of the Portuguese fortifications, there is a magnificent view of the Atlantic and the small fishing harbor, where colorful boats sway on the water. The Raissouli Palace, once the residence of the notorious bandit governor Ahmed el-Raisuni, occasionally opens its doors and offers one of the most beautiful coastal views in Morocco from its terrace. For German visitors, Asilah is a perfect day trip from Tangier or a quiet alternative to the busier Moroccan cities. The journey from Tangier takes only 45 minutes, and the town can be wonderfully explored on foot. The beaches north and south of the city are expansive, clean, and even in summer not overcrowded - a rare luxury in Morocco.