Oujda
Oujda's medina is a great slice of tradition and modernity. It isn't large and appeals to local tastes, so don't expect to wade through touts selling…
Must-see attractions in Mediterranean Coast & the Rif Mountains
Melilla
Africa's only active bullfighting ring is operational just once a year for Melilla's Virgen de la Victoria festival. Otherwise, the 8,000-person stadium…
Ceuta
The Casa de los Dragones on Plaza de los Reyes is a fantastic dream that has entered the real world. This former home is an extraordinary example of…
Melilla
Melilla's role in modern Spanish history isn't forgotten. The Statue Grande Libre marks 7 July 1936, when Franco began the campaign against the government…
Mediterranean Coast & the Rif Mountains
Taforalt, also known as Tafoughalt, is a somewhat haphazard settlement that arose around a former French military installation. The northern end, which…
Tetouan
The wealthy El Oddi family graciously opened their sparkling family riad to the public as a cultural centre in 2018, celebrating their beloved Tetouan…
Melilla
Two of the four tiny doors across the courtyard lead into the cavelike, other-worldly cisterns, which once stored as much as 1000 cubic metres of water…
Museo de la Basilica Tardorromana
Ceuta
This superbly executed underground museum is integrated into the architectural remains of an ancient basilica discovered during street work in the 1980s,…
Tangier
This large park is full of strolling couples and children playing football. The Mendoubia Gardens are flanked by an elegant line of colonial buildings,…
Ceuta
Named after a noseless pirate who landed here in 1417, Ceuta's Desnarigado military museum is jam-packed with memorabilia from Ceuta's many battles. An…
Chefchaouen
The waterfall of Ras El Maa is just beyond the far northeastern gate of the Chefchaouen medina. It’s here, where the water comes gushing out of the…
Melilla
Near the Iglesia de la Concepción, the Museo Militar is perched high over the Mediterranean. Its two small rooms are stuffed full of exhibits (all in…
Al Hoceima
Located in a pretty, steep-sided bay, the yellow sand beach below the Mercure Quemado Resort is a popular hang-out spot in the summer for taking a dip and…
Santuario de Nuestra Señora de África
Ceuta
The striking yellow 17th-century baroque-style church in Plaza de África remains active among Ceuta's Roman Catholic faithful. The altar has a powerful…
Catedral Santa Maria de la Asunción
Ceuta
The yellow-and-white cathedral overlooking Plaza de África is the finest church in Ceuta, with twin spires that host matching bells. At nightfall, the…
El Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera
Rif Mountains
This tiny island was transformed into a peninsula in the 1930s and ’40s when a sandbank joined it with the mainland. Despite several Moroccan attempts at…
Chefchaouen
The mosque was built by the Spanish in the 1920s, but never used. It fell into disrepair and remains closed, but the grounds out front make for a perfect…
Tetouan
Next to Tetouan's tannery, where you can see how the cow hides get their shades, the leather souq features traditional Moroccan shoes, jackets and bags…
Melilla
The spacious palm-lined park right at the heart of the city is perfect for lounging on a bench with a book or zigzagging through the maze of blue and…
Al Hoceima
The port is mainly used for a large commercial fishing operation. It's a great place to watch the catch being unloaded, and to find dinner: vendors line…
Ceuta
A striking early 20th-century building with an elegant dome and clock that has served as both a palace and city hall. Inside, find paintings and sketches…
Tangier
The aptly named 'Idlers’ Terrace' provides sweeping views of the port, Spain and, on a really clear day, Gibraltar. A set of ancient cannons faces the bay…
Tetouan
Built in 1808 on the ruins of a smaller mosque, the Grand Mosquée has one of the largest minarets in Tetouan – you'll have to tilt your head way up to see…
Iglesia de la Purísima Concepción
Melilla
This 17th-century church above Las Cuevas del Conventico is the oldest in the city. Unfortunately, it's only possible to behold from outside as…
Oujda
Designed in the 1930s by René Maître, the city's chief architect, this beautiful park lined with magnificent trees and bright flowers is worth a stroll…
Tangier
Built in 1917, this Mauresque-style mosque and its colourful rose, green, blue and white minaret is an attractive sight towering above Grand Socco. Only…
Ceuta
Ceuta's urban beach is jam-packed during summer with nearly nude Spaniards and fully clothed Moroccan women. The beach is lined with cafes and bars…
Al Hoceima
This 100m-long grey-sand beach is a good option for soaking in some rays outside of the city bustle. A few food shacks along the beach serve fresh catch…
Tetouan
Tetouan is known for its artisans, and this is the spot in the medina where you'll find a collection of jewellery boutiques.
Tangier
From the Petit Socco in the medina, the route leading towards the sea leads east past this grand green-shingled mosque, which at one time housed a…
Tangier
The exhibition hall from the Institut Français hosts temporary exhibitions. It's easy to locate on Rue de la Liberté and free, so it's worth a stop if you…
Chefchaouen
If you're getting tired of blue, Chefchaouen's 15th-century clay-brown kasbah contains a lovely Andalusian-style garden, a former prison, the small Center…
Ceuta
With its green triumphal arch (inscribed ‘a monument to coexistence’) and fountain, this plaza borders the twin-towered yellow Iglesia de San Francisco…
Ceuta
This is the best view in Ceuta, overlooking the city and the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet. Locals come to picnic on…
Tetouan
A few blocks from Place Al Jala is a small museum with an excellent collection of pottery and mosaics mostly from the Roman ruins at Lixus, displayed both…
Tetouan
On the southern edge of the Tetouan mellah (Jewish quarter) is this lovely tree-filled park, perfect for taking a break from the Ensanche and medina…
Ceuta
Accidentally discovered during street work, these ancient Arab hammams sit on a main road, an incongruous sight. There are two of them, with barrel…
Tetouan
Tetouan has traditionally been a leather-producing town, and there is a small tannery here. They're smaller than the tanneries at Fez, but still…
Oujda
Towering over Oujda's small medina, the oldest mosque in the city, known to followers as Lkebir Jamaa, was built when Merinid ruler Sultan Abou Youssef…
Tetouan
This bright yellow Roman Catholic church looking out on Place Moulay El Mehdi was built in 1917 and is still active. A church in a main square is a…
