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Asilah

The tortilla, paella and rioja (Spanish wine) served in most of Asilah's restaurants are reminders that this compact town was Spanish territory for a long time. Today, it's an easy introduction to Morocco, offering a good selection of budget and midrange accommodation and an extremely pretty medina to explore. There are also plenty of clean swimming and surf beaches close by.

The town is sleepy for most of the year, but in the summer months its population triples and the streets and town beach are crammed with sun-seeking Moroccan and Spanish families, some of whom retain holiday houses here. The best time to visit is in spring or autumn when the weather is still pleasant but the holiday hordes have left.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Asilah.

  • Area

    Medina

    Asilah’s compact medina is surrounded by sturdy stone fortifications built by the Portuguese in the 15th century. Enter through the Bab Al Kassaba and wander along its warren of alleyways, where the brilliant-white buildings punctuated with blue paintwork that match the sea and sky – many of which have been bought and restored by foreigners – are dotted with boutiques and galleries. Colourful murals painted each year during the Asilah Festival, as well as by local schoolchildren, make it exceptionally photogenic.

  • Beach

    Rada Beach

    The wide sweep of Rada Beach – also known as Mounir Beach after the beach’s well-known cafe owner – is 22km from Asilah (7km of it down a dirt road) and its isolation has kept it crowd-free. A return taxi costs around Dh450.

  • Beach

    Sidi Mghayet Beach

    Around 15km from Asilah – including 4km down a dirt road – Sidi Mghayet is one of Asilah’s more remote beaches and one of the quietest. During July and August, its golden crescent is lined with chiringuitos (simple food stalls); the rest of the time it’s often blissfully deserted. You’ll need a taxi to get here (around Dh400 return).

  • Historic Building

    Palais de Raissouli

    This palace was built in 1909 by Er Raissouli the pirate and stands as a testament to the sumptuous life he led at the height of his power. Beautifully restored, it is usually only open during the Asilah Festival. The building includes a main reception room with a glass-fronted terrace overlooking the sea, from where Er Raissouli forced convicted murderers to jump to their deaths onto the rocks 30m below.

  • Beach

    Paradise Beach

    R’Milat Beach, aka Paradise Beach or Las Cuevas – even Rubbish Beach, after the summer hordes have left – is 7km south of Asilah. It has a string of chiringuitos (ramshackle kiosks) serving up fried fish and tajines and you can hire beds and parasols. You can walk there along the coast or take a taxi (return around Dh250).

  • Mosque

    Great Mosque

    The recently restored, dazzlingly white Great Mosque, with its Islamic-green door is an icon of the medina, although it's closed to non-Muslims. A small craft market runs down the side of it.

  • Gate

    Bab Homar

    The southern gate into the medina, Bab Homar is topped by a much-eroded Portuguese royal coat of arms.