Asilah is a fortified small town on Morocco’s northwest Atlantic coast, some 31 kilometers (19 miles) south of Tangier. Its ramparts and gate works are still completely intact.
Many armies and regions passed through this town, beginning with the Phoenicians and then the Portuguese, and even pirates passed through it before the Moroccans took it. The first edition of an art festival known as the International Cultural Moussem of Asilah was launched in 1978 to help generate tourism. The festival features local artwork and music and continues to attract large numbers of tourists.
Asilah is currently a prominent coastal resort, with contemporary vacation apartment buildings on the coast road that connects Tangier to the town.
Culture of Asilah:
Many art and music events, like as the famous mural-painting festival, are held in Asilah, and one of the wonderful customs of this lovely town is that every Thursday is Market day when all markets and businesses open early and people go shopping on this day to obtain all their necessities.
Many green and blue painted wood buildings can be seen throughout Asilah’s tiny lanes, and the primary cultural center is the Centre Hassan II des Rencontres Internationals, which holds summer festivals, including the International Cultural Festival.
The best 10 things to see and do in Asilah
There are many things to see and do in Asilah, it is one of the best destinations for locals during the summer. Here are the top things you should count while traveling there.
1. The old Medina part.
One hour’s journey from Tangier will take you to that ancient town, which is one of the nicest, cleanest, and most well-kept in northern Morocco, and with its residential houses that have become more popular among Moroccans.
It is preferable to visit Al Medina of Al Asilah in the spring rather than the summer because it is more crowded in the summer. Every year in August, the International Cultural Festival, aiming at all types of art, is held.
2. The beach in Cuevas.
That is a must-see sight when spending your vacation in Asilah; it is an amazing beach famous for its beautiful resorts and shops; from this beach, you can access the bravest drive flanks the mountain by a tortuous path; you must pay this amazing beach a visit and take a walk along its shore; it will be unforgettable.
3. Promenade in Asilah.
This is a really lovely rocky beach located adjacent to the historic Portuguese wall, where you can see its architectural legacy mirrored on the floor of the promenade.
4. Asilah’s sweets.
If you love candy and are constantly looking to try new varieties of sweets, you can not miss visiting Asilah, which is one of the most Moroccan cities known for selling sweets on its streets. You can take a walk around the city streets and sample practically all sorts of sweets for less than one euro!
You’ll generally encounter Arabic sweets on Asilah streets; they’re usually in the form of a cart with trays full of these cakes on top. Desserts of “hem” (puff pastry with nuts) are the most popular here, with roasted almonds, cinnamon, cream, pistachios, honey, and a raisin and walnut cake. Other vendors sell tuna dumplings and a type of wheat cracker.
5. The stone circle of Mzora.
The voyage is becoming more exciting in this town, Chouahed, which will transport you to ancient times and eras.
It is one of Morocco’s and Africa’s most important megalithic structures. It is a ring built by 176 men hires that rises 5.4 meters above the ground and is oval in shape, encircling a mound that is 55 meters by 59 meters and rises 6 meters above the ground.
Not enthused enough!! Okay, keep reading.
According to mythology, a giant, the son of Neptune and Earth, lived in this tomb. This monument is of exceptional and great value, dating back to the fourth millennium BC.
If you still don’t get how exciting this site is, you should go as soon as you get to Asilah, and then come back here and tell us what you felt when standing in the huge mansion; believe me, it’s more wonderful than you can think!
Also read: Is Morocco open for tourism?
6. The Nashia Bazaar.
the largest market (souk) on Nashia street, the tiniest street in Asilah town, where you can discover many products that are not accessible anywhere else, Moroccan furniture imported from all over the country, In this shop, tables, mirrors, chests, and chairs are heaped. They also carry a large collection of carpets in various forms, sizes, and colors.
However, tables are the most intriguing of all the items exhibited in this bazaar, and I urge that you pay attention to them since you could find something there that you never dreamt of.
7. Zellaka.
Zellaka is Asilah’s main plaza. It is large and massive, and it also gives you a flavor of how multiculturalism has been for ages in this great area of Morocco, thanks to its strategic location and magnificent harbor, which has drawn people throughout history to various communities on its beaches. Carthaginians, Romans, Spaniards, and Portuguese have all passed through Asilah, enriching their cultures. There is a Christian church, a mosque, Andalusia-style structures, and Portuguese walls in this square.
This plaza is surrounded by typical Moroccan palms. There is a really interesting combination of genres.
8. Try Henna Tatto.
First and first, let us introduce you to Henna, which is a plant whose leaves are extracted and blended with various chemicals before being used to create tattoos on the skin.
Henna Tattoos are quite popular in Morocco, particularly in Asilah, and if you decide to visit this town, you will not leave without enjoying this fresh and amusing experience.
Furthermore, you will not be sorry.
9. Explore the Mahmoud Darwish garden.
Three minutes from the ancient medina is a large green space known as the Jardin Mahmoud Darwish, a very large, pleasant, and appealing park, especially if you prefer crowded areas; the garden is typically closed at night for safety.
10. Murales callejeros in Asilah.
Asilah is an imaginative city, attracting artists from other towns, and on its streets and walls you can find a lot of stories, and paints that take you on a journey through years and culture. Some of these murals indicate the presence of an art gallery on site, other houses, or a local artist’s workshop, and others are simply a way to decorate a house’s wall.
We are still too far away to finish talking about what you can see or do in Asilah; if you want to discover everything, you must pay this small town a visit; there are many more sites and things to explore in this magnificent city, and the generosity of its inhabitants is a whole different story.
We’ll leave this for you to uncover and discuss in the comments.
Hotels in Asilah.
All accommodations kinds and pricing are available in Asilah; you may select what best suits you from a large choice of hotels that are well-served, and you will have a pleasant stay in your room near the beach. Here are hotels that you can book on Booking.
Booking.comRestaurants.
If you are a foodie who is constantly looking for clean, tasty, new, exotic meals, you will be delighted to visit the restaurants in Asilah, which are widely recognized for new and wonderful cuisine, as well as certain meals you would not expect to discover.
Do not pass up the opportunity to enjoy some of the greatest meals in Asilah at its restaurants, where the rates are lower than elsewhere while providing the same or even better service.
Have you ever visited Asilah?
Have you seen its beautiful sites and locations, or have you spent time in the massive house???
Write in the comments for us and tell us about your visit to this city if you went, and also tell us if you modify your travel plans after reading this post, would you want to visit Al Asilah?
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