If you're on the northern side of Morocco, I highly recommend visiting Asilah during your trip. Here are some recommendations on what to do while you're there if you decide on doing a day trip or if you end up staying for a couple of days.
Asilah is a town on the northern Atlantic coast of Morocco, just a few miles south of Tangier. There's a lot of Portuguese influence in this town because they use to rule this area back in the day and you can still see ramparts that are in still tact and standing that are centuries old. Many people in Asilah even speak Spanish, Portuguese, or French in addition to Arabic, making this city a melting pot of cultural traditions, cuisines, and languages.
Discover the art culture scene in Asilah. It has gradually gained attention over the past few years, due to The Cultural Moussem of Asilah festival, it's held every June/July. Over the years, the festival has featured performances by dancers, music groups, as well as workshops from international artists. Every year there's creation of the murals in the Asilah medina, when artists use the walls of the city as their blank canvases! It's always ever changing so when you visit you may find new art pieces that weren't there before.
Getting to Asilah was another adventure. I decided to take the train there from Tangier and it was my first time experiencing transportation by train in Morocco. It was actually pretty easy to navigate and everyone I've encountered in the station were very helpful. I think using local transportation is such great way to experience a country in a unique way. While many tourists seem to usually go with private cars or taxis, interacting with locals by using a bus or train is a great way to meet people. Although you may get many stares, it's fun experience and you come back with fun stories.
Leaving the train station, the city is pretty easy to navigate. Walking straight down you'll find the local beach and then you continue walking into the medina. If you're only going only on a day trip, everything is centrally located so you're able to walk to everything. It's a very chill and laid back city compared to other well known touristy cities, it's up to you on how long you want to stay there. Here are some recommendations on things to do when you're here. But don't forget to check out my other Morocco blog posts - Tangier, Chefchaouen, and Tetouan!
Leaving the train station, the city is pretty easy to navigate. Walking straight down you'll find the local beach and then you continue walking into the medina. If you're only going only on a day trip, everything is centrally located so you're able to walk to everything. It's a very chill and laid back city compared to other well known touristy cities, it's up to you on how long you want to stay there. Here are some recommendations on things to do when you're here. But don't forget to check out my other Morocco blog posts - Tangier, Chefchaouen, and Tetouan!
Medina.
The medina in Asilah was a very pleasant experience due to it being very calm and quiet. It's not as hectic as the larger medinas that you find in Morocco. There's sort of a Greek vibe here with white washed buildings and blue painted window shutters and doors. You'll find beautiful details the more you get lost and explore the alleyways. There were many gardens, creatively designed doorways, souvenir shops, and gorgeous murals you'll want to take out your camera to snap some photos. There's many vendors walking around or you'll find shops that sell refreshments to keep you hydrated, especially if you're here in the summer. I really enjoyed this medina, while you're walking around you just feel the breeze from the beach, hear birds chirping, and hear the waves crashing. I can't wait to come back in the future!
You can't come to Asilah and not hit up the beach. If you come during the summer, you may just want to run into the water just because it gets pretty warm here. I also need to add that it gets very busy here with the locals and tourists who visit during high season! You can't miss the beach if you're walking from the train station or heading to the medina, it's right in the heart of Asilah. You'll find tons food vendors, water-toy vendors, souvenir vendors, camels, and taxis nearby the beach.
Indulge at Local Eateries.
From getting quick bites inside the medina to eating at the many restaurants located outside the medina, there's so much to choose from. I love trying new food everywhere I go and this was no exception. The flavorful dishes and sweet desserts were beyond tasty and I encourage you to try as many local delicacies as you can.
From getting quick bites inside the medina to eating at the many restaurants located outside the medina, there's so much to choose from. I love trying new food everywhere I go and this was no exception. The flavorful dishes and sweet desserts were beyond tasty and I encourage you to try as many local delicacies as you can.
I'd love to go there one day. nice pictures!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteAsilah looks incredible! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks Leah!
DeleteGreat post! It sounds like such an interesting place - there's so many great things to see in Morocco! I love your photos too, they really give you such a feel for the place.
ReplyDeleteThat means so much to me! I try my best to showcase a destination through my photos and I'm glad that it comes across that way!
DeleteYour pictures are stunning! Never really considered going there till now. Are you a solo traveller? What advice would you give as a woman who likes to travel on her own?
ReplyDeleteThank you and yes I am actually. I would tell anyone but especially women to travel by themselves at some point in their life. It's possible to do so and the fear you have in your head is just in your head. Just go for it and you'll come home with awesome stories to share :)
DeleteThese streets are an explosion of color! I wanna go there with my camera and do street photography.
ReplyDeleteIt's a must, such a beautiful place to photograph!
DeleteI love it. Morocco has been on my bucket list for years. I've traveled to all kinds of places, but I still haven't been able to make Morocco happen. YET.
ReplyDeleteWhenever you do, you will LOVE it!
DeleteI must admit I hadn't heard of Asilah before reading this post. Tangiers is another story, but there is no doubt that is more well-known. However, I just love the look and feel that you have captured of Asilah. The town looks so colorful and has so much character, not to mention the beauty of the seaside there. This is one place I would love to explore, as well as following in your footsteps by catching the train there for a more authentic experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. Asilah is a must stop city for sure in your Moroccan itinerary!
DeleteMorocco has always been on my list of Places to Visit. And Asilah looks fantastic with plenty of things to do. You've put together a great list.
ReplyDeleteHope you get to visit some day!
Deleteyou look so comfy and happy in your pictures. plus, the place is really luring me with what it can offer. i love the art side and the local delicacies. that'd be a part of travelling and getting to know the place more. great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words about this post!
DeleteMorocco looks amazing! The colours are so bright and the food looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThe food is unbelievably delicious!
DeleteEverything looks so colorful in Morocco! The street art is fantastic! I want to visit someday to enjoy these sights and experience the local cuisine too.
ReplyDeleteThe colors and cuisine is just breathtaking!
DeleteYour pictures just sold me. How incredibly beautiful. I completely fell in love with all the bright bold colors and that garden walkway. What a sweet vacation spot! Thank you for sharing your trip
ReplyDeleteI love to hear this and so glad you felt moved through my pictures :)
DeleteI love your photos! Thanks for a peek into Asilah, Morocco. Your photo of the alley lined with flowers is my vision of Morocco. The photo of the pastry shop is making me want a snack right now!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteOne word WOW!! Your piccys are amazing and you have done Morocco proud. This captures the place beautifully and would inspire me to travel to Asilah xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words, this means a lot to me!
DeleteI loved all the artwork �� this looks like a fun place to visit and to be entered into my bucket list! BTW lovely photos dear! ��
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading this post and stopping by my blog!
DeleteAsilah, Morocco seems like a great place! I hope I can visit this place. So promising!
ReplyDeleteYes, I hope you get to visit someday!
DeleteOh my goodness, this place looks beautiful! Although I’ve never been to Morocco before myself, I would love to make my way over in the near future. Thanks for sharing all of this! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading this post!
DeleteThat medina is stunning - really does look like one of the Cyclades islands! Love the henna on your hand!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I love getting henna done.
DeleteThis is so beautiful! I love your pics and the food looks delicious. One more place to visit in Morrocco added to the list :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear this :)
DeleteThat wall art is absolutely incredible! I would want to go just to see that! This was a great post with beautiful photography!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Morocco before but that looks like a great place to visit someday. Looking at all thos beautiful pictures made me curious about this place.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great destination to explore!
DeleteIt is always recommended that one travels at least once a year to a new place in order to appreciate what you have or see the better options available out there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing those wonderful pictures and experience.
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed this post!
DeleteI would love to visit Morocco someday. You shared a lot of really beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteYou will love Morocco whenever you have the chance to visit!
DeleteI've always wanted to go to Morocco, mostly because I love the food and want to experience it first hand! I love all your colourful photos, and how you let those photos really speak for themselves.
ReplyDeleteThank you, your words mean a lot!
DeleteWhat a breathtaking view this place has! Morocco is another must-visit place and the food really looks delicious. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very nice place.. And their delicacies looks so indulging..! Thanks for sharing pics..
ReplyDeleteIt's a great destination to visit!
DeleteThe trip looks fantatsic! Morocco is in my list for ages but I still haven't visited it yet. It's easy to get there that's why. I do hope to visit it next year
ReplyDeleteYou will love it in Morocco!
DeleteI would definitely go just to visit the beach! Everything else is a bonus, because that water is absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt was so delightful!
DeleteI love all the beautiful pictures! So many colors and textures. This looks like such a beautiful place to visit! And your henna tattoo is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Alyssa!
DeleteWow! It looks amazing! The photos is just super! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete