Asilah

Asilah (also Assilah, Arzila) is a city in northern Morocco.

By bus


Buses from Tangier's Gare Routière leave frequently for 15 dirham. From Meknes 50 dirham; from Marrakesh 130 dirham (as of June 2011).

The connection from Tetouan is not good at all. There is only one bus leaving in the afternoon. Otherwise, unless you’re willing to pay for a private grand taxi (probably around 200 dirham), you’ll have to go to Tangier first.

By taxi
From Tangier, you can hire a grand taxi for the ~1 hr drive to Asilah. The fare is about 20 dirham per seat. A whole taxi should thus not be more than 180 dirham.



By plane
You can get to Asilah directly from Tanger Airport. The price is fixed to 200 dirham per taxi. Alternatively, the main road connecting Tanger and Asilah is 1.8 km from the airport, where you can flag down a grand taxi that will take you to Asilah for 15 dirham (there is much traffic, but most taxis don't go to Asilah, so you'll need some patience). This is much easier on the way back, where you’ll just have to ask the driver to let you exit.

Get around
Like most Moroccan towns, Asilah consists of a medina and a ville nouvelle (north and east of the medina). There are two main entry points to the medina: and.

Cars are not allowed in the Medina, making walking the easiest form of transportation in Asilah proper. It is a small enough town that walking should not be a problem.

Petit taxis are available if you need to go further, e.g. to the train station (2 km north).

See
The medina is small, clean, and features wall paintings by African artists. North and east of the medina, the ville nouvelle is also pleasant.

Do

 * There are beautiful beaches both north and south of the town.



Eat
Due to its proximity to Spain and the large number of Spanish tourists it sees, Asilah's restaurants offer Spanish classics such as paella and tortilla, in addition to the ubiquitous tagine and couscous. Many restaurants, including local seafood restaurants, are located along Ave Mohamed el Hassani, with covered terraces next the southeast wall of the medina. Ask which ones serve beer or wine.



Drink
Enjoy mint tea in one of the cafés.

Sleep
A couple of guesthouse with rooms starting from 100 dirham are available and offered by touts that find you when walking with a backpack.






 * There is at least one camping site.
 * There is at least one camping site.

Go next

 * Larache
 * Tangier