Asilah Medina and Murals

Asilah is a whitewashed Atlantic coastal town about 46 km south-west of Tangier in northern Morocco, and one of the easiest day trips from the city. The ONCF train from Tangier Ville to Asilah station takes about 35 to 45 minutes and costs roughly 20 to 30 MAD ($2.15-3.25). From the station a petit taxi or a 20 minute walk leads to the medina, entered by Bab el Kasbah. A shared grand taxi from the Tangier rank is the alternative. The town is known for its ramparts, built by the Portuguese in the 15th century and later modified, and for its murals, which are painted on the whitewashed walls of the medina during an annual arts festival held in the summer period. The lanes are small enough to explore entirely on foot in two to three hours. Visitors can walk along the sea wall, with views over the Atlantic, climb the Borj el Kamra tower, and browse small galleries and craft shops. A sensible day starts with the mid-morning train, a stroll through the medina while shops open, and a walk along the ramparts before lunch. Seafood restaurants near the port and the harbour serve grilled fish, calamari and prawns for roughly 80 to 180 MAD ($8.60-19). The afternoon suits the long sandy beach south of the medina, which is popular from May to October, and the walk back via the new town cafes before an evening train to Tangier. The ramparts and murals are free to walk. The best seasons are May to October for the beach and the festival period, while spring is cooler and quieter. Mid-August weekends are crowded, and visitors should agree on any guide fee before accepting. Asilah is compact, friendly and relaxed, and works well as a half-day or full-day contrast to the busier streets of Tangier. Souvenirs include ceramics, paintings by local artists and leather goods from the small shops lining the main lanes of the medina.