Tetouan

Tetouan is an Andalusian-influenced city about 60 km south-east of Tangier, in Morocco's Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, whose whitewashed medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buses and shared grand taxis take roughly an hour, and fares are low. The medina is far less touristed than those of Fez or Marrakech, which makes it a relaxed place to walk, with lanes, souks, mosques and craft workshops. Place Hassan II faces the Royal Palace and is the natural starting point, while the artisans' school and the Archaeological Museum add cultural stops. The leather and weaving quarters show traditional techniques. Cafes and small restaurants in the medina and around the Feddan square serve Andalusian-influenced dishes and pastries. A visit typically takes five to six hours, including travel. Visitors should be careful with navigation in the lanes, bargain politely and avoid unofficial guides who insist on commission. The city is sometimes combined with the Mediterranean resort area of Martil or M'diq, and some visitors continue to Chefchaouen. The return bus runs until the evening, but timings should be confirmed.