The ramparts & medina
Walk the 15th-century Portuguese walls above the sea and the whitewashed lanes of blue doors and murals within.
Merzouga, MoroccoDesert Concierge · 7 Days · 9–21H GMT+1
Atlantic coast · Northern Morocco
Asilah, Morocco
A whitewashed Atlantic art town near Tangier — a calm coastal stop at the top of the desert road.
Best time
May–September for the coast; the arts festival is in summer
Recommended
A half-day or overnight from Tangier
Airport
Tangier Ibn Battouta (TNG) + 45 min
Region
Atlantic coast · Northern Morocco
Why Asilah
Asilah is a gentle Atlantic interlude for travellers entering the north before the long descent to the desert — forty minutes south of Tangier, the ferry port, and on the way toward Fes and the Fes–Merzouga route. It's the prettiest small town on the northern coast: a compact whitewashed medina wrapped in Portuguese ramparts, cobalt doors, bougainvillea and the ocean against the walls. A summer arts festival covers the lanes with murals. It has nothing of the Sahara about it — it's the cool, sea-aired start of a trip that ends in the dunes far to the south.
What to see
Highlights of Asilah.
Street-art murals
Walls repainted each summer during the Asilah Arts Festival, making the medina an open-air gallery.
Paradise Beach
A long sweep of sand a short ride south, reached by horse-cart in summer.
Itineraries
Our Asilah tours.
Every itinerary below is privately operated, fully customisable, and includes a deep stop in Asilah. Click any tour for the day-by-day plan, the map, dates and pricing.
1 day
Tangier & Asilah coastal day
Combine the kasbah of Tangier with the whitewashed art town of Asilah — a calm coastal day before turning south toward Fes and the desert.
from $220Enquire →
Before you go
Practical notes.
- Getting there: 45 minutes south of Tangier by road or train, on the northern approach to the Fes desert route
- Best for: A calm coastal stop at the start of a north-to-Sahara trip; art and photography
Concierge
Have your Asilah trip designed by a local
Tell us your dates, group size and pace. We'll send back a written proposal within 24 hours — private guides, transfers, riads, the lot.
Request a proposalFAQ
Asilah — common questions.
Does Asilah fit on a desert itinerary?+
Yes, as a relaxed northern stop before the desert. If you enter Morocco via Tangier and head south to Fes and the Merzouga road, Asilah's whitewashed medina and murals make a charming half-day or overnight before the long journey to the dunes.
How far is Asilah from Tangier?+
About 45 km, or 40–45 minutes by car or train. An easy half-day from Tangier, or a calm overnight by the sea, before continuing toward Fes and the Sahara.
Closest destinations
Pair Asilah with.
These destinations are closest to Asilah — easily combined on a private itinerary.
32 kmAtlantic coast · Northern Morocco
Larache
A quiet Spanish-colonial Atlantic port near the Roman ruins of Lixus — a calm northern stop before the desert road.
Explore
40 kmStrait of Gibraltar · Northern Morocco
Tangier
Where Africa meets Europe — the northern entry point for travellers heading down to the desert via Fes.
Explore
62 kmRif mountains · Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma
Tétouan
Morocco's Andalusian UNESCO medina near Tangier — a northern stop at the top of the desert road.
ExploreRead more
From the journal.
Stories, guides and practical notes to help you plan a richer trip to Asilah.
Journal