Asilah Morocco is a small walled town on the Atlantic coast, known for its Portuguese-era ramparts, whitewashed medina and walls painted with murals every summer. This Asilah guide covers the history, what to see, when the arts moussem happens and how to reach the town from Tangier, so you can decide whether it deserves a day on your northern route. It pairs well with a visit to Tangier and Tetouan.
Asilah at a glance
According to Wikipedia, Asilah is a fortified town on Morocco’s northwest Atlantic coast, about 31 km south of Tangier. Another travel site, Morocco Friendly Travel, writes “31 miles (50 kilometers)”, so the two sources disagree. Check the distance on a map for your own plan. Wikipedia lists the 2014 census population at 31,147.
The site is old. Wikipedia says Phoenicians occupied a place called Silis, later Zilil, from around 1500 BC. The Portuguese took the town in 1471 and built its fortifications, and abandoned it in 1549. The Spanish held it in the 1580s, Moulay Ismail’s forces took it in 1692, and it was part of Spanish Morocco from 1912 to 1956. For more on that Iberian thread, see our guide to the Andalusian heritage between Morocco and Spain.
The ramparts and the gates
The walls are the first thing most visitors notice. Wikipedia says the Almohads first built them and the Marinids and Wattasids restored them, but the Portuguese rebuilt them after 1471, so the current walls date almost entirely from the Portuguese occupation of the 15th and 16th centuries, with possible exceptions in some seaside sections. Bab al-Qasaba is one of the two main gates, at the east end of the walls where the kasbah once stood, and the other is Bab Homar. A rectangular Portuguese-style tower, Al-Qamra or Borj al-Hamra, stands near the kasbah and overlooks an open square.
Morocco Friendly Travel also recommends walking the ramparts for views of the town and sea. If you like Portuguese fortifications, our guide to Marrocos para brasileiros (in Portuguese) covers the wider Portuguese history in Morocco.
The medina and the Raisuni Palace
Inside the walls, the medina is a maze of white streets with blue and green painted lower walls. Per Wikipedia, the Raisuni Palace was built in 1909 by Moulay Ahmed er-Raisuni, a local figure known for kidnappings and ransoms. It has been restored and has a reception room with zellij tilework and a loggia overlooking the sea.
Morocco Friendly Travel adds galleries and workshops such as pottery, calligraphy and tile-making, and suggests spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) for the best weather. If you like blue-washed old towns, see why Chefchaouen is blue, and for another Atlantic walled town read Essaouira.
The murals and the moussem
Asilah is famous for painting its walls. Wikipedia says the International Cultural Moussem of Asilah began in 1978 and is held in August, and was co-founded by the painter Mohamed Melehi and the politician Mohamed Benaissa. Murals are painted on medina houses each year as part of the event. C& Magazine describes the same festival as running for about two months each summer, with residents whitewashing the walls every June to prepare fresh surfaces for the artists, so the dates and timing differ by source. Check the current programme before you plan a trip around it.
Getting to Asilah and where to go next
Tangier is the nearest major airport, per Morocco Friendly Travel, which says taxis, buses and trains connect Asilah with other cities. We run a day trip from Tangier to Asilah, and you can combine it with the Cap Spartel and Hercules Cave day trip, the Tetouan day trip, the Larache and Lixus day trip or the Chefchaouen day trip.
For a longer route, see the 3 day tour from Tangier to Casablanca, the 6 day tour from Tangier to Marrakech or the 12 day Morocco tour from Tangier. Continue to Rabat and plan your meals with the Moroccan food guide. For logistics, read airport transfers in Morocco, train vs bus vs rental car and tipping in Morocco, and see the 7 days in Morocco route.
Asilah Morocco FAQ
Where is Asilah?
A fortified town on Morocco’s northwest Atlantic coast, south of Tangier. Wikipedia says about 31 km, while another travel site says about 50 km.
Who built the walls of Asilah?
Wikipedia says the current walls date almost entirely from the Portuguese occupation of the 15th and 16th centuries, after earlier Almohad, Marinid and Wattasid work.
When did the Asilah murals start?
With the cultural moussem in 1978, per Wikipedia, co-founded by Mohamed Melehi and Mohamed Benaissa.
When is the Asilah festival?
Wikipedia says August. C& Magazine says it runs about two months each summer, so check the current programme.
What is the Raisuni Palace?
A palace built in 1909 by Moulay Ahmed er-Raisuni, now restored, with a zellij reception room and a loggia over the sea, per Wikipedia.
When is the best time to visit Asilah?
Morocco Friendly Travel suggests March to May or September to November.
Want Asilah on your northern Morocco route? Message us your dates and we will plan it with you.
Message us on WhatsAppNavigate Morocco is a team from the Sahara desert who work as a family. We will be glad to help you plan your Asilah visit and the rest of your route, from the Atlantic coast to the dunes.
More Navigate Morocco guides: Things to do in Tangier, Tetouan Morocco, Why is Chefchaouen blue, Morocco honeymoon, Larache Morocco.
