The Top Things to See and Do in Asilah, Morocco

Diners return again and again to this friendly whitewashed corner spot, daubed with sea-blue accents, close to the port of Asilah. This is hardly surprising, given the absolutely delicious Mediterranean-style fresh fish dishes made fresh daily with quality seasonal ingredients. Mouthwatering tuna, octopus and John Dory – all fresh off the boat– can be paired with shared plates such as muhammara – a spicy pepper dip – and the ubiquitous piles of pillowy bread.

This is a particularly charming steam bath, surrounded by Asilah’s trademark whitewashed walls with blue accents. Come for a relaxing traditional treatment involving washing, scrubbing and steaming. After a scrub-down with a special mitt, submit to a meticulous wash, based on Moroccan beldi soap made using olive oil. After that you get smothered in rhassoul clay from the Atlas Mountains, prior to being massaged with aromatic oils, leaving you feeling as clean and fresh as a newborn baby.

Got a sweet tooth? You’ve come to the right place – sweets in Morocco in all manner of shapes and flavours. In Asilah, street sellers push carts around, piled high with saccharine goodies including popular local desserts such as hem (traditionally puff pastry with nuts) as well as concoctions based on toasted almonds, cinnamon, cream, pistachios and honey. While you’re in town, make sure you track down Asilah’s memorably tasty raisin and walnut cake.

Head off in a south-easterly direction for about 15 km (9mi) and you’ll come to this impressive megalith, standing in the heart of the arid, dusty countryside. Located just beyond the village of Chouahed, it’s an impressive archaeological site, consisting of a stone circle with a huge 6m (20ft) structure thought to be a burial site of one of the first Mauretanian kings. It is also notable as there are few megalithic stone rings in the world with as many stones still standing.

Every summer, artists from around the globe descend to Asilah en masse to paint their individual murals on the walls of the whitewashed houses that line the medina. That said, street art is but one part of the Asilah Arts Festival. Also on the agenda as part of this annual event, you’ll find concerts, exhibitions and theatrical performances that have, for years now, put Asilah on the Moroccan cultural map.

Roll up on a Thursday morning, and you’ll find the colourful, frenetic souks of the old town swollen with determined shoppers, here to snap up everything from fruit and vegetables to spices, silk slippers and jewellery. In one of the smallest streets in the medina, Nashia Bazaar is among the largest bazaars in the town, stocked with all kinds of purchases, from Moroccan-made mirrors and chests to rugs of every size, shade and shape. Just don’t forget to do your duty and haggle.

The paintings that line the whitewashed walls of the old part of town are by far the main attraction, attracting art lovers year-round. They change annually and you can wander for hours, admiring each piece, some smaller and more intricate, others filling whole walls. They create fantastic backdrops for photographs – quite a change from the plain camel-brown medina walls of historical cities such as Marrakech and Fes.

Asilah’s layout, size and location make it perfect for bike riding, so it’s no surprise that most of the local hotels offer bike rental services. Take the day to explore the whole of the town by bike, combining sightseeing with sport and enjoy the fresh seaside air and stunning views. This activity is perfect for those who dislike long treks, but still want to see the town.

Built largely in the 15th century, when Asilah was under the control of the Portuguese, these city walls remain in great condition. Framing Asilah’s old quarter and lending character and history to a charming town, they elegantly enfold the old medina. Two piers stretch out into the ocean, the southern one open to the public and delivering spectacular sunset views.

Asilah has a charming beach, directly off the ancient medina, but there’s a quieter alternative a short taxi ride away: the aptly named Paradise Beach. It’s less rocky than its urban sibling, with soft sand and tranquillity in spades. Roll up and find a secluded spot – you’ll have no problem, particularly outside the summer months, when it’s nothing less than a private, peaceful haven. Settle in at a Spanish-style chiringuito (beach bar) and make the most of the day with a chilled beer.

Northwest of central Asilah you’ll find the colonial-Spanish Church of San Bartolome, built by the Spanish Franciscans in 1925 – one of the very few in Morocco that are allowed to ring the bells for Sunday Mass. It is a private establishment still home to nuns, who are usually more than happy to give you a little guided tour. All in all, a fascinating place for an hour or two – and it serves as a reminder of the Catholic presence in this largely Islamic country.