The Best Things to Do in Asilah on a Day Trip

Things to do in Asilah for the perfect day trip from Tangier — explore the medina, relax on the beach, and soak in the stunning views.

Thinking of taking a day trip from Tangier? Asilah, Morocco is a beautiful coastal town just 30–45 minutes away — making it the perfect quick escape for travellers wanting to experience more of northern Morocco without the need for a long journey.

Although Asilah is small and easy to explore in a few hours, it’s absolutely worth visiting. Its charming medina, colourful murals, and relaxing seaside vibes offer a completely different pace from the busier city of Tangier. This makes it ideal for a slow, scenic day trip where you can take your time and still feel like you’ve had a full experience — without rushing from one tourist attraction to another.

Whether you want to wander through the historic Asilah medina, visit a peaceful beach like Plage Asilah, or just soak in the relaxed atmosphere of this artsy town, this guide will walk you through the best things to do in Asilah in just one day. It’s also a great way to tick off two cities in one trip — and yes, maybe grab a few extra fridge magnets while you’re at it!

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Things To Do In Asilah, Morocco

1. Old Medina

We love a good market — and while the medina in Asilah isn’t huge, it’s full of charm. You’ll find stalls selling everything from colourful ceramics and handmade souvenirs to woven baskets and traditional Moroccan decor. It’s the perfect place to pick up gifts or a fridge magnet (or three!).

Walking through the medina feels like stepping into a postcard. The narrow alleyways are lined with white-and-blue buildings, giving off serious Greek island vibes, but with a distinctly Moroccan twist. It’s calm, clean, and feels much more relaxed than other busy medinas like the one in Marrakech.

The locals were incredibly kind and welcoming, and the whole area felt safe and peaceful — you can really take your time exploring. Every corner offers a new photo opportunity, especially with all the vibrant murals and decorative doors.

2. Lunch Near The Old Madina (just outside before the main entrance)

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Asilah, especially around the medina. A popular spot that many people recommend is Café Daya, which we originally planned to try. But since it was a bit too far from where we were — and finding a taxi in Asilah turned out to be unexpectedly tricky — we decided to stay closer to the medina.

Just a heads up: if you’re used to using apps like inDrive in Tangier, those don’t really work in Asilah. Taxis here aren’t always easy to flag down, so it’s worth factoring that into your plans.

We ended up having lunch at a place called Ali Baba, which had great reviews. Since it was a Friday, traditional couscous was on the menu (as it is in most parts of Morocco on Fridays), and it was absolutely delicious. I also ordered a shawarma wrap with chips, which I’d rate a solid 7/10 — it was good, just not the best shawarma I’ve ever had.

If you’re spending the whole day in Asilah, grabbing lunch near the old medina is convenient, budget-friendly, and gives you more time to explore the town without stressing about transport.

3. Krikia

One spot we didn’t get to see — and I’m genuinely still sad about it — was Krikia. It’s known for offering some of the best views in Asilah, overlooking the coastline and the historic city walls. It’s a popular photo spot and a peaceful place to watch the waves crash against the shore.

We had planned to visit, but our morning was spent at the cemetery visiting my gran, and the afternoon flew by between lunch and exploring the souk. Since we really wanted to have time to relax at the beach, Krikia had to be skipped this time.

Still, I had to include it in this blog post because it’s one of the top things to do in Asilah — especially if you enjoy beautiful viewpoints and a bit of quiet away from the busier parts of town. If you’re planning a full day in Asilah, definitely try to fit it in earlier in the day so you don’t miss out like we did!

4. Asilah Beach

We finished our day trip at Asilah Beach, and honestly — we loved it more than the beach in Tangier! The waves were bigger, which made it a lot more fun to splash around in, and the water felt warmer too. It’s a huge beach with lots of open space, so it never felt crowded, even in the afternoon.

The part of the beach we visited didn’t have any nearby cafés or shops, so I definitely recommend bringing cold water, snacks, and anything else you might need before heading there. It’s the perfect spot to unwind, especially after walking around the medina.

You can also rent an umbrella and chairs, which is ideal if you’re planning to stay for a few hours. We paid 30 dirhams, which is a standard local price. If you’re not Moroccan, they might try to charge a bit more — but it’s worth negotiating down to 30–40 dirhams. Even 40 is still a fair price for a chill setup by the sea.

Is Asilah Worth Visiting?

If you’re debating whether to take a day out of your Tangier trip to visit Asilah — let me tell you, it’s 100% worth it.

Even my family, who aren’t Moroccan, absolutely loved it. Asilah, Morocco, is known for its laid-back vibe, stunning beaches, colourful medina, and unforgettable sunsets. If you’re someone who loves a beach with waves, you’ll especially enjoy it here — the beach was one of the highlights of our trip. The water was warm and refreshing, and we had so much fun swimming and just soaking it all in.

The medina is clean, peaceful, and so beautiful to walk around — with plenty of souvenir shops and photo spots tucked into its quiet streets. And the sunset? Absolutely magical.

If you follow this guide on things to do in Asilah, you’ll get to see the best of what this little coastal town has to offer while still having a relaxing, slow-paced day. It’s not a place where you have to rush around from one attraction to the next — it’s about soaking up the atmosphere, enjoying the scenery, and making simple but beautiful memories.

Also, a quick shoutout to the locals in Asilah (and Tangier too) — genuinely some of the kindest, most welcoming people we met during our trip. They made us feel so at home.

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The Best Things to Do in Asilah on a Day Trip