Asilah city

Asilah city

"Assilah is a tranquil Moroccan coastal town located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the north of the country, famous for its white alleys adorned with colorful murals and its cultural and artistic season, which has made it one of the most beautiful cities in northern Morocco in terms of tourism and culture."

"Assilah is located on the Atlantic coast about 30 to 40 kilometers south of the city of Tangier in the far north of Morocco, within the Jbala region, which has a coastal and mountainous character."

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"The city is characterized by a flat coastal plain by the sea that gradually rises toward low hills on the outskirts, and a stream known as Oued Al-Hlou (the Sweet Valley) runs nearby, emptying into the ocean at the edges of the town."

"The origins of Assilah (which was historically known by names such as Azila or Arzila) date back more than two thousand years, as it was first inhabited by the Amazigh before being settled by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, and later became a Roman fortress under the name ‘Zilis’."

"Over the following centuries, the town went through periods of ruin, then was re‑established in the Islamic era around the 3rd century AH by Berber Almoravid tribes to confront maritime invasions, and later experienced Portuguese occupation, which left its mark on the town’s walls and towers."

Asilah city

"The old medina of Assilah is considered one of the most beautiful historic towns in Morocco, forming a fortified rectangle enclosed by walls and towers that look directly out over the Atlantic shore."

"Its alleyways are renowned for being narrow and clean, with whitewashed walls blended with blue on doors and windows, as well as for the artistic murals painted by Moroccan and international artists on the walls during cultural seasons, making the town feel like an open‑air art gallery."

"Over the last three decades, Assilah has become an important cultural and touristic hub in Morocco, particularly thanks to its summer cultural festival, which attracts thousands of intellectuals and artists every year."

"This festival includes intellectual symposia, art exhibitions, and workshops for painting and murals, which has cemented the town’s image as a space for creativity and cultural dialogue and elevated its status within the Moroccan and Arab cultural scene."

"The population of Assilah is around 32,000 inhabitants according to estimates from the middle of the last decade, within an urban area that does not exceed about 32 to 33 square kilometers."

"Most of the inhabitants belong to the Jbala tribes of northwestern Morocco, with intertwined Amazigh, Andalusian, and Arab roots, and the people of the town are known by the nickname ‘Az‑Zilashi’, in reference to the old name Azila/Zilis."

"Assilah is a favorite destination for lovers of peace, the sea, and art; it is a small and quiet town overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, far from the hustle and bustle of big cities."

"Visitors come to enjoy its nearby sandy beaches, stroll through the old medina and its Portuguese walls overlooking the sea, and relax in the small seafront cafés and restaurants with a distinctly local character."

"Among the town’s most prominent landmarks is the historic ‘Al‑Qamra’ tower on the ramparts, which once served as a coastal watchpoint and from whose surroundings the Portuguese king Dom Sebastian launched his famous campaign that ended in his defeat at the Battle of Wadi Al‑Makhazin."

"The town also includes the old kasbah, the main mosque, and several historic quarters such as Al‑Qaysariyya (the town’s market) and the Qriqiyya neighborhood with its Portuguese character, all of which together form the core of old Assilah facing directly onto the sea."

"In recent decades, Assilah has experienced significant development in infrastructure, public facilities, and urban planning, with new residential neighborhoods expanding around the old medina."

"In addition to its touristic and cultural dimensions, an economic zone with industrial and commercial activities is being developed near the town on an area of about 60 hectares, strengthening its economic role within the Tangier–Tetouan–Al Hoceima region."

"Assilah brings together an ancient history rooted in the Phoenician and Roman eras, a distinctive Moroccan‑Andalusian identity, and a vibrant cultural present that has made it one of the most beautiful towns on Morocco’s Atlantic coast and one of the best known in the field of fine arts."

"It is an ideal destination for those seeking a small, elegant, clean, and peaceful town overlooking the ocean, offering a blend of sea, culture, and history within a compact urban space that can be discovered in a single day or enjoyed over a longer stay."