Asilah (Arabic: أصيلة،‎‎ Aṣīla; Berber: ⴰⵥⵉⵍⴰ Aẓila; "authentic", Portuguese: Arzila, Spanish: Arcila) is a fortified town on the northwest tip of the Atlantic coast of Morocco, about 31 km (19 mi) south of Tangier. Its ramparts and gateworks remain fully intact.

The town's history dates back to 1500 B.C., when the Phoenicians used it as a base for trade. The Portuguese conquered the city in 1471, but later it was decided to abandon it because of an economic debt crisis in 1549. Later in 1578, Sebastian of Portugal used Asilah as a base town for his troops during a planned crusade that resulted in Sebastian's death, which in turn caused the Portuguese succession crisis of 1580. The Moroccans in 1589 regained control of Asilah briefly, but then lost control of it to the Spanish.
In 1692, the town was again taken by the Moroccans under the leadership of Moulay Ismail. Asilah served then as a base for pirates in the 19th and 20th centuries, and in 1829, the Austrians punitively bombarded the city due to Moroccan piracy.

From 1912 to 1956, it was part of Spanish Morocco. A major plan to restore the town was undertaken in 1978 by its mayor, Mohamed Benaissa. The first edition of an art festival known as the International Cultural Moussem of Asilah was launched that year to help generate tourism. It was successful in generating revenue for the city and played a role in raising the average monthly income from $50 in 1978 to $140 in 2014. The festival features local artwork and music and continues to attract large amounts of tourists.

Asilah is now a popular seaside resort, with modern holiday apartment complexes on the coast road leading to the town from Tangier.

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Our top choices for Asilah 2-star hotels

Le Mirage Tanger

Achakkar

32-inch LED TV with satellite channels, TV

Hotel España

Larache

Natalia I. Molinos

Dar Zarrouk

Briech

SAR 547 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Mar - 19 Mar

Suite Lamina in Tanger

Achakkar

Apartment, 2 Bedrooms | 1 bedroom, desk, soundproofing, free cribs/infant beds

Appart Yassmina

Tangier

Abdessadek

atico azul

Achakkar

SAR 922 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Mar - 31 Mar

Standard Apartment, City View | Living room

APARTHOTELMOJORENA

Tangier

Hôtel Azayla

Asilah

Shirley

Mia Hostels

Widadiya Asilah

Priska

Bab Homar Appartement

Asilah

"The appartment is just outside the Medina and full of local charm. The rooms were clean and the comfort was as to be expected from a basic appartment. However, the stairs are very steep and with no handrails and the description is rather misleading. There is no front desk and it is not in a complex, just a flat on a busy street. The review would be much better with just a little more care. We had to get our guide to phone for towels, toilet paper, etc. There were no curtains, let alone the...

Deborah

Hercules Resort Tangier HIST

Achakkar

Dar Bouanani

Asilah

Apartamiento

Asilah Beach

Dar Arcila

Asilah

Anonymous traveler

Stunning 4-bed House in Assilah

Medina

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Pool Spa Hot tub Breakfast included Waterpark

Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Learn more about Asilah

Whitewashed walls of the medina showcase local art during the summer festival, while fishermen bring in fresh catches at the harbor. Climb the ramparts for Atlantic Ocean views, then sample Moroccan seafood tagine at restaurants along Paradise Beach.

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