Asilah: A Seaside Escape
Asilah surprised me by bringing a Moroccan version of Santorini to mind. It's easily reachable by train from Tangier, and is quiet, clean, artsy, and refreshing with its whitewashed walls and colorful artwork on all the houses. Though I didn't stay overnight here, I did two daytrips here and wish I would have stayed longer. It's a quiet piece of heaven.
Getting there: I took the train from Tangier by taking a petit taxi, then a grand taxi, then getting to the train station, Tanger Ville Railway Station, which is located a good ways out from the medina. Once you're here, use the ticket machines and switch them to English to purchase your ticket. It takes about an hour to get to Asilah, and you'll most likely be sharing a compartment. It ends up being around 16 dirhams and it's nice to get out of the city and see some smaller towns and countryside.
Do: What a gorgeous sight the water is (well, at least for a landlocked Ohio girl). Just do a little basking in the sun and walk out on a rocky pier to get a view of the walled city surrounded by the Atlantic. Apparently the Portuguese built up all these stone fortifactions long ago, but it makes for an impressive site. Go in through the gates and wander around the town, into small artisan shops, art galleries, restaurants and more.
See: Art, art, art. The town itself is a masterpiece with its whitewashed walls decorated with surreal, cutesy, and kooky paintings on the lower halves of the buildings. There are also galleries and artwork for sale.
Tip: Go back out to that southwestern rocky pier you likely passed on the way in if you came from the train station for sunset. Unbelievable views.
