Asilah is a pleasant beach town in northern Morocco where the locals flock to during their summer holiday.  Because it was only spring and the weather still required us to wear jackets, we were able to enjoy the laid-back town without the tourists.  We felt the Moroccan towns of Asilah and Chefchaouen were very much comparable, except instead of mountains Asilah had beaches.  The lovely architecture of the old quarter, the blue paint, the cooler temperatures, and the relaxed atmosphere–these were all the reasons why we loved Asilah and Chefchaouen.

Arguably the classic image of Asilah is from the ancient rampart walls, with the mighty waves of the Atlantic crashing onto the stone walls of the old town.  We were fortunate that day to witness a passing storm–the menacing clouds added a dramatic effect to the already picturesque seascape.

Wandering through the old quarter is also another enjoyable activity to do in Asilah.  No words can describe the charm of the blue and white.

Asilah also has a long, walkable breakwater, with the breakers to one side and the fishing boats and views of the town on the other side.

Naturally, there is plenty of fresh seafood in town, in restaurants and markets.  We walked past all the tourist restaurants and scored with a tiny, local joint that was busy with locals and served scrumptious fried fish and fries for only 25 DH ($2.58) per plate!

And last but not least, the street market!  Even on a random weekday, the streets were bustling with carts, donkeys, produce, fresh milk, and fish.  Of all markets we visited in Morocco, this market felt the most authentic.  It was free of tourists and touts, and I didn’t have to avoid locals yelling Japan or China at me.

Unlike most of Morocco, the cool temperatures and nonchalant atmosphere of Asilah allowed us to enjoy the town leisurely, making it the perfect final destination in Morocco before driving back to Ceuta.  We began our Moroccan trip with the laid-back Chefchaouen, and we finished our trip with relaxing Asilah, which turned out to be a fantastic way to begin and end our adventure in Morocco, one of the most fascinating and unique countries I have ever visited.