The Other Blue Town? Morocco’s Artistic Escape on the Sea 🎨🌊

Hey there,

Chefchaouen may be Morocco’s Instagram darling, but there’s another blue-and-white beauty that trades tourist frenzy for ocean air and artistic soul.

This week, we’re headed to Asilah, a breezy coastal town where art spills onto the walls, waves crash against ancient ramparts, and creativity lingers on every corner.

Hidden Morocco
Asilah’s Medina, Blue, White & Wonderfully Quiet 🎨

Unlike Chefchaouen’s mountain maze, Asilah’s medina feels like a deep exhale. Located on Morocco’s northwest coast, this town is a blend of Andalusian architecture, whitewashed walls, and soft blue doors.

• The annual Asilah Arts Festival brings muralists from around the world to paint the medina’s walls, new art goes up every year.
  

• You’ll find Portuguese-era sea ramparts, perfect for sunset strolls with panoramic Atlantic views.
  

• The vibe? Relaxed, breezy, and distinctly non-touristy, especially outside festival season.

🧭 Fun Fact: Asilah’s artistic revival was spearheaded by local politicians in the 1970s as a way to restore pride and preserve the town’s heritage.

✨ Pro Tip: Visit in early fall to enjoy post-summer calm and catch some of the year’s freshest murals before they fade.

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Taste of Morocco
Seafood & Studio Suppers 🐟

Asilah isn’t just pretty, it’s delicious. With the ocean right at its doorstep, you’ll find some of the freshest fish in the country, often grilled simply with salt and lemon.

🍴 What to Try:

• Chargrilled sardines from seaside stalls near Bab Homar
  

• Sea bream tagine at family-run cafés just outside the medina walls
  

• Octopus zaalouk (a regional twist on the classic eggplant dip)

🎨 Local Tip: A few resident artists offer private meals in their studios or rooftop gardens, ask around at galleries or check with your riad host. It’s part meal, part cultural immersion.

✨ Etiquette Tip: In coastal towns, it’s common to be invited into kitchens to choose your fish, don’t be shy! Smile, point, and let them handle the prep.
👉 Read more on Moroccan mealtime customs with our etiquette guide here.

Adventure Awaits
Ramparts, Riads & Atlantic Air 🌅

One of Asilah’s best features? It encourages you to do...nothing. Except wander, sip mint tea on a breezy terrace, or watch waves batter the ancient sea walls. But for those wanting more:

• Walk the full medina ramparts from the Borj al-Kamra tower to the ocean-facing cannons.
  

• Rent a bike and ride to Paradise Beach, about 7km south, a wild, windswept cove perfect for a picnic.
  

• Stay at a riad run by a local painter, where the walls double as a gallery and breakfast includes creative conversation.

✨ Pro Tip: Asilah’s pace slows dramatically outside summer, perfect for solo travelers or couples looking to unwind with minimal interruption.

Asilah isn’t just the blue town you haven’t seen, it’s the one you didn’t know you needed. Art, waves, and peace in a place that lets you just be.

Thinking of exploring more of Morocco's hidden gems? Dive into our guide on Morocco's Lesser-Known Towns and Villages for more off-the-beaten-path destinations.​

Until next time, travel deeper 🌍,
The Magic Morocco Team