Things to do in Tetouan
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Top 10 attractions in Tetouan
Old Town of Tetouan
Old Town of Tetouan, located in northern Morocco between the Rif Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. At the end of the 15th century, refugees from Andalusia rebuilt this historic district, allowing the local architecture and urban layout to retain distinct Andalusian characteristics. White walls, carved wooden doors, iron window grilles, and exquisite colorful tiles complement each other, showcasing a blend of traditional Moroccan style and Andalusian culture. The old town is surrounded by historic walls and features seven gates. Inside, the streets are narrow and winding, with main streets connecting squares, public buildings, and traditional handicraft districts. Workshops for copperware, leather goods, embroidery, and tile mosaics are distributed along the streets, and some artisans still craft traditional items by hand. Compared to the busy commercial streets, the alleys here are quieter, allowing you to experience local daily life and handicraft traditions up close. The Royal Palace near Hassan II Square is characterized by its green tiled roof and carved gates, and its exterior is worth stopping to admire. The old town also preserves traditional residences, historic buildings, and streets with local character. Strolling through it, you can take a closer look at the door and window decorations, architectural details, and street layout, and experience the unique historical charm of this ancient city.Tetouan · 684m from downtown
Michouar's Square
Michouar's Square is located in the city center of Tetouan, Morocco, connecting the traditional old town with the new town formed during the Spanish protectorate period, and is a public space that showcases the local urban landscape. On one side of the square is the Royal Palace complex, with white facades paired with green tiled eaves and exquisitely decorated bronze gates, presenting typical Moroccan architectural features. The palace is still used as a royal residence and is not open to the public. Visitors can admire the exterior of the palace from one side of the square. Another feature of the square is the bronze decorative lamp posts set at the four corners, which complement the surrounding white buildings. The surrounding architecture blends European styles with local traditional decorative elements, reflecting the urban landscape formed during different historical periods in Tetouan. The square is also a natural starting point for entering the old town, with historic gates and traditional streets visible nearby. Here, you can stop to admire the carvings on the palace gates, the architectural facades, and the layout of the square, or observe the daily activities of local residents and experience the urban atmosphere where the traditional old town meets the modern city.Tetouan · 652m from downtown
Bab Al Okla
Tetouan · 6.6 km from downtown
Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is nestled in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco. Founded in 1471, it was originally a defensive mountain town. It is famous for the extensive use of blue on the walls of the old town's buildings—ranging from sky blue and indigo to lavender, in various shades—earning it the nickname "Blue Pearl." Regarding the origin of the blue color, a widely circulated theory is that Jewish residents who moved here in the early 20th century introduced the blue paint to the buildings, believing that blue symbolizes the sky and the spiritual world. The heart of the old town is the cobblestone Plaza Uta el-Hammam, surrounded by cafes and shops. Standing nearby are the 15th-century Kasbah fortress and the Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen with its octagonal minaret. The Kasbah houses an ethnographic museum, and its courtyard is also a great vantage point for overlooking the entire blue old town. Walking uphill from the old town along the mountain path, you can reach the site of the Spanish Mosque on the hill, which is a classic location for viewing the panorama of Chefchaouen and the sunset. The alleys within the old town are winding and intricate. The blue walls and stone steps form a natural photographic backdrop. Shops along the street sell specialty items such as Berber hand-woven goods, natural dyes, leather products, and local oil paintings. Not far outside the northeast gate of the old town is the Ras El Maa spring, where mountain spring water gushes from the rock wall and forms a small stream. Cats are often seen resting on steps and in doorways throughout the city, adding a touch of relaxed atmosphere to the blue streets and alleys.Chefchaouen · 46.2 km from Tetouan
BAB TUT
Tetouan · 624m from downtown
Hercules Caves
Hercules Caves are located on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean near the outskirts of Tangier, serving as a sea cave that combines natural wonder with mythological significance. The interior space of the cave is not large; after walking a few dozen meters from the entrance and turning a corner, you reach the end—where there is an opening facing the sea, slightly above sea level. What makes this opening remarkable is that its outline resembles the map of the African continent, which is why it is also known as the "Hercules Caves." Looking out from inside the cave against the light, you can see the vast Atlantic Ocean through this uniquely shaped opening, with seagulls circling in the air and waves crashing against the cliffs. The formation of the cave opening is the result of both natural forces and human activity. Millennia of wave erosion initially carved out the sea cave, while people once mined raw materials here for making millstones; the circular mining marks remain on the cave walls to this day, unintentionally contributing to the shape of the opening that resembles the map of Africa. It is also one of the oldest known human habitation sites in Morocco, with carvings and paintings from different eras left on the rock walls.Tangier · 55.5 km from Tetouan
Ancien Medina
Ancien Medina is located on the coast at the northern end of the city, near the port, and is the city's historic district. White houses are built in layers along the slope, and the streets and alleys within the walls are narrow and winding, with spice shops, copper workshops, carpet stalls, and cafes interspersed among them. The old town faces the Strait of Gibraltar. From the high walls of the Casbah, you can see the coastline of Spain on the opposite shore when the weather is clear. Key attractions in the old town include the Tangier Casbah on the northern heights, which displays artifacts from prehistoric to Roman times; the Petit Socco, once a gathering place for European merchants, bankers, and writers, still features outdoor cafes today; the Grand Mosque, characterized by its white and green tiled minaret; and the American Legation Museum at the southern end, which showcases the history of relations between Morocco and the United States. When visiting, you can enter the old town from the Grand Socco, pass through the Petit Socco, and then head up the slope to the Casbah to enjoy views of the strait and the port. The old town's alleys are complex and winding, making it easy to get lost, so pay attention to signs along the way. If you encounter people offering to guide you or sell you goods, confirm in advance whether you need their services.Tangier · 46.3 km from Tetouan
Bab Mkabar
Tetouan · 327m from downtown
Kasbah of the Udayas
Kasbah of the Udayas is a fortress complex in the capital of Morocco, situated on a promontory at the edge of the old city of Rabat, where the Bou Regreg River meets the Atlantic Ocean. In the mid-12th century, the Almohad dynasty built this fortress on the site of an existing military outpost, which was later expanded and used by the Alaouite dynasty. In the early 17th century, Moorish refugees expelled from Spain flocked here, using the fortress as a base to form a maritime armed force. As part of the historic district of Rabat, the fortress was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2012. The entrance to the fortress is the Bab Oudaia gate, built in the late 12th century, with its facade covered in geometric reliefs and Quranic inscriptions. Passing through the gate into the interior of the fortress, the walls on both sides of the streets are painted in blue and white. The Old Mosque is located next to the main street and was built in approx. 1150. In the southern part of the fortress lies an Andalusian Garden, designed in the style of Moorish gardens from the Al-Andalus period, shaded by orange and lemon trees. Adjacent to the garden is the National Jewelry Museum, housed in a palace built by Sultan Ismail of the Alaouite dynasty in the 17th century, which displays traditional jewelry, costumes, and handicrafts from across Morocco. The blue and white streets and alleys of the Kasbah of the Udayas also served as a filming location for the movie "Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation".Morocco · Rabat
Bab Saida
Tetouan Province · 570m from Tetouan
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Old Town of Tetouan
Tetouan · 684m from downtownMichouar's Square
Tetouan · 652m from downtownBab Al Okla
Tetouan · 6.6 km from downtownChefchaouen
Chefchaouen · 46.2 km from TetouanBAB TUT
Tetouan · 624m from downtownHercules Caves
Tangier · 55.5 km from TetouanAncien Medina
Tangier · 46.3 km from TetouanBab Mkabar
Tetouan · 327m from downtownKasbah of the Udayas
Morocco · RabatBab Saida
Tetouan Province · 570m from Tetouan
What travelers say about Tetouan
JessigzFebruary 12, 2020
5.0
I came to Tetuan specifically for its Medina, a world cultural heritage site. There are existing walls and gates, a cluster of colorful buildings built against the mountain, and the alleys inside are narrow, but fairly clean, and the people are very friendly.
Old Town of Tetouan
YoYo_0T9A3B0LJuly 3, 2025
5.0
🇲🇦摩洛哥的舍夫沙万，真是让人一见倾心❤️！这个小镇就像上帝打翻的调色盘，每一处都美得不像话。走在蓝色的巷子里，随便一拍就是一张明信片📸。每栋房子、每扇门都有自己的故事，等着你去发现。这里的生活节奏慢悠悠的，让人忍不住想在这里住上一阵子，感受这份宁静与美好。#舍夫沙万 #摩洛哥旅行 #蓝色小镇
Chefchaouen
Md Iqbal HasanApril 1, 2025
5.0
Hercules Caves is a breathtaking natural wonder with stunning rock formations and mesmerizing ocean views. The cave’s history and connection to mythology make it even more fascinating. The natural openings in the rock create beautiful lighting effects, especially during sunset. It’s an excellent spot for photography, exploration, or simply soaking in the scenic beauty. The surrounding area adds to the charm, making it a must-visit for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
Hercules Caves
Abdu AllahJuly 15, 2023
4.0
The city's narrow alleys are beautiful and walking around the old town of Tangier is a good chance to breathe the fresh air coming from the Mediterranean Sea, it's also a good chance to to try some delicious local food or go shopping.
Ancien Medina
非你不渴January 1, 2021
5.0
Since the movie "Mission Impossible 5" made it famous, the Udaya Castle has become a popular tourist destination. In the movie, Tom Cruise's car racing scene in the castle, where he drove directly from the steps of the castle into the sea, was filmed here.
Kasbah of the Udayas
