Top 10 Things To Do In Tetouan, Morocco

1. Stroll around the primeval Medina

Perched atop a mountain of Jebel Dersa, the Medina of Tetouan is one of the places to visit in the city. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Tetouan Medina is enclosed by a wall of sturdy stone where people can enter through seven gates. During the 8th century, it played an important role for the Islamic community for it was used as the point of connection between Andalusia, a region of Spain, and Morocco. The Andalusian Refugees took over the place and rebuilt the city, leaving a great influence on their architecture and art. It is one of the smallest medinas yet it is the most complete and a majority of its buildings have remained untouched by consequent outside influences. Aside from being a cultural heritage, it also gives tourists opportunities to shop for some clothes and souvenirs. Some stores sell food too. As you walk along the narrow streets, you will see small kiosks selling textiles, ceramics, metalwork, and jewelry. Make sure to devote enough time to tour the Medina for a wonderful trip to the city.

Medina

Address: Tetouan, Morocco

2. Learn about the area's history at the Ethnographic Museum

Editor’s Note: Museum is permanently closed.

One of the attractions you shouldn’t miss when visiting Tetouan is the Ethnographic Museum. This place will give you a glimpse of the community’s way of life, customs and traditions, civilization, culture, and artistry. The creativity of the community is very evident in every object that you will see inside the museum. The museum is divided into different sections and each has its particular kind of amusement. These sections include a Tetouan kitchen, celebration rooms, bedrooms and living areas which showcase an extremely interesting display of arts. The collection consists of antiques, costumes, weapons, and crafts. The Trousseau Room is one of the most popular rooms in the museum because it allows guests to view the traditions of Moroccan marriage which is one of the most important celebrations in the country.

Ethnographic Museum

Address: Avenue Skala Bab El Oukla, Tetouan, Morocco

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

3. Delight in Moroccan cuisines at local restaurants

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Food is always a consideration when traveling. Tourists usually enjoy places that offer good food and Tetouan got exactly what you need to satisfy your appetite. Some of the most famous restaurants in the city are Blanco Riad which offers unconventional Moroccan food but does not serve alcohol and reservation is a must, El Reducto serves alcohol and desserts are delectable, Chawarma Chand Acham is famous for their shawarma as well as affordable pizzas, burgers and sandwiches, La Esquina del Pescado is the ocean-blue restaurant that will make you happy with a variety of grilled and fried fish, Dallas is where you can buy assorted pastries and pies, Restaurant Restinga is where you can relax, have a good rest and a little of beer, Café Al Wahda is popular because of their sticky cakes and Restaurant Al Bahr that serves local fish. So if you’re having second thoughts about visiting Tetouan, I believe this wide selection of mouthwatering foods is one good reason why you should!

El Reducto

Address: Marruecos, Tetouan, Morocco

Website: El Reducto

Opening hours: 6am - 3am (daily)

4. Relax at Cabo Negro Beach and Gold Resort

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you’re planning to visit Tetouan in summer, you should visit one of its popular beaches, Cabo Negro. The Royal Golf Club of Cabo Negro is known as Morocco’s leading golf resort. It is a resort with a full golf course where you will surely take pleasure walking and running on the beach fine-grained-sand. You can also find restaurants, hotels and vacation houses in the area and if you feel a little sporty, tennis courts are available too.

Cabo Negro Beach and Gold Resort

Address: Cabo Negro, Morocco

Website: Cabo Negro Beach

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

5. Explore the Museum of Modern Art

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Would you like to visit a place that resembles a Spanish inspired castle? Come and enjoy the beauty of Moroccan art in the Museum of Modern Art located at the heart of the city. It is one of the two schools of Arts in Morocco; the other one can be found in Casablanca. The museum has five rooms where everyone can be delighted by a vast collection of contemporary paintings and sculptures. You will surely have a wonderful journey as you tour the majestic building that was once used as a railway station to Ceuta.

Museum of Modern Art

Address: S/N, Avenue Al Massira, Tetouan 93000, Morocco

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9:30am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

6. Watch local films at the Tetouan Mediterranean Film Festival

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you’re a movie buff and you have a great love for films, the Tetouan Mediterranean Film Festival is something that you should not miss. It is one of the famous festivities in Tetouan that is attended by celebrities, filmmakers and a huge crowd of audiences. The festival is held for seven days where almost 100 films can be watched at 5 different places all over the city.

Tetouan Mediterranean Film Festival

Address: Tetouan, Morocco

Takes place: Last week of March

7. Go back to pre-historic times at the Archeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Tetouan is the ideal place for people who have a great interest in history. The museum will send you back to the trails of the past as you witness a wide range of fine arts including a mosaic from the Romans and a Statue from Sumeria. Everything that you can find inside it tells an important story. A visit to the museum will help you appreciate and understand the development and evolution of the Moroccan community.

Archeological Museum

Address: 2 Avenue Mohamed Ben Larbi Torres, Tétouan, Morocco

Opening hours: Sun, Mon, & Wed - Sat: 10am - 5:30pm (closed on Tue)

8. Take a long walk along Ensanche

It’s always gratifying to take a walk with a friend while talking about your trip and get some refreshments after a long day. Ensanche in Tetouan is a long boulevard where Plaza Mulay el Mehdi, or formerly called Plaza Primo de Rivera, is located. It is a huge circular park where you can find restaurants, banks, hotels, and shops. It has a vivid Spanish colonial structure and a similarity to the styles of Casablanca.

Ensanche

Address: Tetouan, Morocco

9. Explore the serene Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

How much do you love monkeys? How much do you care for them? If you’re one of those people who has an enormous concern for the wild, you should go and visit the Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation. It is a place where the endangered Barbary macaques are taken care of. The organization aims to save and protect the tailless, baby-faced primates. The target is to sustain at least 15,000 monkeys in Morocco for 20 years. Would you be willing to fight for their rights too?

Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation

Address: Rue Fez 22 Tétouan 930000

Website: Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation

10. Attend holy mass at Iglesia de Bacturia

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Tetouan is a city known for its mosques but if you’re a Catholic who’s looking for a church to visit, Iglesia de Bacturia is your perfect place for prayer. It is the sole church in the city that rings its bells to call the parishioners to mass. You can attend the Holy Mass every day at 7:00 in the evening and 11:00 in the morning on Sundays.

Iglesia de Bacturia

Address: Place Moulay El Mehdi, Tétouan, Morocco

Opening hours: Sun: 11am; Mon - Sat: 7pm

Make the most of your trip to Tetouan

With a long list of activities and sights to see, Tetouan is the perfect place for leisure. The nearby beaches will surely make you enjoy the heat of summer. A day in the Medina will give you a chance to dine and shop. Check out our list of the best things to do in Tetouan, Morocco.