The Tangier-Asiliah-Tetouan Triangle
This is the area in my opinion which offers the most potential
All of these towns have charm culture and tradition yet are very different
TANGIERS
Located at the Northern tip of Morocco where Africa and Europe face each other across the Straights of Gibraltar. Just 9 miles from the Costa del Sol at it's nearest point. At various times during it's history Tangiers has been under Portuguese and Spanish rule - it even belonged to England for a short period in the 1600's. After the Franco - Spanish Protectorate was established in 1912 the city was granted special status as an International Tax Free zone which lasted until the 1960's.
During this hedonistic period the city was visited by numerous famous faces of the day: Marlene Dietrich, Errol Flynn, Oscar Wilde, Barbara Hutton, Winston Churchill, Ronnie Kray and Tennessee Williams to name but a few. Today's Tangiers is enjoying a makeover and public works are evident in many areas of the city. With such a rich and colourful history Tangiers is full of character and atmosphere.
The Medina with the Kasbah at its highest point - is a sprawl of winding streets and little shops. Beside the Medina is the Grand Socco where local handicrafts can be purchased at bargain prices.
The sea front close to the port has numerous beach bars including one where £1 buys a beer plus 2 or 3 tapas!!! Eating out in Tangiers is a delight. Enjoy Moroccan food at its finest at the El Korjan Restaurant at the Hotel Minzah, Spanish at le Detroit, Italian at La Casa D'ltalia there is even a McDonalds in the Dawliz Complex!!
ASILAH TOWN
Asilah is an elegant coastal town with a rich history and a population of around 30,000. First impressions are of the wonderful ramparts and turrets built by the Portuguese in the 1500's. There are wide avenues and a pretty palm-lined seafront boulevard, here can be found some of the towns best restaurants, many operated by Spanish owners. Casa Garcia, Casa Pepe and Al Kasabah are among the better known, all serve superb fish and shellfish dishes at a fraction of prices at home. There are plenty of little cafes to choose from plus a discothèque at the Hotel al Khaima.
The Medina or old quarter has ancient but well kept blue and white houses. Little shops with friendly shopkeepers sell a variety of Moroccan handicrafts. Every facility is available in Asilah including banks, chemists, church, numerous hotels with bars open to non-residents and a hospital.
The fishing port is a pleasant place for a stroll and there are plans for a yacht Marina. The Mayor of Asilah is also the Moroccan ambassador to the USA and during the late 1970's this forward thinking gentle man inaugurated an annual summer Arts Festival attended by musicians, painters, poets and writers from all over the world. The financial impact of both tourism and the Arts Festival has transformed Asilah and the town is now extremely clean and prosperous. Evidence of this appeal are signs on houses in the Medina 'This house not for sale'!!
TETOUAN
(meaning eyes in the Berber language), also spelled Tetuan, is the only open port of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea. In 2004 the city had 320,539 inhabitants (census figure) so about half the size of Tangier. Tetouan has a little civil airport, 6km in the south. The Name is Sania Ramel Airport. The city is situated about 60 km east of the city of Tangier and 40 km south of the Spanish exclave of Ceuta (Sebta) and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is in the far north of the Rif Mountains. To the south and west of the city there are mountains. Tetuan is situated in the middle of a belt of orchards that contain orange, almond, pomegranate and cypress trees. The Rif Mountains are nearby, as the city is located in the Martil Valley. It is picturesquely situated on the northern slope of a fertile valley down which flows the Martil valley, with the harbour of Tetouan, Martil, at its mouth. Behind rise rugged masses of rock, the southern wall of the Anjera country, once practically closed to Europeans, and across the valley are the hills which form the northern limit of the still more impenetrable Rif.
The city is situated in the area of Morocco which was formerly ruled by Spain. In 1913 it became the capital of the part of Morocco under Spanish protectorate. Many people in the city still speak Spanish. On road signs often names are written both in Spanish and in Arabic, though many signs are in Arabic and French, the second language of modern Morocco. Tétouan became part of the independent state of Morocco when it was founded out of French Morocco and most of Spanish Morocco in 1956. The medina (old town) of Tétouan is on the World Heritage List of the UNESCO. The inner city is very characteristic and traditional. One can find many white houses there, especially low houses. Everywhere in the city there are people performing their craftsmanship, like weavers, jewellers, leather workers. The royal palace in Tétouan is situated just outside and by one of the entrances to the medina. There is a public square in front of it.
More info on Tetouan can be found at www.tet0uan.com
These three towns all are different but all are very inviting and very interesting.
THE CULTURAL APPEAL OF TETOUAN
Monday, 29 Dec 2008
Morocco’s only open Mediterranean port has become an attractive proposition for those seeking to purchase property in Morocco, with prices around half those of similar properties in Spain. Tetouan is a multicultural city, with many inhabitants of Spanish and French origin, and its old town has been designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The town dates back to the 3rd century BC, and both Carthaginian and Roman remains have been found in the area.
Low, white painted houses fill the streets, and the bustle of the carpet sellers, weavers, jewellers, leather workers and other craftspeople adds to the cultural appeal of Tetouan, while its fusion of many styles of architecture reflect its varied history. Nowadays, however, Morocco property buyers are attracted to the city for its modern Spanish-style resorts.
Tetouan has captured the attentions of holiday home buyers not only because of its rich heritage and reasonable prices, but future plans for low-cost flights to its airport mean that Tetouan’s exclusive resorts will become even more accessible for holidaymakers. Currently the area is accessed by internal flights from Marrakech and Casablanca, as well as by ferry from Spain, just thirty minutes away. The proximity of the city to Europe means that buying property in Morocco is an excellent alternative to more expensive holiday homes in Spain.
Situated in the surrounding area are some of Morroco’s most exclusive resorts, featuring unspoiled beaches and a range of amenities. Marina Smir and Kabila, for example, both have private marinas and as such are becoming prime locations for seekers of property in Morocco. Designed in the Spanish style, Marina Smir is aimed at those who see accommodation in Morocco as a real alternative to Spain. Property investors agree, and expect to see excellent long term capital growth.
Located at the Northern tip of Morocco where Africa and Europe face each other across the Straights of Gibraltar. Just 9 miles from the Costa del Sol at it's nearest point. At various times during it's history Tangiers has been under Portuguese and Spanish rule - it even belonged to England for a short period in the 1600's. After the Franco - Spanish Protectorate was established in 1912 the city was granted special status as an International Tax Free zone which lasted until the 1960's.
During this hedonistic period the city was visited by numerous famous faces of the day: Marlene Dietrich, Errol Flynn, Oscar Wilde, Barbara Hutton, Winston Churchill, Ronnie Kray and Tennessee Williams to name but a few. Today's Tangiers is enjoying a makeover and public works are evident in many areas of the city. With such a rich and colourful history Tangiers is full of character and atmosphere.
The Medina with the Kasbah at its highest point - is a sprawl of winding streets and little shops. Beside the Medina is the Grand Socco where local handicrafts can be purchased at bargain prices.
The sea front close to the port has numerous beach bars including one where £1 buys a beer plus 2 or 3 tapas!!! Eating out in Tangiers is a delight. Enjoy Moroccan food at its finest at the El Korjan Restaurant at the Hotel Minzah, Spanish at le Detroit, Italian at La Casa D'ltalia there is even a McDonalds in the Dawliz Complex!!
ASILAH TOWN
Asilah is an elegant coastal town with a rich history and a population of around 30,000. First impressions are of the wonderful ramparts and turrets built by the Portuguese in the 1500's. There are wide avenues and a pretty palm-lined seafront boulevard, here can be found some of the towns best restaurants, many operated by Spanish owners. Casa Garcia, Casa Pepe and Al Kasabah are among the better known, all serve superb fish and shellfish dishes at a fraction of prices at home. There are plenty of little cafes to choose from plus a discothèque at the Hotel al Khaima.
The Medina or old quarter has ancient but well kept blue and white houses. Little shops with friendly shopkeepers sell a variety of Moroccan handicrafts. Every facility is available in Asilah including banks, chemists, church, numerous hotels with bars open to non-residents and a hospital.
The fishing port is a pleasant place for a stroll and there are plans for a yacht Marina. The Mayor of Asilah is also the Moroccan ambassador to the USA and during the late 1970's this forward thinking gentle man inaugurated an annual summer Arts Festival attended by musicians, painters, poets and writers from all over the world. The financial impact of both tourism and the Arts Festival has transformed Asilah and the town is now extremely clean and prosperous. Evidence of this appeal are signs on houses in the Medina 'This house not for sale'!!
TETOUAN
(meaning eyes in the Berber language), also spelled Tetuan, is the only open port of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea. In 2004 the city had 320,539 inhabitants (census figure) so about half the size of Tangier. Tetouan has a little civil airport, 6km in the south. The Name is Sania Ramel Airport. The city is situated about 60 km east of the city of Tangier and 40 km south of the Spanish exclave of Ceuta (Sebta) and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is in the far north of the Rif Mountains. To the south and west of the city there are mountains. Tetuan is situated in the middle of a belt of orchards that contain orange, almond, pomegranate and cypress trees. The Rif Mountains are nearby, as the city is located in the Martil Valley. It is picturesquely situated on the northern slope of a fertile valley down which flows the Martil valley, with the harbour of Tetouan, Martil, at its mouth. Behind rise rugged masses of rock, the southern wall of the Anjera country, once practically closed to Europeans, and across the valley are the hills which form the northern limit of the still more impenetrable Rif.
The city is situated in the area of Morocco which was formerly ruled by Spain. In 1913 it became the capital of the part of Morocco under Spanish protectorate. Many people in the city still speak Spanish. On road signs often names are written both in Spanish and in Arabic, though many signs are in Arabic and French, the second language of modern Morocco. Tétouan became part of the independent state of Morocco when it was founded out of French Morocco and most of Spanish Morocco in 1956. The medina (old town) of Tétouan is on the World Heritage List of the UNESCO. The inner city is very characteristic and traditional. One can find many white houses there, especially low houses. Everywhere in the city there are people performing their craftsmanship, like weavers, jewellers, leather workers. The royal palace in Tétouan is situated just outside and by one of the entrances to the medina. There is a public square in front of it.
More info on Tetouan can be found at www.tet0uan.com
These three towns all are different but all are very inviting and very interesting.
THE CULTURAL APPEAL OF TETOUAN
Monday, 29 Dec 2008
Morocco’s only open Mediterranean port has become an attractive proposition for those seeking to purchase property in Morocco, with prices around half those of similar properties in Spain. Tetouan is a multicultural city, with many inhabitants of Spanish and French origin, and its old town has been designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The town dates back to the 3rd century BC, and both Carthaginian and Roman remains have been found in the area.
Low, white painted houses fill the streets, and the bustle of the carpet sellers, weavers, jewellers, leather workers and other craftspeople adds to the cultural appeal of Tetouan, while its fusion of many styles of architecture reflect its varied history. Nowadays, however, Morocco property buyers are attracted to the city for its modern Spanish-style resorts.
Tetouan has captured the attentions of holiday home buyers not only because of its rich heritage and reasonable prices, but future plans for low-cost flights to its airport mean that Tetouan’s exclusive resorts will become even more accessible for holidaymakers. Currently the area is accessed by internal flights from Marrakech and Casablanca, as well as by ferry from Spain, just thirty minutes away. The proximity of the city to Europe means that buying property in Morocco is an excellent alternative to more expensive holiday homes in Spain.
Situated in the surrounding area are some of Morroco’s most exclusive resorts, featuring unspoiled beaches and a range of amenities. Marina Smir and Kabila, for example, both have private marinas and as such are becoming prime locations for seekers of property in Morocco. Designed in the Spanish style, Marina Smir is aimed at those who see accommodation in Morocco as a real alternative to Spain. Property investors agree, and expect to see excellent long term capital growth.