Sometimes dubbed "the little sister of Fez," Tetouan makes for a relaxing and interesting day trip. Like Fez, it has both a new town (
ville nouvelle) and an old town (medina). The
ville nouvelle has some nice Spanish colonial architecture, but the whitewashed, hillside medina is the main area for sightseeing.
The architecture there was strongly influenced by Jewish and Muslim immigrants who were forced out of Spain in the 15th and 17th centuries. Various crafts (leather, textiles, woodwork) are sold primarily along Rue El-Mokadem. The Musee Archeologique has ancient Roman and Muslim artifacts, and the Musee d'Art Marocain displays furnishings, costumes and musical instruments in a beautifully renovated courtyard villa. A one-night stay in Tetouan is sufficient, or you can stay longer and make it a base for exploring the nearby Mediterranean coast and Rif Mountains.
35 mi/57 km southeast of Tangier.
