7. Asilah
Budget travelers love Asilah for its easygoing charms. With the old town’s walls directly fronting a curve of sand, Asilah provides plenty of opportunities to combine beach time with more cultural sightseeing.
You could easily come here as a side trip from Tangier – 46 kilometers to the north – spending a couple of days discovering Asilah’s skinny old town alleys, rimmed with jaunty white-and-blue buildings that are irresistible fodder for photographers. While the litter on Asilah’s central beach unfortunately lets the side down somewhat, there are plenty of sandy bays nearby for you to soak up the rays and swim.
Paradise Beach, seven kilometers to the south of town is a good swimming and sunbathing choice, with free sunshades dotted along the shore and a lifeguard on duty during summer months. Be aware that other facilities on Paradise Beach are sparse, so bring along a picnic and refreshments.
During summer, Asilah and the surrounding coastline packs out with local Moroccan beach breakers, so to avoid the crowds, head here in spring or fall.
8. Achakar Beach
Achakar Beach is just 15 kilometers west of bustling Tangier but a world away from the big city. The sandy strip here is a good chance to slip in a lazy day at the beach between exploring Tangier’s historic attractions.
Loomed over at the northern tip of the sand by the cliff of Cap Spartel – which marks the point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea – Achakar Beach is a wide strip of golden, compacted sand backed by green, gently sloping hills.
There are free sunshades on the sand and a decent beachfront café for when you get hungry, but little else, so don’t forget to bring all your beach supplies with you. Make sure to take a wander down to the southern end of the beach to see the Hercules Caves. This grotto is where, local legend states, the god Hercules was said to have had his home.
