Tetouan Things to Do

4 more images

Tetouan's medina, or old city, suffers from neglect without a doubt, but it remains a must see site because of its totally unique architecture and history.

Tetouan was founded by refugees fleeing the Spanish Inquisition, both Muslims and Jews, at the end of the 15th century. People say they built the walls of the city first because they were so traumatized by their escape from the Iberian peninsula. Many of the refugees were highly skilled craftsmen and builders. These refugees and the local Amazigh (the indigenous inhabitants of region) built a city that has three distinct styles that reflect the three cultures-- though these styles also reveal the similarities they shared. There are few medinas-- dare I say none that are as large-- that offer such a interesting perspective on the diversity of Moroccan culture and history. Because of its uniqueness, it has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. unfortunately, that designation has not meant a large restoration effort, but there have been some improvements recently.

Because of the medina's size and the faux guides that plague the city, I would suggest hiring a professional, official tour guide to see the old city. If you don't not only might you get lost, but you definitely won't manage to find everything you should see.

Inside the medina you'll find:

markets selling fresh produce, fish from the Med (just 10km away), cheese and yogurt from the countryside, fresh bread, dried fruit and nuts

the goldsmiths street (right next to the palace)

many mosques

the tanneries (much smaller than fez, but very cool)

amazing architecture

After going on a tour you should return and try exploring a bit on your own. It's both thrilling and fun! It's also interesting to visit at quieter times of the day (7 or so in the morning, lunch time, and later in the evening but not too late!) because it does change rather dramatically and it's easier to explore when it's quieter (though not as interesting in my opinion).

4 more images

The second stop on our tour was at the market in Medina - the outdoor market. It was fantastic. We entered Medina at Queen's gate and were guided through the market, the tour-guide at front and a Moroccoan man behind the group to make sure nobody got left behind. We went through very narrow streets filled with shops selling all kinds of fruit, dried fruit, meat, live chicks, clothes, shoes etc. As I love outdoor markets I found this one to be awesome. It was a pity though that we were not allowed to stop and buy anything and I felt so touristy (in the negative sense of the word) being guided through there, but what the hey, I can go there by myself next time. The market is a maze, one narrow street after another. I add another tip/photos of the jeweller shops and another tip on the cats in the market.

I add a photo of the red painted honey-melons, it was explained to us that by painting them red it was a guaranty that they were fresh and they could be returned if they turned out not to be fresh.

People live above their stores at the market. A lot of people in the group said they would love to visit this market again and wanted to stay there for a longer time.

4 more images

Our second stop in kasbah was at a Moroccoan restaurant, Dar Saada, which was an old summer palace turned into a restaurant which is situated in the very center of Medina. It was lovely, the food was delicious, Harira (tomatoes, spices and meat-based soup) cous-cous with vegetables and chicken, meat on spear, buns and delicious peppermint-tea. The ambiance was so lovely and the waiters were very nice. There was entertainment, 2 traditional folklore male-dancers making a lot of noise with their drums (sorry) and a belly dancer which was not the best I've seen (sorry), but it was different - very different from the Western-culture so it was enjoyable. You could get beautiful golden henna tattoo at the restaurant and have your photo taken with the musicians.

I do recommend this restaurant although I do believe it is a tourist restaurant only.

4 more images

The third stop at the market was a visit to the rug salesmen. What a ride we were in for. We were seated in a semicircle and they laid out for us these beautiful rugs, big and small. Seeing that our Icelandic króna had fallen ca 100% the prices sounded sky-high so nobody was that interested in buying anything. Afther the exhibition people were taken aside and the haggle started. I was just wandering there as I was alone and they paid no attention to me, but took couples aside. But thus I could hear the haggling going on and what starting prices!! I cannot stand this haggling so I warned a young couple who were being taken for a ride and the salesman immediately lowered his price a lot. Not many rugs were sold this time.

There were also kaftans and all kinds of stuff for sale in another room and there the haggling went on, a friend of mine wanted to buy a kaftan and they wanted a ridiculous price. She ended up paying 40 euros for the kaftan and the salesman was mad. I found the same kaftan in Torremolinos the day after for 20 euros on sale and didn't even need to haggle.

I so do not recommend going there, the salesmen are ever so pushy and impolite.

2 more images

I was amazed at seeing all the cats at the market - and these were not skinny cats like in Spain, but well-fed cats as you can see from my photos. The story goes that Muhammed loved cats and when his favourite cat fell asleep on his arm and Muhammed had to go he cut off his sleeve rather than wake up his cat.

For cat-lovers it is a treat walking through kasbah :D

4 more images

At kasbah in Medina there was this street with only jewellers. After walking through the vegetable market, meat and fish market and the berber market walking through here was quite a sight, awesome 18 karat gold in every store. And the bridal shops, they were exquisite.

There is such a vast gap between the rich and the poor in Morocco as can be seen from the photos.

2 more images

The first stop in Morocco was for a camel ride. For 1 euro you could ride a camel for a couple of minutes. There were 2 camels there and the one I mounted was not happy about me being there. I couldn't wait to get off, my behind hurt and the camel refused to bow to let me get off.

Having a bus-load of tourists mount 2 camels like this, one after another, is maltreatment of animals, I say. The animals have to bow again and again to have new people mount them for a couple of minutes :(

3 more images

Tetouan used to have more than 40 towers in its hay days. these days there are close to 20 towers some of them are connected to the defensive walls. some of them stand independantly and were used as an advnace warning system and as watch post like the Martil tower.

You can visit Al isqalah tower next to the Bab Al oqlah and you can see it from the inside. this tower was built in 1820 during the rule of Sultan Abdelrahaman.