Welcome to Asilah, Morocco and the awesome experience that is the bustling local Asilah souk!
Souks are vibrant and traditional marketplace districts that are prevalent all around Morocco. The souks of Morocco come in all sizes but one we have come to favour and can definitely recommend for your visit is the bustling, local Asilah souk.
Although Asilah, Morocco is well known for its beautiful white and blue medina and for souvenirs and shopping, there is nothing quite like the bustle and vibrance of a typically local market. It isn’t the same as exploring the medina. And spoiler alert; if this is your first stop in Morocco then this is a great place to experience your first truly, local Moroccan ‘souk’!
Here is everything you need to know to make the most of the vibrant local souk in Asilah, Morocco.
Where is the market in Asilah?
Now, the best part about giving directions for how to visit the Asilah souk is that there are actually four different markets in Asilah(!).
Each of them is a different experience and before you worry that the number of markets might make Asilah seem overwhelming; the best part is that given the size of Asilah these markets are all small and very doable each in 10 – 30-minute visit.
Each of the markets is slightly different and if you are short on time (or not in Asilah on a Thursday) we recommend the daily street market and small indoor markets.
Markets to visit in Asilah:
- Regional weekly Asilah souk
- the main souk street in Asilah and
- two small indoor marketplaces.
Read on, because if you are visiting Asilah and happen to time your stay with a Thursday (Jeudi in French) you are in luck to experience your first weekly regional market in Morocco.
Location of the indoor markets, weekly market and daily Asilah souk
The weekly Asilah souk is the main regional marketplace for Asilah.
These kind of markets happen once a week in different towns all over Morocco and interestingly they are located just outside of the main town area. In some parts of Morocco the market location is historic and was chosen to accommodate desert travellers, nomads, and camel caravans with space to stay and sell and trade their wares!
The exact location of the weekly Asilah souk is:
- Thursday Asilah Souk
Avenue Khalid Ibn Oualid/N1 (next to Shell)
- The daily street souk in Asilah is located just outside Bab Al Homar gate on Avenue Hassan II.
This market stretches all the way up Avenue Hassan II where you will also find one of the indoor markets in Asilah. It is open daily but this street market is also busier with more vendors on a Thursday.
The other ‘Central Marche’ (Central Market) is located on Rue Mouly Ismail just off Place Mohammed V. This is another small indoor market.
When is market day in Asilah?
Thursday is the main market day in Asilah, Morocco. However, for the daily Asilah souk and indoor marketplaces these are open every day of the week.
The weekly Asilah souk is held every Thursday from 8am.
The Asilah Central Marche (Asilah Central Market) and indoor market on Avenue Hassan II open in the morning around 8am and are still operating into the evening until 8-10pm(!). Moroccans eat dinner late at night (often from 9pm). However, produce in the markets is often dwindling by the afternoons.
There are several other weekly regional markets in the area:
- Kenitra: Sunday
- Larache: Sunday
- Tangier: Sunday and Thursday
- Tetouan: Monday
- Chefchaouen: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
The best time to visit is mid-late morning until about midday when the market is bustling and at its best.
You don’t need to miss breakfast to make it. The market is still going into the early afternoon although the produce may be dwindling. It will be open for the day until the vegetables are sold!
Visiting the market in Asilah
Visiting any of the Asilah souk is not the same as the medina shopping. But each of the local market in Asilah are ones that we can highly recommend as a unique insight to Moroccan culture. And especially if it is your first stop in Morocco the souk in Asilah will be a beautiful start to your Moroccan experience.
These bustling marketplace areas feature a diverse array of stalls and streetside kiosks and spaces offering a wide range of fruit and vegetables, new and used goods, a wet market of meat and fish, dried foods, spices, toiletries, and even herbal remedies.
And the best part? Because of the smaller size of Asilah the markets aren’t as overwhelming as larger Moroccan souks of Zagora or Ouarzazate further down the country. (These weekly markets are huge!). But save those for later.
For now, make the most of a special insight to local shopping and daily life in Morocco by visiting the small Asilah souk.
Aside from the weekly Asilah souk – there are other markets too
There are some great other local markets in Asilah. It is fascinating and refreshing as a tourist (or traveller) in Morocco to get out of the main medina (which is beautiful by the way) and to experience a taste of local life in this beautiful port town.
Over our many visits to Asilah, Morocco we have come to be regulars at both the daily street souk market and the Asilah Central Marche (Asilah Central Market).
On the main road where the daily Asilah souk is you will find an indoor undercover souk selling everything from fish to chickens and fresh eggs and all kinds of beautifully displayed fresh fruit and vegetables.
Pop in and have a wander.
Learn the word for Mateesha
One of the best things about traveling in Morocco is the exceptional hospitality of Moroccan people.
It is enough to wander the markets and Asilah souk. But I guarantee the start of a great connection if you learn one word in Darija that will change your market-game for the rest of Morocco…
You need a word in Darija to get you started and connecting with locals and we recommend you learn the word, ‘Mateesha’. This means ‘tomato’.
- Tomato: Mateesha
Now it may sound like an odd suggestion to start. (Obviously you need thank you and hello too).
However, I promise you it will bring joy to whichever vendor you spot selling mateesha. And whether or not you need to buy any tomatoes it will give you a fun way to connect with locals at any market that you might not otherwise interact with.
Go Mateesha shopping!
- Read our complete guide to travel in Morocco here for other useful language tips.
How long do you need to visit the market?
Allow 30 minutes to wander out of the medina and up the small road market in Asilah.
There are a couple of small tea shops and cafes just outside the Bab Homar gate (entrance to the medina) on the main street of Asilah as well as several delicious bakeries selling croissants and local pastries and sweets.
For the weekly Asilah souk (on Thursday) unless you particularly need to do a huge amount of shopping, allow 30 minutes for a wander around and enough time for a freshly squeezed orange juice.
And for the smaller indoor markets in Asilah (Asilah Central Marche) you only need 10 minutes for a stroll through to admire the beautifully presented produce and to practice your shopping for mateesha.
- Read about the (other) best things to do in Asilah here.
Cash only
Each of the indoor markets and the weekly market in Asilah is cash only.
There are three ATMs at Place Mohammed V just a few hundred metres from the medina (Banque Populaire, BMCE Bank of Africa and Credit Agricole).
How to get to Asilah, Morocco
Despite not being on the main tourist trail for Morocco, Asilah is often a first stop for travellers visiting Morocco by motorhome.
The choice of arriving at Tangier Med and deciding to head for Chefchaouen or Asilah is the first decision to make. And despite many conflicting and well-meaning Facebook groups and advice-giving travellers, we recommend starting with Asilah.
It is a great first introduction to Morocco and will set you up with an understanding of medinas and markets all with a gentle insight to Moroccan culture.
- Tangier to Asilah: 48 min (46.2 km) via A5
- Tangier Med Port to Asilah: 1 hr 1 min (86.5 km)via A5
- Larache to Asilah: 39 min (49.0 km) via A5
- Kenitra to Asilah: 1 hr 51 min (167.6 km) via A5
From Asilah it is also easy to catch the train to Tangier for a great daytrip from Asilah.
- Read our guide to driving in Morocco here and all about Moroccan motorhome services here.
Parking to visit the market and medina in Asilah
The daily Asilah souk on Avenue Hassan II (just outside Bab Homar gate) and the small indoor markets in Asilah are easily reached on foot while your vehicle is safely parked in the campsite or guarded parking just outside the Port entrance.
- Camping Echrigui to Asilah Souk: 19 minutes (1.3km)
- Parking La Porte de la Mer: 4 minutes (250m)
For the weekly market in Asilah (on Avenue Khalid Ibn Oualid/N1) it is also walkable from the campsite (2.5km) or guarded parking at the Port (2.3km).
There is plenty of street parking just outside the main entrance to the weekly Asilah souk. You will spot the parking warden in his high-vis vest. Parking costs just a few dirhams.
Where to stay in Asilah, Morocco
Although Asilah is not on the main international tourist trail it is popular with domestic tourism especially in the summer months (June – September).
There is a range of accommodation in traditional Moroccan style in the heart of the old medina which in almost every option includes a rooftop terrace and views of the incredible Atlantic coastline.
- MIA Hostels Asilah (budget)
Hostel style accommodation in a typical renovated Moroccan house. A good choice for budget accommodation in Asilah.
- Patio de la Luna (mid-range)
Located in front of the medina with terrace views of the Atlantic Ocean and brilliant sunset.
- Riad Asilah (mid-range)
Inside Asilah medina this is a traditional Riad-style accommodation decorated simply in typical Moroccan style. Shared terrace area and WIFI.Â
- Dar Manara (mid-range)
A tastefully decorated accommodation inside the medina with a rooftop terrace and included breakfast.
Visiting Asilah by motorhome
If you are visiting Asilah by motorhome there are two campsites (right next to each other).
We have stayed each time at Camping Echrigui and can recommend it as a great, safe spot (with plenty of shade) to start your Moroccan adventure.
ASILAH: Camping Echrigui
- Location: Avenue Moulay Hassan Ben Mahdi, Asilah
- Type: Campsite
- Park4Night: #30379
- Cost: CC 30Dh + 20Dh per adult + 8Dh per child
- Facilities: Basic toilets, showers, fresh water, grey and black waste
About: A great first start in Morocco! Friendly family-run campsite with basic facilities but everything you need for your motorhome. The location is great with a 10 minute walk to the medina and across the road from the beach. There is a small mini-market and restaurants just outside the gate.
See Abdul and Nawfal in reception and be sure to order some of Nawfal’s mothers cooking with a tagine or couscous dinner delivered to your van!
What about other weekly markets in Morocco?
We can’t rate the weekly markets in Morocco highly enough!
It is a fascinating way to get a glimpse of traditional, rural and weekly life in Morocco. And obviously a good place to stock up on fruit and vegetables or souvenirs and handicrafts.
There are weekly markets in Morocco that take place all over the country. Here are some more of our favourites:
- Zagora Weekly Market
- Tabounte Weekly Market
- Guelmim Camel Market
- Ouarzazate Weekly Market
- Tafraoute Weekly Market
- Anza Weekly Market
Read more about travel in Morocco
- Taking the vehicle ferry from Spain to Morocco with your motorhome.
- Driving in Morocco: Everything you wanted to ask.
- Crossing the Morocco Mauritania border from Dakhla.
- Motorhome services in Morocco: What is it like?
- A guide to campsites in Morocco.
- Visiting the famous Guelmim Camel Market.
- Buying a SIM card in Morocco (and how to get unlimited data!).
