Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None officially; most nomads use 'Dar el Ma' or private riad courtyards
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café Daymoun (Great Wi-Fi and sea views) or Café Dali on the promenade
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings during the Asilah Arts Festival (July/August)
- Social Events for Expats
- Facebook Group 'Expats in Tangier/Asilah' for local coffee meetups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use Grand Taxis (shared) to Tangier or Petit Taxis (Blue) for local hops (10-20 MAD)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local shops near the port; approx. 150 MAD/day for a scooter
- Best Beach Nearby
- Paradise Beach (Plage Rmilat), reachable via horse-drawn carriage or 4x4 (approx. 45 mins)
- Top Regional Airline
- Royal Air Maroc (flying from Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport - TNG)
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair, Air Arabia Maroc (budget options via Tangier)
- Highway Access
- A1 Motorway connects Asilah directly to Tangier (30 mins) and Rabat (2 hours)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Asilah Railway Station (ONCF) located 2km from center; connects to Al Boraq high-speed train
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; buy paper tickets at ONCF station for regional trains
- Regional Travel
- Al Boraq High-Speed Train from Tangier to Casablanca (1.2 hours)
Essentials
- City
- Asilah, Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Morocco
- Population
- 32,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40 Mbps (Fiber available in many riads; 4G/5G coverage is strong)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 10.10 MAD, 1 EUR ≈ 10.95 MAD
- Tap Water
- Generally safe for showering, but bottled water (e.g., Sidi Ali) is recommended for drinking
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Maroc Telecom (IAM) offers the best coverage; Orange and Inwi are alternatives. 10GB data ≈ 100 MAD ($10)
- Banking for Expats
- Attijariwafa Bank and BMCE; Revolut works for withdrawals but local cash is king
- Accommodation
- Traditional Riads in the Medina or modern apartments in the New Town via Airbnb or local agents
- Cashless Friendly
- No, mostly cash-based; only upscale hotels and some restaurants in the Port area accept cards
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local 'Gîtes' (Approx. $400 - $800/month for a full apartment)
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel Mixta (Approx. 250 MAD/night) or Hostel Asilah Boutique
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The Medina (Old Town) for its white-washed walls and art murals
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- The New Town (Ville Nouvelle) near Avenue Mohammed V for better grocery access and modern plumbing
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hôpital Local d'Asilah (Emergency only); for specialists, Clinique Internationale de Tanger is 45km away
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Private sessions at Riad Oasis or retreats at Berbari (rural eco-lodge nearby)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Club de Fitness Asilah (near the stadium); basic but functional (approx. 200 MAD/month)
- Laundry Services
- Pressing Al Amal in the New Town (approx. 10 MAD per shirt)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo (Limited availability from Tangier) or local phone-in orders
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fried fish platter at the Port or Tagine aux Poissons (Fish Tagine)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Restaurant Le Printemps (good vegetable couscous)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie Al-Anouar for Moroccan cookies (Chebakia and Briouats)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Thursday Souk (Marché Hebdomadaire) for fresh local produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia.ma (National delivery)
- Grocery Delivery
- None; use local 'Hanouts' (corner shops) or Bim Supermarket
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Very limited; Hotel Al Khaima bar is the most popular spot for a drink
- Local Brewery
- Casablanca Beer (available in authorized bottle shops and hotel bars)
- Wine Bars
- La Casa Garcia (Spanish-influenced, serves wine and tapas)
- Street Food Stalls
- Food stalls along Rue de la Kasbah selling 'Bissara' (fava bean soup)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Casa Pepe (Spanish/Mediterranean) or Portobello for Italian
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Ramparts overlooking the Atlantic and the Palais de la Culture
- Museums & Art Venues
- Centre Hassan II des Rencontres Internationales
- Historical Sites
- The Portuguese Fortress walls (15th century)
- Religious Sites
- Grand Mosque of Asilah (Non-Muslims cannot enter but can admire from outside)
- Annual Events
- Asilah Cultural Moussem (Art festival every summer)
- Cultural Districts
- The Art Medina (Every wall is a canvas for international muralists)
- Theater Venues
- Expositions at the Al Kamra Tower
- Local Markets
- Central Market on Rue Imam Assili
- Music Scene
- Gnawa street musicians near Bab al-Kasaba
- Street Art
- The entire Medina; murals are refreshed every year during the Moussem festival
- Cooking Classes
- Khizana Cultural Center offers authentic Moroccan cooking sessions
- Art Galleries
- Galerie Hakim or Aplanos Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Raissouni Palace (Palais de la Culture)
- Local Heritage
- Andalusian-Maghrebi architectural fusion
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Forest of Diplomatic Forest (Forêt Diplomatique) between Asilah and Tangier
- National Parks Nearby
- Talasemtane National Park (Approx. 2.5 hours away near Chefchaouen)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Long coastline walk from the Port to the South Beaches
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Krikia Lookout (Best for sunset over the ocean)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mouth of the Oued el-Hachef river
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Sidi Mghait Beach (Remote and popular for camping/bonfires)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex Tangier or Amana Pos (Post Office) in Asilah center
- Tech Repair Services
- Small stalls in the 'Kissaria' (shopping gallery) in the New Town
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local youth clubs (Maison des Jeunes)
- Language Classes
- Private Darija (Moroccan Arabic) tutors found via local Riads
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Prince Bandar Bin Sultan Library
- Community Centers
- Association Zilaï for local development
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in the New Town (increasingly rare)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Malabata (in Tangier, 40km away)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 12,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 480,000 MAD / $47,500)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 8,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 340,000 MAD / $33,600)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 11,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 660,000 MAD / $65,300)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 7,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 450,000 MAD / $44,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 10,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 800,000 MAD / $79,200)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 7,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 560,000 MAD / $55,400)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% - 31% Progressive scale (15% for service companies in some zones)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% (Reduced by various tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Territorial for non-residents; Residents taxed on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 38% for income over 180,000 MAD
- VAT
- 20% Standard; 10% for tourism/hotels
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Limited enforcement, but growing oversight for local residents
- Property Tax
- Taxe d'habitation (based on rental value); approx. 10-15% of annual rental value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 6% (Registration fees and notary fees)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Remote workers often stay on tourist visas (90 days); no specific nomad visa, but tax is 0% if income is not remitted through Moroccan entities while on tourist status