Welcome to Asilah: an artist haven and fortified fishing town on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. Think white-washed houses, cobbled streets, artisan workshops, and a bustling yet pretty port. Asilah could be a quintessential Greek island, if it wasn’t for the paella, tapas and Spanish rioja on the menus, reminding you that this coastal town was Spanish territory for a long time.

One of Morocco’s oldest and well-preserved cities, Asilah is rich in history and is a treat to explore on foot. The palm-flanked ramparts surrounding the medina were built by the Portuguese in the 15th century, and have become the town’s landmark. You can climb to the top for a picture-perfect view across the Atlantic Ocean, a particular highlight at sunset.

The narrow streets of the medina are adorned with colourful murals (repainted each year during the cultural Asilah Festival) and many artisan shops and craft workshops have opened up along the main streets, giving the town a photogenic quality.