Visiting Tétouan: a guide to the UNESCO medina, the Spanish quarter and the beaches

Nestled between the Rif mountains and the Mediterranean, Tétouan remains one of northern Morocco's most endearing and least crowded cities. Nicknamed "the white dove" for the whitewashed houses tumbling down its hillside, it carries the legacy of the Andalusians expelled from Spain and that of the Spanish protectorate. Here, a few steps take you from a UNESCO-listed medina lane to an avenue of Art Deco façades. Here is how to make the most of it. The white medina, an Andalusian jewel listed by UNESCO The heart of Tétouan is its medina, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. More intimate than those of Fès or Marrakech, it is explored on foot through a labyrinth of white alleys, studded doors and hidden patios. You feel the Andalusian imprint in the architecture, the zellij tilework and the woodwork. Get lost between Souk El Hots, the leather and metalwork workshops, and Guersa el Kebira square where Rif women sell fabrics and local produce. It is the kind of place best wandered without a fixed itinerary. Place Hassan II and the Royal Palace Between the medina and the new town opens the vast Place Hassan II, paved and luminous, Tétouan's true open-air living room. It is dominated by the Royal Palace, whose ornate façade and grand gates make it one of the most photographed buildings in the city. In the evening the square comes alive: families strolling, cafés and lights that make the white façades glow. It is the perfect pivot between Tétouan's two faces. The Ensanche, the Art Deco Spanish quarter Cross the square and you enter the Ensanche, the Spanish quarter built during the protectorate. Its straight avenues, wrought-iron balconies and Art Deco and neo-Moorish façades tell of another Tétouan, more European. Walk up Mohammed V Avenue, spot the old cinemas and period shopfronts: it is one of the best-preserved Spanish urban ensembles in Morocco, perfect for a leisurely stroll and a terrace break. Ethnographic Museum and School of Arts and Crafts To understand the city's soul, two stops are a must. The Ethnographic Museum, set in a former bastion near Bab El Okla, displays costumes, jewellery, instruments and everyday objects of the Rif and the Andalusian heritage. Right next door, the School of Arts and Crafts (Dar Sanaa) keeps traditional skills alive: zellij, carved wood, leather, embroidery and metalwork. There you can watch tomorrow's artisans learning gestures centuries old. Martil and Cabo Negro, the seaside interlude Tétouan sits just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean. The resort of Martil, with its long sandy beach and lively promenade, is the locals' favourite summer escape. A little further, Cabo Negro and its green hill offer quieter beaches and lovely views over the bay. Half a day is enough to breathe in the sea air before heading back to town — the ideal moment to travel light. Tétouan, gateway to Chefchaouen Many travellers make Tétouan their base to explore the Rif. The famous blue city of Chefchaouen is about an hour and a half away by road, making it a very easy day trip. Tétouan is also well connected to Tangier and the port of Tanger Med, handy for arriving or leaving. Many take the chance to explore bag-free before hitting the road again. Practical tips for visiting Tétouan Best time and length of stay Spring and autumn are ideal: mild weather, beautiful light and a medina that is pleasant to wander. Summer is hot but perfect for combining the city with the beaches of Martil. Allow one to two days for the city, three if you add Chefchaouen and the coast. Getting around and visiting hands-free The centre of Tétouan is entirely walkable, and the medina is closed to cars anyway. Petit taxis serve the surroundings and grand taxis link Martil, Cabo Negro and Chefchaouen. The classic problem stays the same: early arrival before check-in, late departure, or a simple transit day with a suitcase in the way. That is where a luggage storage changes everything — drop your things safely and explore the medina with peace of mind. Room not ready yet — you arrive in the morning and already want to roam the medina. Late departure — you have checked out but your bus or taxi to Chefchaouen leaves in the evening. A day at the beach — no need to lug the big suitcase to Martil. With BoxSpot, you book a partner point in Tétouan online, drop your bags behind a secure counter and pick them up whenever you like, from 9 MAD per hour. Enough to turn a scheduling constraint into a real day of sightseeing. Ready to explore the white dove unencumbered? Find luggage storage in Tétouan and travel light.