What to See in Tetouan, Morocco
Today I want to tell you what to see in Tetouan, the quiet city that competes with Tangier as the gateway to Morocco if you cross the Strait of Gibraltar by car. Tetouan offers a friendly atmosphere and deserves a visit more than its neighbor. If you enter through Ceuta, Tetouan sits conveniently on your route.
Starting your Morocco trip in Tetouan helps you acclimatize and understand how to relate to the country and its people. This city hosts fewer tourists, making it easier to explore than Fez or Marrakech, where crowds overwhelm you constantly. Gloria and I have stopped there several times, and Tetouan gradually became one of our favorite cities in Morocco.
Before visiting Tetouan, learn how to exchange euros for dirhams and get travel insurance in case of medical emergencies. By the way, our blog contains more than 20 articles about Morocco—you will probably find many of them interesting.
Accommodation in Tetouan
I recommend staying in a riad, a traditional Moroccan house, near the medina but not inside it. This way, you stay close to the main attractions while parking easily. We stayed at Riad Tetuanía and found the value excellent.
Feddan Square: Start Your Route
Tetouan divides into two main parts: the medina and the Spanish Quarter. Colonial architecture characterizes the Spanish Quarter, adding charm to the city.
I suggest starting your visit at Plaza Feddan. This square functions as a meeting point, a place to rest, and a perfect spot for photos with the hill in the background. It also serves as the best parking spot in the city. The subway parking offers reasonable prices, and even motorhomes can find space. Always check the blackboard for fixed prices.
The Medina of Tetouan: A Real Moroccan Medina
UNESCO declared Tetouan’s medina a World Heritage Site, and it stands as the city’s most interesting area. The medina hosts seven access gates, the Museum of Moroccan Art, several mosques, a small madrasa, and period houses worth visiting.
Unlike medinas in Fez, Chefchaouen, or Marrakech, Tetouan’s medina feels authentic and not touristy. The stalls cater primarily to locals, so you rarely see shops selling mass-market souvenirs. You also won’t encounter guides offering services every few meters.
Get lost a little, and you will see how the medina organizes itself by guilds:
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A section for fruits and vegetables
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An area for butchers and fishmongers, including egg and live chicken stalls
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Carpentry workshops
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Electronics shops that repair almost anything
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Sections for second-hand goods and scrap metal
Tetouan’s Tanneries
Tetouan’s tanneries remain one of the medina’s greatest attractions. They do not match the size or fame of Fez’s tanneries, but their authenticity offers a true glimpse of traditional leather work. Use Google Maps to locate them, or follow small signs pointing the way.
The tanneries emit a distinctive smell, but spending time there helps you understand the entire leather-making process.
Hasan II Square (El Mechouar) and the Royal Palace
Exit the medina via Hasan II Square, another main square in Tetouan. The square hosts the Khalifa Palace, the city’s current royal palace. Visitors can admire it from outside. When I first visited as a child, I noticed the square remained almost empty, guarded by a few soldiers while people gathered along a narrow side corridor leading to the medina.
The Spanish Quarter: Colonial Architecture
Tetouan served as Morocco’s capital during the Spanish Protectorate (1913–1956). The Spanish Quarter retains colonial-era buildings, showing the city’s former economic and artistic glory.
Walk its wide avenues, look up at the colonial architecture, and reach Plaza Moulay El Mehdi, the city’s hub. Visit the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Victory (built in 1919) and the nearby train station, both appearing in the series El Tiempo Entre Costuras.
Terrafín Street: Shopping in Tetouan
Tetouan offers excellent shopping, especially along Terrafín Street. Here, artisans sell carpets, tin, leather, ceramics, fabrics, and more.
Use your bargaining skills—haggling forms part of Moroccan culture. Approach it politely: agree on a fair price for both you and the artisan, roughly half of the initial asking price. Avoid paying as little as possible by default.
The Cemetery of Tetouan
Another hidden gem is Tetouan’s cemetery on the hillside. The views create beautiful photo opportunities, and walking respectfully through it feels peaceful. Nearby, the old Spanish cemetery holds civilian and military graves from the Protectorate era. The site remains curious but dilapidated due to minimal maintenance.
