Town in Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Morocco
Is Asilah safe?
Safe and relaxed, with fewer hustlers than Tangier.
Is Asilah safe?
Safe and relaxed, with fewer hustlers than Tangier. Petty theft in summer crowds, strong Atlantic currents and unmetered taxis are the usual problems.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-04-20.
- Homicide rate in Morocco: 1.7 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Morocco: 17.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 190 · Ambulance 150 · Fire 150.
Safety in Asilah at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing and bag theft on crowded beaches and in the medina in August, and occasional thefts from parked cars. |
| At night | The medina is calm until midnight in summer and quiet in winter. Keep to lit streets; take a taxi from the beach road. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable with modest dress; staring and comments happen. Avoid empty beaches and walls after dark. |
| Other risks | Strong Atlantic currents and cold water; Summer sun and heat from Jul–Aug; Winter storms and flooding in low streets |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Unofficial guides offering medina tours then asking for high fees
- Taxi drivers not using the meter and charging tourist prices
- Shops quoting inflated prices for ceramics and rugs
Take care
- Beaches in rough surf: strong rip currents and few lifeguards
- Medina lanes late at night: dim lighting and rare petty theft
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Cannabis is illegal for visitors despite open use in the Rif; sentences are long.
- Drinking alcohol in the street or anywhere outside licensed venues can lead to arrest.
- Unmarried Moroccan–foreign couples can be refused a shared hotel room; sex outside marriage is illegal for Moroccans.
How Asilah compares in Morocco
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Chefchaouen | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Essaouira | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Agadir | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Taghazout | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Merzouga | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Rabat | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ouarzazate | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Imlil | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Meknes | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Asilah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Marrakech | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Fes | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Casablanca | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Tangier | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Asilah safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable with modest dress; staring and comments happen. Avoid empty beaches and walls after dark.
Is Asilah safe at night?
The medina is calm until midnight in summer and quiet in winter. Keep to lit streets; take a taxi from the beach road.
What is the crime rate in Asilah?
Pickpocketing and bag theft on crowded beaches and in the medina in August, and occasional thefts from parked cars. Nationally, Morocco records 1.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Asilah?
Police 190 · Ambulance 150 · Fire 150.
More about Asilah
Going to Asilah solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Asilah meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- ONCF (Moroccan railways)
- Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (ONDA)
- CTM
- Moroccan National Tourist Office
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.