The Tetouan Experience
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Port
Tangier, Morocco
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$190
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 8 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Tetouan, known as the White Dove due to the color of its buildings, was once a haven for pirates and a shelter for the Arabian refugees from Andalusia after the fall of Arabian rule in Spain. Tetouan still exhibits a profoundly Spanish influence, as it was a Territory of Spain until asserting independence in 1956. Some administrative offices' names are still in Spanish.
Begin your tour with a 90-minute drive over a gently winding road directly to the city of Tetouan, crossing the beautiful Rif Mountains.
You will visit the School of Traditional Arts & Crafts, teaching young people the most traditional Moroccan crafts, an initiative to keep cultural traditions intact, including plaster carving, wood painting, leatherwork, and embroidery.
Venture into the maze of the medina (Old Town), moving from the Andalusian Quarter through to the Jewish Quarter (Mellah). Here, it will become quite evident why Tetouan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Tetouan Mellah enjoys the distinction of being a Jewish Quarter that still houses the majority of the local Jewish community so that language, traditions and customs are faithfully maintained. There are three active synagogues -- you'll visit the Synagogue Rabbi Isaac Ibn Oualid to view its picturesque interior.
Walk to a local restaurant for lunch.
Back on the coach, you will drive to the Jewish cemetery, established 500 years ago and situated on the dramatic sloping hillside of Mount Dersa overlooking the Old Town. With an estimated 35,000 graves, the Jewish cemetery is among the largest in Morocco.
Heading back to Tangier, enjoy an introduction to this cosmopolitan city, which has long been the crossroads of three great religions.
Please note: Tour does not operate on Saturdays. The synagogue visit is sometimes omitted; no refund is offered in this event. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, cobblestones, inclines, gravel, grass, and steps. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable/reef-safe sunscreen. Bring bottled water. Modest attire is required for visiting the synagogue; knees, shoulders and midriffs must be covered; shorts and capri-length pants are not allowed. Do not take photos of military personnel without their consent. Always mind your belongings, particularly at points of interest or crowded places.