This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
If you have traveled to other big cities in Morocco before, you will probably know that the Medinas feel like mazes and in the small alleys of those old towns it is almost a certainty that you will get hopelessly lost, but the Medina of Tétouan (Tetuan), Morocco, is different. Tétouan is a multicultural, historical city in the north of Morocco and its Medina is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city is a mix of cultures with Mediterranean influences, and the Medina is divided into three sections -- an Andalusian, a Berber, and a Jewish section.
Pretty much all places worth seeing in Tétouan, Morocco, are in the centre and within walking distance from each other. However, it does not mean you should not leave the centre. There are several beaches only a few kilometres from Tétouan. Martil Beach is the closest, but there are more nice beaches a short distance to the north. It is also possible to hike the Rif Mountains -- which can already be seen from the hills in Tétouan -- as a day trip. Your Tétouan (Tetuan), Morocco hostel may be able to help you booking a tour; be aware of scammers if you want to book it independently. After visiting Tétouan, Morocco, most travelers move on to Chefchaouen, the infamous Blue City. It takes a little more than an hour to reach this small city by car, so it is also possibly to visit as a day trip from Tétouan. Again, your Tétouan (Tetuan), Morocco hostel may be able to book you on a tour.
Tétouan is much smaller than the bigger Moroccan cities and receives only a fraction of tourists than cities like Marrakesh and Fez. This means that the choice of hostels in Tétouan (Tetuan), Morocco, is also smaller. Generally they do offer a high quality. Most Tétouan (Tetuan), Morocco hostels as well as private accommodations are located in the city centre, making the use of public transport and taxis within the city unnecessary.
Written by local expertz for Tétouan
Martin Straatman
