Tetouan

Tetouan, also known as Tétouan in French and Tetuán in Spanish, is a city in northern Morocco and the capital of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region. It lies on the Mediterranean coast at the foot of the Rif mountains, roughly 60 kilometers east of Tangier. The city serves as a cultural and administrative center in the region, with a metropolitan population in the hundreds of thousands. Tetouan is best known for its Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989, celebrated for its cohesive Andalusian urban design, whitewashed houses, and labyrinthine streets.

Historically, the Medina predates the modern city and reflects Moorish, Arab, and later Spanish influences. In the early 20th century, under the Spanish protectorate (1913–1956), a modern urban layout and new districts were added, giving Tetouan a distinctive architectural character that blends traditional Moroccan and Iberian elements.

The city is a center for crafts, including embroidery and leatherwork, and hosts an educational sector anchored by Abdelmalek Essaâdi University. The economy encompasses government administration, tourism focused on the Medina and coastal scenery, and a fishing port that supports the local market.

Tetouan is served by Sani[a] Ramel Airport, located near Martil, and is connected to Tangier and other Moroccan cities by road and rail. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild, wetter winters. The city’s bilingual and bicultural heritage, rooted in its Andalusian legacy, remains a defining feature.