In February 2019, I spent an amazing month traveling solo and exploring most of the country of Morocco, in North Africa. I took so many photos that I’ve divided this trip into several articles; this is 5th in the series. After starting in Casablanca, I first headed to Chefchaouen in the interior of the northern part of Morocco, then on to Tetouan.
The Oued Laou along P4105 
Inlay Crafting at Dar Sanaa 
Tetouan Medina
I’d fallen in love with Chefchaouen, and enjoyed my time there, but there was a lot more to see of Morocco! I love traveling the back roads to see more of the countryside, landscapes, and small towns. My lodgings in Chefchaouen helped me find a driver who didn’t mind going the “long way” to Tetouan…
Chefchaouen to Tetouan
After many adventures in and around Chefchaouen, it was on to Tetouan. We drove along the twisty P4105, a winding, scenic road through the mountains along the Oued (River) Laou. Tetouan is in northern Morocco, near the Mediterranean Sea.
The Medina of Tetouan
Tetouan’s medina (old town) has UNESCO status, due to its historic importance as the point of contact and of transition between two civilizations (Spanish and Arab) and two continents (Europe and North Africa). A true synthesis of Moroccan and Andalusian cultures, the town of Tétouan was built by refugees who had been expelled by the Spanish. Its art and architecture reveal clear Andalusian influence. Tetouan’s is one of the smallest of the Moroccan medinas but it is important because its buildings have remained untouched by subsequent outside influences.
Tetouan’s medina is not quite as picturesque as Chefchaouen’s, but it was just as lively, interesting, and exotic to me! The people were a little less friendly (it was a larger town), and it was very clear that women did not like having their photo taken. The few photos I have of women in Morocco were taken from a distance, as part of a larger, general photo.
The medina was great for local color, people watching, lunch, and snacks. The pastry in the photo below is a type called Cornes de Gazelle (gazelle horns). They are very delicate, made with orange blossom water, and filled with almond paste – yum!
Dar Sanaa – School of Traditional Arts
The town of Tétouan is famous for its school of arts and crafts (Dar Sanaa) which celebrates ancestral traditions. The school has a museum, and also allows visitors to visit the classrooms. Students and apprentices study traditional arts under the guidance of master craftsmen there.
Morocco’s furniture and decor are often colorful, and mimic mosaics. One of the instructors was teaching some of the young students the first steps in creating beautiful painted designs for shelves, tiles, and wall hangings.
Stencils are also used for the wooden cutout designs, meticulously cut with a handheld keyhole or jig saw. It was nerve-wracking to watch! – but the student had a very steady hand.
There were several classrooms of young women learning various traditional sewing techniques. In contrast to the woodworking and stencil painting rooms which were quiet and full of men, they were lively, chatty, and gregarious. They bombarded me with questions about the United States, and all said they wanted to live there. We had a very fun visit, and finally, the teacher had tea brought in so we could have a proper visit without expectations that they should be accomplishing their tasks!
The City of Tetouan
The more modern town of Tetouan includes wide shopping boulevards, a Jewish Quarter, and the King has a palace in Tetouan.
A Stop along the Mediterranean
As a beach fanatic, I had to get over to the shore of the Mediterranean for a little beach time. February is too cold for swimming, but I enjoyed a walk along the beach, a little seafood, collecting some pretty pebbles, and just enjoying the waves and sea foam.
I didn’t spend a great deal of time in Tetouan – after all, I had to get along to Tangier! I only had a month to explore all of Morocco. The previous articles related to this solo trip are: My Month in Morocco, Casablanca, Chefchaouen, and a day trip to a souk.
If you’d like to travel Morocco solo, the way I did, this guide book, or others like it, might help. If you’d prefer not to go on your own, this tour of Morocco is small and personal. However you go, I’d love to hear your experiences!
I’d love your thoughts…have you been able to explore Morocco? Please share your stories, and stay tuned for more about Morocco – coming soon: Tangier!
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Morrocco looks amazing! I have never been able to get there, but hopefully soon! Your pictures are amazing!
Morocco looks stunning! It seems so mysterious and exotic. Great review and like you, I would have had to hit the beach too!
Morocco is on my travel list. I’m enjoying your tales and photos. It looks like a beautiful country to explore.
This looks amazing. I would LOVE to visit this area of the world
Great post, I love all the information and the pictures are beautiful!
Morocco is on my bucket list of places I want to visit. Thank you, for the great share!
Those wood cutouts are gorgeous! It looks like it takes a tremendous amount of skill.
Morocco is one of the top places I would like to visit in Africa.
That looks like such a beautiful place! What amazing pictures!
Morocco is on my list of places to see, alongside Greece and Ethiopia. Beautiful photos. I enjoyed reading your adventures
My mom visited Morocco a couple of years ago and loved it. Its been on our bucket list for a while as well. Someday! Beautiful photos, by the way!
So amazing to see another slice of life…someone else’s normal!
Beautiful photos.
So interesting to see Morocco’s usual life.
Kinda makes me miss my home. Simple life, markets, craftsmanship…
Thank you for sharing:)
I pinned to a Travel board.
What an awesome travel experience!
The vibrancy of this culture just oozes, “come visit me”. Thank you for sharing your travels!
Wow the colors of Tetouan in your photos are just stunning! So vibrant!
What a great opportunity to travel around Morocco for a month. I love all things history so would love to check out Tetouan.
Must have been an amazing trip. Your pictures paint a beautiful story of Morocco!
So awesome that you were able to visit the art school. This looks like a wonderful trip!
The school of arts and crafts looks really neat! I love to see traditional art techniques passed down from generation to generation.
I’m obsessed with Moroccan architecture & decor. The tile work is incredible.
The Mediterranean coastline looks beautiful! I love all the color and culture Morocco has to offer.
Morocco is stunning! Thank you for sharing!
Morocco is high on my list. There is also a Moroccan Jewish community I want to visit. I am fascinated with this country. I think it is so beautiful!
This is very interesting. I am not familiar with this part of the world.