Asilah (Arabic: أصيلة, romanized: aṣīlah) is a fortified town on the northwest tip of the Atlantic coast of Morocco, about 31 km (19 mi) south of Tangier.

The town's history dates back to 1500 B.C., when Phoenicians occupied a site called Silis, Zili, Zilis, or Zilil (Punic: 𐤀𐤔𐤋𐤉𐤕, ʾŠLYT,[2] or Punic: 𐤔𐤋𐤉, ŠLY)[3] which is being excavated at Dchar Jdid, some 12 km (7.5 mi) NE of present Asilah; that place was once considered to be the Roman stronghold Ad Mercuri, but is now accepted to be Zilil.

Asilah served then as a base for pirates in the 19th and 20th centuries, and in 1829, the Austrians punitively bombarded the city due to Moroccan piracy.

Benaissa and painter Mohamed Melehi were instrumental in organizing an art festival, the International Cultural Moussem of Asilah, that starting in 1978 began generating tourism income.

[10] Asilah is now a popular seaside resort, with modern holiday apartment complexes on the coast road leading to the town from Tangier.

[5] The International Cultural Festival called Moussem and held in August, features jazz and Moroccan music as well as art exhibitions.

The main cultural center is the Centre Hassan II des Rencontres Internationales (housed in a former Spanish barracks).

[14] Due to its proximity to Spain, the cuisine in Asilah is described as Ibero-Moroccan with notable foods including paella, anchovies, and other seafood with both Moroccan and Valencian influences.

[15] The medina has been heavily restored and its buildings are typically painted white, with occasionally blue or green, in addition to which can be found many of the murals created during the International Cultural Festival.

It was built in 1909 by Moulay Ahmed er-Raisuni (also known as Raisuli), a local rogue and pirate who rose to power and declared himself pasha of the region.

[13] It includes a lavish reception room with zellij tilework, carved stucco, and painted wood like in other Moroccan palaces.

At the far western end of the medina is a Portuguese bastion extending out to sea, which is a popular spot for locals and tourists at sunset.