AFRICAN cities like Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat have been a popular spot for Brits for many years.
But there’s another city very near the sea in northern Morocco that is getting direct flights from the UK for the very first time this year.
In March 2026, Royal Air Maroc will launch twice-weekly direct flights from London Gatwick to Tetouan.
The route will start on March 29, 2026 and will operate on Thursdays and Sundays in both directions.
Previously there were no flights from the UK to Tetouan, with Brits having to connect at other cities like Marrakech, Casablanca and Al Hoceima.
Tetouan, which is a port city, is 20 minutes from the coastline, and tourists might be surprised to learn that it has a big Spanish influence, especially from Andalusia, which you’ll still see today.
One visitor wrote on Triapdvisor said: “If you’ve been to the Middle East or Spain being in Morocco is a combination of both”.
The city was once the capital of Spanish Morocco, nicknamed the “daughter of Granada” so a lot of its architecture feels more European than African.
The Tetouan Museum of Modern Art is actually found inside a former Spanish-style train station.
Although there are places where it will feel like Morocco, for example at its medina which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here you’ll find souks selling crafts, spices, leather goods and jewellery.
Top hotels in the city include Hôtel Al Mandari which has modern rooms – some of which have mountain views – in March it can be booked for £58 per night including breakfast.
In March, temperatures in Tetouan can be as high as 19C – so if you want to hit the beach, there are plenty of options not that far away.
Some of the nearby beach resorts include Martil which has very long stretches of sand and sits along the Mediterranean coastline.
One visitor on Tripadvisor described it as a “beautiful destination with fine golden sand”.
Another nearby beach town is M’diq which is 20 minutes away by car.
Its beach is popular for swimmers, especially in the morning when the waters are at their clearest – and you can easily get here via a bus from Tetouan.
If you’re more interested in exploring the city, then you’ll be pleased to know that Tetouan is much quieter than the likes of Marrakech as it sees fewer visitors.
When it comes to drink, a local beer will set you back around 25MAD (£2.01) and a meal for two at a mid-range restaurants without drinks is on average 175MAD (£14.10), according to Numbeo.
Another popular spot is Feddan Park which is in the middle of the city and some visitors have said has the ‘best view of Tetouan’.
From the park you get a good view of the whitewashed buildings and mountains behind them.
Dar El Oddi is a restored Riad that has since been converted into a museum.
There’s also the Royal Palace – although as this is still an active royal residence you can only view it from the outside.
Other nearby destinations include the beautiful city of Chefchaouen, also known as the Blue Pearl – which is an hour inland from Tetouan.
It’s full of bright blue buildings, hence its nickname, as well as steep alleyways and it’s surrounded by the Rif Mountains.
If you head to the edge of the medina, you’ll reach the Ras El Ma – a natural spring.
Marrakech is ‘the perfect short haul April holiday’ according to Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot…
Lisa Minot, Head of Sun Travel, filled us in on her recent trip to the Moroccan city…
She said: “I’ve just returned from a wonderful long weekend in Marrakech and the city is as exciting as ever.
“We were sunbathing on the roof of our riad in the Medina in glorious 22 degree temperatures – and I loved the amazing desert landscapes just 40 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the souks.
“Tourism is booming in the city and while the streets are as colourful and chaotic as ever, the influx of visitors has brought some gorgeous new bars, restaurants and stunning hotels.”
She added: “It pays to do your research and book restaurants and tours in advance though as even in February and the start of Ramadan, the souks were teeming and lots of places were fully booked.
“We did a three-hour food tour of the Medina with Get Your Guide and while stuffing ourselves on some fantastic street food I probably would never have had the courage to try on my own, our guide revealed the secrets of the city and its fascinating past.
“With six stops along the way, there was more than enough food and it cost just £35 each.
“My favourite stop was deep in the souks – a dish the locals love where beef is cooked in a dry frying pan with tomato, spices and eggs that is eaten by scraping the delicious dish straight from the pan.
“Also worth the money was our very special day in the Agafay Desert. An hour’s drive from the souks and we arrived at The White Camel, a luxury tented camp.
“After an afternoon of dune buggy fun we watched the sun set with a drink by their infinity pool before indulging in a fantastic four course meal.”
Plus, here’s another grand African city that’s much quieter than its famous neighbour.
And this other holiday hotspot just three hours from the UK dubbed ‘Marrakesh-by-the-sea’ – with sandy beaches and cheap hotels.