Larache combines historic buildings in the city with archaeological sites in the surrounding area. If you are considering the town as a travel destination, you can explore different aspects of its history: the medina is known for its squares, religious architecture and fortifications; Lixus and Mzoura complement the urban focus with archaeological remains and a cromlech site. The differences are apparent both in the structures and in their distances from Larache.

The Medina and the City's History

Petit Souk is a central public square in the medina of Larache, laid out in the last third of the 17th century. Place de la Libération is elliptical and connects the historic medina with the new town built by the Spanish. The two places bring the city's history to life in different ways: one as a public square within the medina, the other as a link between two parts of the city.

The Great Mosque of Larache and the adjacent madrasa form a historic religious complex in the medina. Église Saint Joseph offers a different architectural focus: it is a neo-Gothic mission church with a single-nave interior, a bell tower and other monastery buildings surrounding a courtyard; at the time of writing, it was described as being almost in ruins.

Gates, Fortresses and a Tower

Porte de la Casbah was one of the city's most important entrances in the 15th and 16th centuries, connecting Larache, the port and Fort Lakbibat. The fort itself dates from the 16th century and follows the Italian style of fortification: it has a square layout, a central parade ground and bastions at all four corners. Fort de Laklat, by contrast, is a Renaissance fortress with an equilateral triangular layout and corner bastions; one of the bastions no longer exists. The comparison between the layouts—square here, equilateral triangle there—is a clear point of reference if you are interested in military architecture. Tour du Juif is part of the late-medieval defensive complex of the old medina. The square stone tower overlooks the mouth of the Loukkos, linking the history of the fortifications with the landscape.

Archaeological Sites in the Surrounding Area

Lixus is 7 km from Larache, outside the city. The ancient city includes the remains of workshops for producing salted fish, a former cathedral, an amphitheatre and a Neptune mosaic. The Mzoura cromlech site lies about 20 km northeast of Larache, on a 54 m-high hill; 167 stones of varying sizes and shapes stand upright there. The two sites differ both geographically and in their archaeological character: Lixus is closer to Larache and features various kinds of remains, while Mzoura is characterised by its upright stones.

Sea, Garden and Remembrance

Balcon sur l’Atlantique is a viewpoint in Larache from which residents watch sunsets over the ocean. Jardin des Hespérides offers a different landscape focus: it was laid out in the 1920s and is of great botanical interest. The grave of the French poet and playwright Jean Genet is in the Spanish Cemetery of Larache. The town's cultural range thus extends from architecture and archaeology to botanical interest and literary history.

Discover more destinations: Aouchtame Bni Said, Martil, Khandeq Ezzeraraa, M'diq, Brikcha, Marina Smir, El Jebha, Maaza.

Back to the regional travel overview: Tangier-Tétouan.