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A white Andalusian city set upon the Mediterranean Sea near Tangier, Tetouan traces its origins back to third century B.C. Then it was a settlement called Tamouda which existed until A.D. 42 when it was destroyed by Roman armies.

Located in an agricultural area, Tetouan today is a market center where grain, livestock, citrus fruit and handicrafts are traded. In addition, a variety of goods are manufactured in and around the city, including tobacco, soap, matches, building materials and textiles.

The town's principal industries are printing, cabinet-making and fish-canning.

It has a very Spanish, Andalucian influence in the architecture with ornate white buildings that sit ornately, bringing life to the hill of Dersa. The Oued Martil valley below is enriched by eucalyptus trees, cypresses, almond and orange trees.

The people are the most friendly you will find and whether or not you speak Arabic or French, you will almost always be pleasantly surprised to find that most of the people who live there speak English and Spanish. In fact, we were amazed to meet a local who spoke perfect Spanish and yet had never

set foot outside of Morocco.

The history is varied and this can be felt in every part of the city. The Merinid Sultan Abu Thabit constructed a Kasbah in Tetouan in 1307 founding the city and it began to take form. However, as a refuge for Barbary pirates, Tetouan drew the wrath of the Castilian King Henry III whose forces overran the city and sacked it in 1399. For a century thereafter Tetouan went into a period of decline until coming under the Andalucian influence of refugees from Granada. From 1484 the city took on some of the rich architectural and cultural character of Muslim Spain, traces of which can still be seen today. In 1913 Tetouan became the capital of Spain's protectorate until independence in 1956.

The views in and around Tetouan are amazing. The Medina is lively and has some of the mystery that you expect from exotic destinations like Morocco. It really is quite an adventure to walk around the narrow passageways and sneak a look into the doorways of people’s homes or the workshop of a craftsman toiling over his work.

The doorways to the homes of the people that live there may give the impression from the outside of tiny cramped dwellings. However, you would be amazed to find some of the largest most sumptuous residences on the inside. The medina is a like Dr Who’s Tardis and the size and space can be quite misleading. A fun example of the misleading entrance size versus dwelling space and luxury surroundings can be found in El Reducto, one of the most beautiful examples of a Riad in Tetouan. Reformed in 1948 from an ancient palace into the home of the Gran Visir Sidi Ahmed Abdelkrim Haddad.

It isn’t only the Medina and buildings of Tetouan that make it a great tourist destination either. Driving into and around Tetouan from most directions and you find yourself stumbling upon photo opportunities at every corner. Driving down the coastal road from Tangier and you pass through mountain points with fantastic views of Ceuta, the Spanish enclave, fabulous deserted beaches and tiny picturesque coves all along the way. Coming into, or out of Tetouan from the East and the coastal towns and beaches are so beautiful that even our camera can’t help but capture the moment.

Driving only slightly out of the centre of Tetouan and you come across the popular Moroccan holiday destination of Martil, which has restaurant after restaurant, amusement arcades and spacious promenades just like and popular tourist resort in Britain or Spain.

Further along towards Ceuta and only 15 minutes drive and you arrive at Cabo Negro, the Marbella of Morocco. This is by far the best place to invest now in Morocco and it is such a fine destination that the King of Morocco has his holiday home here and holidays here at least once a year. Large expanses of beach stretch in both directions as far as the eyes can see and apart from majestic villas and white painted holiday resorts there isn’t much else to disturb the peace and tranquillity.