Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
had their own country, this would be its capital. There is far more of the Berber tongue,
Tarifit, spoken than Spanish.
Founded by the Spanish as Villa Sanjuro, the town was built as a garrison after the Rif
Wars in the early 20th century; rebel Abd al-Krim operated nearby. Independence brought
the name change to Al-Hoceima, but Spanish influence remains strong in language, archi-
tecture and business.
In recent years many of Al-Hoceima's émigrés have returned and have ploughed money
into the town, particularly into its booming tourism industry. The wide
Pl Mohammed VI
has new fountains and a sweeping corniche follows the coast. The pretty
Pl du Rif
with its
Mauresque buildings is slated to be turned into a pedestrian zone. Best of all, the wonder-
ful
Al-Hoceima National Park
has been carefully opened to rural tourism - an opportunity
not to be missed.
The town sits atop high cliffs overlooking two coves, one a beach (Plage Quemado) and
the other a commercial port. Blvd Mohammed V parallels the edge from the Spanish Col-
lege at one end to Pl du Rif at the other. Most of the banks, hotels and restaurants are
along or close to here, with budget options clustered around Pl du Rif. The flat grid of
wide streets is easy to walk and navigate. The three other town beaches lie further south,
along with El Peñón de Alhucemas, one of the last bits of the Spanish protectorate.
