Al Hoceima Further to the east, perched atop a cliff rising 70 metres above the Mediterranean, Al Hoceima is a town whose existence goes back to the first half of the 9th century. The city was an object of desire for European seafarers, starting with the British who tried to set up a trading post there in 1661, then the French, who wanted to establish a base there in 1666, only to be thwarted by the Spanish, who succeeded in imposing their presence in 1673. In 1926, after suppression of the Rif rebellion, Al Hoceima bay became the scene of concerted tourist development, with numerous hotels and residences being built. Its beaches, coves, deep rocky inlets and promontories constitute one of the most beautiful natural settings on the Mediterranean Coast.