Tangier, in Morocco, is an irresistible location and a popular port of entry for tourists.Located in the far north of the nation, it is a thriving city with a population of roughly 955,000 people that continues to grow at an […]

Tangier, in Morocco, is an irresistible location and a popular port of entry for tourists.Located in the far north of the nation, it is a thriving city with a population of roughly 955,000 people that continues to grow at an unrestrained rate while maintaining a cosmopolitan character. It is a location where myths, legends, and tales abound. It is believed that Anteus, the son of Neptune, founded mythology and named the city Tingis after his wife. It has been inhabited since the Paleolithic, according to history. During its era as a colonial city, it served as the source of inspiration for a whole generation of politicians and artists.

Similar to Morocco, Tangier has experienced constant invasions from the west and the east. Carthaginians, vandals, Romans, Phoenicians, Arabs, and more recent Spanish, French, English, and Portuguese settlers have all landed on the city’s coasts.

Its streets, hotels and cafes can boast of having seen Tennessee Williams, Samuel Beckett, Jean Genet… Its palaces also experienced the crazy parties of Barbara Hutton or Malcolm Forbes… Matisse was inspired by light, and Paul Bowles was intrigued by it. For each of them, visiting Tangier was a singular experience, and the white city continues to adore and enchant creative geniuses.

Northern Morocco

Overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean, Tangier is built like an amphitheater. Its location, history and hotel amenities make this city a privileged destination for travelers in search of romantic memories. Nor is it a dangerous place as many people think.

Few cities in the world have that mesmerizing mixture of African and European culture. The Mediterranean Sea and the proximity to Europe have encouraged all kinds of exchanges between Tangier, Morocco and the neighboring continent, all thanks to the scarce 14.5 km that separate this city from Algeciras. It has a lot of amazing attractions. attractions that few people are aware of but which cause love at first sight.

Things to do in Tangier: The medina

Despite being one of the largest towns, it is a city that can be easily walked. As with almost all cities in Morocco, Tangier is divided into two parts. For one place we have the old town or Medina, which starts from the port uphill and on the other hand we have the Ville Nouvelle built by Europeans during the twentieth century and whose center is the Place de France.

The walled Medina is formed by countless alleys full of bazaars and shops of local products. If you know other Medinas of Morocco, Tangier is a bit of the same but mixed with a cosmopolitan character that makes it different and special. These labyrinthine streets of the Medina are full of life, thanks to the many cafes, shops, small pensions and hotels that invade the old part of the city. What you need to see in Tangier can be done comfortably in a day or two.

The Grand Souk or square of April 9, 1947 is among the highlights of a trip to Tangier. Between the medina and the new section of the city, there is a sizable square that has recently undergone renovation. It is an excellent location to reflect on the bustling city life. The historic market stalls have been moved to the nearby streets from this square, which was once the traditional location of the market. The mosque of Sidi bou Abid, built in 1917 and with a stunning polychrome tile minaret, is located in this square.

Very close to this square, on a parallel street, we find the babouche market and the Anglican Church of St. Andrew consecrated in 1905 when Hassan I donated some lands to the former British community of Tangier. Its interior is composed of a fusion of styles among which the Andalusian style stands out. This church has an annex cemetery where some personalities rest.

The Mendubia Park, though it may appear to be a simple square at first glance, is close by and offers a peaceful retreat from the busyness of the souks and the Medina. It is a good location for appreciating Tangier and Moroccan culture and lifestyle.The entrance to the park has an arch with a Berber inscription. There are many exotic trees and plants in this park, including a banyan tree that is more than 800 years old.

Medina street in Tangier hhhh

Walking along the Rue des Siaghins, which is a very lively street for its artisan shops, we reach a Catholic church. By the way, Siaghins means silversmiths and refers to the activity that its merchants used to do. TThe Church of the Most Pure Conception is a Catholic building that dates back to 1880 and has a clearly oriental-influenced facade. Then, at number 41 of the street, is the Dar Niaba, former palace of Renaissance style that was seat of the French legation and also served as office of the Naib (Sultan’s representative), the former French embassy.

Then comes the souk Dakhil, also known as the Zoco (Petit Socco), which is the souk’s heart and one of the city’s most alluring and distinctive locations. It is a Spanish-style square, with balconies and wrought iron bars, surrounded by travel cafes and hotels.

Nearby is the former United States Legation of 1821, which remained there for over a century. It now houses vintage furniture, records, pictures, maps, and various other artifacts from the city’s heyday. It can be visited on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 13 hours and from 15 to 17 hours.

If you are interested in museums, nearby we find the Lorin Foundation Museum, dedicated to Marisha Lorin (1943-1993), a lover of the arts, from Tangier and Morocco. This museum is located on Tuahin Street, inside a synagogue of climactic architectural style, which contains a large collection of photographs, scores, cartoons and documents from the first half of the 20th century of Tangier town. This museum can be visited from 11 to 13 hours and from 15 to 17 hours.

Another thing to see in Tangier is the Great Mosque, founded by Moulay Ismail 1684. It was occupied by numerous civilizations, including the Romans, since inside it have been found remains of the capitol. With the Portuguese occupation, it also evolved into the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Opposite the Great Mosque there is an ancient Madrasa rebuilt in the 18th century. Going down a little, we find a beautiful viewpoint with beautiful views of the port.

Continuing towards Bab el Bahr (Sea Gate) we find the legendary Continental Hotel, the oldest in Tangier and Morocco. They remained nothing more or less than famous people in their rooms, including Ava Gardner and Winston Churchill. It is one of the places that have become fashionable thanks to the TV series of ‘The time between seams’, since several scenes of the series were recorded inside. Among them, Highlights of Ramiro smoking in the traditional kifi pipe and where beautiful Arab halls are shown.

Another place to highlight in a trip to Tangiers is the Plaza de los Aisauas which is located to the left of the small souk. Near Oued Ahardan Square, on Rue Sbou, we find the famous perfumery Madini, which is famous for its faithful reproductions of perfumes and colognes at an affordable price. This perfumery is run by the family that gave the establishment its name. From Ben Raisul we will access the Kasbah through its main door, called Bab el Assa (Gate of the sentries), where formerly prisoners were tortured and executed.

Entering this square we reach the Kasbah square where you will find Dar el Majzen, Kasbah Museum. Your visit is free on Tuesdays from 13 to 16 hours and on Fridays from 9 to 12 hours and from 13 to 16 hours. It is the former palace of the sultan founded by Moulay Ismail in the seventeenth century, the building is distributed around two courtyards arcaded by marble columns and arches covered with tiles that give way to various rooms and the throne room. This palace is famous in Tangiers and Morocco for its beautiful cedar ceilings and stucco walls. Inside is the museum, which features artwork and antiques from Morocco. It also contains an archaeological section.

It is also worth seeing the street of the synagogues (Cheikh the harrak), among which the synagogue of Massaat Nahom stands out as the most important.

What to see in Tangier city

Cannons

To start the tour of this wonderful part of the city, nothing better than its main street: Boulevard Pasteur. In its beginning we find the Plaza de Faro, square of the lazy, where there are several cannons of Portuguese origin. This square has beautiful views. Nearby is the Gran Teatre Cervantes. Diego Jimenez constructed a modernist art deco structure in 1913. Vestige of the Spanish in the city. It is on its main street where you can appreciate all the particularities of Tangier and Morocco: its people, its veiled women, other travelers, balconies and various buildings. A single walk and you will know little by little what it is to be here.

Another legendary place in Tangier is the Café de Paris, located on Place France. Legend has it that spies from World War II used to gather there.

The wonderful thing about Kasaba Square is that you can see the entire bay and port area from there. Must see the sunset from it. The Marshan district stands out for its picturesque streets and facades, where most of the city’s attractions are located.

In this part of the city stands out mainly the Punic necropolis, which is composed of 98 tombs. More than 50 are carved in coffer in the rock on the edge of a cliff with beautiful views of the strait. Here have been found utensils of Punic and neoplastic tradition, and also Roman objects of different epochs. The final period of the necropolis’ occupation began at the end of the 4th century A.D. a clifftop location with stunning strait views. Some Roman columns can be seen at the entrance. We can find the renowned Café Hafa close to this tomb complex.

Another interesting place to see in the new Tangier is the luxurious Minzah Hotel, built by the English aristocrat Lord Bute in 1930. Together with the Continental Hotel it is one of the most historic establishments in the city.At the time, it served as a haven for international figures and spies.

This hotel is built with beautiful Berber and Hispanic decorative elements, with a terrace with beautiful views and beautiful gardens. Like the Continental Hotel, scenes from the TV series ‘The Time Between Seams’ have been recorded at the Minzah, highlighting the encounter between Marcus and Sira in the fourth chapter of the series.

Cap Spartel Tanger

Cape Espartel is located about 12 kilometers northwest of the center of the city of Tanger, in Morocco. If we are passing through, it is one of the places we should see. The turquoise Atlantic Ocean and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea meet in this wonderful location, providing us with a stunning view. Cap Ampelusia or Cabo de las Vias were previous names for Cap Espartel. It contains the renowned lighthouse that the Tangier diplomatic corps built in 1865.

Thanks to the high humidity in the environment, its environment is very lush and is covered mainly with syrups and cork oaks. And very close, are the spectacular Caves of Hercules, natural cavities that the sea invades with high tide. Along with breathtaking views of the Strait, the coastal route between Tangier and Ceuta features secluded beaches and tiny coves.

Hercules Caves

Cape Malabata, in addition to the views of the bay of Tangier and the Strait of Gibraltar, allows you to admire a curious medieval-looking building: the castle of Malabata, built at the beginning of the century.

The small Roman town of Cotta, with its farms and canneries for fish and garum, tells the curious traveler about the ways of life of the first centuries of our era.

How to Get to Morocco From Spain

Train travel from Rabat to the city takes only five hours. If you don’t come to Tangier from Morocco and do it from Spain, you can easily get to the city by ferry.

By plane: Tangier airport is the fourth busiest airport in the country and is very well connected with international flights (Royal Air Morocco, Iberia and Air France).

By boat: You will ultimately need to take a ferry if flying is not for you or if you wish to travel to Tangier by car, train, or bus.The best option is to travel to Algeciras in the extreme south of Spain and then take a boat across the Strait of Gibraltar. You must choose between traveling to Ceuta in Spain or Tangier in Morocco from Algeciras before crossing the border.

Note: A 36-hour ferry trip is also an option, departing from Sete in France. There is a line that runs from Almeria, Spain, to Melilla and Nador.

Where to eat in Tangier

You can eat well and cheaply in Tangier, just like the rest of Morocco. There are many small places that serve sandwiches and combined dishes and they are the most used by the local population. Apart from these are:

• Anna & Paolo
• Restaurant L Ocean
• The Morocco Club
• Cafe Restaurant and the legendary
• Cafe Hafa.
• Moroccan restaurants and belly dancing shows:
• Marhaba and Damascus in the Kasbah.

Morocco Tours from Tangier

We provide a variety of Morocco tours tours from Tanger that depart from Tangier if you intend to travel to Tangier and begin your journey through Morocco from there. We plan trips that visit the major cities as well as the most fascinating tourist attractions in the nation, including the Imperial Cities, the most picturesque cities along the Atlantic Coast, charming villages, the Sahara Desert, arid passages, fortified villages, and Berber settlements, sand dunes, and the most hostile landscapes.

Discover the top Morocco tours, then reserve the itinerary that best meets your requirements. Ask us for a custom trip if the tours don’t suit your interests or preferences, request information, and enjoy a memorable experience.

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