Tangier is a fairly large city, but the things to see are concentrated in one part. At the moment, it is not as touristy as other Moroccan cities like Marrakech, but it also has its charm, especially its past as a Spanish protectorate in the 40s and 50s.
In this post we are going to tell you where you have to go if you go to Tangier to discover its wonders and what you can do.
Tangier, the gateway to Africa
The truth is that Tangier is a perfect city to get into the Moroccan culture. It is very close to Spain, in fact, it is just in front of Tarifa, on the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar.
It is a city for lovers of decadence. Keep in mind that it was a very international city in the 40s and 50s, where the rich went to go to parties and where luxury was breathed. Even artists went there to revel in its streets. Some of them were Delacroix, Paul Bowles and Matisse.
Where to stay in Tangier
The good thing that it is no longer like in the 50’s is the drop in price of accommodation. And it is that for a quite affordable price, you can stay in beautiful hotels or riads.
The riads are accommodations in beautiful traditional houses, whose rooms overlook an inner courtyard, where you can have a rich breakfast with mint tea. You should stay in at least one during your trip for an authentic Moroccan travel experience.
Visit the Medina of Tangier
Start by visiting the Tangier Medina in the morning. It is one of the most modern and tourist-influenced medinas you will find in Morocco but it is definitely worth a visit as it is the heart of the city.
There you can see its blue painted doors, its narrow streets and the bustle of its merchants. Don’t get complicated and visit Tangier, Tetouan and Chaouen with our getaway to Morocco from only 185€.
Central Market
If you want to experience the local life of Tangier, then the Central Market is worth a visit.There you will find fruit stalls, spice stalls, meat stalls, etc. Every morning the citizens of Tangier come here to do their shopping.
Plaza 9 de Abril or Zoco Grande
One of the must-see places in Tangier is the 9 de Abril Square. It is next to the Medina. It is a lively square with many terraces where you can stop for a drink. There you will also find the Cinema Rif and the Sidi Bou Abib mosque.
El Zoco Chico and charming cafes
The small souk can be found across a very touristy street where they sell imitation clothing and accessories, it is Siaghine Street.
There you will find two famous coffee shops: Café Central and Café Tangis. The central cafe was founded in 1813, so it is already part of Tangier’s history like others such as Café Hafa and Café Paris .
The Kasbah of Tangier
Climb up to Tangier’s Kasbah and enjoy its ramparts and viewpoint overlooking the port, but don’t stop there. Look for the ancient palace Dar-el-Makhzen and visit its museum, where you will see remains of the Roman city of Volubilis and ancient Moroccan everyday objects, while enjoying the architecture of the palace.
Continental Hotel, Port and Beach of Tangier
Finally, enjoy the sunset with a cup of tea on the terrace of the Continental Hotel. Even if you are not staying there, you can still go inside to see it. Its common areas are beautiful and resemble those of an Arab palace.
From its terrace, you can see the Port of Tangier, which you can visit if you have time to spare. You can also stroll along the Tangier Beach.
