The Moroccan city of Tangier is enticing and a well-liked entry point for travelers. It is a thriving metropolis with about 950,000 residents in the far north of the nation that continues to grow at an unrestrained rate while maintaining a cosmopolitan vibe. It is a place where myths, legends, and stories abound. According to mythology, it was founded by Antaeus, the son of Neptune, who gave it the name “Tingis” in honor of his wife. It has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era, according to history. When it was a colonial city, it served as the source of inspiration for an entire generation of politicians and artists.
Like Morocco, Tangier has experienced ongoing waves of western and eastern invasions. Carthaginians, Vandals, Romans, Phoenicians, Arabs, and more recently Spaniards, French, English, and Portuguese have all inhabited the city’s shores.
The city’s hotels, cafes, and streets can all claim to have hosted Tennessee Williams, Samuel Beckett, and Jean Genet. The wild parties of Malcolm Forbes and Barbara Hutton were also hosted in its palaces. Paul Bowles and Matisse were both inspired by its mystery and light. A trip to Tangier was a once-in-a-lifetime event for everyone, and the white city continues to amaze and charm creative talents.
On the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier is laid out like an amphitheater with views of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. This city is a top choice for tourists looking for romantic memories because of its location, history, and hotel amenities. It’s also not as harmful as many people believe.
There aren’t many places in the world with such an intriguing fusion of African and European cultures. Tangier, Morocco, and the nearby continent of Europe have benefited from a variety of contacts thanks to the Mediterranean Sea and the short distance of 14.5 km separating this city from Algeciras. It has a lot of unique attractions. attractions that few people are aware of yet which cause love at first sight.
Before your trip to Tangier, you may be interested to know more:
Despite having one of the largest populations, the city is small enough to be easily walked across. Like practically all Moroccan cities, Tangier is split into two sections. The Ville Nouvelle was created by Europeans throughout the twentieth century, and its heart is the Place de France. On the one hand, we have the old town or medina, which starts from the harbor up the hill.
Numerous winding lanes lined with local shops and bazaars make up the walled medina. Tangier is similar to other Moroccan medinas, yet it also has a unique and particular quality that makes it stand out. The numerous cafes, shops, small guesthouses, and hotels that have invaded the historic area of the city have made these maze-like lanes of the medina teem with life. Tangier’s attractions can be conveniently seen in one or two days.
The Great Souk or square of April 9, 1947, are noteworthy locations to visit while visiting Tangier. Between the medina and the new section of the city, there is a sizable square that has just undergone renovation. It is an excellent location to reflect on bustling city life. The original market stalls have been moved to the nearby streets, and this area, which used to be the traditional marketplace, is now lined with cafes. The Sidi Bou Abid mosque, which was built in 1917 and features a stunning polychrome tiled minaret, is located in this square.
The slippers market and the Anglican Church of St. Andrew, which were dedicated in 1905 after Hassan I granted some property to the former British community of Tangier, are both located very adjacent to this area in a parallel street. The Andalusian style is one of many blending styles that make up its interior. There is a cemetery attached to this chapel where some notable people are buried.
Although it may appear to be a basic square at first look, Mendubia Park is close by and offers a peaceful retreat from the busyness of the souks and the medina. It is an excellent location for appreciating Tangier and Moroccan culture and way of life. There is an arch with an Arabic inscription at the park’s entrance. There are several exotic trees and plants in this park, including a banyan tree that is almost 800 years old.
We came to a Catholic church while strolling down the Rue des Siaghins, which is well-known for its artisan shops. By the way, the term Siaghins relates to the industry historically carried out by its merchants, meaning silversmiths. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic building that dates back to 1880 and has a clearly oriental-influenced front. The Dar Niaba, an old Renaissance-style mansion that once housed the French legation as well as the office of the Naib (representative of the Sultan), the old French consulate, is located at number 41 on the street. Next, the boy Market (small Market), also known as souk Dakhil, is the center of the Mediterranean city and one of its most alluring and distinctive locations A travel cafe and hotel surround the Spanish-style square, which has balconies and wrought iron railings.
The former U.S. Legation, which was there for over a century and dates back to 1821, is close by. It presently houses vintage furniture, records, images, maps, and various other artifacts from the city’s heyday. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 am to 1 pm and from 3 to 5 pm are the hours for visiting. The adjacent Lorin Foundation Museum honors Marisha Lorin (1943-1993), a fan of the arts, Tangier, and Morocco if you’re interested in visiting a museum. This museum, which is housed inside an eclectically designed synagogue on Tuahin Street, houses a sizable collection of images, music, cartoons, and documents from Tangier’s early 20th century. You can visit this museum during the hours of 11 am and 1 pm and 3 pm and 5 pm.
Moulay Ismail established the Great Mosque in 1684. Numerous civilizations, including the Romans, occupied it, as evidenced by the discovery of the capitol’s remains inside. With the Portuguese occupation, it also changed its name to the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. An old Madrasa that was renovated in the 18th century is located across from the Great Mosque. We discover a wonderful overlook with lovely harbor views by descending a little.
In Bab el Bahr (Gateway to the Sea), which is further ahead, we come upon the storied Continental Hotel, which is the oldest in Tangier and all of Morocco. Nothing more nor less than famous people, like Ava Gardner and Winston Churchill, stayed in its rooms. Since several episodes of the TV show, and many were filmed there, it is one of the locations that has come back into style. Among them are those of Ramiro smoking from a kif pipe and pictures that display some exquisite Arabian palaces.
The Aisauas square, which is situated to the left of the little souk, is another location worth visiting while in Tangier. The renowned perfumery Madini can be found on Rue Sbou, close to Oued Ahardan, and is well-known for its inexpensive, authentic replicas of popular fragrances and colognes. The family who founded the business and gave it its name operates this perfumery. We will enter the Kasbah from Ben Raisul through its main gate, known as Bab el Assa (Gate of the Sentries), where prisoners were executed and subjected to torture in the past.
By passing through this plaza, we reach the square of the Kasbah, which is home to Dar el Majzen, the Kasbah Museum. Tuesdays from 13 to 16 hours, Fridays from 9 to 12 hours, and Tuesdays from 13 to 16 hours are free days to visit. The edifice, which was once the sultan’s palace and was built by Moulay Ismail in the seventeenth century, is arranged around two courtyards that are framed by marble columns and tiled arches that connect to numerous apartments, including the throne room. The stunning cedar ceilings and stucco walls of this mansion have made it well-known in Tangier and throughout Morocco. The museum is located there and houses art and antiquities from Morocco. A portion devoted to archaeology is also included.
The street of synagogues (Cheikh el harrak), where the synagogue of Massaat Nahom stands out as the most significant, is also worth visiting.
Nothing better than Boulevard Pasteur to start the tour of this magnificent area of the city. The Plaza de Faro, often known as the Lazy Square, is where it all begins and is home to several Portuguese-made cannons. Views from this square are lovely. The Gran Teatro Cervantes is close by. Diego Jimenez constructed the modernist Art Deco structure in 1913. Spaniards left behind traces in the city. All the distinctive features of Tangier and Morocco may be found in its main street, including its inhabitants, ladies wearing headscarves, other tourists, balconies, and a variety of buildings. You will gradually learn what it’s like to be here after just one stroll.
The Café de Paris, which is situated in the Place France, is yet another iconic location in Tangier. There, according to legend, was a gathering place for Second World War spies.
Alcazaba Square’s amazing feature is that you can see the bay and the port area clearly from there. To view the sunset from there is not to be missed. The majority of the city’s attractions may be found in the Marshan Quarter, which stands out for its charming streets and facades.
The Punic necropolis, which consists of 98 tombs, is the principal attraction in this area of the city. On the cliff’s edge, more than 50 are carved in the rock, offering stunning views of the strait. Along with Roman artifacts from various eras, tools from the Punic and Neo-Punic traditions have also been discovered here. The late fourth century A.D. marks the beginning of the necropolis’ final phase of habitation. a clifftop location with stunning strait views. Some Roman columns can be seen in the entryway. We may discover the renowned Café Hafa next to this tomb complex.
The opulent Hotel Minzah, which was constructed in 1930 by English aristocrat Lord Bute, is yet another remarkable sight to behold in the modern Tangier. One of the oldest buildings in the city, along with the Continental Hotel. It used to be a haven for spies and notable people from over the world. This hotel features lovely grounds, a terrace with stunning views, and ornamental elements from the Arab and Hispanic cultures. Like the Hotel Continental, the Minzah has served as the backdrop for sequences from the television series “El Tiempo entre costuras,” notably the encounter between Marcus and Sira in the fourth episode.
About 12 kilometers to the northwest of Tangier, Morocco’s city center, is where you’ll find Cape Espartel. If we are going through it, it is one of the places we absolutely must see. The turquoise Atlantic Ocean and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea converge in this fantastic location, providing us with a stunning vista. Cape Ampelusia or Cape of the Vines were previous names for Cape Espartel. Here, we can observe the renowned lighthouse that the Tangier diplomatic corps erected in 1865. Its surroundings are exceedingly lush and primarily covered with cork oaks and rockroses due to the high humidity in the area. The magnificent Grottoes of Hercules, which are natural caverns that the sea invades during high tide, are close by. The coastal route between Tangier and Ceuta offers spectacular views over the Strait, secluded beaches, and small coves.
The Malabata Castle, which was constructed around the turn of the century, can be seen at Cape Malabata along with views of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Bay of Tangier. With its fields and factories producing canned fish and garum, the tiny Roman town of Cotta communicates to the curious tourist about the manner of life in the early years of our period.
From Rabat, the city is only five hours away by train. If you’re traveling to Tangier from Spain rather than Morocco, using a ferry will put you close to the city.
With regard to air travel, Tangier Airport is the fourth busiest in the nation and has excellent connections to international aircraft (Royal Air Morocco, Iberia and Air France).
By boat: You will ultimately need to board a ferry if flying is not for you or if you want to travel to Tangier by car, rail, or bus. The cheapest option is to travel to Algeciras in the far 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 after leaving Algeciras.
There are also vessels available from Sete (France), with a 36-hour ride. A line running from Almeria, Spain, to Nador and Melilla is also available.
You can dine quite affordably and rather well in Tangier, just like the rest of Morocco. The majority of locals frequent the various little eateries that sell sandwiches and a variety of cuisines. Other than these are:
We have many trips leaving from Tangier if you want to start your trip in Morocco from this city after visiting Tangier. We plan tours that visit the country’s major cities as well as its most fascinating tourist attractions, including the Imperial Cities, the most picturesque Atlantic Coast cities, charming villages, the Sahara Desert, dry corridors, fortified Berber villages, sand dunes, and the most inhospitable regions.
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Travelers can experience both the north and the south of Morocco on tours that depart from Tangier to several imperial cities and the Sahara desert. These tours, which last anywhere from 3 to 14 days, are jam-packed with excitement. Explore the blue city of Chefchaouen, Fes, the Merzouga Sahara Desert, and more!
Desert excursions and vacations in Morocco from Tangier will introduce you to the Moroccan environment and culture and provide you with an unforgettable Moroccan vacation with the assistance of professional drivers and guides.
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