Morocco Destination Guide
Tangier
The Gateway CityWhere Two Seas
and Two Continents Meet
Tangier sits at one of the most extraordinary geographical positions in the world. At the northern tip of Africa, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea and Africa is separated from Europe by just 14 kilometres of water, the city carries a character shaped by centuries of crossroads history. On a clear day you can stand in the Kasbah and see Spain across the Strait.
For much of the 20th century, Tangier held International Zone status, attracting a famously cosmopolitan population of writers, artists, diplomats and adventurers. Paul Bowles lived here for over 50 years. William Burroughs wrote Naked Lunch in a Tangier hotel room. Henri Matisse came to paint. The city that drew them still exists, in the medina lanes, the grand cafes and the extraordinary light over the straits.
Today Tangier is a modern, confident city that has invested in its port, seafront and cultural institutions while still preserving the medina and Kasbah. It is the natural starting point for any journey through northern Morocco and one of the most historically layered cities in the country.
Quick Facts
What to See
and Do
The Kasbah, the medina, the literary cafes, the dramatic cape and the point where two seas and two continents meet.
The Kasbah
Perched above the medina with extraordinary views across the Strait to the mountains of Spain, the Kasbah of Tangier is one of the finest in Morocco. Its winding lanes and the Dar el-Makhzen palace, now a museum of Moroccan arts, make it the most rewarding area of the city for walking.
Grand Socco and the Medina
The Grand Socco is the gateway between the Ville Nouvelle and the old medina. The medina descends in a tangle of lanes toward the port, with small mosques, hammams and spice stalls at every turn. Smaller and more relaxed than Fes or Marrakech, it is a pleasure to explore at your own pace.
Cap Spartel
A 14-kilometre drive west brings you to Cap Spartel, the northwesternmost point of Africa, where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet. The 1864 lighthouse stands at one of the great maritime crossroads of the world. Below it, the Caves of Hercules have an opening shaped like the map of Africa.
The American Legation Museum
Housed in an 18th-century Moroccan palace, the American Legation Museum occupies the site of the first US diplomatic mission established abroad, gifted by Sultan Moulay Slimane in 1821. Its collection covers the extraordinary International Zone era and the writers and artists who made Tangier their home.
The Literary Cafes
The Cafe de Paris on the Place de France is the most famous of Tangier's literary cafes, where writers gathered during the International Zone years. Sitting at an outdoor table with a coffee watching the city go by is one of the great simple pleasures of Tangier, and the atmosphere of those bohemian decades still lingers.
Fresh Seafood by the Port
The port of Tangier is one of the busiest in Africa and the fresh seafood available in the restaurants along the port is extraordinary. Grilled sea bass, fried anchovies, calamari and the freshest shrimp in Morocco arrive daily from the fishing boats working the waters where two seas meet.
How to Make the
Most of Your Time
Tangier is a city best discovered on foot, at a slow pace, with time to sit and watch and let the layers of its history reveal themselves.
Watch the Strait from the Kasbah
Climb to the Kasbah ramparts in the late afternoon and watch the shipping lanes of the Strait of Gibraltar from one of the great maritime viewpoints in the world. Ferries cross to Spain, cargo ships pass from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, and on clear days the Andalusian mountains look almost touchable.
Day Trip to Cap Spartel
A half-day excursion to Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules is one of the most rewarding outings from Tangier. The drive along the cliffs above the Atlantic, the lighthouse where two seas meet, and the Africa-shaped cave opening make for a morning that is hard to match anywhere in Morocco for sheer dramatic setting.
Walk the Medina with a Local Guide
The medina of Tangier has layers of history invisible to the untrained eye. A local guide will take you through the Jewish quarter, the former American Legation, the lanes where Paul Bowles walked and the hammams that carry the story of this crossroads city across fifteen centuries of continuous habitation.
Ferry Day Trip to Tarifa, Spain
The crossing from Tangier to Tarifa in Spain takes just 35 minutes. Spend a morning on the European side of the Strait, walking the white streets of Tarifa or visiting the Roman city of Baelo Claudia, before returning to Morocco in the afternoon. One of the most extraordinary short crossings in the world.
When to Visit
Tangier
Tangier has a mild Mediterranean climate and is pleasant year-round. The city is at its best in spring and autumn when temperatures are ideal for walking and the coastal light is at its most beautiful.
April to May. Warm days of 18 to 24°C, the hills above the city are green and the light over the Strait is extraordinary. Fewer visitors than summer.
June to August. Hot days of 25 to 32°C with sea breezes keeping the coast comfortable. The city is busy and the beaches are popular. Evenings are perfect for dining by the port.
September to November. Warm days of 20 to 28°C, the sea is still warm for swimming, and the city is calmer with a beautiful quality of light in the afternoons.
December to March. Mild 12 to 18°C with occasional rain. The city is very quiet and the medina and cafes are more intimate. Good for those who prefer Tangier without the summer crowds.
Journey Through
Northern Morocco
Tangier is the starting point of our Northern Morocco private journey, continuing south through Chefchaouen, Fes and Casablanca.
7 DaysNorthern Morocco : Tangier, Chefchaouen and Fes
Beginning in Tangier with the Kasbah and Cap Spartel, continuing to Chefchaouen for the blue medina and the Akchour hike, then two nights in Fes before departure from Casablanca.
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the Gateway City?
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