Planning a trip to Morocco? Tangier, the gateway between Europe and Africa, will seduce you with its cultural richness. This cosmopolitan city is home to fascinating sites such as its perched Kasbah, ancient remains and numerous museums. We were transported by the atmosphere of this crossroads city where Mediterranean and Moroccan influences meet, visible in both its architecture and its pace of life.
In this article, we share 10 reasons to visit Tangier.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Tangier worth a visit?
Absolutely. Tangier is an interesting city, at the crossroads of two continents. We were won over by its cultural, architectural and natural offerings. With its beaches, sea views, historic center, gardens and museums, it will surprise you with its diversity.
Below is a more detailed list of reasons to visit Tangier. You can also take a look at our selection of the city’s top attractions.
Reason 1 – For its Kasbah and fortifications
Perched high above the old town, Tangier’s Kasbah is the authentic, unspoilt heart of the city. This citadel, founded by the Merinid dynasty in the 13th century, is home to cobbled streets winding between traditional homes with whitewashed facades, and panoramic views of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Spanish coastline. The atmosphere in this district is steeped in history. Don’t hesitate to walk along the ramparts and fortifications that bear witness to the city’s past, dominated over the centuries by Phoenicians, Romans, Portuguese and Arab dynasties. We recommend a visit in the morning to enjoy the soft light and calm atmosphere.
WHERE TO STAY IN Tangier
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the Kasbah of Tangier –
Riad Dar Saba Hotel – Saba’s House – see prices, photos and availability
– Marina Bay City Center Hotel – View prices, photos, and availability
In the hills of the Quartier de la Montagne —
Fairmont Tazi Tangier Palace Hotel— see prices, photos and availability
Reason 2 – For its beaches
Tangier is also lined with beaches. The municipal beach stretches along Boulevard Mohammed VI in the heart of the city. Large, accessible and lively, it offers a gentle slope down to the water, ideal for swimming, a pedestrian promenade lined with cafés and restaurants, and an unobstructed view of the bay. On a clear day, we could even make out the Spanish coastline from the sand. For lovers of tranquillity, Plage Achakar, one of our favorites, has a wilder, more unspoilt character. Malabata Beach, in a more residential setting to the northeast of the city, is a pleasant alternative. Finally, the less-frequented Plage Merkala lets you enjoy the Mediterranean coastline in a more intimate atmosphere.
Reason 3 – For its medina and souks
Getting lost in the narrow streets of Tangier’s medina is one of the city’s must-see experiences. The maze of narrow streets, studded doorways, colorful facades and spicy smells create a vivid, authentic picture. Place du 9 Avril 1947, also known as Grand Socco, is the natural gateway to the medina from the new town. This large circular square, lined with palm trees, is steeped in history: it was here that King Mohammed V made a resounding speech in 1947, when Tangier was under international domination. We loved the shopping atmosphere here, at the crossroads of two worlds. Further into the medina, Petit Socco is the old commercial heart of the old town: its centuries-old cafés and weathered facades bear witness to a fascinating cosmopolitan past. You’ll come across craftsmen, cloth merchants, grocers and spice sellers in an atmosphere that has hardly changed for centuries. Bring comfortable shoes: the streets are cobbled and often steep.
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Reason 4 – For its natural sites and sights
Tangier offers the curious traveler natural and geological escapades right on the city’s doorstep. The Grottes d’Hercule (Hercules Caves), a 30-minute drive away, open spectacularly onto the Atlantic Ocean. Legend has it that the mythological hero rested here after separating Africa from Europe. We really enjoyed this site at the crossroads of geology and mythology. A few minutes away, the Cap Spartel lighthouse marks a unique geographical point: the junction between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. We were won over by the panoramic view from the top of the lighthouse.
Last but not least, the Phoenician Tombs, carved out of the rock on the cliffside to the northwest of the medina, offer an unobstructed view of the Mediterranean Sea and the Spanish coast, bearing witness to the Carthaginian presence in Tangier as early as the 1st century AD.
Reason 5 – For its museums
Tangier is home to several museums. One of our favorites is theEspace d’exposition Ibn Battouta, opened in 2021, which retraces the 29-year journey of the Moroccan explorer born in Tangier in 1304 through 38 countries. We liked its interactive features, trilingual panels and room dedicated to the Merinid dynasty. The American Legation Museum plunges you into the history of Moroccan-American relations since 1821. Period furniture, the Malcolm Forbes gallery, dioramas of historic battles and a room dedicated to Tangier’s role as an intelligence center during the Second World War. You won’t leave this visit unscathed! The Villa Harris and its museum complete the panorama, with works by artists who spent time in Tangier, set against a backdrop of Moroccan zelliges and ceilings sculpted by local craftsmen.
Other institutions not to be missed include the Kasbah Museum – Mediterranean Cultures, the Fortifications Interpretation Centre, the Fondation Lorin Museum and the Dar Niaba Museum.
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Reason 6 – For its places of worship
Tangier is a city of tolerance and religious cohabitation, and this is reflected in its urban landscape. The Sidi Bouabid Mosque, built in 1917 on the Place du 9 Avril, impressed us with its polychrome faience-covered minaret, which serves as a landmark throughout the city. The Grand Mosque of Tangier, built by Sultan Moulay Ismaïl in the 17th century on the foundations of a former Portuguese church, can be recognized by its white and green minaret, visible from the roofs of the riads. St. Andrews Anglican Church, donated 140 years ago by the Sultan of Morocco to Queen Victoria’s government, elegantly blends Presbyterian austerity with Moorish influence. We were particularly struck by its cemetery, where some of the most important figures in Anglo-Moroccan relations are buried. The city also boasts other places of remembrance that bear witness to its diversity: the Jewish cemetery, the Sidi Amar cemetery and the Spanish Catholic Mission.
Reason 7 – For its Perdicaris Forest and green spaces
In Tangier, you’ll also appreciate the natural spaces and gardens. The Perdicaris Forest, on the mountain overlooking the sea just before Cap Spartel, is home to Morocco’s oldest plantations. Its Zeus oaks, cork oaks, pinion pines and eucalyptus form a remarkable plant cover. We were captivated by the wide paths leading down to the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. The Jardin de la Villa Harris, to the northeast of the town, welcomes you to a vast park with century-old trees, playgrounds and lawns ideal for families. The Jardin de la Mendoubia, near Place du 9 Avril, is a welcome green break in the heart of the city. The Jardin de la Corniche promenade runs along the seafront, while the Donabo Gardens botanical gardens offer a varied plant collection.
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Reason 8 – For its gastronomy and art of living
Tangier’s gastronomy blends Berber, Arab and Mediterranean influences in a palette of flavors and colors. For us, eating well is an integral part of traveling and discovering a destination. And Tangier didn’t disappoint, with its fresh fish restaurants, traditional medina tables and bistronomic addresses. Restaurant El Morocco Club, for example, perfectly embodies the city’s cosmopolitan past, with its 1930s New York jazzbar ambience and carefully-crafted bistronomic cuisine. For a more traditional experience, we recommend Restaurant Kebdani, offering authentic Moroccan cuisine in a warm setting in the heart of the medina. Away from the restaurants, the city’s cafés, markets and market halls complete a lively culinary scene, which can be enjoyed over mint tea in the morning or dinner on the terrace in the evening.
Reason 9 – For its exceptional riads and hotels
A stay in Tangier is also an opportunity to enjoy a Moroccan hotel experience. The city offers a wide range of accommodation, from authentic riads and palaces overlooking the wooded heights of Jebel Kebir, to contemporary hotels on the seafront. We were won over by theFairmont Tazi Tangier Palace Hotelthe former residence of the Sultan’s advisor, built in the 1920s. For an authentic immersion in the Kasbah, we recommend theHotel Riad Dar Saba – Saba’s House transports you into a unique artistic universe: each room pays tribute to a famous artist who left his mark on Tangier, from the furniture to the mosaics. Find our selection of the city’s best hotels and riads here.
DISCOVER Tangier
- Attractions in Tangier
- Best hotels in Tangier
- Best riads
- Best restaurants
- Best excursions
- How to get there
- Asilah
- Itinerary: 1 day
Reason 10 – For its strategic position and its exc
From Tangier, it’s easy to explore the region:
- 40km to the south, Asilah seduced us with its Portuguese walls and colorful murals. You can choose to visit this pretty town on a guided tour.
- 1h drive, Tétouannicknamed the “white dove”, is home to a UNESCO-listed medina well worth a visit.
- Clinging to the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen and its dazzling blue streets are a must-see excursion from Tangier.
- We also enjoyed the Akchour waterfalls, a little over 2 hours away, for a refreshing hike in an unspoilt natural setting.
- Further on, Rabat can be reached in 1h20min by TGV Al-Boraq, and Casablanca with its famous Hassan II Mosque, is 4 hours away by train.
- Finally, Ceuta (Sebta), a neighboring Spanish enclave, offers a singular contrast with its fortifications and Iberian heritage on the African continent – a valid passport is required for entry.
Find all excursions from Tangier here.
Some disadvantages of a trip to Tangier
Orientation in the medina and Kasbah
The maze of alleyways in the medina and Kasbah can quickly disorientate the unwary visitor. Streets are not always signposted, addresses are not always legible, and some arteries look the same. We advise you to download an offline map before you arrive, and don’t hesitate to ask the locals, who are generally very welcoming, for directions. A guided walking tour of the medina can also help you get your bearings on your first morning there. The Kasbah is only accessible on foot, with cobbled, sloping streets: bring suitable footwear.
Tourist attractions
As in any Moroccan tourist destination, you’ll undoubtedly be approached by salesmen, unofficial guides or people offering to accompany you around the medina. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent at the entrance to the Kasbah and around the main sites. We recommend that you adopt a relaxed attitude, decline politely without being aggressive, and use official guides if you wish to be accompanied. Booking your guided tours in advance via platforms such as GetYourGuide will help you avoid this type of situation.
Traffic and parking
Traffic in Tangier can be dense, especially at rush hour and near the port and medina. Parking in the Kasbah is impossible for private vehicles: only residents and cabs have access, subject to an entry fee of 10 dhs MAD per vehicle. We recommend that you use the paid parking lots in the new town, notably those at Place du 9 Avril or Bab Al-Marsa near the port. Official cabs are plentiful and affordable for inner-city journeys.
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How to get to Tangier
Tangier has excellent connections with Europe and the rest of Morocco. Several options are available to you:
- By plane: Ibn Battouta international airport welcomes direct flights from major European and Maghreb cities. Consult available flights here.
- By train: the Al-Boraq TGV connects Tangier to Rabat in 1h20min and to Casablanca in less than 2h. Classic trains also serve other Moroccan cities via ONCF.
- Ferry: several companies offer crossings from Spain (Algeciras, Tarifa or Gibraltar). See options here.
- By car: Tangier is accessible by national freeways from Rabat (3h) and Casablanca (4h).
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Morocco
- Best of
Top Destinations
Must-See Places in Morocco
Most Beautiful Riads
Most Beautiful Cities
Most Beautiful Medinas
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Landscapes
Most Beautiful Gardens
Best Museums
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Beaches
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in Morocco
Driving tips
- The must-dos
Marrakech
Casablanca
Fez
Meknes
Chefchaouen
Essaouira
Rabat
Tangier
Tetouan
Agadir
The Sahara Desert
SHE MADE THE TRIP Myriam
