Tangier rose to prominence in the mid-twentieth century as a ritzy hangout for the European and American literary elite. The international authors and artists who partied here have long since left, and Tangier has reinvented itself as a flourishing, contemporary city.
Tangier’s medina (old town) is a prominent tourist destination, with tiny museums housed in renovated palaces, ancient monuments, and souqs. This neighborhood is one of the top spots to visit in the city for atmosphere and photography.
Tangier is also a great destination to come and base yourself on if you want to explore the northern Atlantic Coast and the Mediterranean Coast. Exploring the Roman remains of Lixus, the seaside vistas at Cap Spartel, and visiting the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on the Mediterranean Coast are just a few of the day-trip options.
Tangier’s major harbor has several boats to and from Spain, so for many visitors, this is their first experience of Morocco. After disembarking, spend a few days touring the city before continuing on to the south or east.
Our list of the best Tangier attractions and activities to do might help you plan your trip in Morocco.
Table of Contents
1. Visit Tangier’s Medina.
Tangier’s medina (ancient city) cascades down the cliff towards the sea in a maze of small passageways.
The medina was a playground for novelist Paul Bowles and America’s famed beatnik literary giants such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William Burroughs during its fast-paced past.
The Petit Socco plaza, where elderly men linger for hours sipping tea and playing backgammon, is the epicenter of media activity.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception, located on Rue Siaghine just west of the Petit Socco, was erected by the Spanish in 1880. The Grand Mosque is located east of the square.
The American Legation Museum, located in the southeast corner of the medina, was previously the US consulate building and the world’s oldest American diplomatic station. Morocco was the first nation to recognize the newly formed United States, and its legation was founded here in Tangier in
1821. The museum within covers the history of the US-Morocco connection, and displays include George Washington’s famous letter to Moulay Abdullah. This place is a great option if you are travelling in Morocco.
Tangier-born Ibn Battuta’s tomb (Morocco’s famous 14th-century explorer and writer) may be situated in the medina’s northwest corner.
2. Go to Tangier’s Kasbah.
Tangier’s Kasbah (a high-walled defensive castle where the Sultan previously resided) occupies the medina’s northern part.
The main entrance into the Kasbah (accessible from the northwest medina wall) leads to a vast courtyard that leads to Dar el-Makhzen Palace, which was previously the Sultan’s house and is now the Kasbah Museum.
The palace was constructed in the 17th century and was expanded by each subsequent sultan. The intricate Moroccan craftwork is shown in the carved oak ceilings and marble patio.
The several cafés inside the Kasbah provide some of Tangier’s most picturesque stops for mint tea and lunch, with views over the Mediterranean Sea below.
3. Explore local history at the Kasbah Museum.
The rebuilt Dar el-Makhzen Palace houses a superb museum inside the Kasbah. The museum has an incredible collection of exhibits that trace Morocco’s turbulent and difficult past.
The Antiquities Collection is a must-see for history buffs, showing mosaics and statues from the country’s most important ancient Roman monuments, including Lixus and Volubilis, as well as a life-size replica of a Carthaginian tomb.
There are additional exhibits about Tangier’s history and a huge part of Moroccan artwork.
The Fes Room is especially noteworthy, with silks and illuminated manuscripts, as well as centuries-old pottery adorned in colors ranging from golden yellow to the famed Fes-blue.
4. Café Hop in Tangier’s Nouvelle Ville.
Tangier’s ville nouvelle (new city) is a must-see for admirers of late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century architecture since it has many superb examples.
The Terrasse des Paresseux (Terrace of the Idle) is located here, where you may gaze out at the stunning ocean scenery that has attracted so many European painters.
Looking across the ocean from the port, check for the hazy shadows of Gibraltar and southern Spain in the distance.
The Grand Socco (major plaza) signifies the conclusion of the new city and the entrance to the medina. Tangier residents go here to promenade, play, and spend hours in the nearby cafés.
The Mendoubia Gardens, a shady place abounding with fig and dragon trees, is located just to the north of the plaza.
5. Take in the Views from Cap Spartel
Geography buffs will not want to miss out on this Tangier side excursion. Cap Spartel, located around 11 kilometers west of Tangier, is Africa’s northwest point. The promontory protrudes into the ocean, separating the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.
The greatest time to visit is around sunset when you can view nightfall over the Atlantic.
The lighthouse at the point of the promontory is very attractive, and there’s a lovely café next door where you can have a coffee or juice and gaze out over the sea. This cape looks like the one in Africa when I did the 5 days desert tour in Tunisia. Therefore, it is highly recommended to visit.
The five-kilometer-long Achakkar Beach is located just below the promontory. The Hercules Caves (Grottes d’Hercule) is located at the southern end of the beach and are said to be where Hercules once dwelt.
