Tangier, Morocco

Tangier

Tangier, or Tanger, lies on the North African coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel.

Beaches

The town beach at Tangier is set in a sweeping bay of wide golden sands on the Mediterranean coast, with opportunities for windsurfing. You can take a camel ride along the beach or, on a clear day, just sit and admire the views across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Things to Do

Surrounded by fortified walls, the Kasbah is located on a hillside above the port and enjoys amazing views over the Medina and across to Europe. Here you will find the 17th century Sultan's Palace, the Dar El Makhzen, set in attractive courtyard gardens and now housing the Museum of Moroccan Arts and the Museum of Antiquities.

Located in the old Medina, the old American Embassy building now houses a museum of artworks and exhibits with historic links to America.

Place de France at the heart of Ville Nouvelle, the modern part of the town, offers a wide choice of pavement cafes and is a popular spot for socialising.

Out and About

The beach is backed by a promenade which is lined with bars and restaurants and makes for a pleasant walk, day or evening.

The ancient walled Medina is located behind the port and can be accessed via the Grand Socco at end of the beach promenade, near the Grand Mosque. The narrow streets of the Medina are packed with shops, cafes, food markets, snake charmers and residential areas.

Approx 100 metres back from the Grand Mosque, the Mendoubia Gardens offer a pleasant place to relax.

Nearby Attractions

You can take the high speed ferry from the Tangier Port to the south of Spain. Crossings take approx half an hour and you can go to either Tarifa, which is popular with windsurfers or, to Algeciras, which is a half hour drive from Gibraltar.

The legendary Caves of Hercules (14km from Tangiers) offer great views and are surrounded by mythological tales and an interesting history dating back to Berber tribesmen. Five minutes walk from here will take you to the archaeological site of Cotta, an ancient Roman town.