What to do on a trip to Tangier, Morocco?
In the north of Africa, on the Strait of Gibraltar, lies the city of Tangier. This excellent geographical position makes it very special! In fact: you can enjoy views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This historic city is full of things to admire: its monuments, its culture, its colors and all the places to discover. Read on to find out what to do in Tangier!
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What can you see in Tangier?
1. Kasbah
2. Kasbah Museum
3. Grottes d’Hercule
4. Cap Spartel
5. Small and large Souk
6. Ibn Batutta’s tomb
What beaches are worth seeing in Tangier?
1. The municipal beach
2. Malabata beach
3. Markala Beach
4. Detroit Beach
5. Oued Aliane Beach
6. Khar-Sghir Beach
7. Sidi Kacem Beach
Where to stay if you travel to Tangier?
Where to eat on vacation in Tangier?
What to see in Tangier in 3 days?
Tips for your trip to Tangier
How to organize what to see on your trip to Tangier?
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Tangier
What can you see in Tangier?
1. Kasbah
Something very special about Tangier is its old town. This area boasts one of the best vantage points in the northern part of Tangier, with incredible views of the Strait of Gibraltar and the coast closer to Spain. Its network of narrow streets in characteristic blue and white makes it a magical place.
2 ;Kasbah Museum
Dar al-Makhzen or Dar al-Sultan, the former governor’s palace, is where this museum is situated. According to the Muslim calendar, it was built in 1737-1738 AD by Ahmed ben Ali ben Abd Allah al-Rifi, during the reign of Moulay Isma’il. The building served as the sultan’s residence, the city’s court and prison. It is located within the fortified enclosure of the Kasbah, which contains an open-roofed central courtyard. The enclosure is also famous for its distinctive architecture. In particular, the six marble columns, as well as the various rooms crowned with carved and painted wooden domes, are worthy of admiration. These architectural elements are an important part of the heart of Tangier.
2. Hercules Caves
Natural caves located some 14 kilometers west of the town and 5 kilometers from Cap Spartel. The caves have various openings on land and in the sea, created by the erosion of water and wind, although humans have also taken stones from the walls. In fact, the Phoenicians already knew about these caves! There are many myths about them, hence their name. Admission is free. We advise you to wear comfortable clothes and good shoes.
3. Cap Spartel
If you’re looking for beautiful views, you absolutely must visit Cap Spartel. It’s 305 meters above sea level. It lies to the west of Tangier, in the area where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. A place that undoubtedly conveys tranquility with a lot of history.
4. Small and large Souk
In the Medina area, you’ll find a large market where there’s plenty to see and buy. You’ll notice that the custom in these places is to converse and haggle with the vendors. Outside this more traditional, artisanal ambience, you’ll find shopping malls where you can do your shopping, although the beauty of this place is to discover Moroccan culture.
5. Ibn Batutta’s tomb
He was the greatest traveler in medieval history, crisscrossing the world for over 30 years during the 14th century, leaving a thousand accounts of his journeys. You can find him in Tangier’s medina, on Rue Ibn Batutta, where there’s a plaque next to a water fountain.
Travel tips: To organize your trip, we recommend that you use the Passporter website or app, which is totally free of charge within the app. You can draw inspiration from the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create your travel itinerary with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can help organize the trip.
What beaches are worth seeing in Tangier?
1. The municipal beach
This beach is located near the port of Tangier. It’s certainly a must-see, as as well as being a beautiful beach, it has many water sports activities to offer. The sea is warm and calm, making it a lively spot in the city to stroll and enjoy the weather and the sun.
2. Malabata Beach
Also known as Casino beach because it is close to the Casino de Tanger hotel, it is surrounded by artificial reefs. Being close to the city, it’s very easy to get to, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants.
3. Markala Beach
The scenery of mountains and sea waves is magnificent. Although it’s a very small beach, it’s very intimate and very well located, with a cliff path to the ocean nearby. If you’re a keen snorkeler or scuba diver, this is the beach for you
.These are small, wild coves close to Cape Malabata. Access is tricky and poorly signposted, but if you’re a fan of natural coves, you can’t miss them.
5. Oued Aliane Beach
Located between the village of Dhada and the seaside resort of Tarifa, it’s easy to get to. What’s more, thanks to the support of the Tanger Med port, it has been awarded a blue flag.
6. Plage de Khar-Sghir
It can be reached from the Ceuta-Tangier road. It is located at the mouth of the Alcazar River. There are very few waves and the water is very clean.
7. Sidi Kacem Beach
A sandy beach with an open sea. Ideal if you’re visiting the Caves of Hercules, as it lies to the south of the caves. Accessible from the airport road.
Where to stay if you travel to Tangier?
Dar Nour Bed and Breakfast: Located 30 minutes’ walk from the center of Tangier. This is the first guesthouse in the old medina district. Prices are generally around 80€.
Palais Zahia is a renovated traditional Moroccan palace that is situated in the heart of the city.. The rooms are therefore deluxe, costing around €80.
Maram Hotel: Located in the old town, on the promenade area leading to the beaches. It costs around €30, an economical option, but with good service.
Hôtel Continental: Located in the heart of the Medina, 5 minutes from the port. You can admire its beautiful sea views. What’s more, it’s a listed building. An inexpensive option at this hotel is around €35.
Where to eat if you go on vacation to Tangier?
Morocco Club: This restaurant can be found in the Tangier medina area near the Kasbah. It has international cuisine as well as being a good place to have a few cocktails and a good atmosphere. Prices range from €15 to €50.
Restaurant Rif Kebdani: serves healthy Moroccan cuisine and is located in the Kasbah district. Prices
La Villa Ô Saveur: Located north of Tangier. This restaurant fuses Moroccan and French cuisine. Prices
Le Salon Bleu: You’ll find it next to the Kasbah Museum. It has great facilities and a magnificent terrace overlooking the sea. Prices range from €4 to €20.
Las chicas: Found in the Kasbah district. It’s very friendly and offers typical Moroccan dishes. Prices range from 6 to 12 euros.
Restaurant Hammadi: This is one of the most famous for its African Moroccan dishes. It can also be found in the Kasbah area. Prices on the menu.
What to see in Tangier in 3 days
Depending on what you like and want to do, you can organize yourself one way or another. However, if you don’t want to exhaust yourself and see as much as possible, it’s a good idea to do a day of monuments, another of beaches and another of museum visits, etc.
Option A
First day: visit to the Kasbah region.
Second day: Visit to the Hercules caves and Cap Spartel.
Day three: Stroll along the beaches of the Mediterranean or the Atlantic Ocean.
Option B
Day 1: Visit to the Grand Socco, followed by a stroll through the Medina, the port and Tangier Bay.
Second day: Enjoy Tangier’s famous markets such as the small souks.
Day three: Spend the day exploring the history of the city of Tangier, the Kasbah Museum, the Cervantes Theatre, the Des Colonnes bookshop or the Cinéma Rif.
Tangier travel tips
Bring cash, as not all stores accept credit cards.
The currency in Tangier is the dirham.
Bring your money in advance, as currency exchange at airports is very expensive.
Take out travel insurance to cover any medical expenses, as we are still suffering from the effects of
Respect and take care of the natural passages you’ll be visiting.
Wear good sports shoes if you intend to see a lot, so as not to tire yourself out.
Pay close attention to the weather and take mosquito repellent with you.
Find out in advance about any vaccinations you may need for your trip.
How do you plan your trip to Tangier?
Register or download the Passporter app and discover all its possibilities.
Be inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions.
Add the attractions that most interest you, along with the eateries and bars you want to visit (you can use the sites of interest listed in this post for inspiration). as a reference).
Organize your itinerary by days of travel, according to their location on the map (you can also take inspiration from the itineraries we present in the post).
Check your travel budget, which the app calculates according to your stopovers, restaurants and leisure activities.
Make any changes you need and you’ll be ready for your trip.
Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend what other travelers should see in Tangier.
If you’re not sure how to do this, you can read our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter
.Frequently asked questions about a trip to Tangier
Are there any precautions to take?
If you’re going to the markets, remember that in Moroccan culture it’s very common to haggle over prices, so be clear about the value of the things you want to buy so as not to overpay.
If it’s high tourist season and you want to eat at a specific restaurant, make sure you book in advance to avoid any problems.
What means of transport can I use?
While it’s true that there’s virtually no transport, you can use cabs and some trains.
Is street food acceptable?
If your idea is to travel cheaply as a backpacker, this is certainly a very good option, as it’s very common for food to be sold on the street, and it’s generally good.
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