Tangiers

Tangiers, known as the "gateway to Africa", is one of the most vibrant, mysterious and intriguing cities in Morocco.

Located 60 kilometres from Gibraltar and just 14 kilometres from Spain, it's not entirely Moroccan, European or African; it's a dynamic mix of all three...

Tangiers, or what the Arabs call "Tanja" reached its "peak" during the 1950s when the city was home to some 60,000 ex-pats. People came from all over Europe and the USA, infatuated by its exotic and charming appeal; all in search of the "free life" they could no longer find back home.

Tangiers attracted such literary greats as Oscar Wilde, Andre Gide, Jack Kerouac, Tennessee Williams as well as artists like Henri Matisse, Cecil Beaton and numerous political figures including England’s Winston Churchill.

With its old-world bazaars, makeshift shops, snake charmers, musicians and mosques, Tangiers is a compelling destination.

The Petit Socco, located right in the heart of the city is normally the first stopping point. This is the city's main focus of attention. Then there's the Kasbah area, the 17th-century Dar el-Makhzen and the American Legation museum - a reminder that Morocco was the first country to recognize American Independence.

Other places worth checking out include the white-walled Kasbah and the Sultan's Gardens. The gardens are stunning; a mixture of fragrant herbs and shrubs along with rows of orange and lemon trees - perfect for a romantic stroll.

Located at Africa's very northern tip, just 14 kms from Europe, Tangiers is a city of cultural extremes and dynamics; it's like nowhere else on earth - an exotic adventure not to be missed!

ALGECIRAS-TANGIER
Daily services from 7.00 to 22.00, about every hour and a half
It takes 70 minutes with fast ferry.

TANGIER-ALGECIRAS
Daily services from 7.00 to 22.00, about every hour and a half. It takes 70 minutes with fast ferry.

TARIFA-TANGIER
Daily departures It takes 35 minutes with fast ferry.

TANGIER-TARIFA
Daily departures It takes 35 minutes with fast ferry.

GIBRALTAR-TANGIER
Daily departures It takes 80 minutes with fast ferry.

TANGIER-GIBRALTAR
Daily departures. It takes 80 minutes with fast ferry.
It's highly recommended that you choose an official Moroccan Tourist Ministry guide. Morocco is definitely worth a visit. You can go on your own, or take one of the tour arrangements for about 60/80 Euros. This includes the Ferry and a guide in Tangier.

The Kasbah in Tangiers is an absolute must see. It's one of the city's main attractions.
It was built on the highest point in Tangiers and has excellent views out over the Straits of Gibraltar and neighbouring Spain. There aren't many places where you can see two continents at once.

Within its gates lies a large open courtyard, which leads you up to the Dar el Makhzen - the Sultan's palace from the 17th century, which now serves as a museum. The building is stunning. Inside you'll see some beautifully carved wooden ceilings and a marble courtyard. There is also a museum devoted to Moroccan arts and archaeology.

The road up to the top of the hill is very steep, but the views are amazing; incredibly colourful.
The "Grand Socco", which is Spanish for Large Market, is located right in the heart of Tangiers, northeast of the Medina. Nowadays, the square is no longer a marketplace; it's more like a city crossroads, fronted by cafes, outside the walled in, old part of the city.

This is the real heart of Tangiers and a great place to start a tour of the city. It's also the point where the modern city meets the old town. The streets suddenly turn narrow and winding as you enter the heart of old Tangiers. The area used to be full of snake charmers, musicians and storytellers, but nowadays it's more of a transportation junction, mainly for taxis.

The Grand Socco is the perfect place to go if you want to get a real feel for the city and its people. You can just chill out and watch the passing parades of city dwellers and Rif women in their colourful traditional costumes. It gets very hectic. At every moment there's a thousand tongues wagging; people buying, selling; bargaining, arguing. It's fascinating - colourful in every way.

The caves of Hercules, located just 14kms west of Tangiers, are a place of stunning natural beauty and great archaeological significance. Apparently, this is where the mythical figure, Hercules, used to rest after finishing his 12 labours.