Like a coy mistress, the port city of Tangier (Tanger in French and Spanish) is at once irritating and alluring. If you're going to visit, be prepared to tolerate her whims. Only 14km by ferry from Tarifa, Spain, travelers to Tangier must navigate the chaotic medina (the old Arab quarter), steer clear of hustlers feigning hospitality, and confront the tentative supsicion of locals. Put on a brave face, learn to say Salaam, and Tangier's allure can redeem its challenges.
While the city used to be famous for its vibrant party life, Tangier is better known these days for its rich history, art, and culture, in addition to its many cafes and gorgeous views of the sea. In 1923, the city was declared an”interzone” loosely governed by the US and eight other European countries. The lack of law enforcement made it a hotspot for partying heiresses, artists, drug users, spies, and Beat Generation poets. Since Moroccan independence in 1956, the government has closed down the brothels and clubs of yesterday in an effort to reclaim Tangier for Moroccans. Today, the city is a growing commercial center that retains the evidence of its cosmopolitan history.
For confident daytrippers from Spain or backpackers traveling into the heart of Morocco, Tangier is certainly worth a one-day visit. Find a bargain in the medina, sit in the awe-inspiring garden of the Dar al-Makhzen Museum in the Kasbah (fortress), and drink a piping hot mint tea atCafe Paris. If you're staying the night, catch an evening film atCinema Rif and hit up the party at Tangier Inn. And remember: keep your guard up and don't get suckered.
Av. d'Espagne (also known as Av. Mohammed VI) is the large boulevard along the beach that forms the western border of Tangier. If you're coming from Spain on the ferry, you'll step onto Av. d'Espagne as ...more
Tangier has an abundance of cheap and clean accommodations; score 1 for you, intrepid traveler. You can either choose to stay in the medina or the ville nouvelle, depending on how much comfort you require ...more
During your trip to Tangier, you'll definitely hear a lot of hype about the Kasbah. Ever the explorer, you'll wander up rue d'Italie through Bab Marshan, and a hustler or two will try to tell you how to ...more
For a fabulous and cheap fast-food sandwich of kefta, egg and fries on a baguette, Brahim Abdelmalek is the place to go. If you're looking for an elegant Moroccan meal of couscous and tajines, and don't ...more
The most popular evening activity in Tangier is sipping mint tea in one of the city's many cafes. While most cafes are all-male, Let's Go picks cater to both genders. To drink something stronger than tea ...more
If you're looking for traditional clothing, tapestries, and art, you'll find stalls and street vendors scattered throughout the markets of the Grand Socco and the medina. Bargain them down by quoting half ...more
Most essentials can be found in the ville nouvelle along Blvd. Pasteur and Blvd Mohammed V, which includes many banks, internet cafes, pharmacies and general stores.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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