Tangier Orientation

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 you leave the port entrance; if you are coming from the train station or the airport, Av. d'Espagne is one of the main roads into the city. Many of the ville nouvelle hotels are located just uphill from Av. d'Espagne, 1km away from the ferry terminals.

Grand Socco, a large outdoor market with fruit and sandwich vendors that is the nexus of the ville nouvelle and the medina, and the ideal landmark for travelers. To get there from the port entrance, turn right at the CTM bus station on Av. d'Espagne and go up Rue du Portugal. Continue climbing with the medina's walls to your right. Turn right on Rue Salah Idine al-Ayoubi and with just a bit more climbing you'll reach the Grand Socco's fountain.

The medina, or walled Arab quarter, can be reached from the port by turning all the way to the right at the CTM station, and following Rue Moulay Rachid until you see stairs into the medina. Walk up the stairs and take either Rue Mokhtar Ahardan or Rue de la Marine to the Petit Socco, a small open space in the medina. Both streets are lined with inexpensive pensions to stay the night (50-100dh). Alternatively, walk from the Grand Socco through the central gate, Bab el Fahs, directly below the main fountain, onto Rue d'Italie, which continues all the away along the medina's western wall. To enter the medina, turn right into the first gate off of rue d'Italie and walk downhill on Rue Al-Siaghin until you reach the Petit Socco. Note that continuing straight on rue d'Italie will take you to the northwest tip of the medina where the Kasbah is located.

To get the fun parts of the ville nouvelle, orient yourself in the Grand Socco and walk away from the medina up Rue de la Liberté. When you reach the taffic circle, welcome to Place de France. Turn right on Blvd. Pasteur, Tangier's main street, and stroll past the Terrace des Parraseux (Idler's Terrace), with its canons and lovely views of Spain, until Pasteur becomes Blvd. Mohammed V. On the boulevards, you will find banks, cafes and the post office.