TANGIER
At the Crossroads of Continents: Discover Tangier's Timeless Allure and Cultural Fusion
Welcome to Tangier, a city that stands as a gateway between continents, a crossroads of history, culture, and imagination - perched where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Here you’ll discover a Morocco that feels authentic, yet constantly evolving - where the past and future dance together in perfect harmony.
Tangier awakens your senses with every turn. The bustling markets are alive with vivid colors and the rich aromas of street food, fresh bread, and mint tea. The sea breeze carries the scent of the ocean, a reminder of the city’s deep connection to the waters that surround it. This is a place where cultures meet and coexist. The Muslim, Arab, and Jewish influences that have shaped Tangier for centuries are still vibrantly present, creating a rich, living tapestry of traditions and stories.
Beyond the markets, you’ll find Tangier’s creative heart beating in unexpected places, like an old cinema transformed into a hub for conversation and coffee. Join us as we embark on a journey through Tangier, where you’ll uncover its history, creativity, and the captivating stories of its remarkable people.
Tangier is the city where the Mediterranean meets the ocean through the mythical Pillars of Hercules. A borderland, a crossroads of peoples, a place where magic, history, culture, and life intertwine in a warm and powerful embrace, just like Africa.
Day 1 - A first taste of Tangier and the sunset at Cap Spartel
Be sure to book a room at the splendid Villa Mabrouka - once the residence of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, and now an amazing hotel. Enjoy a welcome drink on the terrace and start to savor Tangier’s unique beauty. Even if you’ll feel like never leaving this beautiful place, trust us - the city has a lot to offer!
Walk 10 minutes and pass through Bab Al Bahr - you’ll get a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea from the Kasbah’s entrance. A few meters away there’s the Kasbah Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, both worth a visit. If you’re there around lunch time, you can make a quick stop at the Salon Bleu, to enjoy some local dishes with a beautiful view of the sea.
Continue walking around the kasbah - we loved exploring every single alley. Here you’ll find local artisanal shops - such as Au Fil de Tanger - as well as art galleries and museums. Be sure not to miss a coffee at Café Baba, a unique place where, together with a nice coffee you’ll enjoy an amazing view of the city.
Right in Grand Socco there’s the Cinema Rif - a must see not only for its fascinating beauty, but also for the “social” role it has acquired over time. In fact, Cinema Rif is not only a movie theatre, but one of the main places of gathering for local people, who love to meet and chat over a cup of coffee or tea inside or outside of it.
Return to the hotel and ask them to call a taxi to take you to Cap Spartel and wait there for you until you’ve enjoyed the beautiful sunset overlooking the coast. It’s less than a 30 minutes drive and totally worth it.
If you have time, you can also stop on the way to Rmilat Park and the DonaboGardens, as well as proceeding 5 km further to find the Hercules Caves - famous for their geological characteristics as well as mythological importance.
End your day with a beautiful dinner at El Morocco Club - hands down the best restaurant of Tangier - followed by a drink in its retrò basement, listening to live music.
Day 2 - Chefchaouen, the Blue city
Wake up early and enjoy an amazing breakfast on Villa Mabrouka’s terrace, then head to Chefchaouen - the night before ask the hotel to book you a taxi. It’s more or less a 2 hours drive to get to the blue city. Depending on how much time you have, you can also consider stopping on the way to Tetouan.
Approaching Chefchaouen, you’ll start seeing the buildings’ colors changing - getting from withe to all kind of shades of blue. Immerse yourself in this unique city, where every corner is different from the other, on one condition: being some kind of blue. Try to avoid the main and tourist-crowded streets, and get lost in the backroads that will lead you to the real essence of the place, where you can enjoy your walk and stare at the life of this magic place slowly flowing in front of you.
Return to Tangier in time to either enjoy a nice drink or - even better - try the hotel’s wonderful hammam, in which you can get a treatment both solo or as a couple.
For dinner, if you’re celebrating a special occasion (or actually just ‘cause), you can ask the hotel to organize an unforgettable three courses private dinner in an original kiosk designed by Pier Bergé and later fully hand painted.
Day 3 - Enjoy Tangier’s cultural energy
Tangier is a city with a vibrant cultural energy and you’ll want to take enough time to enjoy it. Be sure to check out the opening days and hours especially of the galleries to be sure not to miss your favorites. Ours was the Galerie Conil.
Start the day with the visit to the American Legation Museum and the Lorin Foundation - a former synagogue with a nice collection of historical pictures. Proceed through the Cervantes Grand Theatre and stop at the Galerie Tindouf, where you can see and buy local antiques products, from textiles to porcelain and many more. If you want to have a break, the Gran Café de Paris - a staple for locals as well as for tourists - is right next to it. Probably the best spot in the city for people watching.
A few meters away, you’ll find a less known neighborhood that you surely don’t want to miss - nice small streets with interesting book stores and shops. Even if you don’t have much time, be sure to make a stop at Les Insolites book store, Librairie des Colonnes and KIOSK - an amazing creative space with a cultural and social function.
After a last lunch at Villa Mabrouka, it’s time to say goodbye and head to the airport.
If you’d like some help in designing your Tangier or Morocco’s itinerary, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Our practical suggestions for you
How long: 3 days minimum, ideally 4-6 days
Season: Prefer the periods between the end of September and early January or from the end of March to the end of June. Avoid the months between July and September when it gets tremendously hot.
How to travel through the country: Self drive or just walk and call a taxi when you need to go longer distances
Shopping addresses: Las Chicas, De Velasco, Topolina, Au Fil de Tanger
Other hotels: Hotel Nord-Pinus, Dar Nour, La Tangerina
