16 Fun Things to Do in Tangier

The historical city of Tangier has a fascinating and colorful past and it has been Europe’s gateway to Africa for centuries.

From 1925 to 1956, Tangier was deemed an international zone, which was loosely governed by France, Spain and Britain. The “Interzone” had a reputation for tolerance, cultural diversity, religion, and bohemianism, so the city became a cosmopolitan mecca for artists, writers, intellectuals, business men, vagabonds and spies. By the early 1950s, nearly 150,000 people lived in Tangier, and almost half of this population was foreign.

Tangier was of essential significance during the Beat generation, attracting Jack Kerouac, Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, and Paul Bowles, to name a few. William S. Burroughs wrote his famous novel “Naked Lunch”, while he was living in Tangier.

However, when Morocco came back into power over Tangier in 1957, the fun was over in the wild, lawless city. The change wasn’t well received by many of the western expats in Tangier, so by the late 1970s, many of these expats left Tangier, and the city fell on hard times.

Today, the result in Tangier is a unique mix of Morocco, Spain, France and Portugal.

At only a 32km ferry from Spain, you can visit Tangier on a day trip, but Tangier and Morocco deserve a lot more time than just one day, if you can make the time.

Morocco is extremely photogenic, and Tangier is no exception. I loved walking around, taking it all in and people watching. Tangier is a very walkable city and everything you’ll want to see is conveniently close together. I walked from the ferry port to my accommodation (a friend’s apartment) near the medina. Most accommodation in Tangier seems to be near the medina.

My visit to Tangier was my first stop on my second trip to Morocco. This was my first time in Tangier, but I had returned to Morocco because I needed to see Chefchaouen and Akchour waterfall again. And because Morocco is one of my favorite countries for street photography. I had one day to explore Tangier, but it would’ve been nice to have an extra day.

16 FUN THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN TANGIER

PEOPLE WATCH OVER A MINT TEA

Cafe culture is strong in Morocco and people watching is one of the best things to do in Morocco. Relax at a cafe with a tea or coffee and watch the world go by. Some great places to do this are:

GRAN CAFE DU PARIS – Opened in 1927, this is one of the oldest and most famous cafes in Tangier. It was an essential hangout and place of inspiration for many known artists and writers like Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs and Paul Bowles. Presently, the charming cafe is very much as it was years ago, which makes you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. It’s a great place to get a mint tea and read, journal and observe life around you while you relax in a oversized plush leather chair, while sharply dressed waiters deliver excellent service. The famous cafe also made an appearance in The Bourne Ultimatum.
Gran Cafe du Paris

GRAND SOCCO – The large square at the main entrance of the medina is a bustling hub and a great place to observe life. This is where you’ll find Cinema Rif.
CINEMA RIF – A vintage movie theatre where you can watch both alternative and mainstream films. The cinema also has a cafe that is very popular among the young locals and artists of Tangier.
PETIT SOCCO – This area within the medina was once one of the greatest souks (markets) in all of Morocco. By the 1950s, it was a place of drug deals and prostitution. Today, it’s a great square for people-watching over a mint tea.

GET LOST IN AND AROUND THE MEDINA

The old walled city is a lively labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets filled with life, shops and cafes. If you want to shop, but if you’re visiting other places in Morocco, you’ll find better deals elsewhere, like Chefchaouen (which I highly recommend!). If Tangier is your only stop in Morocco, then shop away. tangier

VISIT THE KASBAH

This fortress is the highest point of Tangier, which means it has great views of the city. This is where you’ll find….

EXPLORE DAR EL MAKHZEN (Kasbah museum) – Within the Kasbah’s walls, this former palace dates back to the 17th century and it’s where you’ll find the Museum of Moroccan art.

GO TO THE BEACH

Which is very accessible at just a short walk from the medina. There’s usually a camel or two hanging out, which are waiting to take you for a short ride for 10D ($1US). It’s a popular photo opportunity for those who don’t have time to make it to the Sahara Desert. Because Tangier is a port city, the water isn’t very nice for swimming, so if you want to swim, you can head to the beaches further out of the city.

VISIT A SOUK (market)

The biggest souk is in the medina, near Grand Socco, which is where you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, spices, meat, etc. Whether you plan to buy anything or not, it’s very worthwhile to check it out. I highly recommend trying some figs in Morocco. They’re so delicious and so cheap at 20D per kilo ($2US, and you don’t have to buy a whole kilo), which is an absolute steal because if you’re from a western country, I guarantee a very small box of 8-10 figs would cost close to $10. Tangier

ENJOY LIVE MUSIC AT LES FILS DU DÉTROIT

This group of Arab-Andalusian musicians have played together for 40 years. The nightly jam sessions are free, but donations are appreciated.

VISIT A HAMMAM

Get a good scrub and relaxing massage.

CHILL AT CAFE HAFA

This iconic cafe from the 1920s sits on a cliff overlooking the bay. While the cafe is famous for its mint tea and the view of the Strait of Gibraltar and Spain, it’s even more famous as a hangout for many singers and writers of the early 20th century, like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and William S. Burroughs.

VISIT DARNA – THE WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF TANGIER

Enjoy a mint tea and/or meal in their peaceful, sunny courtyard and check out the boutique that sells the crafts and clothing made by women at DARNA. DARNA is a community house to help women and children in need. It’s a space where women can learn to read and write, as well as learn income-generating skills to gain financial independence. It’s always nice to support women, especially in a country where the culture isn’t favorable for women.

EAT THE SEAFOOD

Tangier is on the coast, so it would be rude to not take advantage of the plentiful seafood it has to offer.

TREAT YOURSELF TO LE SAVEUR DU POISSON

Made famous by Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, this cozy restaurant dishes out the best traditional Mediterranean-Moroccan seafood in the region. There’s no menu; instead, everyone gets the same 4 course meal with the fresh catch of the day, for 200D per person (about $20US). It is a very small and very popular restaurant, so there will likely be a wait.

DAY TRIPS FROM TANGIER

ASILAH – A small, artsy, laid back coastal town. 45 minutes from Tangier.

CAP SPARTEL – An amazing view of where the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea meet. 30 minutes from Tangier

CAVE OF HERCULES – These caves along the ocean date back to 2500BC. One cave has an opening that resembles the shape of continental Africa. 30 minutes from Tangier.

CHEFCHAOUEN – This can be visited on a day trip, but I highly recommend more than one day. It’s my favorite place in Morocco and one of my favorite places in the world.