Tangier

Tangier

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Tangier is the gateway to Africa for many visitors; travelers in Europe find it easy to take a quick ferry from Spain to the port of Tangier. The city has long been a key location on the Mediterranean Sea and it was a playground for adventure seekers and the rich and famous, attracting all those seeking a tax haven or a mystic destination, from authors and artists to aristocrats. Regular visitors included the likes of Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams, and Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton and Paul Bowles. The city has been and will always remain a popular tourist destination. Tangier’s grandeur has a lot to offer; from its palm-tree promenade and sandy beaches to the old town section and the outlying villages and resorts. The highly developed hotel infrastructure in the city is clean and well-equipped which makes a vacation in tangier memorable and worthwhile.
 
What to see in Tangier:
 
The Medina: Tangier's Medina (old city) is a lively place, its alleyways are filled with shops and tea-houses. Gift shops are plentiful here, do your shopping here if this is your only stop.
 
The American Legation: Morocco was the first nation to recognize American independence, and the USA established a diplomatic mission in Tangier in 1821. Now a museum, the American Legation is located in the southwest corner of the medina and worth a look. The museum houses some fascinating art including a room dedicated to Paul Bowles, and works by Eugene Delacroix, Yves Saint Laurent and James McBeay.
 
Place de France: Is the heart of ville nouvelle and the social focal point for the middle classes in Tangier. A good place to sip some tea and enjoy the sea view is the highly recommended Terrasse des Paresseux just east of the Place.
 
The Kasbah: The Kasbah is located high on a hill in Tangier with some good views of the ocean. The old Sultan's palace (built in the 17th Century) lies within the Kasbah's walls, is known as Dar El Makhzen and is now a museum that houses fine examples of Moroccan art.
 
The Grand Souk: A large square at the main entrance of the medina is a busy transport hub and a good place to watch the chaos of traffic, carts and people go about their daily routines.
 
The Beaches: The beaches closest to town are rather crowded. The best beaches are found west and south  of town towards Asilah.
 
Excursions in the region include:
 
Cap Spartel & the Caves of Hercules: The beautiful Bay of Tangier has the cape of Malabata to the east and the cape of Spartel, both of which are places of great beauty and archeological significance worth visiting on a day trip from the city of tangier. Traveling to the west, visitors will come across the fascinating site of Caves of Hercules with its unique stone-framed window in the shape of Africa, as well as the beautiful gardens of La Montagne. With abundant cork and pine forests covering the hill. The Caves of Hercules (Grottes d'Hercule) form part of the rocky area around five kilometers from the lighthouse of Cap Spartel, after which the sandy shoreline stretches as far as the eye can see.
 
Chefchaouen: No trip north is complete without a visit to the amazing and must see mountain town of Chefchaouen.
 
Asilah: One could not miss a visit to the stunning city of Asilah while treveling in this part of the country.
 
Tetouan: About 40km southeast of Tangier is the gorgeous city of Tetouan; beautifully located on a hillside with a view over the Mediterranean and its medina whch is located in the old part of town is a listed among UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. The city has a picturesque and active market called the Grand Souk and is worth the trip.