Tangier Town: Your Gateway to Moroccan Wonders

Tangier town, often hailed as the economic gateway of Morocco, offers a strikingly different and more laid-back vibe compared to southern cities like Marrakech, making it a fantastic starting point for any Moroccan adventure. Situated at the northern tip of Morocco, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea, Tangier has historically been a crossroads of cultures, trade, and innovation. My first visit to Tangier was a result of finding a $12 flight from France, and since then, I’ve returned over a dozen times, finding it a truly authentic and less tourist-trappy destination well worth including in your Morocco itinerary.

Why Tangier Town is Worth Visiting

If you’re wondering, “Is Tangier Morocco worth visiting?” the answer is a resounding yes. It’s a convenient transit hub with an international airport and a lightning-fast TGV train connecting it to Casablanca in just two hours. The city provides a true taste of local life in its buzzing squares and boasts stunning coastal scenery. The atmosphere is notably laid back, and locals are described as friendly and helpful without expecting anything in return. Travelers often find it to be a very safe city to walk around, even for women traveling alone.

Must-Do Things to Do in Tangier Morocco

When planning what to do in Tangier Morocco, exploring the medina is at the top of the list. This old city is a labyrinth of white-washed buildings adorned with exotic flowers and greenery, offering ocean views and artisan shops. For a deeper understanding of its history, consider a guided tour of Tangier’s medina.

Just outside the medina, the Grand Socco, also known as 9 April 1947 Square, is a massive gathering place filled with cafes and restaurants. It’s an ideal spot for lunch and people-watching. For a unique coffee or tea experience, visit Cafe Hafa, perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, a city mainstay for chilling out.

A short walk from Cafe Hafa are the Phoenician Tombs, where you can soak in magnificent ocean views and learn about the area’s early settlers. This open expanse features 98 tombs carved into the rocky cliff, with views of Gibraltar visible across the water. It’s also a favorite spot for people-watching.

For cultural insights, the Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures, housed in an old sultan’s palace, is a must-see for its historic treasures and maps. Nearby, the Museum of Contemporary Art offers a change of pace with regional artists’ works and a stunning garden. Don’t miss Baba Cafe, a Tangier institution for over 80 years, famous for its historical association with the Rolling Stones and a great place for coffee or tea.

You can also enjoy the Tangier Beach, easily accessible from the city center for walks or picnics, and even adventure activities like horseback riding or quad biking. The Main Market (souk), located under the Grand Socco, is a vibrant place to experience local life, offering a bounty of olives, spices, fresh fish, and produce.

For a taste of downtown life, wander around the urban centers outside the medina, especially Avenue Mohammed V, which comes alive after sunset with locals shopping and socializing.

Historic Attractions: Tangier Morocco Attractions

Among the key Tangier Morocco attractions, the Tangier American Legation Museum stands out. It’s the only US National Historic Landmark in a foreign country and showcases the deep history of US-Moroccan relations through documents, artwork, and artifacts. This museum is open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, with an entrance fee of 50 dirhams for tourists. Morocco was the first country to recognize the U.S. when it gained independence.

The Great Mosque of Tangier, built in 1684, is an architectural marvel worth seeing, though entry is restricted to Muslims.

Culinary Delights in Tangier Town

Tangier offers incredible food experiences. A guided food tour with a local can help you discover hidden culinary gems. For breakfast, the Fendak Dar Dbagh co-op offers the best traditional Moroccan breakfast spread, along with unique artisan wares sold by female artisans. For lunch with a view, Le Salon Bleu provides panoramic sea views from its top terrace, serving delicious Moroccan tapas and fresh juice.

A unique aspect of local life in Morocco, including Tangier town, is the use of community ovens. Locals prepare their bread at home and bring the loaves to a neighborhood community oven to be cooked. This practice highlights a strong sense of community and shared resources.

Discovering Jewish Heritage in Morocco Tangier

Tangier has a rich Jewish history, with Jews migrating there after the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem and a second wave arriving after the 1492 Alhambra Decree expelled them from Spain and Portugal. By 1856, Tangier had become Morocco’s largest port, and its Jewish community flourished, establishing schools, hospitals, and businesses, even gaining political power with three seats on the Legislative Assembly by 1925.

While Tangier did not have a formal Jewish Mellah like other Moroccan cities, it had a distinct Jewish Quarter. Notable sites include:

• Moshe Nahon Synagogue: Located on Rue Synagogue, this lavish synagogue, renovated in 1994, is considered one of Morocco’s most beautiful and was once one of over 20 synagogues in Tangier.
• Chaar Rafael Synagogue: Converted from a Jewish-owned villa in 1954, it’s one of the last surviving synagogues, located near the Phoenician tombs.
• Beit Hahayim – Tangier Jewish Cemetery: This “old cemetery” holds over a thousand graves, some dating back to the 16th century, with tombstones in Hebrew, Portuguese, and French.
• Beit Yehuda Jewish Museum: Located inside the Assayag Synagogue, this museum is dedicated to preserving Tangier’s Jewish history and cultural heritage. King Mohammed VI has emphasized Jewish identity as an integral part of Morocco’s cultural diversity.

The American Legation Museum also has a private collection related to Berber/Jewish history and bridal gowns/dresses, further highlighting the city’s diverse heritage.

Day Trips from Tangier Town

To truly get a feel for Northern Morocco, consider these day trips from Tangier town:

• Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules: A 25-minute drive from the medina, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Strait of Gibraltar. You can see the famous lighthouse and walk to the Caves of Hercules, known for their magnificent views. A guided tour might include a camel ride.
• Chefchaouen: Known as the “Blue Pearl of Morocco,” this Instagrammable town in the Rif Mountains is a two-hour drive away and offers a striking contrast to Tangier’s hustle, with a blue medina, Kasbah museum, and Spanish Mosque. Shared taxis are available for about 70 dirhams per person.
• Tetouan: An underrated UNESCO World Heritage city, only an hour’s drive from Tangier. Its medina is a labyrinth of twisting streets, offering an authentic experience rarely visited by tourists.
• Ceuta: A small Spanish territory about an hour and a half drive from Tangier, offering a taste of Europe in North Africa. You’ll need your passport as you walk through a land border to access it.

Tangier Morocco Weather and Safety Tips

Tangier Morocco weather is generally pleasant, though it can be quite windy. The city is generally very safe for walking around, and locals are known for being helpful and polite. If you ever feel uncomfortable, you can duck into a nearby shop or restaurant. While touts may approach you, a polite “la shukran” (no, thank you) is usually sufficient for them to move on.

Getting Around Tangier Town

When in Tangier town, taxis are readily available. If heading to the Grand Socco, ask to be dropped off at “Souk Barra” or Cinema Rif, as many drivers might not recognize “Grand Socco”. It’s recommended to arrive at the Grand Socco to walk downhill into the medina, avoiding the uphill struggle with bags. For inter-city travel, the ONCF, Morocco’s train operator, offers comfortable, air-conditioned trains, including a high-speed route between Tangier and Casablanca.