Who has heard of Tangier?
I had not. I knew almost nothing about Morocco before I came, let alone Tangier. But most people I meet wish they had stayed longer in Tangier.
Here are 10 reasons why Tangier is a great place and worth stopping for.
1. Tangier Medina
Tangier’s small medina is a nice friendly look-see of what a medina is like. “Medina” is simply the word for town centre, but it usually refers to the ancient walled city typically a maze of streets and gates designed to confuse the enemy. The Tangier medina is a hillside of white painted riads with sea views of Spain, similar to the ones you can see from Blue Door Cuisine while they serve and explain the traditions of Moroccan tea, or from where you can participate in one of their events and learn how to cook an amazing Moroccan dish such as tajine.
A riad is a traditional Moroccan house with a courtyard, open at the top to keep it cool. In Tangier the locals are much friendlier than elsewhere.
2. Mint Tea and Café Culture
Morocco is a café society. Every second shop seems to be a café. They are perfect for watching life pass on the streets over a glass of café latte or sweet tea with fresh mint – actually, a rather pleasant meditative sort of thing. The cheaper the better.
Try Café Tingis in the middle of the medina. It is far classier now – the drug sellers and prostitutes who used to line the wall opposite Café Tingis are now long gone! Cinema Rif at Grand Socco is a bit fancier, but also nice for watching life, looking as it does onto the fountain square. The next fountain up is Café de Paris with its 1930s art deco style, the setting of a major scene in the Bourne Ultimatum movie.
Unmissable for views of Spain and the sea, especially at sunset, is Café Hafa above the medina. Check out the Phoenician graves dug into the clifftop just before you get there.
Check out Blue Door Cuisine food events to find out more, including how to make your own mint tea.
3. Gateway to Europe, Ocean and Beach
Tangier faces Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar. The ferry makes the crossing in less than an hour. Not only is all of Europe at the doorstep, but Tangier is on the tip with the Mediterranean on one side, and the Atlantic on its other side.
Within half an hour you can walk down to Tangier Bay, or catch a taxi to the ocean at Achakkar Beach. There is almost always a pleasant sea breeze to take the edge off the summer heat, making Tangier pleasant even in the summer.
There is also an excellent, modern train to Casablanca, with connections making Fes and Marrakech just a 3- and 5-hour trip away.
4. Mythology and the Cave of Hercules
Near Achakkar you can visit the Cave of Hercules where Hercules is supposed to have slept just before completing his 11th labour. You can walk down to and through it, with picturesque sea views, and a special treat at sunset.
5. Chefchouen
This beautiful blue city can be seen in just a day trip from Tangier. The entire medina of this little town has been painted blue, with picturesque photo opportunities at every corner, the usual collection of Moroccan cats posing to perfection. Finish on a rooftop for tea and an amazing sunset.
6. The American Legation
This stately home was the first embassy of the US as a new nation. What’s more, the USA was the first nation to acknowledge Morocco as an independent country.
Bridging an alleyway near the Spanish Steps, the American Legation is also a museum, including some of Tangier’s history, especially contributions from Paul Bowles, American writer and composer, who collected and recorded the local Moroccan gnaoua music, and translated the stories of Tangawi storyteller, Mohamed Mrabet.
Paul Bowles’ book “The Sheltering Sky” was made into a movie filmed in Tangier. The Kasbah Museum is also worth a visit, and the gaol museum nearby.
7. Tangier – Over 2,500 years old
Tangier was named after a god of the original Amazigh/Berber people called Tingis. As a city it was founded in the 10th century BCE by the Phoenicians, with waves of Carthaginians, Greeks and Romans, Jews, and in the 700s the Moors with Islam.
It the 20th century it was occupied by the French, and made into an International Zone from 1923 to 1956. Including the Spanish, French and Americans, up to 7 different countries had control over different parts of the city. Each nation added its building style.
The royal palace is at the top near the Hafa café.
8. The Rich and Famous
Especially as an International Zone (1923-1956), Tangier had a great appeal as a place to visit and live for the rich and famous who felt restricted by the more conservative Europe of the time. Besides the American writer and composer Paul Bowles (who came in 1947), there was also French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent who lived in Villa Mabrouka at the top of the medina, and was visited by people like Mick Jagger. Villa Mabrouka is now a boutique hotel and restaurant.
The El Minzah Hotel near Grand Socco has photos of its many visitors, from Winston Churchill to Tom Hiddleston. The TangerInn Bar was frequented by writer Jack Kerouac. Artist Antonio Fuentes stayed in the Fuentes Hotel and café in the medina, and Henri Matisse painted the medina, including from in front of Interzone Tangier near the Kasbah.
9. Movie Location
Many foreign movies are filmed in Morocco, including Tangier. Some have included the third Jason Bourne movie with a scene at Café de Paris, James Bond movie Spectre filmed near the Kasbah, and Inception filmed in the souq markets near Grand Socco.
Check my article above, 5 Movie Locations in Tangier, for a half day walking tour of filming locations in Tangier.
10. Fresh Produce
Produce in Tangier is of superb quality, especially what you buy in the markets. Most of it was in the ground or on the tree at breakfast. The tangerines – named after Tangier – are sweet and delicious in autumn. Cherries, nectarines and peaches are amazing in summer. Figs, watermelon, and various melons are sweet and delicious when in season. Persimmons make some of the best juice, competing even with the freshly squeezed orange juice stands.
And what about a cactus fruit? In the early summer, you can find little stands. Vendors peel them ready for you to eat the green or sometimes red fruit. They are sweet and worth a try.
Written by OzzyHopper
Check https://ozzyhopper.com/misadventures for more information on Tangier, and misadventures in Morocco and elsewhere.
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