Tangier & Region
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For decades, between 1920 and the late 1950’s, Tangier was a playground for adventure seekers and the rich and famous, attracting all those seeking a tax haven or a mystic destination; from authors to artists, and spies to aristocrats.
Regular visitors included the likes of Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams, and Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton. When Spain relinquished Tangier back to Morocco in 1960 its duty-free status went with it, and the city lost a great deal of its flair.
Tourism is slowly increasing once more, though; visitors succumbing to the city’s proximity to Europe are discovering that its decayed grandeur still has much to offer, from its palm-treed promenade and sandy beach to the old town section, and the outlying villages and resorts.
Seasoned Moroccan visitors, however, warn that it is best not to take on Tangier until you are acclimatised to the rest of the country, and to be vigilant as regards safety after dark.
Despite it’s fall from glory, a stylish café society has once again begun to build up in modern day Tangier’s boulevards, and the merchants in the medina (old city) are doing a good trade with tourists exploring the maze of narrow streets, all within sight of the Spanish coast across the straits of Gibraltar.
An essential part of a visit to Tangier is to promenade along the beach, which extends along a curve for several kilometres.
Attractions.
American Legation: In the midst of the old medina in Tangier, America has provided a thriving cultural centre, museum, conference venue and library in the only historic landmark of the United States that is located abroad.
The American Legation Museum is housed in the American Embassy, established in Tangier back in 1777 when Morocco became the first power that recognised the United States of America as an independent country.
The museum houses art collections and restored rooms. Guided tours are offered. Contact Name: Mr Idrissi [tangiertour@gmail.com] Direct Telephone: 0021268702424.
Asilah: The fishing village of Asilah, south of Tangier, has become a popular seaside resort because of its nearby Paradise Beach, relaxing ambience, and picturesque 15th century Andalusian medina, which extends to the sea wall.
The town is small enough to explore on foot (donkey carts are also a fun option) and is renowned for its restaurants specialising in seafood.
It is accessible from Tangier by train, which makes it a popular spot for young tourists to recuperate after seeing the sights of the city.
Chefchaouen: This beautiful medieval town, a short drive from Tangier in the mountain region, has a distinctive Spanish character, having been settled by Spanish refugees in the middle ages.
The medina of the town has become renowned as one of the most charming in Morocco, with whitewashed gabled houses where craftsmen sit contentedly in their shops sewing caftans and embroidering jellabahs.
The medina is dominated by a 17th-century Great Mosque, which fronts a picturesque square dotted with mulberry trees and inviting restaurants. The square is surrounded by souks selling carpets, leather goods, pottery and copper ware.
Dar el Makhzen: A collection of art from all over Morocco is housed in the imposing Dar el Makhzen, the former Sultan’s palace dating from the 17th century, which dominates the Tangier kasbah.
The art collections are sited in the prince’s apartments, which are breathtaking with their frescoed ceilings, sculptured plasterwork and intricate mosaics.
The art on display has been assembled from all regions of Morocco, and includes firearms decorated with marquetry; pottery; carpets from Rabat; silks; and bound manuscripts from Fez.
The Dar el Makhzen palace is home, too, to a fascinating museum of antiquities relating to Morocco’s pre-history, gathered from sites such as Lixus, Cotta and Volubilis.
The museum includes a life-sized model of a Carthaginian tomb, and a reproduction of an ancient necropolis, which is sited in a peaceful Andalusian garden.
Forbes Museum: Tangier boasts many beautiful palatial residences of varying styles and variety in its Marshan villa district, about 15 minutes walk from the medina.
One of the most attractive of these is on the Rue Muhammed Tazi, and used to belong to United States multi-millionaire media magnate, Malcolm Forbes.
The house is open to the public and contains Forbes’ collection of miniature soldiers, about 8,000 of them!
Grand Socco: The word ‘socco’ is the Spanish version of ‘souk’, or market, which has stuck to this square in the heart of Tangier because of its Spanish heritage.
The square is, however, no longer a marketplace, but rather a city crossroads and huge taxi rank, fronted by cafes, outside the walled in, old part of the city.
The Grand Socco has developed something of a reputation for being a meeting place for criminals and drug dealers, but it is still an interesting spot to spend time watching the passing parade and the Rif women in colourful traditional costume touting vegetables and fresh mint.
It is also the jumping off point for entry to the medina, and for admiring the luxuriant Mendoubia Gardens on the north side, and the mosaic-studded minaret of the Sidi Bou Abid Mosque to the west.
Kasbah: Tangier’s 17th century fortified residential quarter, or Kasbah, is a place of arcades, winding alleys and hidden terraces, where it is possible to wander among the wealthy homes and sometimes manage a peep behind the unprepossessing facades, enjoying views of the medina and the bay.
The Kasbah mosque features an interesting octagonal minaret, and stands in the mechovar (parade ground).
Visitors are welcomed at the Sultan’s Gardens in the Rue Riad Sultan to the north of the mechovar, where they can watch local craftsmen at work and sit awhile on the terrace of the Moorish café Le Detroit.
On a clear day it is possible to see the Spanish city of Tarifa about 18 miles (30km) away.
Tangier, mysterious Africa's Mesmerizing Gateway, Reflects a History rich in the influence of the Many cultures that have attempted to Possess the highly Coveted Strategic Prize of the Mediterranean.
The city's cultural attractions offer innumerable intimations of a diverse past, with extant vestiges attributed to such peoples as the Phoenicians, the Berbers, and the Spaniards.
Fated to forever be a diverse, cosmopolitan city,(Tangier) experienced a massive influx of refugees from every corner of the world when it was declared an international free zone in the 1950's. At their height, the migrations produced a foreign population reaching 60,000 in a city with a total of 425,000 inhabitants.
As with most Moroccan cities, (Tangier) possesses its centrally located Medina, a hub of activity containing picturesque markets known as the Grand Socco and the Petit Socco, both principal areas of commerce and trade.
The markets display the craftsmanship which has won Morocco its reputation for producing artisanry of unparalleled quality and intricacy.
Atop one of Tangier's many rolling hills, the Place de la Kasbah offers its visitors an astounding panorama of the of the city, and, on a clear day, a beautiful view of the nearby shores of Spain floating on the Mediterranean horizon.
Because of its unique diversity and its unconventional beauty,Tangier has attracted a devout tourist following which has included many people of note.
During the decade of the 50's, beat generation writer William S. Burroughs spent several years in Tangiers, frequently accompanied by his contemporaries Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.
More recently, publishing mogul Malcolm Forbes purchased the Palais du Mendoub as a base for the Arabian operations of his well-known magazine.
A visit to Tangier will be made more Enjoyable and Meaningful with a Good Guide. We can find the right Guide for you, whether you require a Monumental or walking tour.
Guided Tours are fun! As well as learning a lot about the place you visit, you will be surprised, amused, thrilled and moved as you discover the delights of Tangier with a good tourist Guide.
Direct Call: 0021268702424
Tangier and Outskirts:
Our itinerary entailed:
Tangier & Outskirts (Extra-Superior Tour): air conditioned minibus, beautiful drive thru richest area of zone of villas & palaces passing via king's palace & celebrities homes.
Visit Cape Spartel which is the NE western point of Africa, exact point where Mediterranean and Atlantic ocean meet. Visit Caves of Hercules.
Take pictures of camels and ride on a camel. Go to old city to visit kasbah, medina, American Legation and mendoubia & markets for shopping etc... Option to visit to a Public Collective Hammam With Massage.
TETOUAN /CHEFCHAOUEN: Depart from Tangier to "White Bird" located in the Rif Mountains.
Tetouan is a unique combination of Arab and Andalusian cultures. Visit new town where you will see Hassan II Square, governor’s palace, Spanish garden, the first North African mosque and the walls of the Kasbah.
Enter medina through Bab el Okla and continue on for a walking tour of the old town. This tour will include the Jewish section, the Andalucian section, the Berber market, the ladies market, Guersa el Kbira and a visit to the Ethnographic and Craft Museums.
Leave the old town, stop for refreshment and then continue to Chefchaoen, one of the most beautiful towns in Morocco.
Chefchaouen is a typical Berber village.
A tour of this blue and white village includes Palace El Makhzen and famous square Uta el Hamman and the medina.
Departure through Rif Mountains back to The "Bride of the North", Tangier for overnight.
ASILAH /SUNDAY MARKET (Sunday Only): Breakfast at hotel. Journey into Rif Mountains to visit a traditional Berber souk (market) which gathers weekly.
Visit Souk al Arba, "the Sunday Market". The souk is one of the typical features of rural life in Morocco. Here, agrarian people come from the neighboring hills to sell their good and buy what they will need for the coming week.
A well as finding local merchants, you will find the craftsman – one fixing shoes, the other welding a tea pot, the hairdresser and the soothsayers (medicine-men).
You will also find the blacksmiths and the local dentist practicing his trade without any of the modern amenities.
A visit to the rural souk is truly a journey back in time. En route back to Tangier, visit Asilah, the fortified Portuguese village 46 km south of Tangier on the Atlantic cost.
In Asilah, visit the Bab Homar, the Berber Kasbah, the Palace of Raisouli and enjoy the relaxing ambiance and quaint beauty of the town.
