12 essentials: what to see and do in Tangier (Morocco) in 1 day

One of the essential stages in a sightseeing trip in northern Morocco it is without a doubt, Tangier, a city that I have already had the opportunity to visit several times.

What's more, from Madrid or Barcelona the fastest way to travel to such an attractive area of ​​​​the neighboring country is by flying directly to Tangier airport, so the city becomes the first place to visit.

But What is essential to see and visit on a tourism trip to Tangier?

From the almost complete Tangier city highlights its history international character which gives it a special halo beyond the exoticism of other Moroccan cities.

Did you know Tangier was an international city that depended on several countries during the time of the French and Spanish protectorates, which from 1912 to 1956 covered the region of North Africa that we now know as Morocco?

Tangier, ancient international city in the north of Morocco

At that time the inhabitants of spanish protectorate that they had in Tetuan its capital and most important enclave, and those of french protectorate with Fez as capital, they needed a passport to enter Tangier.

In fact, the so-called Tangier international zone It was in force between 1923 and 1960, the latter year when Morocco, after the declaration of independence in 1956, acquired effective sovereignty over this coastal city.

El tanger protectorate It was exercised by several countries: France and Spain, which at that time had the current territory of Morocco under their sovereignty, but also the United States, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Holland.

That international interest in Tangier It has its origins many centuries ago in history, which is understood by its strategic place at the northernmost point of the African continent as one of the gateways to the Mediterranean Sea.

Curiosities of the history of Tangier

La history of the city of Tangier It dates back to the time when the Phoenicians arrived in that geographical area and named the enclave Tingis, original name of Tangier.

Tingis It was the name of a goddess who loved Hercules, who according to legend separated Europe from Africa by opening the Strait of Gibraltar.

The Romans also passed through here, of whose presence there are still some archaeological remains.

Then the Vandals arrived, until in the year 705 it was the Arabs who occupied Tangier on his way to Spain.

Later, it was the Portuguese who took the city in 1471, once again, for its strategic interest, and two centuries later ceded it to the British.

At the end of the 17th century a Moroccan sultan took control of Tangier, until at the beginning of the 20th century it was again the object of interest of foreigners with the arrival of the protectorate and the aforementioned declaration of international zone.

That was a time of great strength for Tangier, a city that attracted a wide variety of Western visitors, from artists who fostered a cultural boom, to exiles, spies, bohemian people... and also marginal people.

After Moroccan independence, the city experienced years of decline and, from a tourist point of view, became an unwelcome place for visitors.

It was precisely that situation that many years ago, and based on bad experiences of friends who visited Tangier, I decided to remove from my priorities a trip to northern morocco.

However, with the new reign of Mohammed VI, Tangier It has become a strategic point in the monarch's purpose of giving a modernization push to the country.

Crime was pursued and Tangier It has opened up to the world, facilitating the establishment of large multinational companies, turning this area into an important industrial production center.

Tanger Med, new commercial and industrial port of Tangier

This character has been fostered by the construction of Tangier Med.

It is a large and modern port for goods and passengers located 40 kilometers north of the city, in the heart of Strait of Gibraltar, and very close to Ceuta, whose first phase was inaugurated in 2007.

Nowadays Tangier Med It has surpassed important Spanish ports in the number of containers it moves, in parallel with the establishment in the vicinity of the city of large European industrial companies, including Spanish ones.

Another very important infrastructure for this Tangier transformation process is high-speed train which since the end of 2018 links this city with Casablanca y Rabat.

In this way, when you now come to Tangier you find a city with several faces.

On the one hand, a great city in clear expansion, surrounded by large industrial areas where the aforementioned international companies are located, and with a very modern area that is concentrated on its promenade located next to the city's enormous beach.

In this area you find skyscrapers with large and luxurious hotels, as well as huge shopping centers and leisure facilities.

On the other hand, Tangier It maintains its historical aspect with some old European neighborhoods that are also in the process of transformation.

The best things to see and do when visiting Tangier

From the tourist side, you Tangier visit You should start it in the historic area, on the shores of the old port, also fully remodeled, where the Ferrys from Algeciras or Tarifa.

Port of Tangier

Thus, next to said port, a huge marina for leisure boats.

In the historic area you will find two clearly delimited areas, the medina with its kasbah, and the so-called new city.

To see the latter, if you go by car, you must take the main avenue, the Boulevard Pasteur, and successively you will find the old French quarter and the new Spanish quarter.

Old Spanish neighborhood of Tangier

On this route there are institutions such as the Instituto Cervantes, Spanish schools, such as Ramón y Cajal, as well as the Spanish consulate in one of the largest and most luxurious venues in the city.

As you progress along this avenue, you will reach the British and North American areas, where you will find numerous villas.

And further on, on the way to Cape Spartel, passing through a residential area that extends across hills with lush forests, you will be able to see large mansions.

As a curiosity, I will tell you that some of them are now occupied by magnates from countries of the Arabian Gulfand Saudi Arabian Oil Ministerwho in Tangier It has an impressive palace.

But you Tangier sightseeing tour should focus on the kasbah and the medina.

Kasbah of Tangier

La Kasbah of Tangier, a former walled enclosure on top of one of the city's hills, is now a network of alleys, some of whose buildings house charming small hotels and riads of European owners.

To highlight the beautiful riad La Maison Blanche, from whose very pleasant terrace you have spectacular views of the city.

In your walk through the Kasbah, from a hole in the wall you have a good viewpoint of the old Tangier port, where you can see sections of the old Portuguese fortification.

Tangier Kasbah Museum

In the Kasbah of Tangier it's worth getting into Kasbah museum, former palace of a sultan, and also residence of the Portuguese and British governors.

In addition to seeing the building, this museum displays various objects from the history of Tangier and Morocco.

Among them, a large floor mosaic from the ancient Roman city of Volúbilis, and a large and very curious wall map of the ancient Arab occupation in the world.

Medina of Tangier

Leaving through one of the doors of the kasba You can now go down the narrow alleys of the Medina.

Through there you will reach the busiest and most commercial area, whose central point is the Little Souk square and its surroundings.

April 9 Square in Tangier

If, however, you arrive from the central area of ​​the city, to visit the medina of Tangier you must go to the April 9 square, where the main entrance to said medina is located.

Very close you have the curious anglican church of St Andrews, where a building of Muslim architecture is combined with Christian iconography and even some elements of the Hebrew religion.

Grand Hotel Ville de France in Tangier

In front of her you have the Grand Hotel Ville de France, recently renovated, where the French painter once stayed Delacroix and later on, Matisse, the famous French impressionist who lived in Tangier, and where he created several of his most famous works.

It is worth going up to its terrace from where you have beautiful panoramic views of the medina.

On your walk through the lower part of the medina you will go through streets of a certain width and you will visit the traditional souks where there are many clothing stores and remembrances, which shows you that Tangier is quite a tourist city.

Of course, in the Tangier medina don't expect to find the exoticism of others medinas of Morocco, like the Chefchaouen, or the authenticity of the Tetuan.

In the medina you will also see the old italian neighborhood, with buildings and corners that in some way can remind you of Nápoles.

Tangier beach and boardwalk

The other side of the city that you should see during your visit is reflected in the surroundings of the enormous Tangier beach five kilometers long.

A large promenade with leisure areas has recently been inaugurated there, while skyscrapers have been built with large, modern hotels from the most famous chains in the world.

It is also an area where, because it is frequented by tourists and foreign visitors, it will be easy to see patrols of armed soldiers walking around in their work to protect against possible terrorist attacks.

Undoubtedly, Tangier It is already beginning to show the image of a very modern city, in contrast to corners more linked to its past rise as an international city, such as its historic hotels.

In this regard, in addition to the aforementioned Hotel Ville

of France, in others historic Tangier hotels as El-Minzah or Continental hotel You can also relive the presence of illustrious international figures through black and white photos.

Café Hafa in Tangier

Or also in the famous Hafa Coffee, with its tables on multi-level terraces, a great viewpoint towards Spain, an authentic place (but very very crowded...) to have a mint tea.

This now mythical place used to be frequented, among other famous visitors to Tangier, by the American writer Paul bowles or Rolling Stones, where they smoked hashish.

What to see around Tangier

If you have time, it is worth surroundings of Tangier you approach the Cape Spartel,

Cape Spartel in Tangier

Located about 14 kilometers west of the city, on its pleasant terrace you can sit and enjoy the views of the Spanish coast next to the Cape Lighthouse.

Hercules Grottoes in Tangier

And nearby you can go see the reopened ones Hercules Grottoes, a beautiful tourist enclave. Or also have a tea (at a “European” price) on the spectacular terrace of the very luxurious and exclusive hotel Le Mirage, overlooking the stunning beach that stretches to the south.

Medina of Asilah near Tangier

And, of course, you can also visit the beautiful medina of Asilah, about 30 kilometers south on the shores of the Atlantic coast, one of the most charming enclaves in northern Morocco.