Today we are headed to Tangier after spending 24 hours in Casablanca.
Tangier, perched on the northwestern tip of Morocco, is a vibrant city pulsating with history, culture, and stunning Mediterranean views. Its strategic location has made it a melting pot of influences, from Phoenician and Roman eras to French colonial rule and its present-day status as a cosmopolitan hub.
Wander through the labyrinthine alleys of the ancient medina, where colorful spices paint the air and artisans showcase their crafts. Climb the Kasbah fortress for panoramic vistas of the Tangier Bay, the Straits of Gibraltar and on a clear day, Spain! Whether you're seeking historical intrigue, cultural immersion, or simply a relaxing beach escape, Tangier offers an unforgettable experience
HOW TO GET TO TANGIER, MOROCCO:
For those already in Morocco, ONCF offers a high speed train connecting Casablanca’s Casa Voyeurs station to Tangier’s Ville Railway Station. You can move between the two cities in just 2 hour and 10 minutes. It is possible to prebuy your ticket, but the ONCF website is not the best and everything can be done at the Casa Voyeurs station anyway. Once in Tangier, just look for one of the MANY taxi drivers who will be happy to drive you to your next hotel. A ride to Tangier’s medina should cost you around 15 dirhams.
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED TO VISIT TANGIER?:
We had a busy Morocco itinerary with many stops and ultimately decided that 2 days aka 48 hours was best for our overall trip. This ended up being perfect and I would recommend doing the same. The medina its self is overall fairly small and you can definitely cover it in a day. Read on to see how we spent our second day in Tangier below.
The Hercules Caves are a popular day trip from Tangier and can be added as a third day for those interested, otherwise 2 days should suffice!
WHERE TO STAY FOR 48 HOURS IN TANGIER:
Hotel Rembrandt
Bd Mohammad V & Bd Pasteur, Tangier, Morocco
We paid just around 45 euros per night and its location was great for walking to and from the medina. This was one of the more modern stays we had while in Morocco – very equivalent to a hotel you would find in the US. The weather was too cold, but it even has a pool if you visit during the summer.
WHERE TO EAT FOR 48 HOURS IN TANGIER:
Abou Tayssir its Syrian food but you will not regret this stop after having Moroccan food for 14 days straight!
Gran Café de Paris an easy stop for an espresso and pastry breakfast
Any cafe in the Petit Socco
Cafe Hafa more on this later
Les Fils du Détroit this in my opinion is a must do.
WHAT TO DO FOR 48 HOURS IN TANGIER: DAY 1
The main stop in Tangier is going to be the medina! What sets Tangier’s apart from others in Morocco is the white color of all its walls and buildings. From your hotel, I recommend to start by heading to the Grand Socco. This wide plaza has some great options for lunch should you be hungry and really is the start of the medina’s markets. From here make your way, directly or not, to the Dar el Makhzen (the royal palace) and Bab Kasbah. This is where the prettiest buildings of the medina can be seen, some even set against the sea. You will get lost here but exploring is half the fun. Be sure to pause at the Bab Al Bahr for a scenic view of Tangier’s port and external view of the medina.
You can then head toward the Petit Socco for an espresso with all of the locals. Shop along the way for rugs, leather goods and souvenirs – but be careful where you pause as the vendors can be aggressive. You likely will be invited in for a Moroccan mint tea or a view of the medina from their roof. The view is scenic but be warned that you may be in for the long haul when they start pulling out all of their rugs and begging you to stay for a viewing.
Before dinner, immerse yourself in Moroccan culture with the visit to the Les Fils du Détroit. It’s a small, communal café with nightly jam sessions. Here you can drink a mint tea and be serenaded with traditional Arabic music. Its an experience that you’ll have a hard time replicating elsewhere!
DAY 2 OF YOUR 48 HOURS IN TANGIER, MOROCCO:
Today we are headed toward the Phoenecian Tombs. It’s a decently long but pleasant walk and you can hit parts of the medina you may have missed yesterday along the way. The Phoenecian Tombs were one of my favorite sites in Tangier and provide a great excuse for reading up on the history of this region. I found the size and number of these tombs to be super interesting and its background against the ocean incredibly picturesque.
After you’ve had your fill of tombs, head a few blocks west to Café Hafa for yet another mint tea. What makes this tea worthwhile though is another amazing view. The café is cut into the rock and has multiple tiers of tables seemingly hanging on the edge of the cliff. It’s a great spot to relax and rest your legs.
Once rested, make your way to the American Legation Museum for another history lesson on the region and the United States’ involvement in it. Tickets cost 50 dirham for foreigners and can be bought for immediate entry at the ticket booth. I found this to be interesting but nothing ground breaking, I mostly enjoyed checking out the fancy riad and grounds that holds it.
Check out some of our other stops on our 2 weeks in Morocco:
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