Top 10 Things to do in Tangier Morocco
Tangier Morocco, the gateway and Port City into Northern Morocco, is not as widely known as its more famous cousins, Chefchaouen, Casablanca, Fes, Rabat and of course Marrakech. But it is still a worthwhile little trip, especially if you’re in Andalucía Spain or Gibraltar. It’s easily accessible via the Tarifa to Tangier ferry, and my family and I visited for the first time when my parents, aunts and cousins came to Spain in 2018. We worked with Jamal Chatt tours for our day trip around the city.
So, here are the top 10 things we enjoyed on our family day trip to Morocco!
Let me know your favorite idea or even if you’ve been to Tangier in the comments below.
Take a family photo on African soil
We we all excited to be on African soil as a family. Most of us hadn’t been to Africa and those of us who had, longed to experience it with family. This multigenerational experience opened the door for what I hope will be future adventures to The Motherland.
2. Motor coach tour of the city
Jamal and his team organized a day-trip that included tours around the city to take in a few highlights. We happened to visit during the Ramadan 2018 season, which was exciting. I have lived in and visited Muslim nations during Ramadan and this was the most lively location. We also got to eat in public, something I confirmed before booking our trip since some countries strictly prohibit public eating during that month.
3. Visit the point where the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean meet
I love water and find it fascinating to stand at the junction of two bodies of water. The Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea come together at this point. It’s a pretty mellow spot from afar, but I think there’s something magical about this intersection.
4. Take a camel ride along the beach
I was pregnant at the time of this trip and decided not to hop on a camel. But for those who were interested, you could walk around the general area or ride down to the coast and journey along the shore by camel caravan.
5. Get full on delicious cuisine
I’m definitely a fan of the Moroccan cuisines and spices. Our tour included a lunch break on a rooftop terrace at a restaurant with views of the port. The food was delicious and featured a little Moroccan entertainment.
6. Get lost in the labyrinths with an expert guide
Street signs? What street signs? Get lost in Tangier with a reliable guide who knows the ins and outs of the neighborhood labyrinths.
7. Visit the Cave of Hercules
According to legend, Hercules slept in this cave en route to stealing the apples of immortality. Whatever the case, it’s an incredible site to hear the waves wash into the cave and this shape, facing the water, closely resembles the Continent of Africa.
8. Look for a magic carpet
Anyone who has visited my house or knows my adventures will know that I’m a thread-head (see Bahrain Highlights), my affectionate term for lovers of carpets. It’s to the point where I’ll spot different types of carpets in movies, magazines and various locations. So, when visiting Tangier, I felt so happy to be among these precious pieces of fabric art. We didn’t purchase one, though I was truly tempted!
9. Use your negotiation skills while shopping in the market
Our trip included an adventure through the market to purchase souvenirs. Let me just say, if you’ve never visited a country with a popular market or public markets then you might want to brace yourself for the rush of attention that comes your way when you decide to purchase items. For one, we were an obvious group of tourists. I say obvious because, though we were in Africa, Tangier Morocco has people with fairer complexions who could easily blend in with a number of Mediterranean cultures across Europe. So between that and the fact that we spoke English with US accent, we were definitely elevated to consumer celebrity status. Be prepared to receive the ultimate form of attention when you go shopping in the souk and if you need tips, check out my post here (last bullet) that elaborates on some of the nuances of marketplace negotiation.
10. Marvel at the doors and tiles
These doors and tiles are a work of art! The colors and patterns snatch your wig and take your breath away and you’d be wise to stop, stare and take a picture when you can. Here are a few of my favorites, but this is definitely not the extent. True to form, Moroccan doors transport you without even having to be opened. Can you imagine what’s inside?
BONUS: Return when you can
Tangier opened a new transnational train station. So, don’t forget to return to Tangier after you enjoy a Tour de Maroc.