Tangier often referred to as “The Bride of the North” has long been a romantic haven artists, Beat poets, and writers seeking adventure. it serves as the gateway to Africa for many travelers. Cruise ships frequently dock on their way from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, and those in Europe find it easy to take a quick ferry from Spain to the port of Tangier.
While most visitors come for a day,  spending a few days in Tangier is highly recommended. The coastline outside Tangier is dotted with picture-perfect seaside villages that may inspire you to break out your watercolor palette. Tangier provides an excellent base for exploring this part of Morocco. Plan your trip with our list of the top attractions in Morocco.

NOT TO BE MISSED OUT ON:

Medina:

The maze-like Medina of the White City spills down the slope from the Kasbah in the north, offering glimpses of the Bay of Tangier through its gorge-like alleys.
Market stalls in the Medina are laden with leather goods, carpets, spices, fruit, vegetables, fish and handmade copper and brass jewelry. this old city, previously off-limits for tourists, reflects the changing mood in Tangier. Vendors and young restaurant touts tend to be enthusiastic without becoming pushy, and you’ll always have plenty of tourists for company on the alleys leading up to the Kasbah. Petit Socco, with its cosmopolitan architecture at cafe terraces, recalls the days of the International zone

 

Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures:

This recently refurbished museum, housed in the former sultan’s palace of Dar El Makhzen. focuses on the area’s history from prehistoric times to the 19th century. Exhibits are well-presented bringing together a of exhibits tracing Morocco’s tumultuous and complicated history. The Antiquities Collection gathers finds from the country’s prime ancient Roman sites such as Lixus and Volubilis, including a life-size model of a Carthaginian tomb. displays explain Tangier’s history with a large section devoted to Moroccan arts. The Fes Room is particularly interesting, contains silks and illustrated manuscripts, as well as centuries-old ceramics decorated from golden yellow to the famous Fes-blue.

Explore more about the enchanting Medina of Tangier and its captivating blend of history and culture by clicking here.

 

The American Legation Museum:

few people know that Morocco was the first country to recognize the USA as an independent state after the revolutionary war. This museum, located within the hustle of the Medina, adds a somewhat foreign feel to the city. With an unusual 1940s vibe, this museum transports you to a different time and features engaging exhibitions, including one on Paul Bowles. the locally famous painting often termed the ‘Moroccan Mona Lisa’ is a must-see

Uncover historical treasures at Tangier’s Kasbah Museum. Explore the rich past of this iconic site here

 

Parc Perdicaris (Parc Rmilat):

On the road to Cap Spartel, you’ll pass along the southern edge of this blissful coastal forest, on the western edge of the city.
Parc Perdicaris covering almost 70 hectares, is named after the Greek-American consul and playboy Ion Perdicaris (1840-1925), whose estate was on this land. When Perdicaris was kidnapped in 1904 triggered an international crisis, and the response to the “Perdicaris Affair” by Theodore Roosevelt is thought to have helped him win the election that year. in the 1880s Perdicaris planted exotic eucalyptus trees in the park alongside native Palms, oaks, laurel, pines, acacias, and walnut trees  for the health of his wife who was suffering from tuberculosis.
Detailed info about the park’s abundant flora is available, and you can picnic on the steep slopes, casting your gaze on the ocean.
As of 2019, Perdicaris’ romantic hilltop villa is currently being restored after decades of decline.

 

Gran Teatro Cervantes:

A decaying Spanish artefact, the 1,400-capacity Gran Teatro Cervantes was constructed in 1913, and was one of the most important stages in North Africa.

Some of Europe’s leading performers, like the Italian tenor Enrico Caruso, trod these boards in the early 20th century. The property was afficially handed by Spain to the Moroccan government in 2019, which has committed to restoring and reopening the venue as a theatre and cultural centre.

 

St Andrew’s Church:

St Andrew’s Church, completed in 1905 as a gift from King Hassan I of Morocco, is one of Tangier’s most mesmerizing sites. this popular tourist site is a fusion of different architectures and styles, reflecting Morocco’s multicultural population. The church is a focal point for Christians in Tangier. exhibiting Quranic inscriptions on its Moorish interior and marking the direction of Muslim prayer to Mecca. A visit to this religious holy site gives a new meaning to the interfaith experience.

 

Achakar Beach:

Situated between the Caves of Hercules and Cap Spartel, is a glorious public beach, consecutive Blue Flags in recent years for hygiene, water quality, facilities and lifeguard provision. the sheer natural wonder of this long and wide beach, facing west and backed by sloping, gravelly cliffs offers breathtaking views of the sunset. This is the open Atlantic, so the surf will be too strong for kids, but the waves break a long way out, and there is a large shallow area where wee ones can paddle safely with supervision. As with most Moroccan tourist beaches, camel rides are on offer at Achakar Beach.

 

Caves of Hercules:

This cave, part natural and part man-made is steeped in legend and set on a headland between two epic Atlantic beaches.
Hercules stayed here while preparing for his 11th labour. stealing the golden apples from the Garden of the Hesperides. Some ancient Greek writers placed the garden a little way down the Atlantic coast at the ancient city of Lixus. On his way to the cave, Hercules had to contend with the Atlas mountain, smashing through it instead of crossing it, and creating the Strait of Gibraltar.  The cave’s spectacular ocean-side opening is thought to have been cut by the Phoenicians and bears a remarkable resemblance to the African continent. Many grooves in the walls left by the Berbers who quarried millstones from the walls over many centuries.

 

Visit Asilah:

The little town of Asilah, about 40 kilometres from Tangier on the northwest tip of Morocco’s Atlantic coast, has a history that stretches back to the Roman era. More recently, it has been under the control of both Spain and Portugal. But the town’s imposing ramparts, with surviving bastions and towers, now offer a setting for delightful seaside walks.
The Portuguese fortifications enclose an old town of pretty white-and-blue-washed houses with a distinctively Mediterranean feel. The town is also famous for fried seafood dishes. Restaurants line the shore, making a great place to put your feet up while you sample some fish.

 

Larache:

The seaside town of Larache, 88 kilometres south of Tangier, is the closest settlement to the Lixus archaeological site, where Greek legend tells that Hercules gathered the golden apples. The site was a trading centre for first the Phoenicians, then the Carthaginians, and finally the Romans, but its history is thought to be much older than these conquerors. The ruins include a temple, theatre, acropolis, and baths, and although the site is overgrown, it’s highly atmospheric.
Back in the town itself, Larache’s Archaeological Museum is housed in the Chateau de la Cigogne. The museum contains a collection of finds unearthed from Lixus, including an interesting display of perfume bottles and jewellery.

 

Ceuta:

Spain’s little piece of Morocco, this oddity of a town, 79 kilometres east of Tangier, is a major transport hub with ferries across the sea to Algeciras. The old fortifications (built by the Portuguese) around the San Felipe Moat are the town’s main sight, but the Ceuta Museum is also worth a look for its well-displayed collection of Punic and Roman finds.
Those with an interest in religious art and architecture should also visit Ceuta’s main square, home to the interesting Cathedral Museum and the 15th-century Church of Our Lady of Africa.

 

Melilla

Melilla’s fortified medina is the main focus of most of the town’s sightseeing. Along with Ceuta, Melilla is a Spanish enclave on Moroccan soil, the last remaining bits of land that Spain refused to give back to Morocco after independence.
The museum here is worth a look for its interesting archaeological section. There is a 17th-century cathedral here as well. At nearby Three Fork’s Cape, gaze out over the perfect turquoise waters. From the lighthouse, you can see many small beaches and great blocks of anthracite rising out of the waters.

 

Continue your Moroccan journey with our guides to Marrakesh and Fez. Experience the unique culture in Casablanca, and venture into the captivating desert landscapes of Merzouga. Agadir, Ouarzazate, and Essaouira.