Tangier, have always evoked a sense of romanticism on people.  It used to be populated with writers and beat poets looking for adventure and seeking inspiration on its busy shores. Tangiers is touted as the gateway to Africa.

Even though Tangier has a captivating history, it seems that holiday makers are more drawn to the city because of the promise of beautiful beaches and a languid day on the sand. During the 1920 to the 50’s, Tangier was the playground of the rich and famous seeking excitement, exhilaration, mystic, and respite from being taxed. Habitual visitors were Heiress Barbara Hutton, Tennessee Williams, and Truman Capote.

After Spain gave Tangiers back to Morocco its flair and duty-free status, as well as the crowd went with Spain.  Fortunately, British holiday makers are seeing that Tangier still has a lot of its old grandeur left.

Poised right at the tip of the African Continent and adjacent to the straight of Gibraltar, Tangier is a city that is a hallucinatory state of being, and existential ether that is part of The International Zone inundated with British and European travelers. Before its relinquishment to Morocco, Tangier was a world of tax-free opportunities, sexual tolerance, political intrigue, worldly chic and exotic bordering on the weird kind of vibes. Socialites, writers, artists, and even low lives treated Tangier as a Mecca. Tangier is considered the Sin City of the rich, famous, and depraved. 

These days, however, only a few foreigners deign to recognize the beauty and grandeur that Tangier still holds. Auspiciously, the promise of beautiful beaches, a languid day at the shores and booming real estate opportunities is digging Tangier out of its rut. Tangier in all of its essence, still remains in possession of the exotic and the mysterious that is its eternal allure.

Getting to and Getting Around Tangiers

Before considering travel to any foreign country, a tourist will always consider the language barrier. Happily Tangiers is multifaceted especially when it comes to the dialects spoken by locals. Aside from Arabic, French Spanish and a spattering of English is commonly employed in the city.

The next challenge is getting to Tangier: Flights from Gatwick or Heathrow are offered on a daily basis. Should you choose to travel by sea Tangiers can be accessed via a ferry from Gibraltar, but the ferry is not available every day so schedules and time tables need to be checked.

Places to Stay and Visit

The Hotel Continental located in medina is a must see. Although in need of a little sprucing up, the Hotel which was built in 1888 was famed to be the most chic hotel in Tangiers. It was the favored accommodation of wealthy British and European travelers, the likes of Alfred, Queen Victoria’s son. The Hotel Continental will give you the old world feel of Tangiers’s hay days; additionally the place is a safe haven inside the old city walls.

The Hotel Rif is also a nice place to visit. It is one of the best newer hotels in the area. It is the most luxurious of the hotels in medina, but it is devoid of the Moroccan feel. The great thing is that it is not as busy as more affordable hotels. The Hotel Rif give holiday makers respite from the noise and heat, allowing them to relax and laze around in the pool area all day.

The Hotel Rif is the best of the modern, new town hotels. It is long established and is more luxurious than any of the Medina hotels but, like most of the modern hotels, it lacks any real Moroccan feel. The Rif has had famous visitors like Robert Maxwell, Malcolm Forbes, Elizabeth Taylor and Winston Churchill.

There are plenty of places to stay in Tangiers that offers luxury, or affordability depending on your preferences. Information on accommodations is usually available in Tourist packages.

Way to Everyone’s Heart

A trip to Tangier, or to any place in the world is never complete without experiencing the culinary delights the place has to offer. L' Marsa is a great place to go to have a meal, if you’re not an adventurous eater. They offer a wide variety of international cuisines coupled with excellent service.

A few stones throw away from L’Marsa is Miramar. The restaurant serves succulent steaks that make your mouth water. For a delicious traditional Moroccan meals go to Hammadi’s their lamb tajine is simply delectable. Another Tangier offering is Raigani’s who serves excellent pastilla, fish and harrira. A day is never complete without a glass or two Moroccan sweet mint teas, and a sampling of various sweets and pastry. So, always round your meal up with a helping of these deserts.

If you’re a vegetarian, the Morocco is not the place to be. Even though they love vegetables, they are often cooked in animal fat. The only place you may eat is right off the food stalls who serve fruit and vegetables.

Not Loving the Nightlife

Tangiers is not a city of debauchery and seedy bars like it once was. A few pubs here and there are the most you can ask for. A nice evening out is usually spent in restaurant over excellent meals and great conversation. A tip is to go where locals would, to avoid being barraged by questions or unruly people.

Rounding Things Up

As with other Moroccan cities, Tangiers should never be taken on unless well versed and in the company of seasoned Moroccan holiday makers. After dark, it is not safe to be strolling out in areas that are a little questionable, and even in safe places women should never go out without a companion lest inviting harassment or worst, rape.

Regardless of being a shadow, of its former glory, Tangier is beginning to build up its self by great tourism and property markets that seek to promote and bring Tangier back to life. A lot of agency offer guided tours and complete packages of Tangier holidays that is the perfect way to get around and experience Tangiers.