Falling in love with Tangier is not all that easy. While Moroccan tourist police in recent years have cracked down on unpleasant guiding, nothing has changed in Tangier, and the strong ties between the police, local authorities and the local mafia makes Tangier a difficult port for travellers with no earlier Morocco experience. Fortunately, Tangier is still less dangerous than the south of Spain, which is only an hour of ferry ride away.
The anarchy of Tangier has many faces: When the sun sets the city is turned into a city which can be unsafe, quite different from the rest of Morocco. And handicrafts in Tangier are far more expensive than elsewhere in Morocco, where things to a certain extent is under official control.
The town beach is profoundly filthy, while other main beaches in Morocco has an administration which cleans the sand on a regular basis. Kids beg for money on every corner, and “official” guides pester you everywhere.
But if you are of the relaxed type, or if you have already been around Morocco for a bit, Tangier is definitely worth a visit. There is a lot to see around here, the city is lively, and if you jump into a taxi clean and beautiful beaches are 10 minutes away. And Tangier still carries the aura of being a a celebrities’ magnet and of once having been under international administration.
And do not forget: Tangier is the real model for the famous American film “Casablanca” with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
Things To Do in Tangier
Medina of Tangier, Tangier
Attraction type: Town center/square/plaza
Museum of Moroccan Arts (Kasbah Museum)
Attraction type: Art museum; Architectural building
Tangier Casbah, Tangier
Attraction type: Historic site; Town center/square/plaza
Tangier Beach, Tangier
Attraction type: Beach
Hercules Cave, Tangier
Attraction type: Cavern/cave