Tanger

We visited in 2005 with no real plan. We met a guy on the ferry, and ended up hanging out with him most of the time. Our trip consisted of wandering about looking at stuff and drinking gallons mint tea.

I really want to go back.

If you go by boat from Spain, I recommend getting out of the port as quickly as you can, and finding a tour guide once outside (or having them find you!). The tour guides are actually pretty friendly, seriously cheap, and they keep everyone away from you… anyone who might try to sell you things or bother you. They take you to the nice places, and, of course, recommend shops where they get a cut from what you buy, but hey, better than having people bugging you during your entire stay!

hehe, another fun place to visit. hotel manager will try to rip you off though. if you can’t speak arabic, then your spanish might come in handy. visitng hercules cave was quite adventurous. also discovering the partition between the atlantic and mediterranean was a moment when time stood still. camel-backriding was fun too :)

Born in the old town of Tangier called medina in 1304(contemporary of Marco-Polo), he left the town at the age of 21 and return back at his 50s.When he came back he didn’t bring gold or precious stones, but a memory of his trip around the world during 3 decades, telling us in his book called (Rihla), (travels) about the religions, customs and mysteries of the territories he visited, which correspond actually to 44 countries and a route of 120000 km. Most of he’s trip was done by feet, from Tangier to China and from the black sea to the Oriental Africa ,back to Tangier did another trip visiting the different towns in the north and south of Morrocco, then he across the Detroit of Gibraltar to visit the Kingdom of Granada in Spain.

In his memory the international airport of Tangier and a boat that links Spain to Tangier took his name. A dome was erected in the same quarter where he was born in the old Medina of Tangier.

I don’t think commenters are giving Tangier enough credit. Elsewhere in Morocco is surely better, but if you only have the option of a daytrip (like I did), this place can be a great experience and a taste of life in North Africa.

I was with a private guide, and other people weren’t too too pushy. Sometimes it actually was kind of entertaining, like when a boy tried to sell me his tiny pet turtle. The kids in the street were very cute and polite (a lot of “hola”s).

I loved wandering in the market area—the whole booths filled with piles and piles of olives were incredible, though I was a bit troubled by goats’ heads sitting unrefrigerated on butchers’ counters… Another commenter said the city smelled horrible, but I have actually never been anywhere better-smelling than the old medina. The whole place was fragrant of all the herbs being sold.

It was also interesting to see the contrast between our guide’s efforts to point out everything cosmopolitan about his city (where foreigners lived, where churches/synagogues were, how many languages kids learned in school) and day-to-day life in a developing country (lonely donkeys chained up in dry fields, half-built structures, public bakeries so that women without ovens could cook their bread).

Having read up on Tangier, we knew what we were in for. For the sake of setting foot in the country we figured a day trip was worth it anyway; going with the guided tour offered by our Spanish hotel seemed like the easiest way to deflect the local guides and vendors of cheap crap. It felt like it should be reliable.

What we didn’t expect was that tour guide handing us off to a series of sales pitches of increasing pressure, topped off with a walk through the casbah back to the tour bus being accosted every 3 steps by random guys selling fake watches, cheap tin bracelets, wallets, and other junk.

Okay, so once you come to terms with the fact that the locals feed on tourists, what’s left? A dirty smelly city, but a very different culture and lifestyle. It certainly IS enough to get a taste of how very different Morocco must be from anywhere else in the western world.

The visit left me without desire to return to Tangier, but an increased desire to head inland further and visit Marakech, Fez, and the other likely destinations.

Student “Tour guides” were a pain and the Kasbah was frightening- is you suffer from claustrophobia – forget it. Road on a camel – one hump or two? – either way bloody uncomfortable, especially galloping along the beach on a dark night.
Had the most unforgettable, culinary delight in Lobster thermidor in some beach shack, don’t open your eyes when looking into the kitchen!!

I can definitely see why people would think it’s not worth visiting, as the people are pushy and it can be quite daunting. However I enjoyed the food and watching a snake charmer. However it really doesn’t feel like the real Morocco you should cinsider visiting Marakech, Fez or Casablanca for an authentic Moroccan experience

Tom ;-)

What can you say about Tangier that hasn’t already been said? It’s a city with a lot of history, for sure, but all of that history is impossible to experience, because as soon as you depart from your ferry you are immediately assaulted by a barrage of faux-guides. I am sure it is a wonderful city, but it is impossible to see, because as soon as you are “greeted” by the first locals you meet, you immediately want out. Grab the first taxi/bus/train you can, and head down the coast to the more relaxing and representative parts of Morocco.

NOT the real Morocco. Take the first train out of there.