Tangier

A city between two seas and several countries

Tangier sits at the north-western tip of Africa, on shores where, in the words of the Moroccan National Tourist Office, "Mediterranean and Atlantic waters converge". Spain lies opposite, an hour away by ferry. That position has shaped its history.

The international zone. On 18 December 1923, France, Spain and the United Kingdom signed the convention that made Tangier an international zone, under the sultan's sovereignty but run by several powers; Italy, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden joined in 1928. Spain occupied the city from June 1940 to May 1944, and it was reintegrated into the Kingdom of Morocco on 29 October 1956. The European presence can still be read in the city: the Cervantes Theatre, built in 1913, or the bullring on the Plaza de Toros.

The American Legation. Given to the young United States by the Sultan of Morocco in 1821, it is today the only US National Historic Landmark located outside the United States. It is open to visitors.

Painters and travellers. Delacroix and Matisse painted Tangier. Ibn Battuta, the great 14th-century traveller, born in Tangier, has his tomb in the medina and gave his name to the airport.

The medina, the kasbah and the heights

Tangier is explored on foot, level by level.

• The Grand Socco, the large square at the entrance to the medina, then the Mendoubia gardens next to it.
• The medina, with the whitewashed houses that earned the city its nickname "Tangier the White", the Petit Socco at its centre, the Great Mosque and the American Legation.
• The kasbah, the fortress that overlooks the medina from its high walls. The former sultan's palace, Dar el-Makhzen, now houses a museum of Moroccan arts.

A 3-hour guided tour can be booked from €19 per person on Civitatis, an activity booking platform; a 3-hour food tour from €64.90, and a hammam session from €38 (prices checked on 14 October 2026).

Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules, west of the city, facing the Atlantic, can be combined in half a day, or with Asilah, 45 km to the south, on a 6-hour trip from €49 per person on Civitatis.

Where to stay, depending on your trip

The three hotels in Sabaro's selection match three ways of seeing Tangier.

• In the heart of the medina, Palais Zahia, an 18-room historic palace on the Petit Socco, with a rooftop terrace and spa: everything is within walking distance.
• On the heights, the Fairmont Tazi Palace, a restored 1920s palace on Boubana hill above the city: 133 rooms and suites, a 2,500 m² spa, about 20 minutes from the airport. A car is needed.
• By the water, Idou Malabata, on Malabata Bay facing the Strait: 159 rooms and suites, including family rooms, two pools and beach access, away from the centre.

Sabaro recommends the medina for a short stay focused on the city, and the heights or the bay for a family stay or for day trips around the north.

The gateway to the north

Tangier is the starting point for a tour of northern Morocco, and often the first stop on a trip that ends in Fez.

• Spain: ferries link the port of Tanger Ville with Tarifa in about an hour.
• The Al Boraq high-speed train puts Rabat 1 h 20 away and Casablanca 2 h 17, from Tanger Ville station. Fez is about 3 h 25 away with a change at Kenitra, Marrakesh about 5 h 14 with a change in Casablanca.
• By road: Tetouan is about 1 h 20 away, Chefchaouen 2 h 14, Asilah less than an hour.

The neighbouring Rif is a hashish-producing and trafficking region, where the roads call for caution; the Al Hoceima-Chefchaouen-Tetouan road poses fewer problems. Your country's foreign ministry advice is in the "Travel advice" table on this page. For these journeys, Sabaro recommends a driver.

The eclipse of 2 August 2027

Tangier lies in the path of totality of the total solar eclipse of 2 August 2027. Totality lasts about 4 min 50 s there, with maximum eclipse at around 8.47 am local time: Morocco has been on GMT all year round since 20 September 2026, 1 hour behind London in summer. Some calculation sites still count Morocco as UTC+1 and show times an hour too late.

Sabaro recommends booking accommodation early for that date, and bringing certified eclipse glasses for the partial phases, from 7.40 to 10 am local time.