The multicultural melting pot of Tangier, located in northwest Africa, just opposite Gibraltar on the European mainland, is a captivating mix of different cultures, religions and eras. Here, Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities gather side by side, and the old and the new, the traditional and the Western, walk hand in hand along the worn alleys.

Throughout its long history, Tangier has been in the world's spotlight on several occasions. For example, when the city became the world's most famous gay haven in the decades following the novel "The Protective Sky" by Paul Bowles. At that time, legendary writers such as Jack Kerouac, Ian Fleming, Tennessee Williams, Orson Welles, Gore Vidal and others stayed in the old marocity.

William S. Burroughs wrote “The Naked Lunch” at a time in the 1950s when Tangier was a very strange international free zone for black money, sex and drugs. Things calmed down in 1956 when Marobecame independent from France. However, the city retained its decadent appeal and in the 1980s, the Rolling Stones, among others, visited the area to record Berber music for their album “Steel Wheels”.

When you arrive in Maro, you feel like you have left Europe and stepped into another world. The surroundings are different from Europe, the smells and sounds are just as different. But Tangier, which is located at the western entrance to the Strait Gibraltarwhere the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, has always been a gray area, a city between Europe and Africa that has never really belonged to either continent. The city has been ruled by Carthage, the Roman Empire, the British, the Spanish, the Portuguese, the Arabs and the French. This gives the area the same mysterious and individual melting pot character as Andalusia on the other side of the strait.

Things to do in Tangier

There really isn't that much to see in the city. But you don't come to Tangier to look around, you come to feel. To take the pulse of the history that has been collected in the pocket between the continents.

Hotel Continental is a classic hotel that has hosted celebrities such as Bogart, Copolla, Bertolucci, Matisse, Degas and, of course, Karl Gustav XVI and Silvia throughout the ages. The now charmingly worn hotel has over 100 years of history behind it.

Hotel Minza (whose café was also the model for Rick's Café in the film Casablanca) which was a gathering point for spies during World War II is also worth a visit for those interested in history.

The city is full of cafes, as befits an old French colony, and perhaps the most famous of them all is Gran Café de Paris (this gem was also a hangout for smugglers, movie stars, agents and other loose folk) which has featured in a James Bond film. Another historic café is Café Hafa which when it happened was populated by bearatnikwriter.

A restaurant recommended by many is Riad Tanja (Escalier Américain). Another good restaurant, which is also a bit cheaper, is El Dorado (21 Rue Allal Ben Abdella) which serves Spanish-marofood that costs just over a hundred kroner and up. Tangier is not a place where you want to skimp on food and have lunch at an unknown hole in the wall…

There are several bars in the city, but that was the now sadly bland bar Dean's Bar who was once drenched in alcohol fumes by the legendary drunkard, and above-mentioned author, William S. Burroughs.

However, the Swedish Minister of Finance has stated once and for all that we should "work and not drink," so perhaps we should avoid following in Burroughs's wobbly footsteps and instead devote ourselves to..

Shopping in Tangier

One of the most exciting activities to do in Tangier is of course shopping. There are carpets, perfumes, silver, leather, ceramics, spices, watches, lamps, tableware, clothes and handicrafts in abundance. Most of it is also really cheap.

Coin de L'art Berbère is the place for anyone looking for oriental rugs.

Laure Welfling is a small famous mall on Place de la Kasbah that is a must visit for some serious shopping.

Parfumerie Madini is a shop that sells exclusive perfumes. The shop has a history that stretches back 500 years…

Marrakech La Rouge is worth a visit for anyone who likes porcelain and crafts.

Grand Socco Market in the heart of Tangier, however, is the real attraction when it comes to shopping. This area, which always seems to be full of life, was once populated by snake charmers, musicians and storytellers. Now it is the very epicenter where the traditional and the modern collide. It is bustling with life, movement and commerce. We can't think of a better place for you to learn the art of haggling.

Have you been to Tangier and want to share your experiences? Maybe you have tips for a restaurant, an attraction or a good store or market to shop at? Feel free to leave your tip below to enrich this travel guide.
Facts Tangier: Tangier is located on the North African coast. The city was founded in the 5th century. The population is about 700,000. The languages ​​spoken here are mainly Arabic and French. The currency is called Dirham, which you can exchange on site. It is possible to take a ferry from mainland Spain to Tangier (go to the port of Madina) in Marofrom several different ports. From Tarifa the ferry journey takes only 35 minutes, and from Algeciras near Gibraltar the journey takes about 2 hours.