Tangiers Things To Do

Beaches
Tangiers' main beach has miles of fine sand. Local children play football or gymnastics, visitors can take camel rides, enjoy the safe water or relax in one of the many bars and enjoy the views – across to Gibraltar on a clear day. Should the beach become too crowded, there are other excellent beaches nearby.

The Kasbah
Fortified by the Romans, this is the highest point of the city and has excellent views. The Kasbah’s gates open on to a large courtyard, the other side of which is the Dar el-Makhzem, the former Sultan’s palace, a spectacular building dating from the 17th century. This is now the Kasbah Museum, comprising the Museum of Moroccan Art and the Museum of Antiquities.

Cafes
Holidays in Tangiers have shed its image of decadence and immorality, but the colour and vitality that attracted artists and poets’ remains. Cafes provide a place where Moroccans meet to drink mint tea and put the world to rights. They are great for people watching or just relaxing, which people often do until the not so early hours.

The Medina. The Grand Socco and Petit Socco
The Medina, or ancient town, starts at the Grand Socco, Spanish for large souk, or market. This bustling open square features the Sidi Bouabid Mosque, with its multi-coloured minaret. It’s not open to visitors but the garden features an 800 year-old banyan tree and excellent views from the terrace. The Petit Socco is another world; a maze of narrow streets and alleyways full of colour and the scent of exotic spices and baking bread, with all kinds of vendors advertising their wares. Here you can haggle for local merchandise, including precious metal ornaments, leather goods, silks, carpets, pots and much more.

Cap Spartel
The lighthouse here marks the point where two seas come together. Those lucky enough may actually be able to see the two contrasting blues: the dark blue Atlantic and turquoise Mediterranean.

The Caves of Hercules
The place where Hercules is said to have recovered from his labours. The caves, which are partly man-made and partly natural, flood at high tide and jets of seawater are forced up into the air. At low tide they reward the visitor with stunning views from inside. The remains of the Roman resort of Cotta are also nearby.

The Forbes Museum
This extraordinary museum houses a collection left by the American billionaire publisher Malcolm Forbes. He collected Faberge eggs and motorcycles, but it is his vast collection of model soldiers that is to be found here in his former residence, once the Mendob Palace. Over 115,000 lead figures depict major battles throughout history, with lighting and sound affects.