Tangier | Morocco | Britannica.com Tangier Alternative Titles: Tanger, Tánger, Ṭanjah, Tingis Related Topics Abd al-Aziz Tangier, French Tanger, Spanish Tánger, Arabic Ṭanjah, port and principal city of northern Morocco . It is located on a bay of the Strait of Gibraltar 17 miles (27 km) from the southern tip of Spain; Tétouan lies about 40 miles (65 km) to the southeast. Pop. (2004) 669,685. Port and ramparts of the old town, Tangier, Mor. M. Williams/Shostal Associates The city Tangier is built on the slopes of a chalky limestone hill. The old town (medina), enclosed by 15th-century ramparts, is dominated by a casbah, the sultan’s palace (now a museum of Moroccan art), and the Great Mosque. European quarters, whose populations have declined considerably since integration with Morocco in 1956, stretch to the south and west. Tangier has been the summer site of the Moroccan royal residence since 1962.

An important port and trade centre, the city has excellent road and rail connections with Fès , Meknès , Rabat , and Casablanca , as well as an international airport and regular shipping services to Europe . The building trades, fishing , and textile and carpet manufacturing supplement the city’s vibrant tourist trade. The port of Tangier, Mor., as seen from the cliffs west of the city. © Michael Hynes Tangier and its suburbs dominate the surrounding region, which occupies the northernmost area of the country, situated on a peninsula immediately north of the Gharb lowland plain and adjacent to the Rif Mountains that lie to the southeast. Beyond the city, the region is poor in resources. Vegetable growing and poultry breeding have traditionally been the main rural economic pursuits. The famous Grand Socco (grand souk) market, Tangier, Mor. © Michael Hynes During the early to mid-20th century, Tangier was periodically under the collective administration of several countries. It was during this time that many Westerners settled there, and the city became a place of great political and artistic ferment.

Tangier was famous as a destination of artists and writers from Europe and the United States during the 1950s and ’60s and to a lesser extent in later decades. One of the most famous Moroccan writers to reside and work there was Mohamed Choukri (Muḥammad Shukrī), whose For Bread Alone (1973), the first of three autobiographical works, chronicled coming of age in Tangier. History Casablanca Few cities have had a more varied history than Tangier. Existing already as a Phoenician trading post in the middle of the 1st millennium bce, it later became Carthaginian; the remains of a Carthaginian settlement can still be seen near Cape Spartel. In 81 bce the Roman general Quintus Sertorius captured the city (then known as Tingis) from the Mauretanian king Bocchus I . In 38 bce, during a round of Roman civil unrest, Tingis was taken on behalf of Octavian (the future emperor Caesar Augustus ) by Bocchus II from his brother Bogud, who supported Octavian’s rival, Mark Antony .

Becoming a free city in 42 ce, Tingis was made the capital of the Roman province of Mauretania Tingitana, with the name Tingis Colonia Julia Traducta, and it remained important commercially even after the political capital was removed to Volubilis . After five centuries of Roman rule and a brief occupation by the Vandals in the 5th century, Tingis was captured by the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. When the Arabs arrived in the 7th century, however, Ceuta , not Tangier, seems to have been their principal fortress on the strait. The Arab general ʿUqbah ibn Nāfiʿ (Sidi Okba) reached Tangier in 682 and from there raided deep into Morocco.

In 707, when Mūsā ibn Nuṣayr was appointed governor of North Africa , he had to reconquer Tangier; the Amazigh (Berber) Ṭāriq ibn Ziyād was appointed governor and in 711 launched an invasion of Spain , where his landing point, Gibraltar , still bears his name as a corruption of Jabal Ṭāriq (Mount Ṭāriq). In 951 ʿAbd al-Raḥmān III of Córdoba, the first caliph of the western Umayyad dynasty , annexed the city, and it remained under Muslim Spanish rule until the collapse of the caliphate about 80 years later. Under the Almoravids , Tangier became Moroccan again and—despite a failed attempt to conquer the city by the Portuguese prince Henry the Navigator in 1437—remained so until captured by the Portuguese in 1471. Britannica Stories EU Considers Rules For Robots In 1580 Tangier passed, with Portugal itself, to Spain ; it returned to independent Portugal in 1656.

In 1662 it was transferred to the English crown as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza , wife of Charles II . The English put great hopes on this new possession, but, though a fine mole (breakwater) was built and a new fortification erected, the expense of maintaining the city against Moroccan attacks and the Protestant suspicion that it was a centre of Roman Catholicism caused it to be abandoned again in 1684. Since then it has remained a part of Morocco. Capitals & Cities: Fact or Fiction? Tangier began to play a significant role in history again in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. At the end of the 18th century, a British consul and some 100 British citizens resided there and in the surrounding Tétouan region. During the siege of Gibraltar by the Spanish (1779–83), these Britons were expelled by the sultan.

Tangier became the diplomatic capital of Morocco in the 19th century, and in 1845 Sir John Drummond Hay began his four-decade tenure there as British representative in Morocco; throughout that period British trade and political influence predominated in the region. Garden of the former American Legation (now a museum) in Tangier, Mor. © Michael Hynes In 1844 Tangier was bombarded by a French fleet as part of French campaigns against the Algerian emir Abdelkader . The Spanish then invaded Morocco in 1860, thus challenging a British policy aimed at preventing any Continental power from securing control of the southern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar. This situation led the British to issue a warning that a permanent Spanish occupation of Tangier or of the nearby Moroccan coast would not be permitted. About the same time, various foreign powers began to establish their own postal services, and in 1864 a lighthouse was established at Cape Spartel that was maintained by the consuls.

Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest The result of these activities and privileges was that Tangier received an international regime of its own when the rest of the country became a French protectorate in 1912. Already in the proposed Franco-Spanish Agreement of 1902, the two powers had been willing to see the city eventually become neutral, and the Anglo-French Agreement of 1904 stipulated that Tangier should have a special status. This was confirmed at the Algeciras Conference (1906), a meeting that arose partly from calls for Morocco’s independence made by the German emperor William II during a visit to Tangier the previous year (these events were part of what came to be called the Moroccan crises ). With the establishment of the French protectorate, a commission with French, Spanish, and British members was appointed to oversee the administration of Tangier, and by 1914 it had with difficulty agreed on certain recommendations. The outbreak of World War I necessitated fresh discussions, and a statute was not agreed upon until 1923.

Five years later further modifications were introduced, with Great Britain, France , Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium , Sweden, Portugal, and Italy being recognized as the administering powers. This statute remained operative until June 1940, when Spain took advantage of the fall of France during World War II (1939–45) to occupy the zone in the name of the khalīfah of Tétouan and to impose a Spanish regime on the city. After the war the victorious Allies insisted on Spanish withdrawal, and in October 1945 the international administration was reestablished, with the participation of the United States; Italy, an Axis country during the war, was readmitted later. With some minor modifications, the statute then remained in force until the independence of Morocco in 1956. Cemetery of St. Andrew’s Church, Tangier, Mor. The church long served the Western expatriate … © Michael Hynes Tangier - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) The North African city of Tangier, Morocco, is at the western end of the Strait of Gibraltar. It lies on a curving bay 17 miles (27 kilometers) from the coast of Spain.

The city appears to rise like an amphitheater into low hills. Domes and minarets rise high above the white, flat-topped houses. Near the city’s center is the Casbah, in ancient times a walled fort but now crowded with living quarters and marketplaces. The many narrow streets of the outer city are lined with tiny shops. In addition to an extensive tourist business, fishing, building trades, and textile manufacture-especially carpets-support the economy. The port handles cereal and sugar imports. Article History Google Map of Tangier, Morocco - Nations Online Project ___ Satellite View and Map of the City of Tangier (Tamazight: Tanja), Morocco Tangier - the Moroccan port city seen from the harbor. Image: Börste About Tangier Satellite view is showing Tangier, also known as the White City, is an important seaport on the northern coast of Morocco , located near the western entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar, the strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea .

Tangier is an ancient city, in the early 5th century BC the bay on the Strait of Gibraltar was one of the many Phoenician trading posts in the Mediterranean, it became a permanent Carthaginian settlement until 81 BC the port (then known as Tingis) came under Roman control and later became the capital of the Roman province of Mauretania Tingitana. Dar el Makhzen, the Sultan palace in the heart of the Kasbah of Tangier. Image: Bpcorps In the mid-19th century the city was the diplomatic center of Morocco, with a strong British political influence. From 1923 to 1924 it was part of an internationally administered zone and was returned to international control following World War II, during which it was administered by Spain . Today Tangier has a population of nearly 1 million people (in 2014). Spoken languages are Darija (Moroccan Arabic), Tarifit (a Riff Berber language, colloquial: Tamazight), French is widely used, English and Spanish are generally understood in tourist areas.

Some points of interest in or near Tangier: Grand Socco, the Big Square (Place du Grand 9 Avril 1947) in the medina area of central Tangier, transforms in the evening into a particularly colorful market; nearby are the former Forbes Museum of Tangier, and the Anglican Church of St. Andrew. Dar el Makhzen, the former palace of Sultan Moulay Ismail is today home of the Museum of Moroccan Arts and Antiquities. Casabarata (giant flea market); Caves of Hercules (Early backpacker Hercules slept in these caves before attempting one of his 12 labors). Librairie des Colonnes (best bookshop in town). The map shows a city map of Tangier with expressways, main roads and streets, and the location of Tangier-Boukhalef Airport ( IATA code : TNG). To find a location use the form below. To find a location type: street or place, city, optional: state, country.

Local Time Casablanca: Morocco - Country Profile - Kingdom of Morocco - Destination Maghrib - Nations Online Project Info ___ Morocco (المغرب‎) Destination Morocco, a virtual travel guide to the western part of the Maghreb. This page aims to give you a broad overview of Morocco's art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy and government. Beside a country profile with facts and figures, the page contains links to sources which provide you with all the information you need to know about this Northern African nation, e.g.: official web sites of Morocco, addresses of Moroccan and foreign embassies, domestic airlines, city- and country guides with extensive travel and tourism information on accommodation, tourist attractions, events and more like weather information, maps, statistics and local newspapers from Morocco. The city of Tangier, Morocco. Also called Tangiers. | CityredMorocco.com Tangier Tangier Morocco's gateway to Europe, Tangier is a thriving city and home to one of Africa's largest ports, the Tanger Med. With properties with views onto the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, the Straits of Gibraltar and a brand new Marina, the property Market in Tangier is an extremely rich and versatile one.

Demand for property in Tangier is from international investors as well as from thousands of Moroccan's living in the diaspora. Below are quick links to properties for sale in Tangier including apartments along the beach front, villas in Malabata, Riads in the Kasabah and properties in Marina Smir, Cabo Negro and Tetouan regions. Featured searches Tangier travel guide - Wikitravel Understand[ edit ] Tangier is a fascinating Moroccan city to visit. It has many of the things that travellers love--a sense of exotic mystery, interesting history, beautiful vistas, unspoiled beaches Tangier is an uncontrolled mix of north Africa, Spain, Portugal and France. It is located in northern Morocco, and was under joint international control until 1956. Tangier is separated from Spain by the 20 miles of the Strait of Gibraltar. Frequent ferries make the short crossing from Europe each day, and many cruise ships sailing between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic often include Tangier as a port of call.

By ferry[ edit ] Regarding the Crossing: take the ferry from Tarifa port.the first ferry departure from Tarifa-spain To Tangier-Morocco is at 9.00 AM and every 2 hours. from Tangier, the latest FRS ferry run back to Tarifa is at 22.00 PM. The ferry from Tarifa port docks in Tangier Ville port situated in the City. If you take the ferry from Algeciras you'll be arriving in Tangier new port(Tanger-Med) Situated in about 40 KM from Tangier(one hour each way from Tangier). There is a bus which costs 7d. By plane[ edit ] Tangier-Ibn Batouta Airport (TNG) is located 12 km (7.5 miles) from the city (travel time about 20 minutes). Taxi 100 Dh (10€) from Tangier, 150 Dh (15€) at night or from the airport to Tangier Ville (to train station: 120 Dh).

At present Royal Air Maroc, easyJet, Ryanair, Iberia (Air Nostrum), Jetairfly, germanwings, Corendon Dutch Airlines, Transavia and Air Arabia Maroc fly here. All persons entering or leaving Morocco are required to complete an entry/exit card and non-residents are permitted to remain in Morocco for a total of 90 days. Coming in by plane is the easiest and hassle free way of coming to Tangier: there are no touts at the airport and the prices of the taxis are fixed by the government. Beware of long queues at passport controls before flights bound for the Schengen area. If you’re on a shoestring and need to get to the airport, take a grand taxi to Assilah (20Dh) or Gueznaia and exit when the road goes off to the airport (it's signposted). It’s only a short walk from there (1.8km). Coming from the airport, a grand taxi running into Tanger can be easily caught at the crossing. By rail[ edit ] ONCF opened a new train station, Tanger Ville, in 2003, which is now the end of the line.

While it's closer to the city center than Tanger Morora, the original end-of-the-line, it's still quite a long walk so take a petit taxi for 15dhs or so. The country has an excellent railway system with 1,893km (1,176mi) of track and a fine intercity passenger service. Overnight train services running throughout Europe can connect with Morocco. Most of the time, non stop trains are fine but those which are not direct sometimes make unscheduled stops en route but do not panic as you will reach your destination eventually. There is a night-train leaving from Tangier to Marrakesh at 9:05PM costing 350 Dirhams for a couchette. There is a daily Train service to Fez for 155 Dirhams for a first class fare (5 hour journey) When travelling overnight by train, it is usually cheaper to buy a couchette ticket than a first class ticket. Notice If you are taking the night train, and not using the sleeper cars, you will probably not get a good night sleep. This is due to the lights being on, movement of people in the train, and conductors checking you ticket numerous times.

It is probably a good idea to travel with someone who'll present your tickets, put on eye covers and take a sleeping pill. By car or motorcycle[ edit ] When coming into Tangier by car, be careful of hustlers on motorbikes who will ride alongside you and attempt all manner of dodginess. You can come by car by ferry from Algeciras and Tarifa in Spain or through the Spanish exclave of Ceuta (reached by ferry from Algeciras and ports in Spain). The ferry crossing varies from 1 to 3 hours. Shortest and cheapest will be from Tarifa to/from Tangier taking around 60 min. Tarifa is probably the most laid-back option as far as ports are concerned. Coming by car or motorcycle can be a daunting process especially if you are new to Morocco. You have to complete a temporary import form for the customs ("Douane" in French). Sometimes this is done on the ferry (usually in the busy summer months) and at other times at arrival in Tangier. Like at the airport all persons entering Morocco also have to complete an entry/exit card. The Police and the Customs will both search your car - often not together so you need to be patient.

In recent years, things have improved considerably for tourists and you are not likely to be bothered too much but you will have to go through all the formalities of bringing your car into Morocco like everyone else. You can only bring your car in for 6 months in any one year. You are not allowed to leave it in Morocco unless you are prepared to pay the tax for the car which can be up to three times the actual cost of the car. This applies even if your car breaks, but if your car is written off, you will need to notify the customs authorities to avoid paying tax on a car as an import. There are strict regulations on bringing a car. For example, customs will not allow someone else to the leave the country with a car entered under someone else's name. Exceptions applied for relatives. Check with the car rental company before bringing a rented car into Morocco. You must have "green card" insurance for your vehicle when driving/riding in Morocco. You can get this insurance from many companies in Europe, or in Morocco at the port in Tangiers. If you are stopped, you must show this insurance to the police.

(Police have had a recent directive not to hassle tourists, so you may not be stopped at all, but still you'd better have the insurance in the unlikely event of an accident.) If you do not have insurance from your home country, then local insurance can be purchased at small insurance booths situated at the port. The insurance companies are reasonably reputable and will pay out if you have an accident. Note that this insurance policy has limitations and you are likely to have much more comprehensive cover from insurers from your own country. Most European insurers will cover Morocco and many include it under their standard level of European cover. Contact details for Moroccan customs (Douane) are: Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects, Avenue Annakhil, Centre des Affaires, Hay Riad, Rabat Tél : +212 (0)537717800/01 - +212 (0)537579000 Fax : +212 (0)537717814/15 Web site: [1] It's recommended to contact the above authority, if needed, in either Arabic or French.

Motorcyclists will benefit from the vast amount of information in the Morocco Knowledge base for BMW GS'ers in the UK. [2] If you have problems with your motorcycle in Morocco, Peter at Bikers Home [3] in Ouarzazate can help you get it back in working condition or by trailer to a ferry back to Europe. By bus[ edit ] Tangier has two long distance bus stations. The first, at the CTM offices near the port, is the arrival point of most CTM buses. Some other CTM buses, and those from other companies, arrive at the station on Place Jamia el-Arabia. C.T.M. - Place d’ Espagne. Gare routière - Tel. 00212 (0)39 931 172 - CTM website [4] TRAMESA , 29. Av. Youssef Ben Tacheffine. Tel.

00212 (0)39 943 348 - Tramesa website [5] Private car[ edit ] If you are coming to Tangier and you need private transfer from the port or from the airport,Tangier has many companies who provide private transfers to or from Tangier to all major Moroccan cities and airport, with private cars, vans with English speaking drivers JTT Morocco: BP5271 Tanger Dradeb Tangier 90040 morocco Tel: 00212.610.047.712 [ Tangier Taxi : 2 Route California, Tangier, Morocco. Private transfers to Chefchaouen, Asilah and others. More expensive than the public taxis but still well-priced. By boat[ edit ] The port is located beside the Medina, and a few hundred metres from the ville nouvelle. (Note that Port of Tangier, and Port of Tanger Med are different ports. Port of Tangier is normally served from Tarifa, Spain; and Tanger Med, the new commercial port, is served from Algeciras, Spain.

Tanger Med is the French spelling, which is used in road signs and in GPS maps.) Although the government has been partially successful in reducing the number of touts, money changers, taxi drivers and faux guides hassling people arriving by boat, expect to be mobbed. Look like you know where you're going, politely refuse any offers of help or ignore the "the fake guides" completely, or if you really feel like you need to escape jump in a taxi to escape the throng; just make sure that the taxi driver is no worse than the mob you are trying to escape. The taxi rank is inside the port area - you are likely to be mobbed by requests from many drivers. There is no queuing system - just take the taxi which you have agreed a fare with and are comfortable with. The blue coloured petit taxis are substantially cheaper and used more by locals and are preferable to the cream coloured grande taxis who are mostly unmetered. The grande taxis generally also will still try and charge you more even if you have agreed price, be insistent and get all your change back.

There are many fast hydrofoils daily on FRS Ferry Serice [6] from Tarifa in Spain for about 37 Euros one way, or 67 Euros round-trip (as of November 2010). Several times a day there are also fast Balearia ferries [7] from Algeciras, Spain to the new Tangier-Med Port (25 miles from downtown Tangier) for 29.50 Euros one-way or 62.50 Euros round-trip (as of November 2010). Passengers should be aware that the boats often run slower than the advertized time (because they depart later than scheduled time or simply take longer to get across). So give yourself an ample time cushion (1 hour minimum) if you plan to catch another transportation after you get off the ferry. For example, one speed catamaran between Tangier and Tarifa advertizes one hour travel time between Tanger and Algeciras on their brochure (35-minute boat travel between Tangier and Tarifa, then 15-minute bus travel from Tarifa to Algeciras), but in reality, this trip will take over 2 hours.

Example: the boat frequently leave later (by 15-30 minutes) than the scheduled time, then once at Tarifa, the bus does not depart until everyone on the boat clears customs (which takes 30-45 minute), then the bus will take 20-25 minutes to travel from Tarifa to Algericas. Get around[ edit ] Walking is perhaps the best way to see the relatively compact Tangier. Petit taxis are common. Tangier is very easy to navigate around; the two main roads are Boulevard Mohamed V which runs from near the Medina through the ville nouvelle and Boulevard Mohamed VI (formerly Ave des FAR) which runs along from the beachfront from the port to Malabata. The Medina area is a complex array of alleyways some of which can only be accessed on foot. Mohamed V has a whole range of clothes shops, pharmacies and cafes as well as Hotel Flandria, Hotel Rembrandt. Hotel Minzah lies just off this road. Mohamed VI runs along the beach front where you will find numerous hotels (Rif, Ramada, Sherezade, Solazure, Tariq, Movenpick,Hilton), bars, discos, restaurants and cafes.

Most hostels are situated on the roads heading uphill near the port area. Most locals in Tangier will be unfamiliar with what we call the "ville nouvelle". To help with agreeing fares and generally with navigating using taxis - the central main thoroughfare is simply known as the "Boulevard", the beach area as "Playa", the port as "Marsa", the medina as "souk barra", the hilly area to the west of Tangier with the Golf Course and Race Track as "California", the residential area heading towards the main road to Tetouan as "Idrissia", the thieves market as "Casa Barata". See[ edit ][ add listing ] Day view of Tangier Take a simple walk along the beach (Ave Mohamed VI) to enjoy what the city is famed for. The Kasbah The tomb of Ibn Battouta, a 14th century famous traveller who was born in Tangier. Pay tribute to a fellow traveller. Teatro Cervantes, rue Salah Eddine et Ayoubi. Closed and falling to pieces but take a photo from outside the gates as you pass by on the way up to the Grand Socco.

The American Legation, 8, Rue America, [8] . The Tangier American Legation Museum (TALM), a thriving cultural center, museum, conference center and library in the heart of the old medina in Tangier, is housed in the only historic landmark of the United States located abroad. The museum exhibits a large collection of art and historical items. It also has a Paul Bowles Wing [9] dedicated to the writer and composer who lived most of his adult life in Tangier. edit Musée d'Art Contemporain de la Ville de Tanger. Closed until further notice. The Kasbah Museum, the former Sultan's palace deserves to be seen not only for its collection of artefacts from the Phoenician to modern times, but also for the building and garden. There is a small entry fee (10 Moroccan Dirham or about $1USD) and varying opening times winter and summer. Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] Most brasswork is made in other towns but is available here. Leather goods are also available. Stay away from the tourist traps and you may find the price quite agreeable.

There is an infamous market in Tangier called "casa barata" (the house of cheap things) - there are bargains to be had here but be wary of forgeries and stolen goods (these are sold alongside vegetables, electronics, clothing, shoes, spices, carpets, ironmongery and everything else one can think of!). There are other markets notably the souk in the medina (mainly vegetables, clothes and tourist items) and in Ben Mekada (vegetables). The latter does not cater for tourists at all and is known as one of the "rough spots" of Tangier and back in the 1980's there were bread riots here. Colorful leather slippers with pointed toes are great gifts to take home and cost about 600D a pair, more if they have soles suitable for walking outside. If you can bargain, especially with some Arabic, you can get the same shoes for 100DH - a typical price for a Moroccan customer. Mens and womens clothing can be had for reasonable prices too, in the medina. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] There are many choices of different cuisine available.

Many of the luxury hotels offer a good selection of both Moroccan and Continental Fare, though at prices much higher than what you will find elsewhere. There are also many restaurants along the Ave Mohamed VI (the beachfront) where one can enjoy a nice meal with a glass of wine on the beachfront. In the evening, go to the plaza next to CTM bus station. There are several cafes and restaurants facing the plaza. The price and services are good because of the keen competition. Just wandering around in the medina will bring you across numerous Moroccan restaurants offering similar dishes, quality, and prices (main dish around 7 dollars), so you can basically just choose one at random and probably be satisfied. There is also some fresh off-the-boat seafood restaurants for locals in the port. If you speak some French/Arabic and have a sense of adventure it's highly recommended. After the port entrance, keep to the water side for a couple of minutes then go down the street with the bank on the corner. It's then along the docks towards the farthest point out behind the row of white warehouses. All outdoor basic seating outdoor seating and be prepared to be the only foreigner! No menus or prices but it's amazingly cheap and authentic.

Huge platter of prawns, calamari and enough fish to feed a small army. Some of the popular restaurants and places to eat in Tangier are as follows: Cafe Restaurant El Teatro - located near teatro cervantes at rue salah eddine al ayoubi 108, a wonderfully decorated place with the best value for money food and drinks. Cafe A L'Anglaise ( International Organic cuisine ) - located in the heart of the Kasbah, excellent cuisine El Minzah Hotel (Moroccan) - located near the French Consulate at top of Boulevard Mohamed V, very expensive Otori Sushi (Japanese) - located near the Grande Poste, Avenue de la Resistance San Remo (Italian) - located near the town centre Pagoda (Chinese) - located near the town centre Continental Hotel (continental) Street Food[ edit ] You may quickly bore of tagines and street food is a great option for snacking throughout the day. Fresh orange juice costs about 5D; sandwiches of egg, peppers, and sauce are about 10D. Yogurt mixtures can be particularly creative, such as avocado and almonds, or fruit mixtures.

Tiny stalls in the souk sell cooked vegetables like eggplant, with rice, and other tasty treats and a meal there can cost 10D or so. In the early evening you may find squares of chickpea cakes sprinkled with salt and paprika. Breakfast[ edit ] In the morning a "locals" cafe will give you a cafe au lait for 5D. (Cafes where tourists congregate will charge you 10D.) Usually there is a bread vendor at the cafe (by the port or the madina) who will serve you bread with cheese and honey for another 5D. It's perfectly okay to buy your bread/breakfast elsewhere and eat it outside at the cafe. If the bread guy is next to the cafe the waiter will often collect. Vegetarians[ edit ] Cafe A L'Anglaise: This charming sidewalk café is reminiscent of dining at a friend’s home. The owner gives each customer special attention by greeting them personally before preparing their meal. She also happens to be an interior designer, so the atmosphere inside is very welcoming and pleasing to the eye. Some walls act as a gallery, and feature art from local Moroccan artists.

Enjoy fresh juices, crispy, flavorful chicken dishes, and traditional couscous. Price: Low Opening Hours: 10:00am-10:30pm Thursday-Tuesday Vegetarians will find plenty to eat in Tangier and Morocco in general, but vegetarian tagines can become boring after a couple of days and often contain lamb stock. Street food is a lot more creative and fun. If you've brought a camping stove, shop at the souk and make your own. Or you can opt for Pizza, Japanese, Chinese or Indian all of which are available in Tangier. Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] There are many places in Tangier to drink - people have their own favourite haunts. Much depends on the current owner who tends to give the place a certain ambiance. Favorite bars/discos with foreign (and local) clientele include Casa Pepe, Sable D'or, Morocco Palace, Marco Polo (popular with truck drivers) and hotel bars such as Ramada and El Minzah. You could opt for a coffee instead - there are no shortage of cafes; some of which are the best in the country.

Some have amazing views (cafe Hafa), some good coffee, some are popular (cafe Tropicana, cafe Celine Dion), some with music (cafe in the Dawliz complex), some have good cakes (cafe Oslo), some are places to relax after a hard day shopping (cafe Madam Porte, cafe Vienna), and some are just plain sleazy - the choice is yours. Fresh fruit juices are sold by street vendors during the summer months. The cafes also serve fresh juices and often have what is called a panache - a mix of fruit juices often with milk, apple and almond - try it - its delicious. Cafe El-Hafa, (Near avenue Hadj Mohamed Tazi, GPS +35.79133°,-5.82175°). Nice view on the Straits of Gibraltar. Drink tea while looking at boats passing by. Hard to find but worth it. (+35.79133,-5.82175) edit Budget[ edit ] There are an enormous number of small hotels and hostels in or near the medina.

(50 - 300 Dh) Hotel Royal [13] Right up the hill from the port entrance, on the way up to the medina. Rooms w shared bath start around 200Dh (09/2012). Three doors down from Pension Miami where you will pay 80Dh for a much worse room and extra 10Dh if you want a hot shower. Hotel Royal is spotless, steaming showers, hot water sinks in room, very nice atmosphere, also has Wifi and a nice satellite tv in the lobby. Ave des FAR. Biarritz, Family and others. Rue de la Liberation, between the Grand Socco and av. Pasteur: Pension Gibraltar (150 Dh the triple, free hot shower), just in front of the 5* Hotel El Minzah. Mamora Hotel, pretty good hotel that provides rooms with bathroom sinks and showers (not very hot though), 80Dh per night for a decent room (with one large comfy bed), around 150Dh per night for "luxury" version (everything looks newer and more shiny).

Computer with internet available for guests, everything is clean and looks pretty much safe. It is in the medina just next to the mosque - find the small square close to the port (Place Petit Socco), face the mosque and take the route that is "forward right" (Rue des Postes), you will see the sign with hotel name overhead. Rue Sahab Eddine El Ayoubi. Packed with them: Valencia, Madrid, Miami, Detroit, Atou and others. In the medina go near the Zoco Chico, there are the Becerra, Fuentes and a whole lot more. Try also the street which starts on the stairs of the La Gitana restaurant, on the port entrance to the medina, and the area around the Petit Socco just in the center of the Medina. There are also a lot of small hotels at the port, which is walking distance to both the medina and the new city. To find these little hotels you exit the port of Tangiers and in about 100 meters you'll see the Hotel Biarritz (white with hand-lettering in blue).

Turn right up the rutted, dirty little alleyway next to it (yes, this is a street) and wind your way uphill to find several small hotels off the main drag on the unmarked Avenue Magellan. Magellan Hotel is one of the hotels here, quiet and very basic, hot showers, has a garage for your car or motorcycle, and costs 150D/night w/20D for parking. Front rooms 2nd floor have Bay of Tangiers view and cooling breeze. Mid-range[ edit ] Hotel Continental, 36 Rue Dar El Baroud, Tel: 039 93 10 24. This hotel, situated in the medina and within easy reach of the port, is very much in the 'former glory' category, with past guests including Degas, Churchill, Kerouac and friends. Definitely spend extra for a nicer room if given the opportunity, it is not a lot extra and the best rooms were absolutely palatial. Get one facing the port if you can. It has a really nice terrace out front where you can enjoy mint tea with spectacular views of the harbour.

Make sure not to confuse it with the Intercontinental which is a more modern hotel and not as central. The price of 365-420 dirhams for a double translates to around €33-38. Hotel Sherezade, Ave des FAR - next to Ramada. On the beachfront, clean and comfortable, cheap and cheerful (30-35€) Hotel Solazure, Ave des FAR. On the beachfront but caters mostly to package tourists. Poor service and not particularly clean or cheap. About 50-60€ Kasbah Rose, Rue Merrrouche 30 in the Kasbah, +212539335904. This new guesthouse run by a Dutch couple is charming, with minute attention to detail and very friendly staff. It also has a great breakfast. Clean. Cosy. Comfortable. About 60€ - 100€ Dar Jameel, No.6 rue Mohammed Bergach, Dar El Baroud, Tel: 00-212-61092780. This new guesthouse/ boutique hotel is a stone's throw from the Hotel Continental and needs to be seen.

A former restaurant and gallery, the house has been amazingly restored with typical Moroccan style. The view from the large terrace and penthouse is 360 degrees, taking in the medina, the bay of Tangier, Gibraltar and Spain. The 8 rooms/suites vary in price from 45 euros to 120 euros a night. Hotel Marco Polo, on the corner of Ave. d'Espangne and Rue Marco Polo. Clean, modern and decent sized rooms with air conditioning and satellite television. A double room will set you back around 600 DH although this can be negotiated down to 450 DH. The reception will let you use the spare computer for internet access free of charge. Breakfast is sadly not included. Splurge[ edit ] Hotel Ramada on beachfront - 4 star hotel. Modern and reasonably priced with sea facing rooms (about 80-100€). Hotel Movenpick in Malabata - Expensive but modern luxury hotel with an adjoining Casino. 5 star Hotel (about 160-180€) Hotel El Minzah near the Medina - centrally located. Decor is traditional Moroccan arabesque.

This is the most famous 5 star hotel in Tangier. Hotel Omnia el Puerto opposite Ramada - not on the beachfront but is clean and comfortable 4 star hotel. (about 70-80€) Hotel Intercontinental, Near the big Mezquita. Good service and clean. Not part of the Intercontinental chain. About 50-70€ Hotel Le Mirage in Cap Spartel. This is a 5 star hotel on the Atlantic coast. It is a little far from Tangier and an ideal secluded spot. Popular with Royalty and the discreetly rich Hotel Rif on Ave Mohamed VI (on beachfront). Recently renovated and reopened. 5 star Hotel. Famous former guests include Winston Churchill and Jean Claude Van Damme. Villa Josephine on the Old Mountain is an 11-room luxury residence with fine dining, bar and swimming pool. It is located away from the crowds downtown. Dar Sultan in the Kasbah, old and historic quarter, is a charming guesthouse with a high level of service. La Maison de Tanger is a guesthouse, a genuine haven of peace, ideally located near the famous Grand Socco square, but not in the medina.

Supervised private parking free, garden with swimming pool. Stay safe[ edit ] Tangier is a relatively safe and peaceful city. The only trouble you may encounter is the persistent touts whom you should ignore, or the con-men ready to overcharge you. You will encounter these characters mostly in and around the medina and along the beach front promenade. Some touts are obvious while others may present themselves as friendly locals. The latter, referred to sometimes as 'false guides', will quickly begin to you give you a tour of the town and accompany you for as long as they can, then ask you for money. The longer they accompany you, the more aggressive they can seem if you do not want to pay them for their time. Generally, tourists have every opportunity to firmly and clearly decline these touts straight away. Ceasing to engage and ignoring the touts is also highly effective, and can be done in a way that is polite. 'La Shukran' means 'No Thank You' and when said as if you mean it, is very effective in reclaiming your space.

Dressing like a local - as opposed to white shorts, shoes, and a backpack - will help you blend in and get good reception from merchants, who will often quote you actual prices instead of inflated tourist prices. Tangier is considered one of the more moderate cities of Morocco and it is quite normal and acceptable to see foreign women without head coverings. It is not usual, however, to see foreign women wearing revealing clothes in Tangier. If you are lost in the medina, you can easily find your way out by going uphill (souk/English church/Nouvelle Village) or down (port). Kids and young men may ask you for money to lead you out (a dirham or two), or to the Cafe Central, but if you are asked if you are lost and do not want help, say "Yes, but happily," and usually that gets a laugh and solitude. Look out for a man named Richard/Rachid. He wears a purple scarf and claims to be a painter. He has swindled a number of young tourists out of money by inviting them to his house and convincing them to buy djellabas or having his daughter do overpriced henna tattoos.

He is quite well-known around the community for this and locals find it both unfortunate and entertaining. Tangier is a safe place for solo women travelers. Common sense is advised and personal safety precautions you would usually take anywhere apply in Tangiers too. Left luggage: Many visitors are only in Tangier for a day before taking a night train or ferry and face the problem of leaving luggage somewhere. Due to increased security the ONCF station Tangier Ville will not take left luggage. The CTM bus station will but only if you have a CTM ticket out. Get out[ edit ] You can buy train, bus and ferry tickets at the stations and ports listed above, although you may find it easier to purchase ferry tickets from travel agents rather than face the gauntlet of touts at the port. If you plan on leaving by ferry, it is important to note that the ferries to Algeciras often do not follow a set schedule, and departure times can change even within a day of having purchased tickets. One alternative is to take a fast ferry to Tarifa, because these are more likely to run on time and at least one of the companies provides a free bus to the port at Algeciras.

You can also flag grand taxis at the major bus stations and ferry port. Tangier - Lonely Planet Tangier Community Welcome to Tangier Guarding the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier has for centuries been Africa's gateway from Europe. Its blend of cultures and influences is unique in Morocco – for much of its history it wasn't even governed by Morocco... Read More Top experiences in Tangier See all sights Amazing hotels and hostels We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Check-in Tangier, city, Morocco Encyclopedia > Places > Africa > Morocco Political Geography Tangier Tangier (tănjērˈ) [ key ], ancient Tingis, city (1994 pop. 497,147), N Morocco, on the Strait of Gibraltar. The city has a busy port and building, fishing, and textiles industries. Tourism is also important. The walled Moorish town adjoins a European suburb. Tangier was probably founded by the Phoenicians. It was a free city under the Romans and the chief port and commercial center of Morocco until the founding (808) of Fès.

It was captured from the Moors by the Portuguese in 1471 and was transferred to England as part of the dowry that Catherine of Braganza brought to Charles II. The English abandoned the city to the Moroccans in 1684. By the mid-19th cent. it had become the diplomatic center of Morocco. When the rest of the country was divided between Spanish and French protectorates in 1912, the status of Tangier remained vague. Finally, in 1923–24, an international zone administered by France, Spain, and Britain (Italy joined in 1928), was set up. The city was included in the zone as a duty-free port. During World War II, Spain controlled the zone. In 1945 it was returned to international control by agreement of Britain, France, the United States, and the USSR. Tangier remained under international control until 1956 when it was returned to Morocco. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

Morocco Map / Geography of Morocco / Map of Morocco - Worldatlas.com Print this map Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, has a history rich in Berber, Arab, African and European cultural influences. Neolithic hunters were the first to settle the coastal region of Morocco some 8,000 years ago, and flourished until 4000 BC. The Berber kingdom of Mauretania was the earliest known Moroccan state, and was ruled by Bocchus I. Under the command of Uqba ibn Nafi of the Umayyads the first Islamic conquest of North Africa occurred in 670 AD, and their language, system of government and Islam quickly spread to Morocco. Even after the Arab ruling had diminished, the Berbers slowly continued to convert to Islam, and the first Muslim state, the Kingdom of Nekor, was founded in the Rif Mountains in 710.

About a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa , successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco, and during the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad Al-Mansur (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. Moulay Ali Cherif founded the Alaouite Dynasty in 1631, which still remains today as Morocco's current royal family. Ismail Ibn Sharif organized and unified Morocco during his reign from 1672 to 1727. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode. In 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country, and under their ruling the natives were denied many freedoms. The children of noble Moroccan families were given a French education, however the rise of this young intellectual class produced a nationalist movement intent on restoring the country to its own people. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year.

Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Upon independence, Morocco restored itself as a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The king has extensive executive powers and, in addition to various other privileges, can deploy the military and dissolve the government. The current King, Mohammad VI, assumed the throne in July 1999, following the death of his father, King Hassan II, who ruled from 1961 until 1999. A number of opposition political parties have been formed in the past several years, which are legal. Arab Spring protests reached Morocco in February 2011, and citizens gathered in Rabat protesting for a new constitution. By July of that same year, King Mohammed VI won a victory on a reformed constitution he initially proposed to appease the protestors. Demonstrations continued through 2012 by citizens pushing for deeper reforms, and accusing the government of failing to deliver. Morocco was the first country in North Africa to install a 3G network. Offshore service centers and IT activities, by 2015, will contribute over $500 million to the country's GDP.

Morocco is the world's largest exporter of phosphate and the third-largest producer of phosphorous. It currently has a population of 1,655,753. See Also

Question: In which country is the city of Tangier?
Answer: Morocco