Things to do in Tangier

Tangier (Morocco): things to do

Going to Morocco, we searched a lot of forums, where the information was very contradictory. In this first article about things to do in Tangier, I decided to share some practical tips about where to live, what language to speak, and what you should be prepared for.

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1. HOW MANY DAYS TO SPEND IN TANGIER, WHAT TO SEE, DO, AND WHERE TO GO

For starters, you should allocate approximately 4 days to Tangier, of which you will spend one in the city itself. You will have plenty of time to see the medina. And if you want you can visit the Kasbah Museum, the former sultan’s palace.

It is also worth stopping for a coffee at the hotel Continental, where all the stars, including the Rolling Stones, visited without exception. The last location is absolutely inexcusable for fans of the Impressionists. Because this is where Henri Matisse stayed: he depicted the view from the window of his room in the painting “View from the Window.

Henri Matisse “View from the Window. Tangier.”

Today, the room where the artist lived, a museum, but there are allowed to all comers, and completely free! It’s enough to ask at the reception of the hotel. And in the bar of the Grand Hotel Villa de France, you can taste Moroccan wine – quite decent cabernet. It is made by the local Christian community.

Here is what to do

Day1:

In the afternoon go see the lighthouse at Cape Spartel, which is located at the entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar, about 10 kilometers from the city.

Well then go and see the Hercules Caves, where the ancient mythological hero is said to have rested before committing his eleventh exploit. Stealing the golden apples of the Hesperides. The place is exceptionally beautiful, the entrance to the caves is free, and you can get there for 20 dirhams (€2) if you take a shared cab. And for 30 euros you will have a private car, which will take you to Cape Spartel. And take you to the caves, wait as long as you need, and then take you back to Tangier.

Day 2:

The second day should be spent visiting Chaouen or Chefchaouen, the blue city where all the houses are in a million shades of blue color. You can get there from the city bus station by shared cab: when you get in the car with your companions. Usually, six people get in at a time, the cost of a one-way trip is 70 dirhams, which equals 7 euros. Very economical when you consider that it takes almost two hours to get there.

Day 3:

I recommend taking the third day to the white city of Asilah or (second name) Asila, which by its beauty is not inferior to Chaouen. But it is much cleaner there. All the streets are clean, so it seems that you are not in Morocco but in a natural Arabian fairy tale. Plus the city is located on the coast and there are excellent fish restaurants.

Day 4:

On the last day, go to Tetuan. Another city on the coast, where, before the exodus from Arab countries to Israel, the Jews lived. Here the houses are all painted white with a touch of green. As in the case of Shefsha’eun, it is forbidden to change the color of the facades. It’s an atmospheric place, a sort of proper eclecticism near Gibraltar.

2. HOW TO GET AROUND TANGIER AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

Cab in Tangier is not a luxury, although there is no Uber. You just catch a car on the street and talk to the driver. As a rule, you do not need to haggle, the prices are initially called acceptable.

The car will take you from the medina to the bus station to the neighboring towns for 20 Dirhams (2 Euros).

From the airport to the medina – for 15 euros, and you can book a cab directly from the hotel booking. Then you won’t have to look for a car again.

3. You should take a shared cab, the comfortable equivalent of a shuttle bus, around the neighborhood. You come to the Grand Taxy Station and see the signs “Chefchaouen”, “Asilah”, “Tetuan”. The drivers stand next to the vehicles and shout out the names of the cities so that you are sure not to make a mistake. When there are 6 people loaded into the car, the car goes from point A to point B. The only thing to keep in mind is that sometimes you have to wait half an hour for your companions.

The cost of a shared cab transfer to the main cities per person one way

Chavin (Chefchaouen) – 70 dirhams (7 euros)

Tetuan – 20-25 dirhams (2-2.5 euros)

Asilah – 20 dirhams (2 euros)

3. WHERE TO LIVE IN TANGIER AND HOW MUCH IT COSTS

All guidebooks, as one advises tourists to settle in the medina. But not me. First of all, it is very dirty. Secondly, it’s noisy. And then there are seals. Yes, I love them, too, but with such a high concentration of tailed, they smell so unbearably strong, that anyone would beg for mercy for the nose.

So, it is much better to choose accommodation in the modern part of the city, thankfully there are all chain hotels, which usually do without unpleasant surprises. And the city is small, from the modern area to the medina for 20 minutes at a measured walk.

The best hotel in Tangier, to my taste, is the five-star Grand Hotel Villa de France, the one where Henri Matisse lived. A double room there costs about 90-108 euros a night, which is wildly expensive by Moroccan standards and almost communist by European standards.

But you will have breakfast in a beautiful garden. And in the evenings you can drink wine, and even whiskey at the bar in the colonial style. You can find a room in a private house or hotel room in the medina even for 15 euros, but then do not complain about the strange hair in bed, not leaving the water in the shower or not a too clean toilet. In short, in the case of Tangier I do not recommend saving on lodging, otherwise, what kind of vacation it will turn out.

4. ABOUT SAFETY IN THE STREETS

You’d be surprised, but in Tangier – all is quiet. Trouble may await those who are tempted by the offer of a street vendor to buy the famous local “dope weed”, which the country quite officially supplies to Amsterdam. Yes, there are plenty of beggars, and often they are quite decent-looking teenagers or women with children, but they are not so obtrusive as to draw attention to them. We just smile and wave, that is, move on.

In terms of street crime the situation is better than, for example, in Ho Chi Minh City or Sicily, where you just want to linger and your purse will be snatched from your shoulder. You shouldn’t hold on to your personal belongings in tourist restaurants either, no one will steal anything. Even on the street to you may stick a local resident shabby-looking and start without asking for an excursion around the city, for which in the end, of course, he will ask for money. Well, then you need to politely smile and retreat: less talk – less trouble.

5. HOW TO BEHAVE GIRLS

Morocco is considered a progressive by Muslim standards. For example, girls here can be married off only at the age of 18. For this local ladies have to thank King Mohammed VI, who has adopted a new version of the Mudawan Code. Previously, girls were married off at the age of 15. Also, women here can get an education, work in a variety of positions and go out of the house without an escort. At the same time, polygamy has not been abolished in the country. Of course, today few Moroccans can afford four wives, because it is, first of all, expensive, but such a practice nevertheless exists.

On my first day in Tangier, I went outside wearing a headscarf. Yes, I am a practicing feminist, but why piss people off? As it turned out, the local population does not react to tourists without a headscarf, so that same evening I took off the headdress and never thought about it again. If we talk about clothing, the Moroccans are not surprised by European style. Kedikas, jeans that are not too tight, sneakers. But the ladies with deep cleavage and skirts much higher than the knee may be frowned upon. But who dresses like that on trips to Muslim countries?

Here are some features to be aware of:

There is a number of features that one should be aware of. First of all, Moroccan women do not walk in the evening and stay mostly at home. If you go alone to wander in the medina, you may get the unpleasant feeling that you are alone in a strictly male society.

Secondly, men’s cafes are normal in Morocco. They are places where women do not go. It is easy to distinguish such a place. The walls are shabby and half-dark. There are a lot of rugged men sitting on the chairs. Some in traditional clothes, but more often in suits “fake Adidas from the market. Drinking tea. Watching soccer. You should not go into such cafes, but I do not think that you have such a desire in principle. These places look more intimidating and not hospitable at all. Even male tourists are not attracted there.

But the big plus! The Moroccans do not pester the European ladies, especially if you are traveling with a male company. The residents of other Arab countries are known to be less concerned about their male companions.

6. ABOUT THE LANGUAGE AND CURRENCY

The most popular European languages in Morocco are French and Spanish. Almost everyone speaks one of them. However, you may encounter some problems with English. Keep this in mind and be prepared to sometimes communicate in gestures.

If we are talking about what money to take with you, the best option – the Euro. Exchange offices are at every step, and if you want you can even pay in euros, especially if you’re buying something expensive. Haggle at the markets of the country – a must, sometimes the price of your favorite carpet or ceramics, which is very good, you can knock down by half.

Payment by card is possible in European-type restaurants and hotels, but just do not forget to warn your bank, where you are going to fly. You may also take money from ATMs in the streets, for example there is Societe Generale, but it’s better to clarify the commission fee and internal exchange rate with your bank in advance.

7. DIRT, STREET FOOD, AND THE DAILY ROUTINE

The medina of Tangier is a bit dirty. Tetouan and Chefchaouen are a little cleaner. The most decent place, which has no questions at all, is Assilah. Actually, if you can get used to the trash in the street, then in terms of food in the street, I would recommend not taking risks without extreme need.

The tortillas lying on the floor, the fish that was lying on the sidewalk five minutes ago, and so on, strictly according to the list. Locals right in the markets drink fresh and eat hot, a local snack of chickpeas, salt, and pepper. From it, they make a semblance of oven-fried tortillas. Sellers serve food with dirty hands. So (important tip!), if you are going to Morocco, stock up on stomach and intestinal remedies.

And I can not fail to mention the toilets for the locals, because they are visited by vendors selling food in the markets. If the tourist restrooms are mostly normal, at most you will see a WC in the style of “hole in the floor” and two footstools, but this and the Russian stations, and Italian small cafes are not uncommon, the authentic toilets are just a hole in the floor. Without a drain. There is a separate pitcher to flush after yourself. Conclusions, ladies, and gentlemen!

And, yes, about the daily routine. The Moroccans start the day near noon and call it a day before midnight, so the medina is deserted in the morning, which is the best time for a photo session, and the sunlight is just right. It’s a bad idea to photograph people in the markets and the streets without asking. It is better to ask once in a while to avoid unnecessary trouble.