The port of Tangier is a major entrance point for visitors from Spain due its close proximity to the southern tip of Spain and Gibraltar. For many years from the 1920’s to the 1950’s Tangier was a haven for the rich and famous as well as those travellers looking for fun and adventure. During these times regular visitors included Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams amongst others. In the 1960’s when Tangier was relinquished back to Morocco tourism slumped as the city lost its duty-free status and Tangier suffered a great deal. Now tourism is flourishing again and visitors come to Tangier for the tree-lined promenades and sandy beaches and to seek treasures in the markets of the old town.

There is now a flourishing chic café culture emerging amongst Tangiers stylish boulevards and the merchants in the old city markets are doing a good trade too which all adds to the atmosphere of this wonderful seaside city.

Tangier has much to offer tourists with many wonderful things to do and sights to see. The Kasbah is a 17th century fortified residential quarter, and is a maze of tiny alleys, arcades and terraces. There is much to find here from great food to bargains on pottery, jewellery and spices. Visitors can watch local craftsmen at work whilst sitting on a terrace in a Moorish café, or wander the Sultan’s Gardens and on a clear day you can see as far as the Spanish city of Tarifa.

Amongst the old medina you will find the American Legation Museum. Morocco was the first nation to recognise the United States in 1776 and this museum houses the documents which go back over the history and relationship between the 2 countries. There are also collections of furniture, ancient doors, maps and paintings. It is also in this building that the allied forces prepared part of the 1942 landings in North America.

A good starting point to explore Tangier is the Grand Socco which is a huge marketplace. This is main point where old part of the city links with the new and there is also a very large taxi rank here if required. This grand square was once full of snake charmers, musicians and storytellers much like the marketplace in Marrakesh, but as there as only 2 market days a week it doesn’t have the same atmosphere as Marrakesh but is still well worth a visit especially on Thursdays and Sundays, which is when the markets take place. You can watch the Rif women in their colourful traditional costume tout their vegetables and fresh mint and also admire the opulent Mendoubia Gardens on the north side as well as the mosaic covered tower of the Sidi Abid Mosque.

Another must when sightseeing in Tangier is the Dar el Makhzen Museum, a collection of art from all over Morocco which is housed in the former Sultan’s palace dating back to the 17th Century. The many collections on display here include firearms decorated with coats of arms, pottery, carpets, silks and manuscripts. All of these collections are to be found in the prince’s apartments, which in themselves are truly breathtaking with frescoed ceilings, sculptured plasterwork and elaborate mosaics.

Tangier is a place full of excitement and startling contrasts. There is an incredible mix of North African cultures and rich and diverse history. This diversity makes this city well worth a visit especially for those looking for somewhere a little bit different.