Located in Northern Morocco, Tangier has been a place of history for thousands of years. Since first being settled in the 5^th century BC by the Phoenician people, it has been under the rule of the Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Portuguese, Spanish, English and French.

It was also the location of the martyrdom of Saint Marcellus of Tangier.

The city has been the site of repeated disputes between European countries through its history, including the Germans and French during the early part of the 20^th century.

However, the history of this city goes well beyond war or occupation, in fact, the Legation Building in the city was the first piece of property acquired by the United States in their entire history; it was the location of their consul.

Due to the city’s culture of Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities and the amount of foreign immigrants, numerous artists have been attracted to the city, including William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, Tennessee Williams and The Rolling Stones. Numerous books have been inspired by, or written in Tangier, including Mohamed Choukri’s For Bread Alone and Burroughs’ Naked Lunch.

As well, during the 1940s, up until 1956, the city was in the International Zone, which meant it was a popular place for eccentric millionaires, secret agents, speculators and gamblers.

Things To See

There are several things to do in Tangier, beyond simply enjoying the sights and sounds of the city. First, you can visit the Teatro Cervantes, which is closed and detorating, but still worth a look and a photo from outside the gates as you make your way up to the Grand Socco.

You can visit the American Legation, which has a museum and is an important culture center for the city, complete with a library in the heart of the old medina that houses the only historic landmark of the United States outside of North America. The museum has a large assortment of historical items, and it also houses the Paul Bowles Museum, which is dedicated to the writer who spends most of his adult life in Tangier.

The Kasbah Museum, which is the former palace of the Sultan, is worth a look simply for the collection of artifacts from the 5^th century BC all the way up to modern times. As well, has a beautiful garden outside.

Naturally, when you visit any large Moroccan city, one place you should always check out is the historic medina, which serves as the marketplace and hub of the city. No visit is complete without it.

Tours

There are numerous tour guides in the city that will be able to give you a private tour of not only the medina, but many of the historic attractions of the city, including the palace. However, as with anywhere you travel in the world, always make sure that the tour guide is government certified so that you do not get the run around from someone who is out to con you.

Where to Stay

The city of Tangier offers some beautiful places to stay, but here are two of the best for the intrepid traveler.

The Moevenpick Hotel and Casino

One of the best places to stay in the entire city is the new Moevenpick Hotel and Casino Malabata, a luxury hotel that has one of the largest casinos in all of Africa. The hotel lies along Malabata Bay, offering stunning views of the ocean for all of its guests.

The rooms range from the Deluxe to the Suite, each room offers a balcony, bathrobe, cable television, complementary newspaper, private bathroom and many of the other standard hotel amenities.

The hotel also offers an all day coffee shop that overlooks the pool area. The shop serves authentic Moevenpick dishes, as well as excellent light snacks.

However, for a truly unique dining experience, any visitor to the hotel must try out Layali, an Oriental restaurant that is housed under a traditional Moroccan tent, which offers a wide variety of Moroccan and oriental specialties, complete with live entertainment for all the guests of the restaurant.

If you simply want to relax at the hotel, you can take advantage of the large outdoor swimming pool or garden during the summer months. As well, the hotel comes complete with a Jacuzzi, hammam, sauna, massage therapy and beauty treatments for all guests. You can also have the hotel arrange golf, horse riding and tennis for you.

The El Minzah Hotel

If you are going to stay anywhere in Tangier, you cannot beat the most famous hotel in the entire city; the El Minzah Hotel.

Considered by many to be the most elegant hotel in the city, this five-star hotel was built under the command of John Crichton-Stuart, who was a British aristocrat with extensive interests in the city.

The hotel has been build in the Hispano-Moorish style, keeping true to the heritage of Morocco, while making it a comfortable English gentleman’s club. The hotel, which is also considered to be one of the most luxurious in all of North Africa, offers stunning views of the Bay of Tangiers, Straights of Gibraltar, the Rif Mountains, the medina and the Cap Malabata.

Gardens of roses and geraniums, lilies and hibiscus dominate the outside of the hotel, coupled with palm, orange and eucalyptus trees.

Built in 1930, the hotel is only 12 kilometers from the Tangier Airport.

The hotel does not only offer one restaurant, instead offering its visitors a choice of two, plus a wine bar. The El Erz Restaurant serves international cuisine, while the El Korsan serves traditional Moroccan food. You can also go to the Wine Bar and enjoy some amazing cuisine offered by some of the best chefs in all of Morocco.

If you just want to relax, you can enjoy the wellness center, complete with gymnastics, massages and more, or you can have the hotel arrange a golf or horseback riding excursion for you.

Conclusion

Tangier is a beautiful place that offers many avenues of culture and history for the traveler who is ready to check them out. Come see why so many artists have been inspired by this city, which is the northern gateway to Morocco.