Both vibrant and historic, Tangier sits close to the southern Pillar of Hercules, and demarks the point at which the Atlantic Ocean to the west joins with the Mediterranean’s currents to the east. Long known as the gateway to Morocco from Europe, over the centuries Tangier has absorbed influences from as far afield as Scandinavia and Asia, as well as southern Europe and the rest of the North African region.
Sometimes named the White City, Tangier’s Kasbah citadel gleams white in the Moroccan sun. Looking up at it from below, you’ll see the Dar el Makhzen historic palace at its highest point, surrounded by the twisting streets of its medina Old Town, which remains full of marketplaces and attractive architecture often covered in beautifully-colored handmade tiles.
It’s here in the medina that visitors will find the American Legation Museum, marking the fact that Morocco was one of the very first countries to grant diplomats access after the US Declaration of Independence. Elsewhere, the Grand Socco and Petit Socco squares link the older and newer parts of the city, making them a focal point for citizens from all walks of life. Spending some time in and around these squares can be as rewarding as any museum visit or medina tour.
Both cosmopolitan and edgy, sophisticated and laid-back, Tangier has long held a special place in the hearts of artists and writers. Their influence can be found right across the city, but so can hundreds of years of assimilation from Europe and beyond.
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