As a traveler who is willing to travel to the north of Morocco. This post provides you with everything you need to know before traveling to Tangier. First, its location at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar makes Tangier, Morocco, a busy port city. It is clear that many different cultures have left their mark on this ancient city. It’s a lively, if sometimes rough, metropolis. As a visitor, it’s important to keep an eye on your surroundings. Tangier’s edginess is part of what makes it so appealing, though. It gives the city a lively “realness” that isn’t always present in destinations that are so popular with tourists and travelers.
Would you travel to Tangier?
It’s definitely worth paying a visit if you’re in the area, as the vibe here is unlike anywhere else in Morocco. You might not want to make the effort to travel to the city if you aren’t in close proximity to it.
The number of days you should spend in Tangier depends on your interests. Do you plan to stay here and venture out to neighboring cities like Asilah, Tetouan, and Chefchaouen, or do you plan to continue on your journey? A visit to the city’s main attractions can be completed in as little as one or two days.
There is no denying that Tangier has a checkered past, but the city has made great strides forward in the last few decades. Want to know if a trip to Tangier is a good idea? You wouldn’t feel any less secure there than in any other major city in the United States or even the region. In response to recent events around the world, the Moroccan government has put more security personnel in place all over the country. Moreover, strides have been made in recent years to improve Tangier’s appearance. Though vendors can be annoying, pickpocketing and other forms of petty theft are more common than violent crimes. I hope you find this guide to Tangier useful for making the most of your time there.
Tangier’s history
Tangier’s history dates back to before the 5th century BC, when Amazigh (Berber) tribes and Phonecian traders first arrived on the coast to conduct business. There are many names that have been referred to the city, including Tanja, Tingi, Tingis, Tanger, and Tangiers. The Greek mythological character Tingis, the daughter of Atlas, is said to be the inspiration for the name Tingis. Nonetheless, the Semitic word Tigisis, meaning “harbor,” is a more likely etymological ancestor. Because of its strategic location, Boughaz is sometimes referred to as “the door of Africa” or “the bride of the north” by the Moroccans.
Carthaginians
The Carthaginians were the first foreigners to settle and colonize the area, but the Berber tribes had already been there for centuries. Later on, both the Romans and the Byzantines had brief stints as rulers of the region. Tangier did not fall under Muslim rule until 702. The city fell to Portuguese rule between 1471 and 1662, during the height of European colonial ambitions. Also for a short time, the British had it after presenting it to the king as a gift in exchange for the hand in the marriage of one of his daughters.
The first American consulate was established in Tangier after the United States’ independence. Morocco was the first country to recognize the new nation. The Legation Building in Tangier was the first overseas property that the new country purchased. Sultan Moulay Suliman presented the item to him.
Tangier was already an extremely diverse city at the turn of the twentieth century. Approximately 40,000 people called the city home, including 20,000 Muslims, 10,000 Jews, and 9,000 (mostly Spanish) Europeans. The rest of the country was for the French and the Spanish beginning in 1912. But Tangier was a different story. Moreover, it was a French, Spanish, and British international zone in 1923.
During World War 2,
Tangier’s history during World War II was fascinating. This is because of the complex nature of the occupying countries’ claims and the international nature of the territory. There was a unique blend of opportunity and a live-and-let-live policy in Tangier that attracted spies, businessmen, writers, artists, and intellectuals. Moreover, people from all walks of life. Despite this allure, Tangier and the rest of Morocco became independent nations in 1956. They used it as a base of operations during the Cold War, so the rumor goes.
How do I reach Tangier?
Morocco Tourism Trips wrote this article to provide travelers from all parts of the world with Travel tips for traveling to Tangier.
Tangier via plane
Ibn Battouta Airport in Tangier handles more than 1 million passengers a year. International flights leave from Europe on airlines like Ryanair, Air Arabia, Iberia, and TUI. Along with many smaller cities, Paris, Brussels, Madrid, and Amsterdam all serve Tangier. Domestic flights leave frequently from cities like Casablanca, Marrakech, and Ouarzazate.
The boat to Tangier
Ferries are one of the most common ways to get to Tangier. The fast trip between Tarifa and Tangier on an FRS ferry takes just over 30 minutes. From Algeciras to Tanger Med is another route, and FRS or Acciona Transmediterrea can take you there. This trip takes 70 minutes, and Tangier is 30 kilometers from the port. From Gibraltar to Tangier Med, there is a ferry that runs once a week. It leaves Gibraltar on Friday evening and arrives in Tangier on Monday evening. It takes 80 minutes to go this way. During the busy season, you should book early to make sure there is space at the time you want to cross.
Take the train to Tangier.
Tangier is the train’s first (or last) stop. Many people who want to go to places farther south in Morocco take the train. The Tangier to Marrakech overnight train is one of the most popular routes. You can book a room with a bunk bed for four people (either mixed or female only). You can also book just one seat in the first or second class. Be aware that there are no limits on how many tickets, they sell in second class, so you may have to stand or squeeze in. In addition, it is going to be difficult to find a first-class ticket.
There is now also a fast train that goes from Casablanca to Tangier and back. This whole trip takes the Al-Boraq train 2 hours and 10 minutes, and there are both first-class and second-class seats available.
The Tangier bus
In Morocco, there are two main kinds of buses: “public” buses and private buses. Locals usually use public buses to get from one place to another in more remote areas where there is no train service. Most travelers can arrive at many places by private buses, like CTM and Supratour, which are a lot nicer. You can choose either one, but if you don’t speak French or Arabic, it will be hard to use the public bus system.
Supratour and CTM have bus stations in most cities, but they don’t often run between places where trains go. So, it might be hard to find a bus from Marrakech to Tangier if you want to take one. But if you want to get from Chefchaouan to Tangier, it’s the best way. Check the schedules ahead of time because there may only be one or two buses a day. We hope that all the travel trips to tangier help you to travel safely to Tangier and to the north of Morocco.
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