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The ochre walls and towers of Tangier’s Kasbah above the city and the sea

Old town

The Kasbah

At the top of the medina, the walled Kasbah was for centuries the seat of power in Tangier. Today it is a quiet, whitewashed quarter with a fine museum and some of the best views in the city.

Why visit

The Kasbah was built as the fortified citadel of Tangier, home to the governor’s palace, the treasury and the garrison. Its thick walls and gates still enclose a peaceful quarter of whitewashed houses, and from its terraces you can look across the Strait of Gibraltar to the coast of Spain on a clear day.

The Kasbah Museum

The former sultan’s palace, Dar el Makhzen, now houses the Kasbah Museum. Its rooms of Moroccan arts and archaeology are arranged around courtyards with carved plaster, painted ceilings and zellige tilework, and there is a small Andalusian-style garden.

What to see

  • Bab Kasbah, the main gate from the medina
  • Place de la Kasbah, the square in front of the palace
  • The sea gate and the walls above the port, with views to Spain
  • Quiet lanes of white and blue houses, many now guesthouses

Tips

  • Unofficial guides often offer to show you the way. A firm, polite “no, thank you” works.
  • The lanes are steep and uneven. Wear comfortable shoes.
  • Check the museum’s opening days and hours before you go.
  • Walk on to Café Hafa for mint tea afterwards.
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