Walking tour
Season: Year-roundMedina and Kasbah walking tour
- The souks, the Petit Socco and the Kasbah
- A licensed guide who keeps hustlers away
The essentials
| Where | Northern Morocco, on the Strait of Gibraltar |
|---|---|
| Distance to Spain | About 14 km across the strait at its narrowest point |
| Languages | Moroccan Arabic and Amazigh. French and Spanish are widely spoken, English in tourist areas. |
| Currency | Moroccan dirham (MAD) |
| Time zone | Usually GMT+1, changing to GMT during Ramadan |
| Plugs | Types C and E, 220 volts |
| Emergency numbers | Police 19, ambulance and fire 15 |
When to visit
The best time to visit Tangier is in spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, when days are warm and the city is less crowded.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March to May | Mild and sunny, with green hills. Ideal for walking and day trips. |
| June to August | Warm and busy, with strong winds on some days. Ferries and hotels are busiest in July and August. |
| September to November | Warm days and calmer seas. One of the best times to visit. |
| December to February | Mild but wetter and windier, with few visitors and lower prices. |
The dates of Ramadan move earlier each year. During the holy month many cafés and restaurants close during the day, and the city comes alive after sunset.
Culture and etiquette
- Dress modestly in the medina: covering shoulders and knees is a good rule for everyone.
- Ask before photographing people.
- Most mosques are open only to Muslims.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public during the day.
- A few words of French or Arabic, such as shukran for thank you, go a long way.
Food and drink
Try tagines and, on Fridays, couscous. Harira soup, bissara (a thick fava bean soup), msemen pancakes and fresh grilled fish are everyday favourites, and street stalls sell kalinte, a chickpea-flour snack with Spanish roots. Mint tea is served everywhere. Alcohol is available in some hotels, restaurants and bars, but not in most cafés. Read what to eat in Tangier.
Money and costs
The dirham is a closed currency, so you will get it on arrival from cash machines or exchange offices. Cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants, but carry cash for taxis, cafés and the souks. Bargaining is expected in the souks, and tipping is customary.
Safety
Tangier is generally safe. Unofficial guides may approach you in the medina and around the port; decline politely and firmly, or book a licensed guide. In petit taxis, ask for the meter or agree the fare before you set off. Take normal care with valuables in crowded places.
Visiting responsibly
- Buy crafts from cooperatives and workshops where you can see the makers.
- Respect prayer times and residents’ privacy in the medina.
- Carry a refillable water bottle.
- Bargain fairly: the aim is a price both sides are happy with.
