Tangier holidays

Tangier is a coastal city through and through – it’s perched on Morocco’s northern tip, where the Atlantic meets the Med. The sea laps right up against the city, with the waterfront sweeping beside the medina and stretching into wider, windier coastlines as you wander further out. On clear days, you can look straight across the Strait of Gibraltar to the mountains of southern Spain.

Just east of the city centre is Tangier’s main beach – a long crescent of golden sand curving around the bay. It’s ideal for a lazy wander, a quick paddle, or just sitting back feeling the salty air after a day in the medina. Locals jog along the promenade, kids fly kites, and cafés nearby serve fresh juice or mint tea with a sea view.

For quieter, wilder sands, head a little further along the coast towards Achakar or Cap Spartel, where the beaches feel wilder and less developed – and it’s the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Just up the road, the Caves of Hercules are steeped in myth and legend, with huge rock opening shaped like Africa frame the ocean – and a sunset here is pretty special, trust us.

If you love rummaging for treasures with a story behind them, Tangier’s medina and the alleys off Grand Socco are perfect for wallet-friendly finds. Think colourful spices, handwoven rugs, leather slippers (babouches), and brass lamps – all at prices where a little haggling goes a long way. Locals expect a little back-and-forth, so don’t be shy. Start low and smile your way up.

Tangier has loads of mid-range gems – from embroidered kaftans and artisanal ceramics to leather bags and quality textiles. Shops around Rue de la Liberté and Petit Socco often strike the sweet spot with well-made items, uniquely Moroccan, and far from tourist-trap prices. If you ask to see the back stock, you might find some of the best pieces tucked away from the street.

Want a splash of luxe? Make a beeline for Ibn Batouta Mall, home to big international names including the largest Zara in Africa, or Socco Alto Mall for a glossy, modern shopping experience. For high-end Moroccan design, explore boutique-lined streets near the Kasbah or galleries in Ville Nouvelle – you’ll find beautifully crafted rugs, vintage decor, and rare collectibles hidden among contemporary fashion.

Tangier is perfect for taking it slow. Rooftop terraces – little oases above the city – are ideal for sipping mint tea and watching the world go by. Pop into the Petit Socco for small platters of olives, sardines, or cheese, and if you time it right, you might even catch the sun setting over the Strait of Gibraltar.

When the sun sets, Tangier turns up the energy. Head to the buzzing streets around the Grand Socco or the Corniche for late-night cafés, lounges, and bars with live music. You might catch traditional gnawa, hypnotic and rhythmic, with metal castanets, chanting, and trance-like grooves, alongside Moroccan jazz. Don’t be surprised if a crowd forms around street performers, too.

This magic grain is a foundation of Moroccan cuisine. While it might be a last-minute lunch fix for us, in Morocco it’s slowly steamed until light and fluffy, then topped with a fragrant mountain of vegetables – carrots, courgette and pumpkin are the regular trio – joined by tender chicken, beef or lamb.

Named after the cone-shaped clay pot it’s cooked in, tagines in Tangier bubble away for hours. Pretty much all sorts can be bunged inside – think classics like chicken with olives or lamb with sweet prunes – or, leaning into the coastal setting, fresh local fish, prawns or sardines with punchy chermoula, a marinade of garlic, lemon and spices.

Meet your new favourite street snack. Maakouda are golden little potato fritters – crispy outside, soft and fluffy inside, with a whisper of garlic, cumin and parsley. You’ll spot them piled high at tiny stalls around the Grand Socco and Medina. Insider tip? Get them tucked into warm khobz (traditional Moroccan bread) with a streak of harissa or tomato sauce. It’s basically Morocco’s answer to a chip butty… but better.

Mint tea is Morocco’s liquid hospitality. It’s poured from an Aladdin-style teapot reaching Olympic ski-jump heights before landing perfectly in a small glass below. Made with green tea, fresh mint and plenty of sugar, it’s sweet, refreshing – and maybe even a little addictive. Oh, and refusing a glass? Let’s just say, it’s hard to say no.

Bissara is Tangier’s ultimate comfort breakfast, especially in winter. Made from puréed broad beans (or sometimes split peas), it’s simmered until silky smooth, then finished with garlic, cumin, chilli and a generous glug of olive oil. Scoop it up with fresh bread for proper hug-in-a-bowl energy.