Tracing the Fascinating History and Present-Day Wonders

Discover the enchanting city of Tangier, where ancient tales converge with modern vibrancy. Tangier is a city shaped by various civilizations throughout the ages and explores the remarkable attractions that await visitors today.

Ancient Origins

Tangier’s history dates back thousands of years, with evidence of Phoenician settlement as early as the 10th century BCE. The city flourished under various rulers, including the Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, and Byzantines, each leaving their imprint on its cultural landscape.

Strategic Location and Cultural Crossroads

Situated at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean, Tangier became a melting pot of cultures, attracting waves of conquerors and traders. Its strategic location made it a coveted prize for empires such as the Arabs, Portuguese, and Spanish, who vied for control over this vital port city.

International Zone Era

In the early 20th century, Tangier entered a unique phase as an international zone governed by several countries. During this period, the city became a haven for artists, writers, and spies, earning a reputation as a bohemian enclave that attracted luminaries such as Paul Bowles, William S. Burroughs, and Tennessee Williams.

Tangier’s Highlights Today

Modern Tangier blends its rich history with contemporary allure, offering an array of captivating attractions for visitors to explore:

The Medina

Step into Tangier’s ancient heart, where narrow alleyways, bustling souks, and ornate mosques immerse you in a sensory feast. Lose yourself in the vibrant tapestry of sights, sounds, and scents.

Kasbah Museum

Discover the city’s history at the Kasbah Museum, housed within the former Sultan’s palace. Explore its impressive collection of artifacts, including ceramics, textiles, and traditional Moroccan art.

Caves of Hercules

Just outside the city, marvel at the natural wonders of the Caves of Hercules. These mysterious caves, believed to be linked to Greek

mythology, offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

American Litigation Tangier

American Legation Museum

Delve into Tangier’s diplomatic history at the American Legation Museum, the first American public property outside the United States. Discover its extensive collection of art, historical documents, and exhibits showcasing the city’s international heritage.

The Corniche

Stroll along Tangier’s picturesque Corniche, a palm-lined promenade that offers panoramic views of the city’s coastline. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, indulge in delicious seafood, or simply relax while soaking in the Mediterranean ambiance.

Tangier’s Contemporary Vibe

Tangier’s cosmopolitan spirit is alive and well, with modern developments complementing its historical charm. The city boasts a thriving art scene, trendy cafés, and a burgeoning nightlife, providing visitors with a delightful blend of old and new.

Tangier’s allure lies not only in its storied past but also in the vibrant tapestry of its present-day wonders. From its ancient Medina and historic museums to its modern artistic flair and scenic Corniche, Tangier invites visitors to immerse themselves in a captivating journey through time and culture. Prepare to be enchanted by the timeless beauty and dynamic spirit of this captivating Moroccan city.

Camel Caravan

Morocco camel tour activity

There’s something fantastic about camels that you never really understand until standing right in front of one. They’re big, over 6′ tall at the shoulders, and nearly 2/3 of a ton. They’re smart, remember kindness, and enjoy an affectionate scratch or pet (think of them as really big dogs with saddles). They’re also surprisingly photogenic and often will look right into the camera, ready for their closeup.

Morocco camel trekking activityRiding a camel takes no experience at all. Their size and feel resemble sitting on a felt-covered, substantial couch. Unlike the jarring up-down ride of a horse, the camel gently sways from side to side when it walks and never seems to be in a hurry. You also don’t have to steer a camel. Camels are pack animals and will follow the camel guide, who usually walks on foot in front.

If you think riding a camel is easy, you’d be right. It’s getting onto it is the adventure. You don’t mount a camel like you do a horse. The camels start by sitting down until you get in the saddle. That’s when the fun begins. Then, as the camel stands, its back legs straighten first, pitching the rider forward, then the front legs straighten, pitching the rider back. Then, when it kneels, it’s the same process in reverse. So remember, saddle up, lean back, then lean forward.

Ghost Tour of Fez

Guided tour activities at tourist attractions, MoroccoOver fourteen centuries have passed since the founding of Fez. One of the largest labyrinth cities in the world, the city has seen dynasties rise and fall, foreign invasion, conquest, bloody rebellion, and liberation. It’s an enigma, wrapped in a mystery, colored with hope, and tinted with blood. Guided tours of Fez focus on today and the city’s historical monuments and highlights, overlooking its colorful and sometimes dark past.

Now, for the first time in Morocco, SaharaTrek offers its exclusive guided Ghost Tour of Fez. Starting after dinner and just before sunset, you’ll get rare access to the places and stories left out of the tourist brochures.

Guided tour activities at tourist attractions, Morocco -1 The tour starts before sunset with a look inside the abandoned Glaoui Palace. Once a sprawling complex of twelve houses, hammams, Qur’anic schools, stables, a cemetery, and extensive gardens, it was the base of power for the Glaoui family. As powerful as they were brutal, the Glaouis’ ambition knew no bounds. They became the enforcers for the French during the occupation (1907-1956) and conspired to overthrow Sultan Mohammed V. After Moroccan independence, the blood-soaked Glaoui family was erased from history, and their multiple palaces were seized and left to rot.

Guided tour activities at tourist attractions, Morocco -2 As the sun sets, you’ll be driven to the hills overlooking Fez as the call to prayer echoes from a hundred mosques before heading down into the Madina. You’ll venture by foot, following your guide down the narrow, dark alleys before arriving at the Slave Market.

Slavery was abolished in Morocco in 1925, but its shadow still lingers in the Fez Medina at the Slave Market. During the day, they auction animal hides from the tannery in the market. In the afternoon, it’s a market for used clothes. But it’s when the market is empty at night that you can faintly hear the wails of despair from enslaved Christians taken by the Barbary Pirates or the sub-Saharan Africans brought over the Salt Road.

A short 2 hours after the tour starts and the darkest of the night has set in, you’ll be guided back to your Raid for the rest of the evening.

Taste of Morocco

Morocco's top food attractionsHere’s a joke: What do Moroccans call traditional Moroccan food? Answer: Food! And traditional Moroccan food is everywhere you go, surrounding you with the smells and tastes of the exotic. With our Taste of Morocco, you’ll experience the adventure that is Moroccan street food. In Marrakech and Fez, your tour guide will not only show you the sites of Moroccan culture and history, feeding your curiosity and desire for adventure. But also stop by the small shops and workingman’s cafes where you’ll get to sample the local delicacies feeding your stomach simultaneously. Think of it as a city-wide roving buffet that can easily replace a sit-down lunch.

As you tour the cities, keep your eyes (and noses) on the lookout for some of the specialties Morocco offers, and you’ll regret missing them.

  • Shebbakia: pasta ribbons with hot honey and grilled sesame seeds, commonly found during Ramadan.
  • Briouats: sweet filo pastry with a savory filling, like a miniature pasilla.
  • Morocco's top food attractions -1Briouats au miel: sweet filo pastry envelopes filled with nuts and honey.
  • M’hencha: almond-filled pastry coils, often covered in honey or syrup.
  • Cornes de gazelle: marzipan-filled, banana-shaped pastry horns.
  • Pastilla: sweet pigeon or chicken pie with cinnamon and filo pastry (a specialty of Fes).
  • M’laoui: flat griddle bread from dough sprinkled with oil, rolled out, and folded several times.
  • Bissara: thick beans soup, usually served with olive oil and cumin.
  • Olives: come in numerous varieties,
  • Almonds, walnuts, and dates.
  • Bread: almost always round like a cake and tears easily by hand. It’s usually homemade and cooked in the public oven.
  • Morocco's top food attractions -2Khlea: small pieces of beef or lamb marinated in light spices, then dried in the sun (gueddid) before being cooked and preserved in fat for up to 2 years. Still a homemade staple in rural areas, these days, many Moroccan families resort to buying it as it is so readily available everywhere.