14 Best Sights in Tangier and the Mediterranean, Morocco

This large, palm-lined plaza sits at the junction of old and new, linking the medina to the Ville Nouvelle. Tangier's main marketplace in times past is now known as the Place du 9 Avril, the date of King Mohammed V’s famous speech requesting independence. The keyhole-shape Bab el Fahs, the main entrance to the medina, stands at the bottom. As late as the 1940s, when the new city was just beginning, the door was locked at night to seal off outsiders—hence the name, meaning "Inspection Gate."

Sprawling across the medina's highest point, Tangier's kasbah is a fusion of sun-drenched squares, where the Mediterranean sun bounces off pristine white walls—a relic of the Portuguese in the 16th century—and shade-filled alleyways, making it the ideal place for relaxed wandering. Don’t miss Place de la Kasbah, with the Dar el Makhzen (a sultan’s palace turned fascinating museum) at one end, and the iconic Bab al Bhar gate at the other. Step through the gate for stunning views over the port and across the ocean to Spain. The Bab el-Assa has a fountain covered in beautiful zellij tiles, ornate stucco, and carved wood. The kasbah is also home to some of the city’s most atmospheric restaurants and lodgings. You can reach it from the Grand Socco by walking up Rue d'Italie, which turns into the steep Rue de la Kasbah, and entering through the Bab el Kasbah at the top. Or dive into the medina and get there—with a few twists and turns en route—walking upward along Rue Amrah. A petit taxi can take you there as well.

This former sultan’s palace now houses a beautiful museum, with arts and crafts—including carpets, jewelry, ceramics, illuminated manuscripts, and textiles—alongside an overview of the region’s rich history from the Paleolithic period to colonial times. There are finely crafted examples of carved and painted cedar ceilings and the marble columns in the courtyard were taken from the ancient Roman city of Volubilis; other notable objects are the mosaic Voyage of Venus and the life-size Carthaginian tomb. There's also a lovely Moroccan-Andalusian garden to stroll through and a rooftop café with stunning views. Exit the palace via the former treasury of Moulay Ismail, the Bit el Mal; look for the giant, knobby wooden boxes that once held gold and precious gems. A palace has been here since the 12th century, but the current building was reconstructed in the 18th century by Ahmed Ben Ali.

Consecrated in 1905, this towering Anglican church—famously painted by Matisse in 1912–13 from his room at the Grand Hotel Villa de France—gives a sense of the flourishing interfaith relations that Tangier was once famous for. The Lord's Prayer is engraved in Arabic behind the altar, and quotes from the Koran appear across the Moorish-style walls. The church is built on land donated by Sultan Hassan. A cemetery surrounds St. Andrew's and holds the grave of British journalist Walter Harris (1866–1933; he lived in and wrote about Morocco), as well as British and Commonwealth soldiers who died fighting in North Africa during World War II. The caretaker is almost always on-site, and for a small donation to the church, he will share his knowledge about the church and those buried here.

As the first public real estate and the only U.S. National Historic Landmark outside the country, the Tangier American Legation Museum pays testament to the long-standing relationship between Morocco and the United States. Since the stately building was donated to the U.S. government by Sultan Moulay Suleiman in 1821, the museum has amassed a large collection of paintings, books, maps, and portraits. Exhibits to look out for include the original correspondence between George Washington and the sultan, and an amusing letter home from a panicked ambassador who was given an unusual goodwill gift by the Moroccan people: a now-extinct Barbary lion. Don't miss the Paul Bowles wing, dedicated to the American author's life in Tangier.

This popular cinema and cultural center, formerly the Cinéma Rif, is in a renovated, whitewashed Art Deco theater dating from 1938; it offers retrospective screenings and cutting-edge films across two screens. Old Spanish film flyers dazzle from under their glass frames at the café, where there is a full menu of intriguing, ciné-inspired cocktails and some light bites. The colorful, comfy chairs spill out onto the legendary Grand Socco marketplace, perfect for people-watching.

The towering white-and-green-tiled minaret of the largest mosque in the city makes it one of the most recognizable sights in the medina. Built on the ruins of a European-built church in 1685 by Sultan Moulay Ismail, it was a tribute to and celebration of Morocco's return to Arab control.  While only Muslims are allowed to enter the mosque, it makes a great photo stop as you explore.

A row of cannons pointed in the direction of Spain lines the so-called Idler's Terrace, known for its sweeping views; some say this is meant to stop Spanish invaders, or perhaps the French, the British, or the Portuguese. The terrace is a popular stop for locals, and on a clear day it's possible to see the outline of Spain on the horizon.

Next to the Grand Socco and flanked by a row of colonial-era buildings, this large, grassy park draws families and young couples, especially on weekends. On a peak of the central hill, surrounded by historic cannons, an engraved stone monument displays the speech King Mohammed V gave to the French asking for Moroccan independence in 1947. 

Located in the stately former British Consulate building built in 1890, this gallery, run by Morocco's ministry of culture, shows mostly traveling exhibitions of contemporary art. A lovely garden surrounds the building.

A 15-minute taxi ride from the center of Tangier and around halfway to Cap Spartel, this sprawling coastal park (also known as Park Rmilat) makes a great break from the city. Its shady pine, mimosa, and eucalyptus groves, ocean views, signposted trails, and picnic spots make it popular with local families, especially on weekends. You can also see the restored house of Ion Perdicarus (the son of an American ambassador to Greece, born in 1840) and imagine his kidnapping by the Rifi bandit El Raissouni, with whom he later became friends.

Stopping off in this permanently busy square is a quintessential Tangier experience, with a cast of characters passing through who are bound to give you a taste of Moroccan daily life. Pick from three old-school cafés: what is now the Hotel Fuentes used to be the German post office during the International Zone era. The square is a great place to take a break before plunging back into the souks that surround it, or you can let gravity take you down past the Grand Mosque to the viewing platform looking out onto the port.

Famous for its café scene in the first half of the 20th century, Place de France is one of the Ville Nouvelle's main squares, named for the French consulate in one corner of the square. During World War II, legend has it that it was a popular haunt for European secret agents and shady deals; more recently it was the star of a thrilling chase scene in the 2007 film The Bourne Ultimatum.

Morocco’s first urban marina sits at the western end of the golden sweep of city beach, with space for superyachts, restaurants such as La Table du Marché and Chiringuito, and the trendy nightclub 555 Famous Club. It's perfect for a leisurely promenade, and on a clear day, you can see Tarifa in Spain.