2 Days In Tangier: Explore, Eat, Sleep & Repeat

After two eventful days exploring Casablanca and Rabat, it was now time to shift my base to the north of the country. Tangier became my home for the next two days. A beautiful city in the north of Morocco, sharing its proximity with Spain through the ‘Strait of Gibraltar’. The locals often joke around saying “Spain is just a 15-minute swim away!” Somehow it seems real as I could see the Spanish land from the rooftop of my hotel.

How to reach Tangier?

Al Boraq Train is the best and the fastest mode to reach Tangier from Casablanca. The superfast train covers a distance of 340 km in just 2 hours. Moreover, the train runs every two hours, from 6 am until 9 pm. Therefore, you can be flexible with your timing without any worry.

I boarded the 7 am train from Casa Voyageurs station and reached Tangier at 9:10 am. I took an early train as I had plans of travelling to Chefchaouen the same day.

First Impression

The landscape of Tangier is hilly on one side and ocean on the other. The city has a different vibe and beauty. Palm trees bordering the road and cluster of white house shining like pearls in sunlight. Therefore, being famous by the name ‘White Pearl’. Honestly, I couldn’t stop smiling until I reached my hotel.

Where to stay?

I stayed at VwV hotel (earlier known as Hotel Mauritania) at Petit Socco, one of the best places to be in Tangier. The room was good enough for one. However, the location of the hotel is what attracted me the most. The view from the balcony gave a glimpse of Tangiers nightlife, and the rooftop provided an aerial view of the city. The room rent was in my budget but didn’t include any meal. However, there were plenty of restaurants around to try!

Rent for a night – 255 DH (1980 INR approximately)

Day 1 – Chefchaouen

I started my day with a delicious breakfast that I got from my friend’s place. After relaxing for a while, I left for the bus station.

How to reach Chefchaouen from Tangier?

There’s a direct bus service to Chefchaouen from Tangier. The bus operates once a day at 12:15 pm and takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach Chefchaouen. The ticket can be bought directly from the bus station and cost 45 DH. 

Chefchaouen Walking Tour

I had booked a walking tour experience through AirBnB website at 3 pm because it was perfectly suiting in my schedule. However, I did request the tour guide to start the tour at 3:15 pm as I was reached Chefchaouen at 3. After getting down at the bus station, I hopped in a shared cab that took 10 DH to drop me to the Medina.

I met my tour guide at the Medina from where we proceeded with our walking tour. We started with the famous striking blue lanes, exploring every nook and corner. The place was so beautiful that I couldn’t keep my camera down even for once. After exploring the most touristy part of the city, we headed to the Kasbah to get a glimpse of the culture. We passed through Ras el Maa Waterfall, stopped by the local oven and laundry place, observing their lives and day-to-day tasks. 

Hike to the viewpoint

We then headed to the Spanish mosque located at the mountain top. The hike was short and pleasant. We crossed many olive trees on our way to the top. The view from the top was mesmerising. It was the best place to watch a sunset. However, I had a bus to catch at 6:30 pm because of which I rushed back to the city, where my guide helped me find a taxi back to the bus station. 

Heading back to Tangier

The journey back to Tangier was mesmerising. I crossed several scenic landscapes and was lucky enough to witness the most beautiful sunset in the land of Berbers. By the time I reached Tangier, it was dark. Taxis were barely available. Luckily, I was able to find one. However, I paid twice the amount!

Dinner 

It was now time to gorge on Moroccan delights. I visited the takeaway outlet opposite to my hotel that was quite crowded and seemed popular among the locals. I opted for the Chicken Sandwich loaded with French fries that cost 8 DH. Made of the staple Moroccan bread and stuffed with diced fried chicken. The preparation was delicious and was worth trying out!

Day 2 – Tangier

The second day called in for some local sightseeing. I booked an Airbnb walking tour, as I didn’t want to get lost in the Socco. I started my day with a delicious breakfast at a cafe next to my hotel. Omelette with Mint tea is what I ordered that came along with the famous Cheese of North, bread and olives.

I spent my spare ogling at the scenic landscape of the city from the rooftop of my hotel. After which I headed to Café de Paris that was also the meeting point for my tour guide. 

Tangier Walking Tour

We started with the grand Mohammed V Mosque, followed by the quaint Anglican church named St. Andrew. Next came the famous 9 April Square at the Grand Socco. We walked through the lanes exploring the garden and the shops around. On our way to the next spot, we stopped by a bakery to try out the authentic Moroccan sweets.

We then headed to the Mediterranean Cultures Museum, which gave a glimpse of the history and culture of Tangier. We walked through the narrow lanes to reach the viewpoint at the Kasbah that gave us a panoramic view of the ocean. Surprisingly everything was so well connected that we were able to hop from one place to another in no time. On our way to the Petit Socco, we stopped by the American Legation Museum. Surprisingly, my tour ended at the same cafe where I had my breakfast earlier. Mint tea at the end of our tour was a must to regain energy.

Hop-on, Hop-off Bus to the Hercules Cave

The walking tour ended by 3 pm and I had plenty of time to kill before I left for Casablanca. Therefore, I decided to explore the famous Cape Spartel to the north of Tangier. Hop-on, Hop-off was the best option available as it was cheap and secure. I bought the tickets (130 DH) from the bus stop opposite the main entrance of Petit Socco (near the port). The trip began at 4 pm and ended at 6 pm.

It was my first ever Hop-on, Hop-off ride and I was delighted by the experience. It was a hassle-free journey. The view on the way to the caves was scenic. It was like Morocco’s version of the Grand Ocean Road. The audio guide came along with the ticket, and so I was able to understand each spot that we crossed. We reached our first stop in 40 minutes. It was the summer palace of the King of Morocco, also known as Cape Spartel. The bus halted for merely 10 minutes after which we headed to the Caves of Hercules. The Cave had two openings, one from the land and other from the ocean. The carvings and the scenic view from the cave make it a must-visit attraction in Tangier. The bus halted here for 20 minutes, after which we headed back to the city. 

Facts about Tangier Hop-on, Hop-off Bus

1. There are two routes for Tangier Hop on Hop off Circuit Tangier Ville (Blue) and Circuit Port Grottes D’Hercules (Red).
2. The ticket cost 130 DH that includes both the routes and valid for 48 hours.
3. Morning route – Circuit Tangier Ville (Blue) running between 9 am until 2 pm
4. Evening route – Circuit Port Grottes D’Hercules (Red) running between 4 to 6 pm

Reaching Casablance from Tangier

I took Al Boraq from Tangier Ville Station at 6:55 pm and reached Casablanca by 9 pm. A smooth ride back home without much of a hassle.

I hope my journey helps you plan your tour in a better way. Let me know your queries in the comments, and I’ll be happy to help you plan your trip.