Tangier & The North

A MEDITERRANEAN HAVEN FOR THE CREATIVE SOULS

Hightlights

Medina • Food • History Arts • Shopping • Nightlife

Best time to visit

March to October

Dapper gentlemen in djellabas gather at Cafe Central, in the vibrant Petit Socco square. The beating heart of Tangier’s historic medina. They savour their noss noss, an enticing blend of coffee and milk. While engaging in lively discussions that weave together Arabic, Berber, Spanish, and French. Nearby, a group of adventurous travellers embarks on a Beat generation pilgrimage, seeking to evoke the spirit of 1950s Tangier. An “International Zone” ruled in six-month intervals by various nations, alive with artists from Europe and America.

This is the city where Paul Bowles write The Sheltering Sky (1949). Where Degas, Delacroix, and Matisse found their Orientalist muse. It’s the backdrop for luminaries like William Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, Truman Capote, and Antoine de Saint-Expery. Who flocked here for its exotic allure or to indulge in kif (marijuana) at the iconic Cafe Hafa perched on a cliff. Tangier is full of intrigue and drama. A realm of secret agents (no surprise that James Bond’s Spectre was filmed here). Where poets and painters thrive. It marks the convergence of the Mediterranean and Atlantic, blending a storied past with a promising future. After being overlooked during King Hassan II’s reign, Tangier began its transformation in the early 2000s. As investors turned their gaze to this border city, leading to the establishment of Tangier Med. It is the largest port in Africa and the Mediterranean.

Vibes and Views

While The Cervantes Spanish theatre crumbles away, Tangier’s modern cultural landscape flourishes. It boasts North Africa’s inaugural cinema, Cinema Rif. The artist Yto create it at the bustling Grand Socco Square. Today, this venue is dedicated to showcasing independent films and hosting specialized workshops. Thus, earning admiration from cinephiles around the globe. A burgeoning literary district emerges just a few blocks away along rue de la Liberte. Leading to Terrace des Paresseux (literally “the terrace of the idle”), passing notable spots like El Minzah Hotel and Galerie Delacroix.

Literary Legends of Tangier

The iconic Librairie des Colonned – an elegant international bookstore and publishing house is here in 1949. It swiftly became a favourite haunt for literary giants such as Samuel Beckett and Tennessee Williams. Renowned for shaping Tangier’s intellectual atmosphere, this beloved institution was meticulously restored in 2010. That same year was the rise of another literary hub: Les Insolites. Crafted by French expat author Stephanie Gaou. It serves as a vibrant urban intellectual centre with regular book signings and art exhibitions.

Along Boulevard Mohammed VI by the beach lies Tangier’s latest addition to its contemporary art scene: the Border Factory – a former clothing factory transformed into an artists’ residency hosting exhibitions and co-working spaces. For discerning travellers, Tangier continues to unveil a rich multicultural tapestry that sets it apart as truly extraordinary.

Start your journey here