Explore a Moroccan medina on a day trip to Tangier
You needn’t limit your visit to Spain to, well, Spain. And that’s because just a stone’s throw away (OK, more like a high-speed ferry ride away) sits another country altogether – and particularly the gateway to Africa, the city of Tangier.
This ancient coastal town dates back as far as the 5th century BC, and has seen its fair share of history, having been ruled by Romans, Arabs, Portuguese and the English, among others. Flash forward to the present time and to a city that has been going through quite a bit of makeover. As such, expect to find flashy new Tangier additions, including a business district, a freshly erected soccer stadium and even a spiffied up airport. Add to that the fact that the cultural scene is starting to sizzle, and you’ve got yourself a very worthwhile destination.
Beyond that, Tangier is a great place to discover the delights of Morocco, particularly via the city’s medina (old quarter). Within this walled area, you can visit the kasbah (fortress), wander through the Moroccan market called a souk, and peruse exotic rugs at the bazaar. While there, you’ll also no doubt want to sample some of the country’s culinary stars, including a plate of fluffy couscous, and the famous earthenware-cooked tagine. Wash it all down by sipping on the traditional sugar-rich mint tea, which will certainly sooth your traveling soul and please your taste buds.
Get there on your own, crossing the Straight of Gibraltar by ferry from Spain, or consider joining an organized tour, such as a day trip to Tangier from Malaga, or even a three-day Morocco trip from Costa del Sol. Not only can you leave the travel coordination to someone else, but it will also help you to avoid some of Tangier’s notoriously insistent touts, hustlers that will inevitably try to sneakily sell you a good or service.
-Contributed by Erin Ridley
Day Trip to Tangier from Malaga from Andalucia & Costa del Sol Things to Do