When I first arrived in Tangier on April 2026 traveling solo, I had no idea what to expect. It was my first time ever visiting Morocco, and I had planned to stay for only four days.
I had imagined a sizzling, dusty and chaotic city that might be a bit challenging to manage. Instead, the Tangier that welcomed me was a refreshingly cool, calm and green coastal town with a unique blend of deep Moroccan heritage and charming Andalusian flair. I fell in love with it so much that those four initial days turned into two weeks.
In fact, if not for the fact that I had already made plans for the rest of my time in Morrocco, I might have been tempted to linger even longer !
Here are some of the favorite things I did during my time here.
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Best Sunset Spots in Tangier
Catch the Sunset at Beautiful Cape Spartel
Some of my most memorable travel moments revolve around sunsets, and Tangier was no exception. Spending an evening at Cape Spartel – where the roaring Atlantic Ocean meets the calm Mediterranean Sea —was an absolute highlight of my trip.
Standing on the cliffs, the views here are absolutely breathtaking, with endless horizons, powerful waves, and a refreshing natural atmosphere. The site features a gorgeous, white-and-yellow lighthouse dating back to 1864, built with distinct Arabic architectural details. You will also find an iconic signpost marking the exact convergence of the two seas.
Right next to the lighthouse lies the Hesperides Garden, which includes a small maritime museum. Entry to the garden is 50 MAD (about $5 USD) for non locals, and I highly recommend it. Inside, you’ll find a lush, green botanical oasis complete with stylish modern sculptures and free-roaming peacocks.
It is hands-down one of the most magical settings in Morocco to sit back, sip a traditional sweet mint tea, and watch the sun dip below the ocean horizon.
If you are not in a rush to head back to the city, stick around for dinner at Etoile Cap Spartel the cafe/restaurant inside the park. When I visited in April, it got quite windy in the evening, so it was the perfect escape to get out of the chill and enjoy a nice meal and drinks over a nice view.
Getting There: I took a shared taxi for around 40 MAD, but it’s also a major stop on the official Hop-On Hop-Off tourist bus.
Pro Tip: Tangier traffic can get pretty congested in the late afternoon. If you’re heading out there specifically for sunset, give yourself plenty of extra time.
Sunset Camel Ride and Hercules Grotto
The mention of Morroco often conjures up the romantic image of camels roaming in desert sand dunes. And with the Sunset Camel Ride with Cap Spartel & Hercules Caves tour, I got to experience just that without having to make a trip into the Sahara desert.
The tour picked me up from my hostel in the city center and took me down to the Akshay beach, just 30 minutes of the city. The camels were gentle and cute, and riding them along the sandy beach with the golden streak of setting sun behind is a memory that will stay with me for a long time.
The tour also takes you to see two of Tangier’s most iconic landmarks – the signpost of Atlantic & Mediterranean that marks the exact spot where the two sea meets, and the mythical Hercules Caves. According to the mythology, the Roman hero Hercules rested here during his twelve labors. The main attraction inside is the breathtaking cave opening that looks out onto the ocean. Over centuries, the sea has naturally carved this opening into a perfect silhouette known as the “Map of Africa.”
Entry to the Hercules Cave is not included and cost 80 MAD ( ~ $8). When you step inside, you’ll find a fascinating experience complete with local Berbers playing traditional music, monkeys, displays depicting the legends of Hercules. It can feel a bit touristy, but in my opinion it’s a highly unique place to visit that is worth seeing.
I highly recommend booking this Sunset Camel Ride with Cap Spartel & Hercules Caves tour. It is by far the easiest, most seamless way to see all three of these unforgettable spots in a single afternoon, and a steal at 30 euro. It handles all your transportation directly from the city center, saving you time and energy so you can just focus on soaking in that beautiful Moroccan sunset.
Wander Around the Kasbah
The kasbah in Tangier is a neighbourhood perched on the city’s highest hill. Here you can find peace and respite away from the busy hustle and bustle of the Tangier’s busy medina. Perhaps because it is higher and close to the coast, the air here often feels cooler during the day.
Its quiet, whitewashed alleys hide some of the city’s finest concept stores, contemporary artisan shops and cafes.The boutiques up here often feature independent Moroccan designers, hand-tailored linen tunics, contemporary ceramics, and rare antique textiles.
It’s my favorite place to wander around on a slow afternoon after a heavy satisfying tajine lunch.
Experience a Traditional Hammam
Whenever I visit a new place, I like to seek out experiences that are deeply ingrained in the local culture. In Morocco, nothing embodies this quite like the hammam (bathhouse). For many Moroccans, visiting the public hammam is a sacred weekly ritual. It is a social space centered around deep cleansing and rejuvenation, where families, friends, and neighbors gather to catch up on community news while sharing the warm marble steam rooms. In fact, a local friend told me that many muslims don’t truly feel clean until they have had their weekly, thorough hammam scrub.
Since I had never been to a hammam before and didn’t entirely know the etiquette, a friend and I booked a private hammam at a spa where an experienced lady treated us like princesses and pampered us from head to toe. We were washed, rinsed, exfoliated and massaged using a traditional kessa glove and olive-oil-based savon noir (black soap).
This experience left me completely renewed with baby like soft skin, I finally understood why this slow, grounding ritual is such an essential part of daily Moroccan life.
Grab a Tea at Cafe Hafa
Tangier is famous for its historic café culture, and Café Hafa is easily its most legendary icon. Since opening its doors in 1921, this cliffside institution has welcomed everyone from the Rolling Stones to famous bohemian writers, and it remains deeply beloved by locals and travelers alike.
Because of its fame, I worried it might feel a bit like a tourist trap. However, when I walked down the terraces on a sunny afternoon, I found it packed with locals relaxed and chatting over cards and pipes.
The service is part of the charm: a server walks row by row across the terraces, taking orders for hot tea and offering small snacks.
It’s perfect place to spend a hot afternoon with traditional Morocan mint tea brewed over a stunning view of blue expanse of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Tip: Make sure you have cash ready as a cup of tea is around 15MAD (~$1.5) .
Spend Some Time in Chefchaouen
Tangier serves as an excellent base for exploring northern Morocco, with several beautiful towns within easy reach. While many travelers try to squeeze in day trips to the historic medina of Tétouan or the quiet, artsy coastal walls of Asilah, I chose to focus my time entirely on Chefchaouen. Having traveled quite extensively through Andalusia Spain in the past, I wanted to experience a landscape that felt more unique than a typical town I might find in Andalusia.
I went to Chefchaouen myself by CTM bus and stayed there for four days. My favorite moments were early in the morning before the day-trippers arrived, wandering through the blue washed alley walls while the streets were silent and cool. Sitting on the hill by the Spanish Mosque at dusk, watching the sunset cast a warm orange glow over the sea of indigo and cobalt houses below, was unforgettable.
How to Visit: For a truly slow and authentic experience, I highly recommend taking the comfortable CTM bus from Tangier and staying overnight. However, if your itinerary is tight and you only have one day to spare, booking a guided day trip or a private transfer from Tangier is the easiest way to see the “Blue Pearl” without stress.
”Experience the Medina
Morocco is perhaps best known for its historic old towns filled with narrow alleys and artisan craft vendors. If you’ve researched trips to cities like Marrakech or Fes, you’ve probably heard people talk constantly about the “souks.” In Tangier, things are a little different – you won’t really hear the word souk used in the same way. Instead, the shopping experience centers around the Medina and its two famous squares, the Grand Socco and Petit Socco.
Unlike those vast, labyrinths like souks down south, Tangier’s old town is fairly compact, open, and much more manageable for first-time visitors. It feels a bit more laid-back, blending traditional Moroccan stalls with a breezy, Mediterranean coastal vibe. Inside the bustling medina, you can find anything from handmade leather bags and shoes to traditional instruments and unique souvenirs.
Haggling Tip: Most shops do not clearly label their prices, and you are expected to negotiate with the seller. This can be a bit daunting if you come from a culture that isn’t used to it. As a starting point, offering 30% to 50% of the upfront price is a standard baseline to kick off the negotiation.
Sophie is a Singaporean traveler and travel writer who has spent the past decade living across continents. Her previous career in tech took her from Sydney and San Francisco to Europe, where she spent the last five years living in Paris and the Netherlands.
Today, she writes about the art of slowing down. Sophie believes the best way to understand a destination is to stay a little longer, wander without a map, and let the authentic character of the place unveil itself naturally.