Tangier, Morocco

Anyone looking to explore a new land and experience a vibrant culture should not miss a trip to Tangier, Morocco.  Tangier is the northernmost city of Morocco, located at the tip of the Strait of Gibraltar.  On a clear day, you can see across the water to nearby Spain.  Most travel here by plane or by ferry from Tarifa, Spain.  A quick hour and a half flight separates Madrid and Tangier.  If you choose to fly, be prepared to fill out a customs card when you arrive at the airport, requiring basic information about yourself, the length of your trip, and where you will be staying.  Most locals speak Arabic and/or French, but English speakers will have no problem navigating the city; anyone involved with tourism speaks at least some English.  Morocco has its own currency known as Moroccan dirham.  We used local ATMs to make a one time withdrawal from our American bank accounts, and this seemed to be easier than converting physical cash.  The airport is outside of the main city, so you will need a taxi to get from the airport to any hostels or hotels.  The 20-30 minute ride introduces you to the African countryside.  Taxi drivers often hold a wealth of information, and I suggest you make conversation during the short ride.  Our driver denoted some important landmarks and talked about Morocco’s natural beauty. While I would recommend a longer stay in Morocco, you can experience most of what Tangier has to offer with only a weekend getaway.

Once in a more central location, the stunning and elaborate geometric designs of the mosques and the bright, exotic colors of the many fabrics for sale on the streets promise adventure and enlightenment.  The most fascinating aspect of Tangier, the medina (marketplace), can also be the most intimidating.  While we planned our trip, we assumed that we would be able to use a map to navigate this marketplace, but no map can accurately depict the winding complexities of this local treasure.  We attempted to navigate the medina by ourselves, but we quickly became lost and decided to allow Omar, a local with many stories and a passion for Tangier, to guide us through the streets of his home.  He took us to local churches, explained some aspects of the market, and even introduced us to a man who sold fabrics handmade in the deserts of Morocco.  While he explained the process of how the fabrics were made, he offered us mint tea, a Moroccan tradition.  The tea was delicious; it had a refreshing and slightly sweet mint flavor.  Do not leave Morocco without having a cup or two.  Though we were initially wary of following a complete stranger in a very foreign country, our time with Omar proved to be the most memorable part of the trip.

A short taxi ride from Tangier will transport you to Hercules Cave, the mythical God’s resting place.  The cave creates an almost perfect silhouette image of the continent of Africa that is great for pictures!  While you are looking for places to eat in Tangier, be cautious of the local stands.  You should avoid drinking the local tap water (there are plenty of places to buy bottled water for a cheap price; buy some for drinking and brushing your teeth).  We only ate in larger, more established restaurants, and none of us had any problems.  We even visited the local McDonalds and tried our hand at ordering french fries in French.

Tangier does have a railroad station, and if you find yourself craving more of Morocco, you can catch a train to Fez or Marrakesh from this easily accessible starting point.  I will never forget the truly inspiring attitude of most of the Moroccans that we met, and I found myself wishing I could traverse deeper into the country and culture.  They always talked about peace and beauty, and these natural wonders transcended the problems and conflicts in our society.

If you are a women, please take into consideration that Morocco is a  predominantly Muslim country; therefore, the locals have strict expectations about how women ought to dress.  No matter what you believe, I suggest being modest and respecting the local culture.  The more skin that you cover, the less attention you will attract.  If you do not, be prepared to endure uncomfortable stares, passive comments, and maybe even some more traditional Muslims spitting on the ground as you pass.

While my friends and I did not enter a mosque, I would recommend doing so if you are familiar with the customs and culture that surround the experience.  No travel adventure is worth offending those who live in the country you are visiting.

Whether you embark on a quick weekend trip or an extended adventure, visiting Morocco promises to provide memorable and valuable cultural experiences.

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Have you been to Morocco?  What was your favorite part about your trip?  Let us know in the comments below!

[accordion_tab title=”Collegiate Correspondent: Matt Thomas” default]

Matt Thomas recently graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Spanish. He studied abroad in Ávila, Spain during his sophomore year of college, igniting a passion for travel, culture, and language. In addition to traveling (and falling for) Spain, he traveled to four other European countries and spent some time in Africa. Since returning from Europe, he has also taught English to international students studying in the United States. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Matt enjoys conversation, community, and iced coffee.[/accordion_tab]