With a population of one million, Tangier is Morocco’s third largest city. Situated on the Strait of Gibraltar, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, it is the gateway to Moroccan tourism. To make the most of your stay, it’s essential to ask yourself the question of where to stay in Tangier.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the main areas to stay in Tangier. This classification is based on criteria of geographical location, tourist interest – particularly historical and cultural – and the general liveliness of the different areas of the city. All of this will help you decide where to stay in Tangier.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Tangier, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Tangier:
- $ this riad, located 100 meters from the center, offers charming rooms at affordable rates.
- $$ this sea-view apartment, features fully-equipped bedrooms.
- $$$ this upscale establishment, located in the heart of Tangier, close to the old medina.
Map of different areas to stay in Tangier
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Tangier accommodation essentials
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Tangier, here are the essentials to know about the city, from a tourist point of view.
Places to stay in and around Tangier
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Tangier.
Stay in the heart of the old Medina
Located to the north of the city, the old Medina area is the best choice for accommodation in Tangier. Its location, between the Kasbah district to the northwest and the beach district to the east, is ideal for visiting the city. What's more, this area has many other assets that make it a good choice for staying in Tangier.
First of all, its authenticity lies mainly in its historical character. Tangier was successively occupied by Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Portuguese, English and French. One of the most visible signs of this rich history is the fact that the entire Medina is surrounded by ramparts built in several phases between the 15th and 19th centuries.
Within this area, you'll find the following main sites of interest:
- the narrow streets, a pleasant place to get lost in
- the Great Mosque, built in the 17th century
- Place du Petit Socco, the lungs of the area, with its many cafés
- Place du Grand Socco (or Place du 9 avril 1947), where old and new Tangier meet.
The area is also very lively. There are many restaurants, cafés and boutiques. What's more, the whole area can be explored on foot.
To the northeast, Tangier's port and ferry terminal are just a few minutes' walk away. To the east, the beach area is a 20-minute walk from the old town.
For all these reasons, accommodation in this district is an excellent choice for a stay in Tangier. The many accommodations on offer are mainly bed & breakfasts, in riads and hotels.
Our recommended accommodations
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Chambre d'hôte inside a Riad. Very attractive prices for fairly spacious rooms. Beautiful terrace overlooking the city.
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This hotel offers modern rooms finely decorated in bright colors. The architecture and decoration make this establishment unique. The terrace offers a beautiful view of Tangier.
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Luxury hotel complex on the edge of the old Medina. This 5-star hotel features an outdoor pool and spa. Rooms decorated in traditional Moroccan craftsmanship.
Staying by the beach
Located in the eastern part of the city, Tangier beach is a significant tourist attraction. Stretching over three kilometers, it borders the southern Strait of Gibraltar. It's the ideal place to relax, sunbathe and swim in Tangier.
The area is quite lively. It boasts a large number of restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs. Lodging in this area is particularly attractive for young people, who can take full advantage of the nightlife. Indeed, apart from its stretch of fine sand, this area has no other sites of interest to visit.
Its relative eccentricity means that staying here is the most attractive option for those who want to make the most of the seaside during their stay in Tangier.
It's a twenty-minute walk from the central beach to the Medina. What's more, the accommodation on offer is much more limited than elsewhere. The main accommodation options are hotels and apartments.
Our recommended accommodations
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Spacious seafront apartment for up to 5 people, close to Tangier station. Good value for money.
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Beachfront hotel, 100 meters from the beach. Very spacious suites. They include a bedroom and living room at a more than fair price. Access to the spa and private parking are included in the price.
Stay in Tangier inside the Kasbah
The Kasbah of Tangier is located at the northern end of the old Medina. Built on high ground, it is the oldest part of the city.
It was originally a fortress built in the 12th century. Later, the city gradually expanded from the Kasbah. Its history, geographical position and distinctive white houses make it one of Tangier's most important tourist attractions.
The main sites of interest in this area are
- the Kasbah Museum, including archaeological and ethnographic works in the former Dar el-Makhzen palace
- the pleasantalleyways to discover while taking in the magnificent sea views
- the Museum of Antiquities, featuring the city's ancient remains in the Dar el-Ghorfa palace.
Although less lively than the old Medina, this district is nonetheless home to a large number of restaurants, cafés and boutiques. Choosing to stay in the Kasbah is therefore a very interesting option for your stay in Tangier. Bed & breakfasts in riads are the main accommodation options.
Our recommended accommodations
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Hotel offering private rooms and dormitory beds. Very attractive rates for accommodation in the Kasbah area.
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Bed and breakfast close to the museum. Spaces fully decorated with traditional Moroccan craftsmanship. Excellent value for money.
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Luxurious Riad near the museum. Combining the traditional with the modern, the rooms and suites are uniquely decorated. There's a bar, a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, and a magnificent terrace overlooking the sea.
Accommodation along the Boulevard
Located between the south of the old Medina to the west and Tangier's railway station to the east, Avenue Mohammed V is one of the city's most important thoroughfares. It is the “Boulevard”, as Tangier's inhabitants call it. Stretching for around two kilometers, it's a lively place, frequented by the local population. You'll find plenty of shops, restaurants and cafés.
If you want to stay in the modern part of town, you may want to stay along the Boulevard. Or if you're planning to stay near the train station for a trip to another Moroccan city.
It's worth noting, however, that there are very few accommodation options in this area. So, except for a very short stay in Tangier, staying in this area is really of little interest.
Our recommended accommodations
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Apartment located at the end of the Boulevard, near Tangier station. Just a few hundred meters from the seafront, it offers low-cost accommodation for up to 5 people, as well as private parking.
Summary
This article has given you an overview of the various areas where you can stay in Tangier. As you can see, there are a number of essential criteria to be taken into account when deciding whether to stay in the old town, near the beach or in the modern city. Aspects related to history, culture, proximity to the train station, sunshine and partying will greatly determine your choice of accommodation in Tangier according to your expectations.
So, even if the old town is the most popular place to stay in Tangier, staying by the beach or along the Boulevard can be interesting alternatives. As with any tourist destination, the earlier you plan your choice of accommodation, the more attractive your options will be.