Why Honeymoon in Tangier
The setting is unlike anywhere else in Morocco. From the kasbah walls, you look across a narrow strait to the hills of Spain and ships glide between the two seas. Sunsets over the Atlantic at Cape Spartel are a city ritual.
The atmosphere is distinctive. Tangier has a layered history of Phoenicians, Romans, Portuguese, British and international rule and the mix of languages, architecture and cafés reflects it. Writers and artists from Matisse to the Beat Generation came here and you can follow their traces through hotels, bookshops and cafés.
It is also easier than Marrakech for many couples. The medina is smaller and calmer and the city has a Mediterranean feel. It makes a gentle introduction to Morocco or a contrasting stop on a longer trip.
When to Go
April to June and September to October are the best months. Days are warm and sunny, the sea breeze keeps things comfortable and the city is lively without being crowded.
July and August are warm and busy, with many Moroccans returning from Europe for the summer. The beaches and promenade fill up and ferry crossings to Spain are packed.
November to March is mild but often rainy, with strong winds, notably the easterly Levante. Days can be pleasant and sunny between storms and it is a quiet time for museums and cafés.
Ramadan shifts each year and during it the city is quieter by day and lively after sunset.
Where to Stay
The kasbah and the upper medina have riads and boutique guesthouses with rooftop terraces overlooking the Strait. Staying here gives you the views and the old-city atmosphere, though access is often on foot through narrow lanes.
El Minzah, a historic hotel opened in the 1930s near the Grand Socco, has hosted generations of travelers and has gardens and a pool. It is a classic choice for couples who like old-world grandeur.
The modern city, along the seafront and around the marina, has larger international hotels with pools, sea views and easy taxi access.
For quiet, look at villas and boutique hotels in the hills of the Old Mountain district west of the center, with gardens and views toward Spain.
Romantic Things to Do
Drink mint tea at Café Hafa, a terraced café open since 1921 on the cliffs above the Strait, where Paul Bowles was among the regulars.
Explore the kasbah, with the Kasbah Museum in the former sultan's palace and views from the walls. Wander down through the medina to the Petit Socco and the Grand Socco.
Visit the Tangier American Legation, granted to the United States in 1821 and the first American public property abroad, now a museum with art and a quiet courtyard.
Drive west to Cape Spartel, where the lighthouse marks the meeting of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and watch the sunset. Nearby are the Caves of Hercules, a sea cave linked to legend. Take a day trip to Asilah, a whitewashed seaside town about 45 minutes south.
Getting There and Around
Royal Air Maroc flies nonstop to Casablanca from several US cities. From Casablanca, the Al Boraq high-speed train reaches Tangier in a little over two hours, stopping in Rabat. Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG) also has connections from Europe and it is about 25 minutes from the city.
Ferries cross the Strait to Tarifa in Spain from the port near the medina and to Algeciras from Tanger Med, about 40 km east. That makes Tangier easy to combine with Andalusia.
In the city, walk the medina and use petit taxis for longer distances. Agree on the fare or ask for the meter. For Chefchaouen, about two and a half to three hours, or Asilah, hire a driver or take a bus.
Food and Drink
Seafood is excellent, with fish restaurants near the port and along the coast serving grilled sardines, prawns and the catch of the day. Tagines, couscous and pastilla are on every menu.
Try kalinti, a chickpea flan sold warm by street vendors and bissara, a fava bean soup with olive oil and cumin, a winter breakfast staple.
Tangier's café culture is a highlight. Sit with mint tea or coffee at a terrace café and watch the city pass. Some historic bars and hotel lounges serve alcohol, a holdover from the International Zone era.
The Spanish influence shows in tapas-style dishes and pastries and you will hear Spanish spoken in many shops.
Honeymoon Tips
Be ready for unofficial guides near the port and medina. A polite but firm no thanks usually works. If you want a guide, book a licensed one through your hotel.
Dress modestly in the medina: shoulders and knees covered for both of you. The modern city is more relaxed.
Use taxis at night rather than walking through dark medina lanes.
Carry cash for small shops and cafés and keep valuables secure in crowds.
Morocco carries a Level 2 State Department advisory for terrorism. Tangier is a busy port city that is generally safe for visitors who take normal precautions. Entry and visa rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book.
