Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.
COUNTRY CODE:
Dial +212 for North Africa
FROM THE AIRPORT
Car Hire :
Take advantage of the special easyJet inflight rate. Visit the Europcar desk on arrival or call +212 (0)39 941 938. Open from 7am-10pm seven days a week.
Airport Transfer :
Pre-book your door-to-door transfer with easyJet’s transfer partner, Holiday Taxis—from home to the airport and the airport to city or resort. Just log on to easyjet.holidaytaxis.com.
Taxi :
Take one of the cream-coloured grand taxis to the city for about MAD100. It takes 20 minutes.
(3 Rue el Jabha el Ouatania. Tel. 039 936 242) This rather modest local's bar serves surprisingly good French and international recipes, such as the delicious ratatouille and freshly caught skate wings in black butter sauce.
(1 Boulevard Mohammed V . Tel. 039 941 674) With its surrealist décor, low lighting and pink walls, this restaurant is unassumingly hip. Originally made for export only, Casablanca beer is now available in select bars—get one here with dinner.
(41 Rue de la Resistance. Tel. 039 324 422) The first and only sushi restaurant in Tangier is sleek and attracts a young and modern crowd. The miso soup is excellent, as is the sushi assortment for two.
(Les Grottes d’Hercule . Tel. 039 333 332) Dramatic outdoor seating on the balcony over the vast Atlantic steals the show from the timeless dining room of the Mirage Hotel, where Francis Ford Coppola and other famous guests have stayed. The fish soup is a good choice to start with. Reservations recommended.
(1 Rue Kaa and Dar Dbagh, Bab Marsa. Tel. 061 082 461) Every Thursday from 7.30pm, a group of talented Arabo-Andalous musicians open the doors to their practice room in the old medina to guests free of charge.
(1 Rue Magellan. Tel. 039 935 337) Popular with a young Moroccan and expat crowd—and famous for its links with William S Burroughs—lingering beatnik ghosts are nightly exorcised by thumping bass.
On the ground
Shop
In Fondouk Shejara, a weaver’s co-operative off Rue de la Liberté, wool and silk are loom-woven into intricately patterned shawls, blankets and throws. You’ll only see men working in public, but it also sells textiles by women from the Rif Mountains.
Insider Tip
See Tangier from the sea, with Tangier Fishing Odyssey. Leave from the port or Marina Smir along the Mediterranean coast for half- or full-day trolling, bottom or spin fishing, and/or dolphin watching (Tel. 061 150 382. www.tangierfishingodyssey.ma).
Key Area
The American Steps of the medina lead up to the American Legation Museum, an impressive archive of correspondence between Morocco and the United States, as well as paintings, antique maps and a Paul Bowles room.
This month
The Cinematheque de Tanger hosts a retrospective of Jacques Demy films this month, including the classic 1960s musical Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Peau d'Ane (Donkey Skin) and lesser-known gems (Cinema Rif, Grand Socco. Tel. 039 934 583).
Day Tripping
Ceuta (Sebta)
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This Spanish enclave is about 90 minutes away by grand taxi or bus (you'll need to change in Tetouan). It's a great city for shopping, though avoid Saturday afternoon and Sunday when stores are closed—you’ll find everything is tax-free. Note: bring passport and leave time to clear customs.
No way!
Tangier is home to 14 cinemas and has played the backdrop for plenty of films, most recently The Bourne Ultimatum starring Matt Damon.
