Hello all,
I am looking for advice on an expected quick visit to Tangier while in southern Portugal and Spain. I was originally planning only a day trip. But Rick's program on Southern Spain, Gibraltar, and Tangier, mentioned that he likes to stay the night in Tangier. My husband and I (a woman to clarify) will be traveling alone.
Does anyone have experience staying in Tangier after dark as an American couple recently? Did you fee safe in the city at night? Any issues to be aware of?
Thanks in advance for your time and advice.
Sincerely,
A pair from Cape Cod
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
If you think you might not want to go out at night, then choose a Riad where you can also reserve dinner, such as La Tangerina.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for the advice , Laura. Have you been to Tangier? If so, is that how you managed?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
When our Spain tour included Tangier, our tour groups were split between La Tangerina and www.darnour.com and they liked the hotels and meal options very much. My earlier experiences in Tangier including just going from ferry dock to train station alone, and later re-visiting in the company of a Moroccan resident. So I can't say that I did it exactly the same, but I'd encourage you to do it. The biggest thing to be careful of is pickpockets in crowded or touristy spots, so I recommend keeping deep storage in a money belt under your clothes.
Also be sure that you understand the exchange rate and value of dirham. Don't change too much cash, since sometimes the change offices at the ferry docks are not open when you need them, to change back any leftovers. Dirham are not normally traded outside of Morocco.
Posted by
Vancouver, Canada
7 posts
3 years ago my husband and I (early 50's) were also travelling throughout southern Spain and Portugal and jumped over to Tangier to spent 2 nights and 1 full day there. It was amazing. Do not be afraid to go by yourself! We took the ferry from Tarifa to Tangier's city centre port and on arrival, with only Rick Steves map of the old town in hand, we made our way through the medina, to the kasbah and allowed a young boy to show us to our lovely hotel, Dar Nour (beautiful terrace, great breakfast). It was an experience to get to the hotel but that was part of the fun and quite an introduction to a different culture. We spent the full day we had just wandering through the medina, walking to the newer part of Tangier and down to the beach area. We had no problems. We didn't hire a guide we just went our own way and never felt unsafe. The constant harassment from vendors was annoying but we met it with politeness and walked on but also engaged vendors in conversation. My husband speaks French so this also helped at times. It gave us a taste of Morocco and we will be going back this September for 2 weeks. So go. Have fun. You will not regret it.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
I very much appreciate everyone taking the time to tell of their experience. I've been longing to see Morocco for decades, so the advice of people who have visited is invaluable. I think we will likely use a young local guide, as well. My recollection of Instanbul and the Market is that vendors feel obliged to perpetually ask you to buy. It feels like harassment, but we should anticipate it.
Posted by
8 posts
We are going next July to Spain and a side trip to Tangier - has anyone done the excursions offered by the ferry company FRS? If not how did you find a local, trustworthy guide for the day? We will be traveling as a family so two kids plus two adults.