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Day trip to Tangier

We are planning a day trip to Tangier. We are looking for advise on what to expect. We do not want a group tour. Has anyone used a private tour guide? How can a private tour guide be arranged?

Posted by
4555 posts

I believe Rick recommends a couple in his Spain travel book. We've also done Tangiers a couple of time, first using his self-guided your in the same book, then using it as a base and branching out....it was a breeze.

Posted by
1 posts

They will find you. "No, thank you" is sufficient.
Actually I can't believe that tourists complain so much, as I've never gotten hassled the way they say.
Everything is interesting, and the part you will probably want to visit is small, just the major streets of the medina and the older part of the ville nouvelle just south of it. Bearing is to the port, which is downhill as well, so it's easy. Guide you smell of the sea, and you can't get lost. Just wander around, have coffee rself by the slope of the terrain, the sun, and theor tea, and look at things and people. Don't look at your map in public, but have your plans ready as far as what you want to see.
It is a beautiful city.

Posted by
324 posts

I have hired a guide on several visits -- my father calls it "redistribution of wealth". I make clear that I'm not interested in buying anything, but would like someone to give me background gossip/history. Once the guide ended up taking me to his uncle's place for lunch. You might want to consider carrying a compass with you for orientation purposes, I've seen guides try to re-negotiate their price once leading a group into the depths of the casbah. Tangier is a friendly, vibrant, passionate city, albeit a grimy one. If you approach things with an open mind, you'll have a great time.

Posted by
576 posts

Personally,I wouldn't have chosen to use one of the guides who hits on you as soon as you get off the ferry.However,we were the guests of our Madrid,Spain exch.student&her family&they let a guide talk them into his services.The Moroccan guide(he had the approved guide ID around his neck)spoke PERFECT unaccented English to our family&perfect Spanish to them,switching constantly back and forth for us.He was absolutely charming and took us into markets&other places where we never would have dared to venture.The next day we explored on our own,but he gave us the confidence to do this.He taught us so much about Moroccan culture.I forget how much he charged,but it seemed very small for what we gained and my husband&our Spanish friend tipped him extremely well.He was our first introduction to how friendly&lovely the Moroccan people are.The cultural differences are at first a bit startling,so it really helped us to quickly appreciate and love Morocco.The guide was WELL WORTH every penny!

Posted by
1 posts

Well, Tangier was my second trip arranged in Morocco email(starstour@hotmail.com) Tangier is a must see place. My driver and companion for the whole day was waiting for me in the Port holding a placard with my name on it. He was very professional, with a great English and knowledge about Morocco. The trip in the car passed very quickly. Unfortunately the driver is not allowed to enter with you in the old city and you are given a tourist guide who spoiled my day. It's a great place to visit but those who watched Indiana Jones movie might be a bit disappointed as the caves of Hercules are empty inside. Nevertheless I would recommend this trip and have given the highest rate because the organization was perfect. My driver was a great companion and I got to know from him lots about Morocco. I am sure I will be back there for longer and will see Tangier by night.

Our Private day trip from Tarifa-Spain to Tangier-Morocco included a chauffeur-driven car, not a bus. Our driver was very nice. His English was very good, and there was no rush to do anything; we had all the time we wanted. Tangier is a must, but four hours in tangier was enough. Our driver explained everything before we entered Tangier, which certainly was Useful. it was worth it. There were plenty of photo shots. we were so glad we did a private tour and not a massive group tour.

Posted by
204 posts

Not knowing really what to expect we booked the boat and tour in Tarifa. Yes we were with a group(only 10) and were met by a guide who spoke English very well. We did go by bus around the city-by the palace and to some camels which we road at the top of the city. Then he took us into the Kasba- and all the back streets. Vendors ran after us want us to buy purses etc. but ignore them, Yes he took us to the hand made rug place and back street where he showed us how they make their bread in the dug out basement - also to a spice place where a person explained some uses of some different spices. But the best part was we were taken to a restaurant(very nice) where they served us Moroccan rice, chicken,etc desert sweet tea- and a belly dancer to boot. All in all it was an introduction to another culture and we thorghly enjoyed the day. Would love to explore more of Morocco in the mountains.