Highlights

The Old Medina
The Medina itself is large in size and have many narrow winding streets that are lined with all kinds of styled houses, but due to all of the different styles it shows that there are a number of different financial backgrounds that both worked and lived here. Some of the houses are still traditionally decorated by having brightly coloured doors and gates which are surrounded by rosebushes. When you go through the gate into the Medina from the Grand Socco you will be flooded with all of the aromas from the spices. A buyer's tip when it comes to shopping, is to make sure that you can haggle the product's price as you might be able to get it for a bargain price. If you can speak French it will be much easier and the shop keeper will have more respect for you.

The Grand Socco
This is a square that is now no longer a market place but more like a crossroads which have cafes on the front. This is where the sultan Mohammed V in 1947 made his famous speech about the independence of Morocco. This is the heart of Tangier, where the old town meets the new city. Years ago a street within this area would be filled of musicians, snake charmers and story tellers but now it is mainly for taxis, as a transportation junction. The Grand Socco is extremely colourful in the sense of culture that is to be seen in this particular area.

The Caves of Hercules

When the Atlantic high tides flood the caves, the water gushes up through these massive holes in the ground and hillside. This is apparently where the mythical figure Hercules went to rest after he finished his twelve labours.

It is unsure how the caves were exactly formed as they are partially natural and partially manmade. It has been rumored that an ancient civilization for some reason used to carve millstone out of the solid rock that made giant caves over the years which have all baffled experts as to how they could have done it with such simple and crude tools that they had.

The colours within the caves at low tide are breathtaking, but it is advised that if your not a strong swimmer do not to venture into the ocean as the currents offshore can be very strong and quite dangerous. It has also been said that the caves of St Michaels were once joined and that it would have been possible for the Barbary Apes to cross over.

Souks in Tangiers
Due to the increase in tourism there are many different tourist traps in which they will sell you low quality goods, that is why if you are willing to go off the beaten track there are several different goods available. Tangier is known to have good bargains with leather, carpets and copper. If you do not have much time to really explore the city, it is advised to go shopping as it can be a very entertaining experience and can be very intense as you will be constantly be offered mint tea and good prices.

The ancient seaport of Cotta
This historical site is only a five-minute walk south from the caves of Hercules. It is a small area of ruins which are located above the beach and have been dated back to the 2nd and 3rd century. There are also a number of walls which lay out a Roman town. It can be described that the area is a mixture between a villa and a Roman industrial compound. There are also Roman Baths, shrines, oil presses and temples.

Kasbah of Tangier
This was built at the highest point and has excellent views of mainland Spain. You go through some gates in which there is a huge open courtyard which can be followed to reach the Sultan, Dar el Makhzen’s palace which was built in the 17th century and now serves as a museum. There is another museum within it.