User:Sapphire/Sandbox/Places/Tangier Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
Tangier (طنجة) is a city in Morocco.
Contents |
Get in
For most visitors arriving by ferry from Spain, Tangier is their first taste of Morocco. Unfortunately, the experience is often embittered by the hordes of touts and faux guides that prey on disoriented new arrivals, determined to part them and their precious money.
The guides have mostly been banned from the port area but you will still find a few. You can take a taxi (large cream coloured Mercedes or the much cheaper blue petit taxis) from the port direct to your Hotel and avoid the touts outside the Port area. The area immediately outside the port is full of touts but is no different to other touristic areas like Ouarazatte or Marrakech. If you can handle them in Tangier, you can handle them anywhere in the world. The best approach when dealing with touts is simply to ignore them and avoid eye contact. They are aware that their presence disturbs you and they are hoping that either you employ their services or pay for them to leave you alone; do neither, and simply ignore them even if they try and follow you but do not to speak with them at all. They pester Moroccan tourists also. In a worse case scenario walk into any nearby hotel or seek help from a policeman. The guides and the touts are the only negative thing in this otherwise facinating city - do not let them ruin your holiday.
Do not forget that this is the romantic city that the film "Casablanca" was originally based upon - not the horrid metropolis that is Casablanca today or before. Prior to independence in 1956, the city used to be an interntional free port with every nationality living there. The city has alwaqys atracted an odd selection of regular visitors (some of whom have stayed); including Churchill, Barbara Wotton (the Woolworth heiress), Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, Malcolm Forbes (Fortune Magazine), Eugine Delacroix, Paul Bowles, Jimmy Hendrix, Jean Paul Satre, Matisse and Jean Claude Van Damme. The city is a magnet for artistic types and the eccentric mega-rich.The gentle weather, close proximity to europe, promiscious laissez fraire tone of the city and the magical charm attracts people many to this day.
In addition, every year the city hosts the Tanjazz jazz festival with appearances from international jazz musicians.
By plane
Tangier Boukhalef Souahel Airport (TNG) is located 12km (7.5 miles) from the city (travel time about 20 minutes). Taxi 100 Dh (10€) to Tangier (150 Dh (15€) at night). At present only Royal Air Maroc, British Airways, Iberia and Regional Airlines fly here but it is rumoured that Ryanair will fly here next year. Coming in by plane is the easiest and hassle free way of coming to Tangier. There are no touts at the airport and the prices of the taxis are more or less fixed.
By train
ONCF opened a new train station, Tanger Ville, in 2003, which is now the end of the line. While it's closer to the city center than Tanger Morora, the original end-of-the-line, it's still quite a long walk so take a petit taxi for 15dhs or so.
Europe and North America (New York and Montreal) serve Morocco Rail The country has an excellent railway system with 1,893km (1,176mi) of track and a fine intercity passenger service utilizing 669,637 passenger cars. Overnight train services running throughout Europe can connect with Morocco. Most of the time, non stop trains are fine but those which are not direct sometimes make unscheduled stops enroute but do not panic as you will reach your destination eventually.
When Travelling overnight by train it is usually cheaper to buy a couchette ticket than a first class ticket and much more comfortable.
By car
When coming into Tangier by car, be careful of hustlers on motorbikes who will ride alongside you and attempt all manner of dodginess.
Coming by car can be a daunting process especially if you are new to Morocco. You have to complete a temporary import form for the Customs, the "Douane". The Police and the Customs will both search your car - often not together so you need to be patient. Things have improved considerably for tourists and you are not likely to be bothered too much but you will have to go through all the formalities of bringing your car into Morocco like everone else. You can only bring your car in for 6 months in any one year. You are not allowed to leave it in Morocco unless you are prepared to pay the tax for the car which can be upto three times the actual cost of the car. This applies even if your car breaks down or is written off. If you do not have insurance from your home country, then local insurance can be purchased at small insurance booths situated at the port. The insurance companies are reasonably reputable and will pay out if you have an accident. Note that this insurance policy has limitations and you are likely to have much more comprehensive cover from insurers from your own country. Most European insurers will cover Morocco and many include it under their standard level of European cover.
By bus
Tangier has two long distance bus stations. The first, at the CTM offices near the port, is the arrival point of most CTM buses. Some other CTM buses, and those from other companies, arrive at the station on Place Jamia el-Arabia.
- C.T.M. - Place d’ Espagne. Gare routière - Tel. 00212 (0)39 931 172 - CTM website
- TRAMESA , 29. Av. Youssef Ben Tacheffine. Tel. 00212 (0)39 943 348 - Tramesa website
By boat
The port is located beside the medina, and a few hundred metres from the ville nouvelle. For Escorted Tour Reservation in Morocco Email: [travelfree@worldemail.com] Although the government has been partially successful in reducing the number of touts, money changers, taxi drivers and faux guides hassling people arriving by boat, expect to be mobbed. Look like you know where you're going, politely refuse any offers of help or ignore the "guides" completely, or if you really feel like you need to escape jump in a taxi to escape the throng; just make sure that the taxi driver is no worse than the mob you are trying to escape. The taxi rank is inside the port area - you are likely to be mobbed by requests from many drivers. There is no queing system - just take the taxi which you have agreed a fare with and are comfortable with. The blue coloured petit taxis are substantially cheaper and used more by locals and are preferable to the cream coloured grande taxis who are mostly unmetered.
Get around
Walking is perhaps the best way to see the relatively compact Tangier. Petit taxis are common, but if it is unmetered make sure you agree on a price first. Tangier is easy to very navigate around; the two main roads are Bolevard Mohamed V which runs from near the Medina through the ville nouvelle and Boulevard Mohamed VI (formerly Ave des FAR) which runs along from the beachfront from the port to Malabata. The Medina area is a complex array of alleyways some of which can only be accessed on foot. Mohamed V has a whole range of clothes shops, pharmacies and cafes as well as Hotel Flandria, Hotel Rembrandt. Hotel Minzah lies just off this road. Mohamed VI runs along the beach front where you will find numerous Hotels (Rif, Ramada, Sherezade, Solazure, Tariq, Movenpick), Bars, Discos, Restaurants and Cafes. Most hostels are situated on the roads heading uphill near the port area.
See
Take a simple walk along the beach (Ave Mohamed VI) to enjoy what the city is famed for.
- The American Legation, 8, Rue America, ☎ +1-513-555-5555 (fax: +1-513-555-5555), http://www.legation.org. The Tangier American Legation Museum (TALM), a thriving cultural center, museum, conference center and library in the heart of the old medina in Tangier, is housed in the only historic landmark of the Unted States located abroad. The museum exhibts a large collection of art and historical items. It also houses the Paul Bowles Museum dedicated to the writer and composer who lived most of his adult life in Tangier.
Musée d'Art Contemporain de la Ville de Tanger
Do
Learn
Buy
Most brasswork is made in other towns but is available here. Leather goods are also available. Stay away from the tourist traps and you may find the price quite agreeable. There is a infamous market in Tangier called "casa barata" (the house of cheap things) - there are bargains to be had here but be wary of forgeries and stolen goods (these are sold along vegetables, electronics, clothing, shoes, spices, carpets, ironmongery and everything else one can think of!). There are other markets notably the souk in the medina (mainly vegetables, clothes and tourist items) and in Ben Mekada (vegetables). The latter does not cater for tourists at all and is known as one of the "rough spots" of tangier and back in the 1980's there were bread riots here.
Eat
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Drink
There are many places in Tangier to drink - people have their own favourite haunts. Much depends on the current owner who tends to give the place a certain ambiance. Favorite bars/discos with foreign (and local) clientele include Casa Pepe, Sable D'or, Morocco Palace, Marco Polo (popular with truck drivers) and hotel bars such as Ramada and El Minzah.
You could opt for a coffee instead - there are no shortage of cafes; some of which are the best in the country. Some have amazing views (cafe Hafa), some good coffee, some are popular (cafe Tropicana, cafe Celine Dion), some with music (cafe in the Dawliz complex), some have good cakes (cafe Oslo), some are places to relax after a hard day shopping (cafe Madam Porte, cafe Vienna), and some are just plain sleazy - the choice is yours.
Fresh fruit juices are sold by street vendors during the summer months. The cafes also serve fresh juices and often have what is called a panache - a mix of fruit juices often with milk, apple and almond - try it - its delicious.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Hotel Continental 36 Rue Dar El Baroud Tel: 039-931024 This hotel, situated in the medina and within easy reach of the port, is very much in the 'former glory' category, with past guests including Degas, Churchill, Kerouac and friends. Definitely spend extra for a nicer room if given the opportunity, it is not a lot extra and the best rooms were absolutely palatial. Get one facing the port if you can. It has a really nice terrace out front where you can enjoy mint tea with spectacular views of the harbour. Make sure not to confuse it with the Intercontinental which is a more modern hotel and not as central. The price of 365-420 dirhams for a double translates to around €33-38.
Hotel Sherezade, Ave des FAR - next to Ramada. On the beachfront, clean and comfortable, cheap and cheerful (30-35€)
Hotel Solazure, Ave des FAR - On the beachfront but caters mostly to package tourists. Poor service and not particularly clean or cheap. About 50-60€
Splurge
Hotel Ramada on beachfront - excellent 4 star hotel. Modern and reasonably priced with sea facing rooms (about 80-100€). Good service.
Hotel Movenpick in Malabata - Expensive but brand new modern luxury hotel with an adjoining Casino. Typical 5 star luxury hotel - the best in Tangier (about 160-180€)
Hotel El Minzah near the Medina - centrally located but can be noisy. Decor is traditional Morroccan. This used to be the best hotel in Tangier but it now has a rival.
Hotel Omnia el Puerto opposite Ramada - not on the beachfront but is clean and comfortable 4 star hotel. Inconsistent service (about 70-80€)
Hotel Intercontinental (not the same as the international chain - and like all pretenders; a cheap imitation). This is situated in a remote suburb of Tangier where you have to take a Taxi to go anywhere. About 40-50€
Hotel Le Mirage in Cap Spartel. This is a 5 star hotel on the atlantic coast. It is a little far from Tangier and ideal secluded spot.
Hotel Robinson in Cap Spartel. A comfortable hotel which is very busy in the summer but is quite a distance from Tangier.
Contact
Stay safe
Generally, Tangier is a very safe city compared with many cities of Europe. The only trouble that you are likely to encounter is the persistent touts which you should ignore or the conmen ready to fleece you. One essential tip for all of Morocco is to do what you want to do and ignore anyone else - do not worry about offending anyone or what they will think; Just do what you set out to do. If you do not heed this advice then you will fall victim to the touts and conmen that prey on tourists throughout Morocco. As with anywhere else in the world take care in the early hours of the morning as the public and police are absent and crooks abound.
Cope
Get out
You can buy train, bus and ferry tickets at the stations and ports listed above, although you may find it easier to purchase ferry tickets from travel agents rather than face the gauntlet of touts at the port. You can also flag grand taxis at the major bus stations and ferry port.
| This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow! |
