Few activities for couples are as rewarding as those that involve leaving familiar surroundings and sharing new experiences. Tangier is a simple, inexpensive getaway that doesn’t involve a long journey. This sparkling city in the north of Morocco has enough romantic plans on offer to make every moment unforgettable.
If this is your first time in this North African country, we suggest that you go without any preconceptions, ready to be surprised and to understand each of its unique characteristics. In a country where the majority of people belong to a different religion, where the architecture is a mixture of the different cultures that have passed through it, the cuisine is exotic thanks to its spices, and where the beaches offer much sought after solitude, you must use all five of your senses.
We’ve compiled a list of some romantic plans in Tangier that we’ve already been able to enjoy, but there are sure to be others that will also be worthwhile. Always leave a little free time if you plan out your itinerary because in Tangier you can leave the hotel with one plan and come back with ten. Dare, enjoy and improvise as a couple; you’ll come back with plenty of anecdotes.
- Strolling through the Medina and the Kasbah
- Shopping in the bazaars
- A gastronomic experience
- Watching the sunset together from Café Hafa
- A day at the beach
- Where to stay in Tangier
Strolling through the Medina and the Kasbah
A romantic plan in Tangier for the first day of your getaway is to familiarise yourself with the city, its history, and culture. To do so, there’s nothing better than a stroll through the Medina district, which you can reach from 9 April 1947 Square, which is a must see. Walk through the narrow streets of this historic quarter, let yourself be immersed in the life that pulsates at every step, in the light that emanates from its white walls, and its colourful doors and windows. This bustling sound will accompany you to the Kasbah, the old fortified area and the oldest corner of Tangier. It’s a good place for a leisurely stroll, admiring the architectural features and the occasional mansion. Don’t miss the climb up to the Kasbah square, where there is a viewpoint that offers magnificent views of the Atlantic and the entire port area. The Dar el-Makhzen palace is also next to the square, with a beautiful courtyard, which houses an interesting historical and ethnographic museum.
Shopping in the bazaars
Another of the romantic plans in Tangier that can be fun during the day you spend touring the Medina is shopping in the souks. If you go on your own, without a tour guide, the first places to visit are 9 April 1947 Square, where the Grand Socco used to be, and where you’ll find lots of fresh produce, and the Petit Socco, which you can reach from this very square. Petit Socco is our favourite for shopping for handicrafts, browsing in craft workshops and souvenir shops. You’re sure to be offered a visit to a “pharmacy” at some point. These are actually places where they sell natural products, although you’ll have to listen to a 20-minute talk beforehand on the benefits of each one of them. It’s a good opportunity to buy 100% pure argan oil, and herbs to make healing infusions and spices. You’re sure to pick something up.
A gastronomic experience
As walking and shopping work up an appetite, the next romantic plan is to enjoy gastronomic delights in a restaurant. You’ll find many options, some tourist-friendly with a wide variety of food and traditional music, and other less glamorous options at a lower price. In general, menu prices are quite affordable, so it may be time to treat yourself to a meal in a riad restaurant where the décor and service are exquisite. One we particularly like is Al Andalous restaurant, on rue de la Kasbah, where you can enjoy both appetisers and Moroccan dishes. There is usually live music in the evenings.
Another suggestion for a romantic dinner in Tangier is El Morocco Club, with an elegant and sophisticated ambience and for which you should dress up a little. It’s also in the centre, on Place du Tabor, and offers a cuisine that is described as a mix of Moroccan, French, and Spanish. It’s not an overly cheap place, but you deserve a treat one night, don’t you think? Besides, you won’t have to go anywhere else to have a drink, as it has a piano bar.
Watching the sunset together from Café Hafa
Admiring the sunset as a couple is another of the romantic plans in Tangier that will also be part of the memories of a unique trip. In the city you will find many cafés with terraces or rooftops from where you can watch the city slowly change colour to yellow and orange. However, our recommendation is to go to the hundred-year-old Café Hafa, which no longer has the glamour of yesteryear but still has some of the atmosphere that made the Spanish writer Juan Goytisolo, one of its regulars, and the American writer Paul Bowles fall in love with it. The Rolling Stones and the French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy have also been there. Come before sunset, order mint tea and Arab pastries, and sit on one of the whitewashed, deep blue terraces. The tables and chairs may be uneven, and there may not be many stars here like in the past, but the magic of the sunset remains the same.
A day at the beach
We all long for secluded beaches where we feel like the only ones on the planet. Although this isn’t possible on the urban beaches of Tangier, it’s possible to take a dip and stroll along the wide sandy beaches just a few kilometres outside the city, where the fine blue line of the sea becomes endless. It’s something almost magical to travel along one of the roads that lead to the beaches of the Strait of Gibraltar or those that lead towards Cape Spartel, because you can discover corners where there’s absolutely no one to be found. Especially if you’re travelling in low season. As a romantic plan in Tangier, we suggest a trip to Dalia beach, where the white sand, natural surroundings, and boats lying on the sand will make you believe in love at first sight. You’ll also find many bars where you can have lunch without having to bring anything with you, as well as sun loungers and umbrellas for hire. It takes around 40 minutes by car to get there from Tangier, but it’s well worth it.
In addition to these five plans in Tangier, you should also organise a day trip to visit other tourist attractions such as the Caves of Hercules, or picturesque towns such as Asilah, Chauen, and Tetouan.
Where to stay in Tangier
For your romantic getaway to Tangier, we recommend a hotel located very close to the historic centre but also to the beach, as well as being a stone’s throw from the ferry, which is a big advantage if you arrive to this city by boat. The Barceló Tánger offers you a peaceful stay, with all the comforts you could need: a spacious room, a dining service, a large swimming pool, and an unbeatable location. If you want to treat yourself, ask for a junior suite with a terrace and frontal sea view. Can you imagine having breakfast on the terrace as soon as you wake up? The room has 84 m2 for a price that can’t be compared to other European establishments. Waking up to the sound of seagulls or seeing the blue of the sea are priceless moments.
