Discover Tangier: Kasbah, Museum and Market
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Port
Tangier, Morocco
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$110
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Tangier is a fascinating Moroccan city to visit -- it has a sense of exotic mystery, interesting history, beautiful vistas, unspoiled beaches and friendly people. The movie was actually based on life in the city of Tangier; not in Casablanca. The Tangier you will see today is still an interesting mix of North African, Spanish and French cultures.
Travel by air-conditioned coach to the top of the kasbah (fort) and begin a comprehensive walking excursion through one of Tangier's most historically and architecturally interesting areas. The Kasbah is spread across the highest point of the medina (Old Town), and your guide leads you on the uphill walk while pointing out special buildings and suggesting good vantage points for photos. At the top, you'll find yourself in an area that is largely-unchanged since the Roman times. The Kasbah was the traditional residence of the sultan and his harem, and is now one of the most fashionable residential areas of Tangier -- it is a quieter quarter than other parts of the city.
Wind your way back down the hill as your guide leads you into one of Tangier's most colorful and bustling areas -- the Grand Socco (souk or market). The great souk has traditionally been the cornerstone of life in Morocco and it remains a busy place -- especially when Riffian peasants come to market. It forms the link between the medina and the new city.
Walk to the American Legation Museum which traces the history of the relationship between the United States and Morocco. As Morocco was one of the earliest countries to recognize its Independence, the US established a legation here in Tangier in 1821. It is the only historical monument to have remained in American possession since the very birth of the American Nation. Among a number of displays, there is a letter from George Washington to Moulay Abdellah.
Enjoy a refreshment is served at a local hotel before traveling to the Beni Idir quarter of the Tangier medina and the Moshe Nahon Synagogue. The synagogue was constructed in the 19th century by Moshe Nahon himself, a prominent educator and scholar from an influential Jewish family in Tangier. Religious activity ceased in the second half to the 20th century and subsequently fell into disrepair until its restoration in 1994. It now functions as a museum, the highlight of which is the prayer room. The interior is elaborately decorated in an Andalusian style with carved stucco walls and other unique architectural accents. Perhaps most remarkable of these details is the Arabic calligraphy repeated in three medallions vertically aligned below the superior lobe.
After your visit, return to the ship.
Please note: Mind your belongings at all times, particularly at points of interest or crowded places.