Located in northwestern Morocco, Tangier has enormous historic and cultural significance. Travel to this port city that has fascinated artists and writers across the ages with its captivating blend of European and Moroccan influences, a beautiful Medina, colonial buildings and a busy port. Explore its narrow streets and bazaars, and take in the panoramic view of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Tangier is graced with mild Mediterranean weather, making it a great destination all year round. Tangier has fewer tourists and milder weather in spring and autumn, making it the best time to explore the city and its surroundings. Summer is the best time to enjoy the beaches, when the Atlantic and Mediterranean breezes keep the city cool. Winter, despite being the rainy season, is the perfect time to discover the city’s cultural attractions such as its museums and historic cafés.
Flying is the easiest way to get to Tangier, and Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport is served by regular flights from several European and African cities. The city is also well connected by sea, and ferries run between Tangier and several ports in Spain. The modern port of Tanger Med is 40 km away from the city and is one of the biggest in Africa.
Tangier’s cuisine is a delightful fusion of Mediterranean and Moroccan flavours, with dishes that reflect the city´s unique geographic location. Savour the fresh fish and seafood, cooked in a simple, mouthwatering fashion. Try traditional dishes such as harira, tajine and pastilla. Tangier’s cafés are known for their traditional sweets and famous mint tea, best enjoyed while people-watching in the streets of the Medina.
Tangier offers its visitors beautiful beaches on both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Malabata beach is one of the top choices for chilling out or having a go at water sports. If you´re feeling adventurous, the Hercules Caves are a must-see attraction, an incredibly beautiful spot overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. Discover the green hills and hiking trails overlooking the sea in the areas surrounding Tangier.
Tangier’s fascinating cultural heritage has been shaped by the city’s strategic location and all the different influences to which it has been subjected for hundreds of years. The Tangier Medina is a maze of narrow streets and historic buildings, where you will find traditional bazaars and the legendary Café Hafa, a popular haunt for artists and writers. Visit the Kasbah, a fortress with incredible views of the Strait of Gibraltar, and learn about the city’s history at the Kasbah museum.
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Tangier is located in the far north of Morocco, on the Strait of Gibraltar, at the point where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and where the African coast is just a few kilometers from Europe. It is a historic and cosmopolitan port city, with a mix of Moroccan and European influences. Its old heart is the medina, a labyrinth of narrow streets, souks, and legendary cafes like Café Hafa, overlooking the Kasbah – a 12th-century walled quarter on the hilltop, with panoramic views over the port and the Strait. The Pestana Tanger City Center serves as a base for exploring the city.
In Tangier, the Pestana Group operates the Pestana Tanger City Center (Hotel Suites & Apartments), in the city center, between the Corniche and Mohammed VI Avenue, about 300 meters from the beach. It is part of the Tanger City Center project and has 120 apartments with kitchenette, restaurant, meeting room and covered parking with security, combining a central location by the seafront with easy access to the port and main attractions.
The best time is between April/May and October, when the Mediterranean climate offers mild temperatures, many sunny days and little rain (in spring the highs are around 22°C and in autumn they remain pleasant). Summer is the peak season (July and August), with temperatures up to around 28°C softened by the Atlantic and Mediterranean breeze, ideal for the beaches. Spring and autumn bring fewer tourists, making them comfortable times to explore the city from the Pestana Tanger City Center, next to the beach.
Tangier is served by Ibn Battouta International Airport (TNG), about 15 km southwest of the city center, with road/transfer connections to the hotel in a few minutes. The city is part of Morocco's high-speed rail network: the Al Boraq (TGV) train departs from Tangier-Ville station, connecting to Casablanca in about 2 hours and 17 minutes, with frequent departures, and to other cities via the ONCF network. The Pestana Tanger City Center is very close to the train station and the ferry port connecting to Europe, making it a convenient departure and arrival point.
It's worth getting lost in the medina and the 12th-century Kasbah, with its souks, historic cafes, and viewpoints overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. In the surrounding area, to the west, is Cape Spartel (approximately 14 km away, with the 1864 lighthouse marking the meeting of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean) and, just below, the Caves of Hercules, caves sculpted by the sea and linked to the legend of the Greek hero. Along the waterfront, there's the marina, the port, and beaches like Malabata. The Pestana Tanger City Center, next to the Corniche, is a convenient base for exploring the medina and the surrounding area.
The medina and downtown Tangier are easily explored on foot, given the compact layout of the narrow streets and the seafront along the Corniche. For the surrounding areas – such as Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules – a taxi or transfer is recommended, and it is also possible to take the train (Tangier-Ville station) to other cities. The central location of the Pestana Tanger City Center, between the Corniche and Avenue Mohammed VI and next to the station and the port, allows you to easily reach the beach and the riverside area on foot and catch a taxi.