Visiting the Tangier medina: the route and the tips
The Tangier medina is smaller and easier to explore than those of Fez or Marrakech. Here is a walking route from the Grand Socco to the Kasbah, and tips to make the most of it.
- Allow half a day for the medina and the Kasbah.
- Everything is done on foot: bring good shoes, it is uphill.
- A polite "no thank you" is enough with unofficial guides.
Where to start
The Grand Socco, or Place du 9 Avril 1947, is the natural gateway to the medina. Here you will find the Cinémathèque de Tanger and the entrance through Bab Fahs. Petits taxis stop here, which makes it a good starting point.
The route, step by step
From the Grand Socco, walk down Rue Siaghine, the old jewellers' street, to the Petit Socco, the small square in the heart of the old town. Sit at a terrace and watch the city go by. Then make your way to the American Legation, in a lane near Rue du Portugal. Finally climb up to the Kasbah, at the top, through the steep lanes. Leave through Bab Bhar for the view over the strait.
The Kasbah
The Kasbah is the fortified quarter overlooking the medina. Its white lanes are quieter than the rest of the old town. The Kasbah Museum occupies the former sultan's palace, Dar el-Makhzen. Come early in the morning to avoid the groups.
Opening hours and admission
Kasbah Museum. Open 10 am to 6 pm according to the official page of the Fondation nationale des musées, which also states that it is closed on Tuesdays: avoid that day or check on site. Admission 30 DH over 18, 15 DH from 12 to 18, 5 DH under 12 (fnm.ma, accessed 16 October 2026).
Tangier American Legation. Monday to Friday, 10 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 5 pm. Admission 20 DH, guided tour 50 DH (legation.org, Contact page, accessed 16 October 2026). Another page on the same site mentions weekend opening: phone before visiting on a Saturday or Sunday.
The rest of the walk (Grand Socco, Rue Siaghine, Petit Socco, the Kasbah lanes, Bab Bhar) is free to access. These hours have not been checked on site: they may change during Ramadan and on public holidays.
Finding your way
GPS is approximate in the lanes. Use fixed landmarks: the Grand Socco, the Petit Socco, the Kasbah, the port below. If you are lost, go into a shop and ask the way: it is safer than following a stranger who offers to guide you.
Good habits
People may tell you a street is closed or offer to guide you: thank them and carry on. If you want a guide, go through your accommodation or choose an official guide, who wears a badge. Agree the price of any service before it starts.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to visit the Tangier medina?
Half a day for the medina and the Kasbah, a full day with the museums and a break at Café Hafa.
Do you need a guide for the Tangier medina?
It is not necessary: the medina is small. An official guide can enrich the visit if you like history.
Is the Tangier medina safe?
Yes, during the day. In the evening, stick to busy streets and go back by taxi.