7 Best Sights in Tangier and the Mediterranean, Morocco

This large, palm-lined plaza sits at the junction of old and new, linking the medina to the Ville Nouvelle. Tangier's main marketplace in times past is now known as the Place du 9 Avril, the date of King Mohammed V’s famous speech requesting independence. The keyhole-shape Bab el Fahs, the main entrance to the medina, stands at the bottom. As late as the 1940s, when the new city was just beginning, the door was locked at night to seal off outsiders—hence the name, meaning "Inspection Gate."

The lovely Andalusian-style square is at the heart of the old city and worth exploring. Check out the memorial that honors soldiers who took part in the Hispano-Moroccan war of 1859. Flanking the main plaza is a pair of impressive churches, both built on the sites of former mosques: to the north is the baroque Nuestra Señora de África (Our Lady of Africa), and at the southern end is the larger and even more ornate cathedral.

A row of cannons pointed in the direction of Spain lines the so-called Idler's Terrace, known for its sweeping views; some say this is meant to stop Spanish invaders, or perhaps the French, the British, or the Portuguese. The terrace is a popular stop for locals, and on a clear day it's possible to see the outline of Spain on the horizon.

Stopping off in this permanently busy square is a quintessential Tangier experience, with a cast of characters passing through who are bound to give you a taste of Moroccan daily life. Pick from three old-school cafés: what is now the Hotel Fuentes used to be the German post office during the International Zone era. The square is a great place to take a break before plunging back into the souks that surround it, or you can let gravity take you down past the Grand Mosque to the viewing platform looking out onto the port.

Famous for its café scene in the first half of the 20th century, Place de France is one of the Ville Nouvelle's main squares, named for the French consulate in one corner of the square. During World War II, legend has it that it was a popular haunt for European secret agents and shady deals; more recently it was the star of a thrilling chase scene in the 2007 film The Bourne Ultimatum.

If you follow the pedestrian Avenue Mohammed east, past Spanish houses with wrought-iron balconies and tilework, you’ll soon arrive at Place Hassan II, an open square with the Royal Palace to the north. On the east side is the Bab er-Rouah, the entrance to the historic covered market, and the Mellah is to the south. On the west side, look up to see Dar Tair (House of the Bird), an old Spanish apartment building crowned with a majestic bronze statue of a man sitting atop an eagle; it's close to Rue Zawiya, where you'll find some good dining options.  

A leisurely stroll through Tetouan begins most naturally at the Place Moulay El Mehdi, a large circular plaza ringed with cafés, a post office, and the Spanish church of Nuestra Señora de las Victorias; the church glows with strings of lights in the evening. The plaza is a favorite spot for the evening promenade and often the site of outdoor concerts.