Best Places to Stay in Tangier

What are the best places to stay in Tangier, Morocco? Can I stay in riads in Tangier? What is a riad?

What are the best 5 star and luxury hotels in Tangier?

Are there apartments in Tangier for sale or rent? What real estate options do I have in Tangier?

Where do I find a cheap hotel and the best hostel in Tangier?

Tangier is a tourist city, so there is a huge range of places to stay, everything from your luxury boutique hotels and riads, down to your more basic airbnbs and hostel accommodation. For longer stays there are many apartments and villas which are rentable by the month and upwards.

Your best option and place to stay will depend on your needs – whether you are passing through or coming to stay. Your choice will be affected by your budget, if you have children or others with you, whether you want to be near everything, or in a quieter location with beach access.

If you have specific needs you can check out the shop and order detailed and personalised answers.

But first, what types of accommodation are there in Tangier?

What is a Riad

Welcome to Morocco where the traditional style of home or dar is a riad.

If you have ever wandered through the maze of streets of a medina and noticed that it is all walls and doors, doesn’t it make you wonder where people live when there are so few windows?

They live on the other side of those walled alleyways, and sometimes above. To a western eye where outward facing windows is normal, that flies in the face of our logic. But many of the homes in the medina, especially the better ones, are riads where the wealthy lived.

So, what is a riad?

It is very specifically a stately Moroccan home or dar, where the rich and influential lived. They are built around a central courtyard which will include a water feature such as a fountain, intrinsically tiled floors and open to the sky. This lets out the heat and keeps them remarkably cool for the climate. Larger ones can have whole gardens in their courtyards.

Many of them have now become accommodation for tourists, and a must stay experience for every visitor to Morocco. An example for viewing is the American Legation. Now a museum, it was originally a stately home before it became the American consulate and the from the days when Morocco was the first country in the world to officially recognize the fledgling United States of America. It is in the medina near the Spanish Steps.

Riads are generally built upwards. While space is not an issue in Morocco, for safety the villages and towns were kept densely packed – so homes went up, not out. A riad can have several floors with rooms opening off stairwells and small balconies around the courtyard ‘well’. The rooftop is the pinnacle in every respect. In Tangier this often means sea views of the Mediterranean, of Tangier Bay, and Spain. These can be the perfect place for breakfast, a Moroccan mint tea or coffee break, or an evening drink, especially in the summer.

The ancient medina is full of beautiful riads, many now available for a stay with prices ranging from the luxurious and well appointed to the cheaper ones for a more moderate budget. Some names include:

Riad Tinggis

Riad Mokhtar

Riad Dar Nour

The Morocco Club

Kasbah Rose

Top of the Range – Villa Mabrouka

If you want the very, very best, there is one place to stay which surpasses everything else in Tangier. This is the Villa Mabrouka at the top of the medina. Tangier seems to have always been a magnet for the creative and the rich.

Villa Mabrouka was originally the home of Yves Saint Laurent and where he entertained guests such as Andy Warhol and Mick Jagger. Designed in the 1940s style with a blend of traditional Moroccan and English country it has 12 rooms and comes in the range of $500-1500 per night. With beautiful gardens and superbly designed rooms plus a gourmet restaurant, it is the superlative stay in Tangier.

Boutique Hotels

What is a boutique hotel, and how is it different to a standard 5-star hotel?

These may often be riads, or were grand houses in the past. The more expensive ones will have suites, not rooms. They tend to be smaller than hotels with a more intimate feeling and a greater focus towards an artistic flair, and can have just 3 or 4 suites/rooms, or many more (though usually not over 100). Often they are beautifully renovated riads, and can start from as little as $40-75 per night and even less.

At the other end of the scale they can be very grand riads with magnificent garden courtyards, and prices reaching upwards of $300 per night.

Boutique hotels are more personal than hotels, and right up there with style and service. Some worth noting in Tangier include:

Mimi Calpe

Chez Josephine

Nord Pinot

Tangerino

Narcia

Hotels, from 5-star to the beach

If you are looking for luxury hotels in Tangier, there are plenty of options. Giving you rooms rather than suites (suites are of course available), Tangier has many top hotels. The 5-star will have everything at top level, and prices to match. Some notable ones you might consider:

El Minzah – in the middle between both the medina and the city centre, classy with sea views and swimming pool, and a string of famous guests over time.

Hilton – in the new city centre, conveniently near the train station and 2 minutes’ walk to the beach.

Continental – in the medina at its edge – one way overlooks the bay for your breakfast views, the other faces into the medina.

The Fairmont – out of the city bustle with superb views across the hillsides, for those who want style combined with the quiet and peaceful.

The Corniche, along the beach

There are also many quality hotels along the beach road called the Corniche, pricing slightly more comfortable yet still convenient to the medina, to the new city and to the night life and restaurants, and of course the beach. Some include:

Kenji Solazur

Miramar

Mamoru

Slightly cheaper, there are also some extremely good options in town near the Boulevarde, the main road above the Corniche where nothing ever closes. The beaches and medina are nearby – still within walking distance – but so are many restaurants, clubs and bars. Two of note are:

Hotel Rembrandt – with its Blue Pub beer garden, pool, nightclub and restaurant. Many rooms have views of the sea and Spain, while being in the heart of Tangier and a 10 minute walk to the medina.

Hotel Chellah – which a beer garden, pool, restaurant and often live music, near the Roxy district with its restaurants, cafes and nightclubs.

Airbnbs

Here we have a huge range of options in an industry with everything from classy and beautiful stays to the budget ones. But this means you can choose according to your budgets and needs.

The idea of Airbnb was a homestay and personal experience as compared to the less personal nature of hotels in general. At one end this can mean a room in somebody’s home where you are welcomed and sometimes offered the full homestay experience with bonus features like local food and events. Alternatively you could have a well-appointed apartment to yourself or to share, giving the homely feeling with greater privacy with the homeowner living elsewhere.  

One of note in Tangier:

The Gold Room – in the middle of the medina with delightful host Dahab at http://airbnb.com/h/goldyy

Hostels, the Cheap Stays in Tangier

I come across so many people afraid of staying in hostels with notions that they are full of partying teenagers, they’re full of drugs, they’re not safe, or I’m too old.

None of these things are true.

I still choose to stay in hostels. I’m now 62, and frequently I have not been the oldest person staying.

Why stay in a hostel?

Besides that they are obviously cheap, I choose them over other types of accommodation when I am travelling solo because they are such a good way of meeting people. Even when I was first travelling in my early 20s, I’d do my touristy thing through the day, but I’d always looked forward to company in the evenings and the fun  of meeting new people and sharing stories and information which is often only available from others who have just done what you are about to do.

There will always be some travelers in full-on party mode, and there will be hostels which are especially inviting to those people. But most people will party elsewhere and the hostels are generally quiet. If you are willing to take the leap, these are the things I look for when booking a hostel.

I generally use booking.com and filter from the cheapest. But I choose more by location, as long as the rating is reasonable – say, above an 8 out of 10. As a member of booking.com you get discounts and special offers from some. Always check the ones of interest on their own webpage before booking since they sometimes are cheaper if you book directly there.

What do I look for in a hostel?

Besides location and ratings - breakfast included is always a winner for me. It saves an early morning rush when your belly is grumbling, and will often be cheaper than eating out, even if the breakfast is fairly basic.

Secondly, I want to be able to meet people. I check for the photos of the communal areas – if there are inviting communal areas, people will use them. This makes it so easy to make friends – they are probably looking for company too, and if not, they are generally welcoming anyway. Start by asking where people are from, where they’ve been and where they are going. Too easy.

If the hostel has breakfast, you know that the communal areas will be good for meeting people. Remember, most others are travelling alone too, and just as keen to chat as you are. I’ve had hostels where breakfast becomes an all-day chat-fest. Other times where I’ve linked up with someone for the day to visit the same sites, or a cheaper way to my next destination because of a group discount.

You never know when someone is looking for a 4th person to fill a car heading to somewhere else. It is worth keeping your mind flexible about your itinerary so you can take advantage of opportunities when they come up. Sometimes the best parts of travel are the unexpected.

The front desk and hostel staff should also be excellent sources of information. When I arrive, I usually ask where to go and for the best eats – they are the ones in the know. They will usually have a map for you where they can mark the spots you’re most likely to be interested in, and pass on some local secrets – stuff the information office is unlikely to know about.

And perhaps most important of all, the sleeping arrangements.

Most hostels will have some private rooms, which can have an ensuite bathroom, or have access to the hostel shared bathroom facilities.

The dormitories will almost always include options for women only, as well as men only and mixed rooms of varying sizes. The more beds, the cheaper. The less beds, the less chance of getting that annoying person who needs to rustle a lot of plastic bags at 3am.

So what do I look for?

If there are curtains around each bunk, that is a definite plus. It gives you room for a little privacy. I usually opt for the bottom bunk so I’m not bothered if the ceiling light goes on and off at all hours – sometimes someone has an early departure, for example.

Most bunks these days will have their own light, and hopefully power socket. Some also have an extra USB port – but check the photos. The best ones even have a little shelf for each bunk. I need somewhere to put my glasses, so this is always a double bonus for me.

Most hostels will also have a locker for each bed. But be ready for anything. It may or may not be big enough for your backpack. You should always carry your own padlock – not all hostels provide locks. Some will charge extra for one.

While most people are decent, it is only common sense when in shared living spaces to follow all the normal basic precautions. You can put a lock on your backpack zipper. I never have because I never leave anything of value in it. I have never had a problem.

I never leave my laptop out. Always keep it locked in your locker when you’re not there. Even if I leave for a minute to use the bathroom, I will put it out of sight under my pillow or somewhere. Otherwise I have nothing of value other than my phone, passport, money and cards which I always keep on me, making use of a bum bag under my clothing and other hiding spots.

It’s good not to keep all your eggs in one basket. You are unlikely to have any trouble, but just in case, a backup card hidden in a different spot can take a lot of stress out of an unpleasant situation. All this is just sensible precautions, like looking both ways before you cross the road.

I find hostels a great place to stay, and choose them by preference. So often I hear of people being lonely while travelling. This can happen in the hotels where you are staying alone and there is generally little to no interaction between guests.

Hostels are the perfect opposite to this. I have met so many inspiring people, interesting people, had a lot of fun with people of all ages from all over the world – even in their 70s and maybe more. I have even made some long-term friends. Reconnecting with people in different places has a unique place of its own.

Understandably some people want the greater comfort and privacy of the more expensive accommodation options. But don’t pass off hostels as dens of iniquity. They are far from it, and can afford some wonderful travel experiences.

In Tangier, especially off-season, they can be as little as $10 a night. My top recommendations for Tangier are:

Bayt Alice – this one always comes up trumps and is so popular you now need to book ahead most of the year. Designed by a French decorator, the rooms are charming and full of Morocco and include a rooftop to chill with views of the bay. Yes – this is the one I’ve stayed at in Tangier, and more than once.

Tangiers Hostel & Riad Hostel Tangier – These are the other two I most often hear people are staying at, with great locations.

Apartments in Tangier for Sale and Rent – Tangier Real Estate

If you’re planning to stay for more than 2 weeks, there are also many apartments and villas available for rent and sale at a whole range of prices. The minimum rent time will be 1 month, but this can be cheaper than paying for 2 weeks – so check out your options here.

You may be a digital nomad, a slomad, or just want to take your time chilling. An apartment gives you more space and comfort since they are fully functional homes. Prices for a fully furnished flat in the city can start from $400 per month and up, with villas and gardens, or luxury appointed apartments in Malabata next to the sea.

You may have a work contract as a teacher for example, or you may want to rent somewhere to give yourself time to look around and to get a feel for Tangier and where it might suit you to buy. A year-long rental agreement will be even less per month, giving you more for your money.

For an excellent agent with an extensive list of apartments and villas, furnished and unfurnished, both for rental and sales,

contact Ashraf Alawamleh on +212 644202053.

Available in several languages

He is also available through the Tangiers Expat page on facebook, which is another excellent source of information, and on Instagram. He can readily be found via Abou Tayssir, The Syrian restaurant, which is worth a stop for some excellent food anyway.

Be aware that in Morocco unfurnished means not even a stove or a hot water heater for a shower. But if you don’t have your own furniture, there are many fully furnished apartments available, some of them very tastefully decorated.

If you have any specific information which has not been addressed here, or any unique personal needs, check out my shop for the 5 questions option. I will give answers as detailed and specific to your needs as I possibly can.

Also read my page on Where to Stay in Tangier (2) – coming shortly – which gives a rundown of the different localities in Tangier to help you get a feel for the city and the sort of location which might suit your personal preferences best.