Discovering Morocco: Tangier

Coast of Tangier in the Evening After Camel Riding

Morocco was an unknown place I had not yet considered exploring before my study abroad trip. All I knew was that one moment we were in Tarifa, Spain, and the next (after a 45-minute ferry ride) we were in Tangier, Morocco, in North Africa.

This journey, which began in Tangier and ended in Casablanca was a memorable one that was filled with moments I had never imagined. From riding camels on the beaches of Morocco, exploring the colorful souks and medinas, to savoring delicious Moroccan dishes, join me as I take you through discovering the rich beauty, culture, and landscapes of Morocco.

Day one of our trek through Morocco began in Tangier. When we first arrived, I remember how beautiful our hotel was. The view from my window looked like something straight out of a Jurassic Park movie. There was lush greenery, moody purple lighting, and the warm amber glow of the surrounding streetlights.

From the moment I first arrived in Morocco even to now as I am reflecting years later, I still cannot believe I was blessed with the opportunity to travel and explore this part of Africa.

During our first night there, we ate dinner at our hotel, and it was absolutely wonderful. From the pasta to the roasted chicken, these Moroccan dishes were an explosion of flavor I had been yearning for during my entire trip.

The next morning in Tangier started with a delicious breakfast before we set out to explore the coast.

Our first stop was Cape Spartel, a promontory that overlooks the Strait of Galbaltar, which is the channel that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. It also marks the natural boundary between Europe and Africa.

This area featured a lighthouse, tall palm trees, and a sweeping view of the ocean. During our tour, our guide shared the history and cultural significance of the places we visited.

After visiting this part of the coast, we ventured to the Hercules Caves. This archeaological site we walked through was full of layered rock walls. The cave’s opening framed a beautiful view of the ocean where we were able to see and hear the water lapping against the rocks.

After spending time along the coastline, we took a bus into the city and explored further.

Once we arrived, we walked around neighborhoods surrounded by abundant trees and plants. We also got to visit the Kasbah Museum in Tangier, full of colorful tiles and archways.

There were gorgeous flowers everywhere we went and throughout the city, the natural environment was vibrant.

Next in our exploration of Tangier, it was time to prepare for our camel rides by picking out our head scarves. We went to a shop where we learned about how the wraps were made. We were also able to choose the ones we wanted to wear for our ride.

There were so many colors and designs to choose from throughout this process. From bold reds and blues to more mellow golds and greens, there were plenty of options for everyone. I decided on a gorgeous navy blue and gold scarf.

This was such a fun experience, watching how intricate the process of making these head scarves was as well as watching as the shop employees wrapped our scarves around our heads. Being able to learn about Moroccan history and traditions during this time was very inspiring and insightful.

Now after getting our head scarves, it was time to ride the camels! This was an experience that felt so unreal. It was a true golden hour moment that I am so thankful to God I got to live out.

We set out to the beach, where we got to meet the cute camels. They were so big in real life, and so precious. When it was time to get on them, we had to sit on them while they were sitting on the sand. I remember vividly as my adorable camel got up how high up I was. Just looking at a distance, you wouldn’t realize how tall they are but being on one was honestly scary at first which makes me laugh now, but it’s way different than being on a horse in my opinion.

But after a few moments, I got used to the height and becamed fully immersed into this amazing experience. We were able to ride the camels for around 15-20 minutes around the beach. It was so surreal watching the line of camels walking down the coast and watching the waves crash beside us. It was magical.

Overall, Tangier was an amazing introduction to Morocco. From the wonderful food, unique culture, and dreamy camel ride, this was just the start of a dynamic journey through this North African country.

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