Tanger, with its 1 million inhabitants, is a fascinating cosmopolitan mix of European villas and overcrowded medina, Moroccan jillabah with or without burqa and Western fashion, Muslim mosques side by side with Catholic churches and synagogues - the city remains a place of peaceful coexistence of cultures and religious tolerance to this day. In the middle of the last century, Tanger was an independent international zone, a thriving economy, trade and gambling zone, home to European aristocrats, financial magnates, writers, artists and entertainers from all over the world.

The heart of Tanger is the medina, the old Arab quarter, where life in the oriental city bustles: numerous vendors' shops, carpet bazaars, traditional craft shops and the smell of mint and spices create the atmosphere of a huge medieval bazaar. No trip to Morocco is complete without a visit to a traditional Berber pharmacy offering all sorts of oils, medicinal herbs, ointments and other miracle cures.

The sights of Tanger include the main mosque, the royal palace and the hilltop fortress city (casbah) which enjoys spectacular views over the city, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea.