5 things about Tangiers: Atelier des Italiens

By Laura and Dario of Atelier des Italiens:

I have in the past shared some of the wonderfully creative images from Atelier des Italiens, and in fact some of their work is hanging on my wall, so it made sense to ask them where they like to spend spare time in their home town Tangiers.

PETIT SOCCO

As many expats we are fascinated by the artistic and literature heritage of Tangier : in the past, Petit Socco was the most notorious crossroads of Tangier and favourite places of writers, artists and adventurers. Although today Petit Socco is lost most of it old appeal, but this beautiful square remains always a nice spot for enjoy the local colour and have a mint tea at Cafe Tingis. We love start from here to venture in old Medina alleys and its wonders.

ST ANDREW GARDEN

Near the Berber Marker and right at the base of Hotel de France, going through a little gate can be accessed in a magic place. Here is located an English Church surrounded by a graveyard- well groomed garden oasis. We love sit here under a shady tree and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the place. 

MINT TEA AT CAFE HAFA

A mint tea at historical Café Hafa is a pleasant habit for us. Here does the best mint tea of the city, we love sit here tasting the tea and admiring the landscape on the strait. A good place for people-watching, meeting and meditation.

DARNA RESTAURANT

 Darna’s friday couscous is an institution for Tangier’s expat community. We love the sunny courtyard of the restaurant and its old-style atmosphere. Darna is a woman no-profit community and  also offer nice local handicraft and clothings.

ACHAKAR BEACH

Not so far from the city, below Cap Spartel. the Achakar beach on Atlantic Ocean is our favourite spot in summertime. The beach is clean and set in beautiful nature.  In a mild winter like this, the beach is a great place for a refreshing walk.

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5 things about Tangiers

Anette knows Tangiers like the back of her hand, so I knew I could depend on her to show us a few places in Tangiers that are a little off the beaten track. 

Her time spent sourcing textiles and getting homeware made up for her company Just Morocco, has taken her deep into the medina as well as out into the alleys and corner shops - I would love to spend some time with her in Tangiers as my personal guide!

In the meantime  . . . 

this list will have to do.

#1 Msallah market:

 I love strolling down Msallah market in the evening with its abundance of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, cakes, clothes – all in a totally chaotic mix. I was there yesterday buying veggies and came home with way too much so I later have to give most of it away to my neighbor when I leave. I just can't resist it!

#2 Place Seqaya

Such a lively small square in the middle of the medina with a great Thursday market. I especially like the small no-name café run by the most generous and warmhearted family. It is a perfect place to meet odd and interesting characters and ideal for people-watching.

#3:Lively food street

I do not really know the name of this street, but it is my favourite lunch street. There is a small hole-in-the-wall place that serves the best bessara tagine in Tangier and another one has really delicious kebabs with fresh salad. I could go on forever....

#4:Patisserie

In my opinion the best patisserie is at the lower entrance to the medina. It is always crowded and they are constantly carrying in new calory-filled cakes. They also have the best, (and I am not the only one who thinks so), lemon cake this side of the Mediterranean.

#5:Terrace cafe Souk Barra

With a big piece of lemon cake, my feet take me automatically to the terrace cafe at Souk Barra. Best place for a lazy afternoon, good tea and strong coffee.

 And when she's not in Tangiers you can find Anette HERE exploring the markets and souks in the south. 

5 things about Tangiers

By Laurence of  L'Atelier de Laurence Tanger

Tucked away on a quiet street just above the medina of Tangiers is the concept store of Laurence Guitard-Bezos . . . L'atelier de Laurence. It sits alongside the La Maison de Tanger just in case you also happen to need a place to stay while perusing the streets and souks of Tangiers!

Laurence has created a colourful and eclectic collection of homeware,clothes and accesories from morocco as well as other corners of the world that have attracted her attention. She has shared with us a few of the things she loves about Tangiers.

"Ce que j aime beaucoup à Tanger c est de prendre un café sur la terrasse du cinéma Rif et d regarder les gens passés un joyeux mélange de population"
What I really like in Tangier is to take a coffee on the terrace of the Rif cinema and watch the people passing by, a wonderful melting pot and mix.

 "Ensuite un de mes endroits préférés reste le café Hafa avec la vue prenante et envoûtante sur le détroit."

 And then one of my favourite places remains the Hafa café with its mesmerising view over the strait.

"J'aime aller me,promener dans la garrigue de Mediouna à travers les petits sentiers ou l on rencontre quelques fois les familles de sangliers sauvage et enfin et surtout la plage autour du mirage ou là nous pouvons marcher avec les chiens durant des kilomètres et des kilomètres et même prendre un petit café dans un café de plage qui fait de très bonnes sardines grillées (après aeroport)."

I like to go walking in the scrubland of the mediouna, throught the small trails where sometimes you can even encounter a wild boar family - and last but not least, the beach around the Mirage  where we can walk with the dogs for miles and miles as even have a quick coffee in a beach café, that also does very good grilled sardines!(just ater the airport).

So a few ideas to get you out and about if you are in Tangiers . . .
and don't forget to pop in and see Laurence in her Atelier
at 9 rue Al Mabarra, Tanger.
x
 

images and credits via