Tangier, friends, aromas and the magic of Morocco

Sometimes there are trips that are enjoyed by the destination and others that are forever recorded by the people with whom they are shared.

That was exactly what we experienced during our visit to Tanger in April 2026 with friends from more than 40 years ago.

From the first moment we knew it would be an unforgettable experience.

We left from Algeciras crossing the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry towards Morocco and, during the trip, laughter, conversations and that special joy that appears when sharing the road with people we have loved all our lives began.

There are friendships that have history and sharing with them gives another meaning to each experience.

Traveling with friends multiplies memories and turns each discovery into a shared story

Upon arriving in Tangier we stayed at the Marco Polo Hotel, located in front of the sea, and from there we immediately began touring the city.

As it was not my first visit to Morocco, this time I had to be an improvised guide for the group, and it was wonderful to observe the reactions of my friends while they discovered a completely different world.

We walk through the historic Grand Socco and its surroundings, where everything seems to awaken the senses at the same time.

The aromas of spices, the intense colors of the fabrics, the traditional robes, the sounds of the city and the constant movement create an atmosphere impossible to compare with any other place.

Every corner aroused amazement.

And I think that is precisely the most fascinating thing about Morocco: the constant feeling of discovering something new.

In the evening we had dinner at the charming Restaurant Dada, where we lived a typically Moroccan experience.

We tried traditional dishes full of intense flavors and wonderful spices, while the atmosphere of the place made us feel completely immersed in the local culture.

One of the funniest moments was when they put the classic red Moroccan hats on us, generating laughter, photographs and memories that will surely remain forever in our memory. 

The next day Mustafa, the taxi driver who had taken us from the ferry to the hotel and who ended up becoming an important part of our experience in Tangier, appeared.

With great kindness he took us to visit different corners of the city and its surroundings, sharing stories and showing incredible places.

We visited the coast, viewpoints and beaches where the ocean seemed to have impossible colors.

Between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Tangier seems to live between two worlds

But one of the most special moments was arriving at the beautiful  Achakkar Beach, 12 kilometers from Tangier, where we experienced something truly unforgettable: the camel ride by the sea.

The experience was wonderful.

See the entire group laughing and singing the well-known song “Don’t worry, be happy” As we slowly advanced over the sand and sea with that immense landscape in front of us, it was one of those moments that perfectly sums up the happiness of traveling.

The color of the water was simply inexplicable.

There are landscapes that photographs cannot completely convey and without a doubt that day was one of them.

Afterwards we enjoyed lunch facing the sea, sharing conversations, anecdotes and that feeling of gratitude that appears when you understand that you are living a truly special moment.

Because beyond the destinations, traveling also means making memories and doing it with long-standing friends makes everything much more valuable.

Finally, the next day we returned by ferry to Algeciras.

As the ship slowly moved away from the Moroccan coast I thought that some places manage to stay with you long after they leave and Tangier is one of those, for its energy, its culture, its aromas, its unique mix between Africa and Europe.

But above all, because it was the perfect setting to share laughter, adventures and emotions with people who have been part of my life for more than four decades.

And in the end, perhaps that is the most important thing about any trip.

Not just the places we visit. But the people with whom we choose to live them.