Firstly, it’s beautiful — I love how t the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet there. But it’s not just that. Tangier itself is beautiful, intense, and unique.  It’s not pretty like a postcard. It’s much better, and there’s much more to it. In Tangier, there are the colors of the sky that inspired Matisse’s dreams, the wind that turns heads, those breathtaking views, the traces of everything that has been written about this city, and the ghosts that make it legendary. There are the fantasies, the romanticism, and the legends that Tangier has inspired. And above all, there is the reality that reifies it, making it  even more beautiful, alive, vibrant, and real.

What we love to do there:

Take your time. Don’t rush. Savor every moment. Time seems to slow down. You think you’re late. No, you might just be getting into the rhythm of the city, this city where chance still knows how to play tricks, where the unexpected can still surprise us.

In Tangier, we love to stroll through the alleys of the Kasbah, discover their charm, and visit the very pretty Museum of Mediterranean Cultures.

Go look at the sea and Spain from Bab Bhar, lmost dizzying because it’s so beautiful.

And then, continue  down to the medina, make a stop at Majid, the antique dealer, and discover a thousand and one treasures that the shop is full of

Finish by the Grand Socco square and sit down for a coffee on the terrace of the Cinematheque and watch the show unfold in the city square,  where the heart of Tangier beats.

Read also : FAMILY VACATION TIME: OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

My must-sees :

Number One

Objectively the coolest bar in Tangier and, in my opinion, in the world. It has all l the soul of the city but no nostalgia. If you want to understand  why this city is so unique and indescribable, you have to go to Number One.

Address: 1 Ave Mohammed V, Tangier
Tel.: 05 39 34 20 01

Las Chicas

This  typically Tangier house has been turned into a concept store where you can find pretty clothes, great dishes, books, accessories, and cool gifts. There is a very pleasant terrace where you can have lunch or a snack. The small menu focuses on fresh and seasonal products.

Address: Q5QM+9QM, Place du Tabor, Tangier
Tel.: 05 39 37 45 10

New Tangier

I absolutely love this brand.  I love everything about it,  I love wearing New Tangier all the time, for great times of celebration,  and parties, but also – and especially – for everyday life. This brand is perfect for all occasions. . It offers a wardrobe that interprets Moroccan cultural heritage with intelligence and a lot of consciousness. Kenza Bennani, the designer at the helm of this company, has created a brand that expresses who she is:   deeply rooted and at the same time very inspired, yet resolutely contemporary.

Address: 6 rue Imam Soufiane Taouri, Tangier
Tel.: 06 15 83 69 82

Alma 

A café as beautiful as it is well thought out, it offers aninventive menu with healthy accents.The wall boasts a very pretty mural signed by Fatine Arafati, who has captured the city with her poetry. There’s a small boutique corner, which reflects the vibe of the place, : delicate and full of meaning, where you can shop for very pretty pieces from designers.

Address: Place des Nations, 44 rue Antaki, Tangier
Tel.: 06 89 74 22 07

Casa Di Italia

This is a must.  You cannot go to Tangier without sitting down at Casa di Italia.

It’s one of those  must-visit places that you should not skip. Otherwise, you would miss out on what could be essential: all of Tangier crosses paths there, meets there, or rendezvous there at some point during the week.

I particularly love having dinner there on Sunday evenings, often in large, noisy groups — the happiest way to end the week and look forward to the next one.

Address: Palais Moulay Hfid, Tangier
Tel.: 05 39 93 63 48

Ana et Paolo

A trattoria just as we like them. Here, it’s generous, family-oriented, and delicious. It’s one  of those restaurants that also provides comfort and well-being. There is a kind gentleness in this place  —  and it’s jsut the food. 

Address: 77 avenue Prince Héritier, Tangier
Tel.: 05 39 94 46 17

Végétal Concept

On the outskirts of the Kasbah is the most elegant boutique  in the city: a flower shop, obviously! It’s fresh flowers, beautiful bouquets, and some very pretty vases create botanical poetry.  There is nothing better for delighting the senses, and above all, your own. 

Address: 67 rue de la Kasbah, Tangier
Tel.: 06 62 62 86 07

Tangerino

This is the spot for an amazing paella. It’s joyful and noisy, sharing both  great little plates and  good vibes. It’s a  tapas bar just as we like them:  both festive and gourmet.

Address: 186 boulevard Mohamed VI, Tangier
Tel.: 05 39 94 39 73

Where to Stay

Mimi Calpe

It has all the charm of a large, luxurious house but built in a lush garden. One feels happy and calm, isolated from the tumult, while still being in the heart of the city.

Mimi Calpe
Address: Villa Calpe, 71 rue de la Plage, Tangier
Tel.: 06 25 48 99 43
Price: starting from 1900 DH / night

Villa Mabrouka

This is one of  those exceptional places, one that connects to a myth. 

Former home of Yves Saint Laurent, Villa Mabrouka is now a hotel with 12 rooms scattered in an Eden-like garden overlooking the blues of the sky and the sea. It’s beautiful — very beautiful — and  no matter where you look, you’ll see nothing but beauty. 

Villa Mabrouka
Address: 1 Sidi Bouknadel, Tangier
Tel.: 06 66 60 48 42
Price: starting from 5400 DH / night

La Tangerina

This is theprettiest guest house in the Kasbah. The area  is beautiful and bright. The location is ideal and the rooms are full of charm. It offers perfect bedding and impeccable service. What more could you ask for?  Ideal for settling in and discovering Tangier! 

La Tangerina
Address: 19 rue Riad Sultan, Tangier
Tel.: 05 39 94 77 31
Price: starting from 750 DH / night

What to do there:

Discover the incredible variety of architectural styles it offers. From the jewel-like Gothic architecture of the castle to Baroque monuments, a neoclassical primatial palace, and an Art Nouveau church adorned with mosaics and earthenware, Bratislava itself is like a museum  to behold. One can also admire impressive brutalist-style buildings, like the Slovenský Rozhlas, the national radio house — an architectural anomaly that defies the laws of gravity and aesthetics. It’s often found on the list of the world’s ugliest buildings! An oddity that is worth a visit!

Must-visit places:

Devín Castle:

Perched overlooking the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers, the location is promising in itself. This fortress is a significant site in Slovak memory. The first document mentioning Devín Castle dates back to 864, during the time of the Great Moravian Empire, of which it was a political center. In the 10th century, the castle became a border post for the Kingdom of Hungary. It was partially destroyed in 1809 by Napoleon’s troops. The remaining ruins now house a museum and gardens.

Address: 10, Muránská 1050, Bratislava-Devín.

UFO:

A flying saucer (a UFO, indeed) perched 85 meters high on the SNP Bridge (yes, that’s the real name of the bridge, also known as Nový Most) above the Danube. If you don’t encounter  any little green men, you can sip a cocktail while admiring the breathtaking view. The food isn’t outstanding, but that’s okay; you don’t stay for dinner.

Location: Most SNP, Bratislava.

Bratislava Castle:

This is one of the splendors of the Slovak capital. It now houses the National Museum, where you can discover the rich and often overlooked history of the country, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Address: Hrad, 811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia

Phone: +421 2/204 831 10. Open Wednesday to Monday from 10 am to 6 pm (last entry at 5 pm)

Where to stay:

Marrol’s Boutique Hotel:

Surely this is the most luxurious establishment in the Slovak capital and isIdeally located a few steps from all the city’s points of interest. It offers a superb terrace for pre-dinner drinks in the summer, a lounge with a beautiful fireplace to warm up in winter, and a spa for year-round relaxation.

Address: Tobrucká 4, Bratislava
Phone: +421 2 577 84 600
Price: Starting from 740 DH per night

Beigli Hotel & Garden:

This is a  charming boutique hotel in the heart of the city center, in the pedestrian zone, in one of those pretty cobbled streets. It is also spacious and comfortable at reasonable prices. What more could you ask for?

Address: Baštová 4, Bratislava
Phone: +421 910 749 242
Price: Starting from 1,150 DH per night

Where to eat:

Slovak Pub:

This is an institution in Bratislava. It  is where you can feel the pulse of the city. With its large wooden tables, it’s definitely a pub, but a   true Slovak pub with the great classics of local cuisine, which are very tasty, but not exactly light (that’s an understatement). You must try the simple but famous  “Vyprážaný syr,” a breaded cheese steak served with “hranolky” (fries). Dip it all in the generous “tatárska omáčka” sauce. We told you it wasn’t exactly light fare, didn’t we? 

Address: 62 613, Obchodná, Bratislava
Phone: +421 252 926 367

Restaurant Parlament:

This is one of the city’s finest dining locations.  It’s large, bright, and has an amazing view of the river and forests. The menu is bold. How can we describe it?  Something between modernity and tradition.

Address: Namestie Alexandra Dubcheka 1, Bratislava
Phone: +421 2 5972 4253

Konditorei Kormuth:

This is an imperial pastry shop for an equally imperial breakfast or afternoon tea. With its refined decor, fine china, and delicate cakes that you’ll want  to savor  in small bites, it is a place of splendor from another time. And be sure to visit the toilets too! They’re also imperial!

Address: Sedlarska 8, Stare Mesto, Bratislava
Phone: +42125443253.

Spanish cities are regularly portrayed as cool destinations in this magazine. I have chosen to take you to Tarifa, perhaps because this charming little town is only 13 kilometers from Morocco, and I like to be transported without having to travel too far. This is especially true because  you can go there easily and often!  Maybe it is also because Tarifa is at the tip of Europe, and being at the tip is always nice! Above all else, it is because it is often unfairly thought of as only a stopover city. It is seen as a transit hub, a port where you arrive just to leave. On the contrary, Tarifa is actually a very cool destination–  a charming place that deserves your time.

What we like to do there:

Wander through the alleys of the old town amidst whitewashed houses, bite into a churro, or stop for a caña (depending on the time). Stroll through the shops and discover charming craftsmanship. Buy colorful ceramics, pretty tunics, and fans. Eat tuna, bonito, and more tuna. Think about coming back and how next time you’ll try kitesurfing. Then, come back within the year and don’t try kitesurfing.

My must-dos:

Mirador Del Estrecho

Take a walk (or a run, depending…) all the way up to Mirador Del Estrecho to contemplate what is probably the most beautiful view of the Strait of Gibraltar.

N-340a, Km. 91, Tarifa.

Read also : 5 UNUSUAL HOUSES FOR A DREAM VACATION

Where to stay:
Aristoy

A charming hotel with super neat interiors. With its nice little rooftop with a pool to cool off, it’s a small island of calm in the midst of the bustling city. The rooms are cozy,  with a real attention to detail.

Calle Calderón De La Barca, 3, Tarifa
Starting from 770 DH per night.

La Sacristia

In a 17th-century building, La Sacristia is probably the most beautiful hotel in the old town of Tarifa. Colorful and bright, it is a beautiful tribute to the Andalusian way of life. There is also a holistic therapy and massage center to offer a moment of relaxation for our bodies and minds. You eat as well as you sleep here.

Calle San Donato, 8, Tarifa
Starting from 1390 DH per night.

El Hurricane

About ten kilometers north of the city center, El Hurricane is a perfect place for a relaxing stay. The site is beautiful, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel is in the heart of a lush garden where you can stroll, daydreaming for hours while admiring nature.

N-340, km 78.8, N-340, Tarifa
Starting from 1200 DH per night.

Where to eat:

Andrea’s Brunch

Nice healthy spot to start the morning well and begin the day with a clear conscience (and possibly compensate for the excesses of the previous day). It offers a very nice menu of freshly squeezed juices and smoothies.

Calle Sancho IV el Bravo 22, Tarifa.

La Pescaderia:

One could walk past this restaurant and write it off, taking it  for just any restaurant that grabs tourists at the port exit, assume it has no charm and leave it aside. That would be a big mistake. A rookie mistake, in fact. I made this mistake every time I left the port of Tarifa for years — before an insider introduced me to it.

Order an arroz caldoso: literally translated, it means “boiling rice.” It’s a kind of paella version of risotto (I think any self-respecting food critic would scream scandal at this description), and it’s amazing. You had better be very hungry and not too ambitious for the afternoon. In fact, there will be no more afternoon; when you finish lunch here, it’s 6 p.m.

Paseo la Alameda, Tarifa
+34956627078 (remember to book!)

Siglo XIX:

Objectively, this is the best tapas bar in the city. Everything is good. You can order the entire menu, share everything, and even reorder those little plates that disappeared too quickly. It also welcomes you with a very cheerful atmosphere and smiling service.

Okay, I admit I’m not really objective, but I’m sincere: it’s my favorite tapas bar. It’s delicious.

Calle Sancho IV el Bravo, 9, Tarifa
+34856 393 454.

La Palmera:

A small typical café with its joyful regulars who smile, greet each other, and talk loudly. Even if you walked in with your eyes closed without knowing where you were, you would realize you were  in Andalusia! A generous and warm atmosphere, it is quaint and family-friendly. The churros are perfect and exactly how they should be: soft and firm.

Calle Sancho IV el Bravo, 32, Tarifa.

Where to party:

La Ruina:

For a last drink (or several).

After all these bars in a row where shots are drunk even faster than numbers are exchanged, make your way to the rampart of the old town and there, in the remains of the fortifications, you’ll find a nightclub that knows how to party. And here, the party is lived, drunk, sung, shared, and danced until the end of the night.

Calle Santísima Trinidad, 7, Tarifa.

Picture (c): Explored by Marta