Hotel Continental Terrace

The Hotel Continental Terrace is attached to the Hotel Continental, a historic hotel dating to 1865, at 36 Rue Dar Baroud on the slope of Tangier's medina above the port. The terrace is valued for its outlook over the harbour, the ferry traffic and the Strait of Gibraltar, and it has been a stop for travellers arriving by sea since the nineteenth century. The setting is old-fashioned, with tiled floors, wrought-iron furniture and faded colonial-era charm rather than modern design. The crowd is a mix of hotel guests, independent travellers, day-trippers from Spain and local visitors, and the mood is relaxed and daytime-to-early-evening rather than nightclub. There is no strict dress code, though modest, comfortable clothing suits the medina setting. Music is minimal, typically ambient sounds from the port and the medina below. The drinks programme centres on mint tea, coffee and soft drinks, priced at about 15 to 25 MAD for mint tea, and alcohol availability varies, so visitors who want a beer or glass of wine should confirm with the staff on arrival. The terrace typically stays open until about 10PM, and the best hours are late afternoon through sunset, when the light over the water is at its best; it is quieter and closes earlier than the licensed bars of the Ville Nouvelle. There is no cover charge, reservations are not usually needed for a drink, and there is no bottle service. Because the hotel sits within the medina's steep lanes, it is reached on foot from the port gate or from the Grand Socco, with a short, uphill walk. The terrace suits visitors who want an inexpensive, atmospheric pause with a view in northern Morocco, and it is a calm alternative to a late night out. Those planning an evening drink should confirm hours before climbing the lanes.