The Kasbah is the fortified citadel on the highest ground of old Tangier, overlooking the harbour and the Strait of Gibraltar. The site has been fortified since antiquity, and the present walls reflect the Portuguese, who held Tangier from 1471, the English, who received it in 1661 as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza, and the Alaouite sultan Moulay Ismail, who took the town back in 1684 after a long siege. Moulay Ismail raised the Dar el Makhzen palace here, and later sultans used it as the seat of their governors. The Kasbah is entered by the Bab el Assa gate, which leads to the Place de la Kasbah, from which a lane runs to the viewing terrace. Visitors can walk the ramparts, enter the palace museum and look down on the port, the medina roofs and the Spanish coast. The residential lanes around the square are quieter than the medina below, with painted doors and a handful of guesthouses and cafes.
| Admission | Adult Free to enter the square and ramparts · Child Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | The ramparts and square are open at all times; the palace museum is open about 10am-6pm, closed Tuesdays |
| Address | Place de la Kasbah, Medina, Tangier 90000 |
Why it matters
The Kasbah shows how Tangier passed between Portuguese, English and Moroccan rule, and it remains the physical anchor of the old city.
Location
Place de la Kasbah, Medina, Tangier 90000
35.7883, -5.8118 View on map
Highlights
- Bab el Assa gate and the Place de la Kasbah
- Ramparts and cannon platforms
- Dar el Makhzen palace
- Terrace view to Spain
Tips for visiting
- Walk up from the Petit Socco and exit through Bab el Assa for a loop.
- Visit in the morning before tour groups arrive.
- Wear flat shoes for the cobbles.
- The palace museum is closed on Tuesdays.
- The terrace is the best sunset-light photo spot in the medina.
When to visit
Morning or just before sunset in spring and autumn.
Frequently asked questions
Who built the Kasbah?
Its walls reflect Portuguese, English and Alaouite work; the Dar el Makhzen palace dates from Sultan Moulay Ismail after 1684.
Is entry free?
The square and ramparts are free; the palace museum charges a ticket.