An impressionist canvas seen from the sky
Strolling through the labyrinthine medina, you may look up to the sky, but it's impossible to imagine what lies beneath the houses of Tangier. Only the blue sky stretches its canvas over the white city. The high, often austere facades, sometimes grayed with age, the interweaving of houses and the intertwining of alleyways form a pleasant, shady maze in the hot weather that plagues the city for months on end. And then, as you climb towards the Kasbah, the view over the Bay of Tangier first catches your eye, before it settles on the roofs of the old town. There are no sloping, tiled or slate roofs here, and it almost never rains. Instead, there are roof terraces as far as the eye can see, beautifully landscaped or left to hang. Seen from the sky, the city takes on another dimension. It seems possible to leap from rooftop to rooftop, like a budding Yamakasi, across the entire city. You also discover that the city isn't as white as it looks from the ground. Some owners have painted their terraces, walls and floors in bright colors. It's as if a mischievous painter, Matisse perhaps, has laid down flat tints to form an impressionist canvas. Emblematic of Moroccan architecture, the dar, which means house, is a stack of living spaces of varying heights, culminating in a flat roof. It adds an extra, outdoor room. If the space is arranged around a central courtyard, the dar is referred to as a riad. This system allowed owners to add floors to the house according to their financial situation. Modest Tangérois would start by building a room on the first floor before adding an extra storey, or this would be done by subsequent generations. The roof also adds a living space with evolving functionalities: it enables laundry to be hung out to dry in the sun; tea to be taken there in winter, warmed by the weak rays of the sun; sleeping under the stars in summer, in search of a gentle sea breeze, when the atmosphere is stifling; for women, traditionally recluses, to check on neighbors. Today, it's the opportunity to install an antenna. Tangier's rooftops resemble a vast mushroom farm of satellite dishes. With its natural sloping terrain, the pearl of the Strait offers spectacular views of the sea and Spain opposite. The most sought-after terraces are naturally located in the Kasbah district, the ancient fortress dating back to the 12th century.
The most beautiful roof terraces in white Tangier
Small hotels and guesthouses all have their own terrace overlooking the sea. They are often used to illustrate the charm of the establishment. Breakfast is served in the cool hours, and visitors are invited to sit and read or even write a book, in the great cultural tradition of the city. We suggest that the light is particularly beautiful when it's lost on the horizon. The most emblematic of these perched stopovers is undoubtedly the elegant Dar Nour, a guesthouse with several terraces offering spectacular views over the Strait of Gibraltar. Perched on the Kasbah wall, the house offers a host of vantage points. All suites are extended by a private outdoor area. At the turn of a staircase, an open-air lounge is sheltered under a canisse. At the top of the building, the terrace is framed by crenellated walls and enjoys a 360° view of the city. As you wander through the medina, you may come across the Palais Zahia. This discreet hotel occupies the premises of a former bank established in 1907. It overlooks the Place du Petit Socco, and you'll easily spot its doorman in traditional Berber dress and red fez. The third and top floor has been converted into a café. It's the ideal place to escape the bustling atmosphere of the medina and enjoy a direct view of the port. Climbing onto the roof terrace ofHôtel Riad Nord-Pinus is like standing on the bow of a ship. Anchored in the medina's outer ramparts, the hotel overlooks the port and the blue sea. On a clear day, you can see Spain in the distance. Not far away, on the edge of the ramparts, the Salon Bleu quickly becomes an ideal HQ. This café and restaurant boasts two rooftop terraces. From here, it's an ideal vantage point for watching people streaming through the Bab Al Bahr gate. Take the old wooden staircase of Dar El Kasbah and you'll find yourself on a rooftop typical of the city. Repainted in an electric blue, and with deep benches carved from pallets, the place is ideal for sipping mint tea and enjoying the clutter of Tangier's rooftops. Dar El Kasbah is housed in the former Telegraph building, and you're sure to appreciate this original address. Opened in 1921, Café Hafa quickly established itself as one of Tangier's legendary spots. Rooftops, rooms, gardens - everything here has been transformed into terraces by the founder of the place, a fisherman. Facing the sea, with the corniche at your feet, you sit in the same place as Saint-Exupéry, Jean Genet, Jack Kerouac or the Beatles. Like them, you may find inspiration in the deep blue of the ocean. If you're looking for something a little different, you'll want to head to Lux Mall. This shopping center is home to some forty luxury ready-to-wear boutiques. But above all, it boasts a large, seldom-visited terrace overlooking the new town and the Grand Socco. You'll have a front-row seat to admire the minaret of the Mohammed V mosque and enjoy the muezzin's call to prayer. La Terrasse (Hilton Tangier) attracts not only the business clientele who reside within the walls of this imposing liner, but also people from outside the city. Positioned at the end of the Malabata corniche, the hotel has installed its terrace on the 13th floor. The view of the sea on one side and the city on the other is breathtaking. The Terrace is often crowded when the sun goes down and a cocktail in good company is called for.
