The Grand Socco, or big market, is the gateway between the new town and the medina, a wide, busy square with a marble fountain, palm trees and benches that was given a makeover in 2005. Its formal name is Place du 9 Avril 1947, though almost nobody uses it. Farmers and street vendors still bring produce here, and the square is the easiest starting point for a walk. From it, the lane known as rue Siaghine slopes down into the medina and ends at the Petit Socco, the little square at the heart of the old town. In the middle of the twentieth century writers, painters and assorted adventurers gathered in its coffeehouses, and today the cafes are relaxed places to sit for an hour, order mint tea and watch the lane life go by. Both squares are free, open all day and best at the start or end of your day.
Start at the Grand Socco and enter the medina through the arch, then turn right into the covered market on rue Touahin, where stalls sell spices, fruit, bread and cloth. It is a good introduction to local shopping and an easy place to sample olives or fresh bread. Continue down rue Siaghine, passing small shops and cafes, until the street opens into the Petit Socco.
The square is small, so take a table and enjoy the people-watching rather than looking for a checklist of sights. The surrounding buildings tell the story of Tangier's cosmopolitan past, with a mix of Spanish, French and Moroccan styles.
Expect hawkers offering souvenirs and guides in both squares, and a polite no with a smile is usually enough. Cafe prices are low, and you can browse from your table without leaving your seat. The squares are lively into the evening, which makes them pleasant after dinner, though the usual city advice about bags and phones applies.
Both are close to many hotels, to the Kasbah and to the main port road, so they work as a meeting point for a guide or a pause between sights. If you are visiting from Spain for the day, make the Grand Socco your first stop and the Petit Socco your tea break before you head back to the ferry.
What to expect
The experience
A free, self-guided wander through two open squares and the lane between them, with cafes, a covered market and street life.
Best time
Morning for the produce and light, or early evening when the cafes fill up and the heat has passed.
How long
One to two hours, including a tea stop at the Petit Socco.
Tips
Politely decline hawkers with a smile, keep your bag zipped, and sit down for tea at the Petit Socco rather than rushing through.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone arriving in Tangier, and travellers who like cafes, people-watching and easy free sights.
- Families
- Easy and flat in the Grand Socco, but the lane to the Petit Socco is narrow and crowded, so hold hands.
- Couples
- Take a table at a Petit Socco cafe for mint tea and let the evening drift.
- Pair with
- The guided medina walk, the Kasbah Museum and a food tour that starts near the old town.
- Time needed
- An hour or two, more if you add the covered market.
Good questions
What is the difference between Grand Socco and Petit Socco?+
The Grand Socco is the big open square where the new town meets the medina, and the Petit Socco is the small cafe square deep inside the old town. They are linked by rue Siaghine, a short downhill walk.
Are the squares free to visit?+
Yes, both are public and open all day. You pay only for the tea or coffee you order.
Is it safe to sit in the Petit Socco?+
It is a popular and well-used square and generally fine in the daytime and evening. Keep an eye on your belongings and decline offers you do not want.
What can I buy at the covered market?+
Spices, fruit, olives, bread and fabrics are sold on rue Touahin, just inside the medina from the Grand Socco. It is a good place to taste something and pick up small gifts.
How do I get there from the ferry port?+
The medina is close to the Tangier Ville port, and a petit taxi or a short uphill walk reaches the Grand Socco. Agree on the fare or ask for the meter before you set off.
