Tangier, Morocco
More than any other city, Tangier has been Morocco’s face to the world for more years than anyone cares to remember. For half the 20th century, it was home to a shotgun marriage between Western powers who controlled the port via dubious international council. Today, Tangier is an ageing libertine propped up languidly at a bar, having seen it all.
The brigade touristique (tourist police) has cracked down on Tangier’s legendary hustlers, but the city is not altogether hassle free. If you take it head on and learn to handle the hustlers, you’ll find it a likable, lively place. The nightlife is vibrant, the population is cosmopolitan and the cultural vibe is infamous.