Hidden just at the edge of the ramparts of Tangier's casbah high above the medina, is this gem of a small hotel with only ten rooms. During restoration work the owners discovered an old hammam within their walls, which now is the secret centrepiece of the hotel. Sooner or later you will share a beer with your convivial host and he will offer to introduce you to the oldest form of wellness - his master of ceremony will heat the private hamman with fire wood, give you a perfect rubdown in the steamy marbled vaults scented in oriental fragrances and wrap you in cosy blankets afterwards. Fresh mint tea on the diwans on the roof terrace overlooking both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean complete the joutney back to the old Tangier of poets, spies and smugglers ...

19 Riad Sultan Kasbah, Tangier
+212539947731
www.latangerina.com
Google map: bit.ly/ifBlHb

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If you want to visit and experience a real, non-touristy market this is the place to go. This is a lesser-known traditional Moroccan market used mainly by locals. You can buy souvenirs for yourself and your home as well as gifts for friends and relatives at a cheaper price than elsewhere.
Only a few minutes' taxi ride from the main tourist areas.

Ask for Casabarata. Also next to the market is an historic Mosque.
Google map: bit.ly/91NUOt

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If you're staying in Gibraltar you might as well hop on the ferry and spend a day in Tangier, Morocco.

You could go there on your own, but it's probably best if you book a tour from Gibraltar. Loads of tour companies do the Tangier tour - they charge different prices and some of the tours are from the Spanish side, so you should check the itinerary to see whether they pick you up at the hotel or you have to make your way to the port (it's about 30-40 minutes' drive).

Once you land in Tangier, you'll be driving all sorts of places - I suspect some places are run by relations of the guides and they try to sell you goods whether you want them or not. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy - small items are good, but be careful how much you pay!

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A shop where you will not be pestered, hassled or pressured into buying anything. If you do not have a well-informed guide, do not go into any carpet shops unless you are prepared to buy one, as you will be invited to have tea, and then be subjected to intense sales pressure.

Just above the harbour

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