Mediterranean Encounters in Tangier (24-27 September 2026): the Kasbah on foot, without your suitcase

From 24 to 27 September 2026, the Kasbah of Tangier hosts the second edition of the Mediterranean Encounters (Rencontres méditerranéennes). Four days of literary and poetry encounters, readings, conversations and exhibitions, built around one theme: "Giving voice to the women of the Mediterranean". The guests, writers, poets, artists, publishers and researchers, come from Morocco, Spain, France, Turkey and Italy. It is the kind of event you experience on foot, wandering from one venue to the next through the lanes. And that is exactly where a suitcase becomes a problem. Short answer The events take place in the Kasbah and at its gates, down to the El Minzah hotel. Everything is done on foot, but the Kasbah sits at the top of a cobbled climb from the Grand Socco. If you arrive on the day by ferry, train or coach, drop your bags 200 metres from the Grand Socco (open 11am to 11pm, 9 MAD per hour) and head up hands-free. What we know about the programme The Encounters are organised by the Fondation Founoun Al Boughaz, Arts du Détroit, under the patronage of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication and the city of Tangier. The announced programme includes: Literary and poetry encounters, readings and conversations with the guests. A Mahmoud Darwish poetry day, in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou. Exhibitions in several venues across the Kasbah. A Book Club with the daily newspaper Le Matin, and a partnership with the Librairie des Colonnes, the historic bookshop on boulevard Pasteur. Exact times and access conditions for each session are published by the organisers: check them before planning your day. The venues, and how they connect Five venues host the Encounters: Borj En-Naam, the Mémoire Ibn Battouta space, Riad Sultan and the Maison Riad Saba, in and around the Kasbah. The El Minzah hotel, rue de la Liberté, a few minutes' walk from the Grand Socco. Between El Minzah and the top of the Kasbah, allow around fifteen minutes' walk, uphill, through the medina. Cars cannot enter the Kasbah: even by taxi, the last stretch is on foot, over cobblestones and a few steps. In comfortable shoes with nothing on your back, it is a pleasant stroll. With a wheeled suitcase, it is an ordeal. Arriving on the day By ferry from Tarifa The boat arrives at the port of Tanger Ville, right in the centre. From the terminal, the Grand Socco is about ten minutes on foot, and the Kasbah a little further up. Note that from Algeciras you arrive at Tanger Med, some forty kilometres away. We worked out the timing on the ground in our Tarifa-Tangier ferry guide. By train (Al Boraq or regular train) Tanger-Ville station is in the new town. A petit taxi drops you at the Grand Socco in a few minutes. That is the natural switch-over point: leave your suitcase there, then carry on on foot. By plane Tangier Ibn Battouta airport is outside the city: plan on a taxi into the centre. If your hotel only hands over the room in mid-afternoon, the same logic applies. Where to leave your suitcase before heading up to the Kasbah A BoxSpot partner shop is on rue Amérique du Sud, right next to the Fondouk Chejra, the weavers' souk everyone in Tangier knows, level with the Gran Teatro Cervantes. It is about 200 metres from the Grand Socco, so right on the way between the port, the new town and the Kasbah. Opening hours: 11am to 11pm, seven days a week. So you can collect your things after an evening session. Price: 9 MAD per hour per bag, capped at 59 MAD per day. Drop-off: you book online, the shopkeeper scans your QR code and takes a time-stamped photo of your bags. The same QR code is used for pick-up. One timing detail: the point opens at 11am. If you are coming off the first boat, have a coffee at the Petit Socco first, then drop your things when it opens. Around the Encounters, if you stay for the weekend The Kasbah Museum, in the former sultan's palace, and the terrace looking out over the Strait. The Librairie des Colonnes, partner of the Encounters, on boulevard Pasteur, in the new town. Café Hafa, in the Marshan district, about fifteen minutes' walk from the Kasbah, for a tea above the sea. The Petit Socco and its cafés, in the heart of the medina, to round off the day. Head up to the Kasbah hands-free Point 200 m from the Grand Socco, open 11am to 11pm. Exact address and price shown before payment. See points in Tangier Arriving by sea? Also read our guide to luggage storage at the port of Tanger Ville.