The Top Literary Landmarks To Visit In Morocco

During Tangier’s time as an international zone, writers from across the world, and especially from the Beat Generation, flocked to this port city in northern Morocco, and the likes of Tennessee Williams and William S. Burroughs are said to have frequented some of its hotspots. Further south in Marrakech, Eleanor Freud was writing about life as a child in Marrakech with her sister and free-spirited mother. Today, many of these venues remain open for business as usual. Here are our top three picks worth a visit if you want to follow in the footsteps of some of the most famous writers who lived or came through Morocco.

1. Cafe Hafa, Tangier

Building

Set on a clifftop overlooking the Bay of Tangier, Cafe Hafa opened its doors in 1921, and little has changed since. Writers such as Paul Bowles and William S. Burroughs who were living in Tangier as part of the Beat Generation are said to have frequented this little cafe that only serves mint tea. This popular place is packed with simple tables and chairs to welcome as many people as possible.

2. Gran Cafe de Paris, Tangier

Cafe, Moroccan

Morocco, Tangier Grand Cafe de Paris new city

Opening in 1927, the Gran Cafe de Paris in Tangier, overlooking the Place de France, has seen its fair share of literati come through its doors. Still wildly popular with locals and those passing through, not much has changed since this classic cafe first opened its doors over 90 years ago!

3. Foundouks

Architectural Landmark

The foundouk located in the Kaat Benahid area of the Marrakech medina provided a home to Julia and her two daughters in the film Hideous Kinky, based on Eleanor Freud’s autobiographical novel. Foundouks, also known as caravanserai, housed traders who were travelling through Marrakech. The travellers would sleep upstairs and leave their camels downstairs. Today, when the doors are propped open, you can peek inside these old hotels and get a glimpse of the past.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.