Travel Guide Ksar Es Seghir

Nearly 40 kilometers northeast of Tangier and just ten kilometers from Tangier Med, the small fishing port of Ksar es Seghir is surrounded by Portuguese ramparts and houses the remains of a castle. Roman remains dating back to the 1st century have been unearthed. The village of Ksar Sghir has a more or less regular circular shape, which marks an exception in medieval Moroccan urban planning. It was once a salting site. Ksar es Seghir is strategically located in the plain, on the edge of a wadi and very close to Spain. The town of the time, with its shipyard, would have been a major crossroads of science, art and politics, thanks to its strategic position at the gateway to Morocco and its proximity to Almoravid and Almohad Andalusia. The site was thus coveted by the Spanish Umayyads in the 10th century, then by several European powers in the 17th century, until it was finally reclaimed by Sultan Moulay Ismaïl, ousting the British. Since 2010, thanks to its strategic position, Ksar es Seghir has been home to the first base of the Royal Moroccan Navy, which is responsible for guarding the Strait of Gibraltar and combating smuggling. But its main attraction is its tranquility and proximity to Tangier, and undoubtedly the small, gently sloping beach in its bay. It's also a popular spot for Tangier locals who enjoy the promenade, for fishermen who come to catch fish at sunset, and for tourists in search of a little peace and quiet... The town is well served by trains and buses from Tangier, and can be reached by the Tangier-Al Hoceima bypass via Chefchaouen. A shuttle bus also runs to and from Tangier Med.