Tangier has a long history of conflict, ever since it was settled in by the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians.

In the 5th century, it was occupied by the Vandals. Then during the 6th century the Byzantines were here. The Arabs and Berbers took over during the 8th century. The Fatimids of Tunis ruled during the 10th century, the Almoravides during the 11th, the Almohades during the 12th and the Merinids during the 13th century.

The next occupants were the Portuguese during the 15th and 16th centuries, who were followed by the Spanish and then the British and French in the 17th and 19th centuries respectively.

All of these influences have left their mark. They've created a town with a character quite unlike most other Moroccan cities.