Hotels near Petit Socco

Petit Socco is a small, triangular public square in the medina of Tangier. It was historically a major social and commercial crossroads, famously frequented by international artists, writers, and diplomats in the mid-20th century.

It is situated in the heart of Tangier's old medina. The plaza is a short walk from the larger Grand Socco square and is surrounded by the narrow streets of the souk.

The square gained fame in the 1940s and 1950s as a meeting place for literary figures like William S. Burroughs and Paul Bowles, as well as various international spies. Its cafes were centers of gossip and intrigue.

Visitors primarily experience the atmosphere by sitting at one of the traditional cafes lining the square to people-watch. It serves as a gateway to exploring the surrounding medina and its markets.

Grand Socco is a much larger, circular plaza at the main entrance to the medina, acting as a major transportation hub. Petit Socco is a smaller, more intimate square deeper inside the old city's labyrinthine streets.

Yes, its official name is Place du 9 Avril 1947, commemorating a date in Moroccan history. However, it is universally known by its traditional nickname, Petit Socco, which means 'Little Square'.