About 14 km west of Tangier, these partly natural, partly man-made caves are the city's most popular excursion. According to legend, Hercules rested here after separating Europe from Africa. The sea-facing opening is shaped remarkably like the outline of the African continent -- best seen in the afternoon when the light comes through it.
At high tide, waves crash into the lower chambers and the sound echoes dramatically through the rock. The caves were quarried for millstones by the Phoenicians and Romans, which accounts for the smooth walls in some sections. Guides are available at the entrance. A taxi from Tangier takes about 20 minutes; combine the trip with nearby Cap Spartel for a full half-day out of the city.