Located just outside Tangers is the Lighthouse at Cap Spartel which is a favourite stopping point, where you can sometimes see the extraordinary meeting of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; one turquoise and the other one dark blue.
The drive up to it is also stunning. Once you leave Tangiers, you'll find the air is tinged with pine and Eucalyptus scents. The views are like those on the Costa de la Luz with wide, deserted sandy beaches...
The caves of Hercules, located just 14kms west of Tangiers, are a place of stunning natural beauty and great archaeological significance. Apparently, this is where the mythical figure Hercules used to rest after finishing his 12 labours. In a fit of temporary insanity inflicted by the goddess Hera, Hercules killed his own son. As part of his sentence, Hercules had to perform twelve Labors, feats so difficult that they seemed impossible.
He became the embodiment of what the Greeks call "pathos", the experience of virtuous struggle and suffering lead to tremendous popularity, fame, and in his case, immortality.
Here are his 12 tasks:
1. Slay the Nemean Lion and bring back its fur.
2. Slay the Lernaean Hydra.
3. Capture the Ceryneian Hind.
4. Capture the Erymanthian Boar.
5. Clean the Augean stables.
6. Slay the Stymphalian Birds.
7. Capture the Cretan Bull.
8. Steal the Mares of Diomedes.
9. Obtain the Girdle of Hippolyte.
10. Obtain the Cows of Geryon.
11. Steal the Apples of the Hesperides.
12. Capture Cerberus, the guardian dog of Hades.
The mouths of the caves open up onto the Atlantic and are flooded at high tide. When the tide comes in, water gushes up through these massive holes in the ground and hillside. It's very impressive.
The caves are partly man-made and partly natural. It's not exactly sure how the caves were created. It's believed that for some reason, an ancient civilization used to carve millstones out of the solid rock that caused giant caves to form over the years. How these primitive people managed to cut into solid rock with simple and crude tools is still a mystery.
At low tide, the views inside caves looking out over the ocean are stunning, the colours in particular. The blue Atlantic Ocean and sky above resemble a reverse silhouette of Africa.
Swimming here can be quite dangerous. The currents offshore can get very strong. If you're not a strong swimmer, it's best to stick to sunbathing and you should also check out the Roman ruins at Cotta only 500 metres from the caves.
For more information on things you can do and see whilst staying at La Tangerina hotel please check our web site.
Thanks to costasur for the information
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