Jasper Conran OBE designed his first womenswear collection as a fresh-faced 19-year-old, following a stint working with Henri Bendel. He grew up in an artistic household—his father, Sir Terence Conran, was a designer and co-founder of London’s Design Museum, and his mother, Shirley Pearce, was a journalist. The launch was a success—Vogue quickly hailed him as Britain’s Calvin Klein. He soon branched out into menswear and eventually into interior design. His work is characterized by great tailoring, muted color palettes, and refined pattern-work.

Today, Conran splits his time between London, his country house in Dorset, and the two hotels he owns in Morocco—L’Hôtel Marrakech, in Marrakech, and Villa Mabrouka, in Tangier, which opened last year. Villa Mabrouka, formerly the home of Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent, is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. Stay the night and you might spot Conran walking through the Madison Cox-designed garden in a tailored suit, chatting quietly with guests.

Here, Conran shares his guide to the Moroccan coastal city.

le saveur de poisson

This intimate local restaurant offers a delicious set menu of piquant red harissa served with freshly baked bread, roasted nuts, and squid tagine to start. Follow with grilled fish such as John Dory and finish with seasonal fresh fruit. It is first come first served and worth the wait if it’s full.

L’Orangerie, a terrace restaurant in the hotel Villa Mabrouka, in Tangier.

L’ ORANGERIE VILLA MABROUKA

Located inside the hotel Villa Mabrouka, this terrace restaurant with sea and garden views serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is the perfect place to escape the city streets, delight in expert service, and have a relaxing, tranquil dining experience. (villamabrouka)

BOUTIQUE MAJID

Located deep within the medina and selling jewelry, textiles, and ceramics, this shop is the best place to find an unusual keepsake or two.

galerie tindouf

An expertly curated antique store run by Boubker Temli, a dear friend who has exquisite taste. I am often tempted by the ceramics and textiles on offer. (galerietindouf)

donabo gardens

Paul Belvoir and Malika El Alaoui run this enchanting botanical garden, which makes for a perfect daytime excursion while in Tangier. (donabogardens)

The view from the writer Umberto Pasti’s home near the village of Rohuna, 40 miles south of Tangier.

UMBERTO PASTI’S GARDEN

Located outside the city, this magical garden is so evocative and calming. Evolving with the seasons and over time, it never looks the same and is always an inspiration.

Inside the Tangier fish market.

The fish market

An extraordinary bombardment of the senses, the fish market makes for an authentic experience and excellent people-watching, too.

The exterior of Cinéma Rif, an art-house movie theater founded in 2006.

Cinéma rif

This is not just a cinema, but a community project that shines a light on the arts and has helped create a renewed cultural awakening in the area. (instagram)

café tingis

A local institution located in the Petit Socco, a small square in the old city. Watch the world go by with a mint tea and lean into the slower pace that this café inspires.

Photos: Andrew Montgomery (Conran); Villa Mabrouka (L’Orangerie Villa Mabrouka); Ana Nance/Redux (Umberto Pasti’s Garden); Issam Elhafti/Alamy (The Fish Market); Jason Berlin/Alamy (Cinéma Rif)