Destination guide · Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma
Tangier Travel Guide
Where Africa meets Europe on the Strait of Gibraltar
- Best time
- May to June, September to October
- Region
- Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma
- Getting there
- Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG), or the ferry from Tarifa
- Known for
- Kasbah, Caves of Hercules, Café Hafa
Overview
Why visit Tangier, Morocco
Tangier, Morocco sits at the northern tip of Africa, facing Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar. For centuries it drew traders, diplomats, writers and artists, and its white medina, kasbah and old cafés still carry that cosmopolitan history. Today it is a modern, fast growing city and a gateway to northern Morocco, with the high speed train, the ferry port and quick links to Chefchaouen and Asilah. Give it at least two days to see the medina, the kasbah and Cape Spartel.
Gallery
Tangier, Morocco in pictures
A quick look at the places in this guide.
When to go
Best time to visit Tangier
The best months to visit Tangier, Morocco are May to June, September to October.
Best
Spring (April to June)
Mild, green and sunny, 19 to 25°C.
Good
Summer (July to August)
Warm and busy with holidaymakers; the Levante wind can be strong.
Best
Autumn (September to October)
Warm sea and fewer crowds.
Wet
Winter (November to March)
Mild but wet and windy.
Our picks
Top 10 attractions in Tangier
Our pick of the ten places not to miss in Tangier, Morocco, each with a local tip.
The Kasbah & Kasbah Museum
The hilltop fortress and former sultan’s palace, now a museum of Moroccan history.
Local tip: Enjoy the views from the Bab el-Bahr gate.
Photo: Yamen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Medina
Steep white lanes between the port and the kasbah.
Local tip: Explore with an offline map; the lanes twist.
Photo: Ypsilon from Finland, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Socco
The lively square at the gateway to the medina.
Local tip: Starting point for the medina and the Mendoubia Gardens.
Photo: Shbbkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Petit Socco
The small historic square famous for its old cafés.
Local tip: Order a mint tea and watch the square.
Photo: Boubloub, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Caves of Hercules
Sea caves with an opening shaped like the map of Africa.
Local tip: Combine with Cap Spartel.
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cap Spartel
The lighthouse at the point where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean.
Local tip: Go at sunset.
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Café Hafa
A legendary terraced café, open since 1921, overlooking the strait.
Local tip: Go in the late afternoon.
Photo: Ideophagous, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
American Legation Museum
The first American public property abroad, now a museum.
Local tip: Quiet and fascinating.
Photo: National Register Staff, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Terrasse des Paresseux
A viewpoint with cannons looking across to Spain.
Local tip: On clear days you can see the Spanish coast.
Photo: Herbert wie, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Achakar Beach
A long Atlantic beach near the caves.
Local tip: Currents can be strong; swim carefully.
Photo: Nabilchatt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Experiences
Things to do in Tangier
Drink tea at Café Hafa
An essential Tangier moment.
Take the ferry to Tarifa
A day trip to Spain in about an hour.
See a film at Cinema Rif
A historic cinema and café on the Grand Socco.
Eat seafood
Fresh fish from the strait.
Visit Asilah
A whitewashed seaside town with murals.
Walk the new marina
A modern promenade around the old port.
Tours
Tours from Tangier, Morocco
Arriving in Tangier, Morocco by ferry or plane? Choose a short, medium or long private tour that starts from the city, with your own driver. These tours are run by Travel to Morocco, our own local travel agency in Marrakech. We plan every trip ourselves, with drivers, guides and desert camps we know and trust. An organised tour simply makes Morocco easier: your driver knows every road and mountain pass, your riads and desert camps are booked before you arrive, you skip bus timetables and taxi haggling, and a local team is there to help from your first day to your last.
5 days / 4 nights
5 days tour from Tangier to Merzouga desert
Tangier, Fes, Merzouga, Chefchaouen, Tangier
Five days from Tangier to the Sahara and back. You get a walk in Chefchaouen, a night in Fes, a camel ride…
7 days / 6 nights
7 days tour from Tangier
Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Rabat, Tangier
One week from Tangier and back: Chefchaouen, Volubilis, a guided day in Fes, a night in the dunes of Merzouga, then Rabat…
14 days / 13 nights
14 day Sahara tour from Tangier
Tangier, Fes, Merzouga, Marrakech, Essaouira, Casablanca, Tangier
Two weeks around Morocco from Tangier: a full day in Chefchaouen, Fes, two nights at the dunes of Merzouga, Marrakech, Essaouira and…
6 days / 5 nights
6 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech via Merzouga desert
Tangier to Marrakech by Chefchaouen, Fes and Merzouga
Six days from Tangier to Marrakech with a guided day in Fes: Chefchaouen, two nights in Fes, a night in the dunes…
Transport
Getting to and around Tangier
Getting there
Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG) serves Tangier, Morocco, with direct flights from Europe. Ferries arrive from Tarifa (about 1h) at the city port and from Algeciras at Tanger Med. The Al Boraq high speed train reaches Rabat in about 1h20 and Casablanca in about 2h10.
Getting around
Walk the medina and use blue petit taxis for longer trips. Grand taxis go to Cap Spartel and nearby towns.
Accommodation
Where to stay in Tangier
History and views
Kasbah & medina
Riads with terraces overlooking the strait.
Convenience
City centre
Hotels near the Boulevard Pasteur and cafés.
Beach hotels
Malabata & the bay
Modern hotels along the eastern bay.
Nearby
Day trips from Tangier
- 30 min
Cap Spartel & Caves of Hercules
Lighthouse and sea caves.
- 45 min
Asilah
A whitewashed coastal town.
- 1 h
Tetouan
An Andalusian style medina.
- 2 h 30 to 3 h
Chefchaouen
The blue town in the Rif.
- 1 h by ferry
Tarifa (Spain)
A European day trip.
Good to know
Tangier FAQ
Is Tangier, Morocco safe?
Yes, for most visitors. Watch for unofficial guides near the port and medina.
How many days in Tangier, Morocco?
Two days is ideal, including a trip to Cap Spartel or Asilah.
Can I visit Tangier, Morocco from Spain?
Yes, ferries from Tarifa take about an hour; bring your passport.
What is the Levante?
A strong easterly wind in summer that can disrupt ferries and beach days.
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