Is Tangier worth visiting?

Yes. Tangier has a relaxed seaside atmosphere, a hilltop kasbah with views to Spain, a long literary and artistic history and easy day trips to Asilah and Tetouan. It is also the natural start of a route through Chefchaouen and Fes.

How long is the ferry from Spain to Tangier?

About one hour from Tarifa to the Tangier Ville port in the city centre, and about one and a half hours from Algeciras to Tanger Med, roughly 45 km east of the city.

How far is Chefchaouen from Tangier?

About 115 km, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours by road through the Rif Mountains.

Can you do Asilah and Tetouan as day trips from Tangier?

Yes. Asilah is about 45 km south on the Atlantic coast and Tetouan about 60 km east; each takes about an hour by road, and you can see both on different half days.

How long should I spend in Tangier?

One full day for the city, or two if you want to add Cap Spartel and a day trip to Asilah or Tetouan.

Tangier Travel Guide: Kasbah, Medina, Day Trips & Ferries

Why Visit Tangier

Tangier sits on the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and the coast of Spain is visible on a clear day. For centuries it has been a crossroads of cultures, and in the 20th century, as an international zone, it drew writers, artists and musicians from around the world.

Today it is a lively, modern port city with a compact old town: a whitewashed kasbah on the hill, a medina of steep lanes and cafés, and wide sea views. It is also the arrival point for ferries from Tarifa and Algeciras, and the start of the high-speed train to Rabat and Casablanca.

From Tangier, the classic route heads south through the Rif to Chefchaouen and then to Fes.

1. The Kasbah and Kasbah Museum

The fortified quarter at the top of the medina, with the former sultan’s palace, Dar el Makhzen, now a museum, and terraces looking out over the Strait.

2. The Medina, Grand Socco and Petit Socco

From the busy Grand Socco square, the old town’s lanes lead down to the little Petit Socco, a café-lined square that has been Tangier’s meeting point for over a century.

Caves of Hercules and Cap Spartel

About 14 km west of the city, a sea cave whose opening is said to resemble the map of Africa, and the lighthouse at Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet.

4. Café Hafa

Terraces stepping down a cliff above the sea, serving mint tea since the 1920s. A favourite of writers and musicians, and the best sunset spot in town.

5. Day trip to Asilah

A small whitewashed town on the Atlantic, about 45 km south, with Portuguese ramparts and walls painted with murals during its summer arts festival.

Small yellow petit taxis parked at the center of Tetouan, Morocco, the standard short-distance taxi used within Moroccan cities

Day trip to Tetouan

About 60 km east, Tetouan’s UNESCO-listed medina shows strong Andalusian influence, with white houses, artisan quarters and the Rif Mountains behind.

Planning Your Time in Tangier

Best Time to Visit

April to October is the best time, with warm, sunny days and sea breezes; Tangier is a pleasant escape from the summer heat of the south. Winters are mild but wetter and windier. See the best time to visit Morocco.

Getting There & Around

Ferries from Tarifa arrive in about an hour at the Tangier Ville port, right by the medina; ferries from Algeciras arrive at Tanger Med, about 45 km east. Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG) has flights from many European cities. The Al Boraq high-speed train reaches Rabat in about 1 hour 20 minutes and Casablanca in about 2 hours. Chefchaouen is about 2 to 2.5 hours by road. Our guide on how to get to Morocco covers the ferries in detail.

Local Tips

Stay in or near the kasbah for the views and the atmosphere.
Unofficial guides sometimes approach new arrivals at the port; a polite “no, thank you” is enough.
Combine Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules in one half day by car.
If you arrive by ferry, we can meet you at the port with a private driver.