Tangier

Tangier's white medina and bay lit up at dusk – Tangier Travel Guide
Tangier’s white medina and bay lit up at dusk. Tangier, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Tangier Travel Guide · Gateway between two seas

Tangier: Where Africa Meets Europe

A white city above the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and Spain is visible on the horizon.

Destination overview

The Essence of Tangier

Tangier has always looked outward. Phoenicians, Romans, Portuguese and the diplomats of its international years all left their mark, and writers and painters came for the light. Today the old medina and its kasbah still climb the hill above the port, while a rebuilt seafront and marina stretch along the bay below.

Fourteen kilometres west, Cap Spartel marks the point where the two seas meet, with its lighthouse above the cliffs and the Caves of Hercules just along the coast. Tangier is also the easiest way into northern Morocco, by ferry from Spain or by the high-speed train from Casablanca, and the starting point for the white town of Asilah and the blue lanes of Chefchaouen.

The rooftops and minaret of Tangier at dusk
The rooftops and minaret of Tangier at dusk. One of the sights in our Tangier travel guide.
Zellige fountains in the Tangier kasbah
Zellige fountains in the Tangier kasbah. A corner of Tangier worth the journey.
The Cap Spartel lighthouse above the sea near Tangier
The Cap Spartel lighthouse above the sea near Tangier. Tangier, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Quick Facts

  • RegionTanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma
  • Ideal stay1 to 2 days
  • Best seasonApril to October
  • Famous forThe kasbah, Cap Spartel and the Strait of Gibraltar

Iconic landmarks

Must-See Places in Tangier

The Kasbah, Tangier
The Kasbah, Tangier. One of the sights in our Tangier travel guide.

The Kasbah

The walled citadel above the medina

The Old Medina, Tangier
The Old Medina, Tangier. A corner of Tangier worth the journey.

The Old Medina

Whitewashed lanes and small squares

Cap Spartel, Tangier
Cap Spartel, Tangier. Tangier, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Cap Spartel

The lighthouse where two seas meet

Caves of Hercules, Tangier
Caves of Hercules, Tangier. One of the sights in our Tangier travel guide.

Caves of Hercules

A sea cave shaped like Africa

The Bay & Corniche, Tangier
The Bay & Corniche, Tangier. A corner of Tangier worth the journey.

The Bay & Corniche

The seafront and marina at dusk

Asilah, Tangier
Asilah, Tangier. Tangier, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Asilah

A white Atlantic town 45 minutes south

Unique experiences

Experience Tangier Your Way

Kasbah & Medina Walk – Gates, doors and viewpoints with a guide
Kasbah & Medina Walk – Gates, doors and viewpoints with a guide. One of the sights in our Tangier travel guide.
Mint Tea with a View – A Tangier ritual on a terrace above the strait
Mint Tea with a View – A Tangier ritual on a terrace above the strait. A corner of Tangier worth the journey.
Sunset at Cap Spartel – Golden light over the Atlantic
Sunset at Cap Spartel – Golden light over the Atlantic. Tangier, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.
Asilah Day Trip – Murals, ramparts and quiet lanes
Asilah Day Trip – Murals, ramparts and quiet lanes. One of the sights in our Tangier travel guide.
Chefchaouen Day Trip – Two hours to the blue town of the Rif
Chefchaouen Day Trip – Two hours to the blue town of the Rif. A corner of Tangier worth the journey.

Featured tours

Popular Tours from Tangier

Tangier marina and seafront lit up at night
Tangier marina and seafront lit up at night. Tangier, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

4-Day Tangier to Merzouga Desert Tour via Chefchaouen & Fes

Tangier · Fes · Merzouga · Meknes · Tangier

Price On request

Blue-painted stairway and doorways in the old town of Chefchaouen
Blue-painted stairway and doorways in the old town of Chefchaouen. One of the sights in our Tangier travel guide.

6-Day Northern Morocco Tour from Tangier

Tangier · Chefchaouen · Fes · Rabat

The Koutoubia Mosque framed by palm trees in Marrakech
The Koutoubia Mosque framed by palm trees in Marrakech. A corner of Tangier worth the journey.

10-Day Tangier to Marrakech Tour via Fes & Merzouga

Tangier · Chefchaouen · Fes · Merzouga · Dades Valley · Marrakech

Explore Tangier

Interactive Map

Discover the main attractions, neighbourhoods and nearby places to help you plan your visit.

Travel guide

When to Visit Tangier

Tangier has a Mediterranean climate: warm, dry summers cooled by sea breezes and mild, wetter winters. It is rarely too hot to walk.

  • SpringMar – MayFresh and green
  • SummerJun – AugWarm, breezy and dry
  • AutumnSep – NovMild, soft light
  • WinterDec – FebMild with rain and wind

Useful Travel Tips

  • Walk up to the kasbah in the morning for the clearest views of Spain
  • The medina is steep in places; wear shoes with grip
  • Bring a light layer, as the strait can be windy even in summer
  • Arriving by ferry, allow time for passport control at the port

Travel blog

Stories from Tangier

One Day in Tangier: Kasbah, Medina and the Strait

Travel guideRead More

Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules

Asilah: The White Town South of Tangier

Frequently asked questions

Tangier Travel Guide: Frequently Asked Questions

How many days should I spend in Tangier?

One full day covers the kasbah, the medina, Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules. Stay a second night if you would like a relaxed day in Asilah.

What is the best time to visit Tangier?

April to October is the sunniest period, and summer is noticeably cooler here than inland. Winter is mild but can be wet and windy.

Can I start a Morocco tour from Tangier?

Yes. We meet travellers at the ferry port, the airport or the train station, and our tours from Tangier continue to Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech.

How do I get to Tangier from Spain?

Ferries cross from Tarifa to Tangier Ville in about an hour, and from Algeciras to Tangier Med, a larger port around 45 km east of the city. Tell us which you are using and we will arrange the pickup.

Is Tangier safe for visitors?

Yes. Tangier is used to welcoming travellers and serious problems are rare. Take the same care you would anywhere: keep valuables out of sight in busy places and agree prices in advance. On a private tour your driver-guide is with you throughout the journey.

Can you include Tangier in a private tour?

Yes. Tangier features in many of our private tours, and every itinerary can be adjusted. Tell us how long you would like to stay and we will build the route around it.

A traveller sitting on a dune as the sun sets over the Sahara
A traveller sitting on a dune as the sun sets over the Sahara. Tangier, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Ready for your journey?

Begin Your Morocco Journey in Tangier

Let us create a private itinerary around Tangier, with the stops, pace and accommodation that suit you.

More than a trip…it’s a feeling

Planning your trip? For official information about Morocco, visit Visit Morocco, the website of the Moroccan National Tourist Office.