Top places to visit in Tangier

• Kasbah Museum (Dar el Makhzen)

  palace museum · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The former sultans' palace at the top of the Kasbah, now a museum of Moroccan art and Mediterranean history, with tiled courtyards and a garden over the bay.

• Grand Socco

  square · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The bustling gateway square between the medina and new town (officially Place du 9 Avril 1947), ringed by cafes and the Cinema Rif, with steps up to the Mendoubia gardens.

• Petit Socco

  square · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The atmospheric little café-lined square at the heart of the medina, once the haunt of Beat writers and international spies in the Interzone era.

• Cap Spartel

  cape · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The dramatic north-western tip of Africa where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, marked by an 1864 lighthouse and cliff-top views ~14km west of the city.

• Caves of Hercules

  sea cave · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A sea cave near Cap Spartel with a famous Africa-shaped opening to the ocean, wrapped in the myth of Hercules — a popular half-day stop with the nearby beach.

• American Legation Museum

  history museum · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A fascinating museum in the medina in the first US public property abroad — the 1821 legation building, with art, Paul Bowles memorabilia and Tangier history.

• St Andrew's Church

  church · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A charming Anglican church (1905) blending English and Moorish styles, with the Lord's Prayer in Arabic above the chancel and an evocative old cemetery.

• Tangier Medina

  medina · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The historic hillside old town tumbling toward the port — whitewashed lanes, craft shops and viewpoints over the strait, far less touristy than Fez or Marrakech.

• Tangier Beach

  city beach · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The long sandy city beach curving around the bay below the corniche, backed by a revitalised palm-lined promenade of cafes.

Things to do

• Tangier Kasbah & Medina Walking Tour Tour · 3 h · from MAD 250 per person
• Day Trip to Chefchaouen Day Trip · 10 h · from MAD 600 per person
• Cap Spartel & Caves of Hercules Half-Day Tour Tour · 4 h · from MAD 350 per person
• Tangier Old Town Food Tour Culinary · 3 h · from MAD 300 per person
• Day Trip to Asilah Day Trip · 5 h · from MAD 350 per person

Day trips and tours

• Chefchaouen Blue City Day Trip 10 h · from MAD 600

Where to stay in Tangier

• Medina & Kasbah about MAD 700 per night

  The historic hillside old town above the bay — characterful guesthouses (dars) and the Kasbah at the top.

• Ville Nouvelle & Corniche about MAD 800 per night

  The modern town and bay-front corniche — international hotels, the beach and the port/train links.

Hotels

• El Minzah Hotel 5-star · MAD 1,800 to MAD 3,500 per night
• Grand Hotel Villa de France 4-star · MAD 1,400 to MAD 2,400 per night
• Hotel Continental 3-star · MAD 600 to MAD 1,000 per night
• Dar Nour 3-star · MAD 800 to MAD 1,300 per night
• Melting Pot Hostel Tangier MAD 120 to MAD 450 per night

Where to eat

• Cafe Hafa Cafe · about MAD 40 per person
• El Morocco Club International, Moroccan · about MAD 450 per person
• Le Saveur de Poisson Seafood, Moroccan · about MAD 220 per person
• Anna e Paolo Italian · about MAD 180 per person
• Restaurant Hammadi Moroccan · about MAD 120 per person
• Cafe Baba Cafe · about MAD 40 per person

Getting to Tangier

Airport: Tangier (TNG)

How visitors arrive in Tangier

• Al Boraq high-speed train By train from Casablanca / Rabat · common

  The Al Boraq line runs from Casablanca through Rabat and Kenitra to Tanger-Ville station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Ferry from southern Spain By ferry from Tarifa / Algeciras · common

  Ferries from Tarifa reach Tangier Ville near the medina; Algeciras boats go to Tangier Med to the east. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight into Ibn Battouta airport By air from Western Europe · common

  The airport receives flights from large Western European cities and Morocco, mostly on budget carriers. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train or bus from the interior By road from Fes / Meknes · possible

  Regular intercity trains and CTM or Supratours coaches arrive from Fes, Meknes and Oujda. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Alsa AeroBus to the train station

  AeroBus services run from Ibn Battouta airport to the Tanger Ville railway station with several city stops. Tickets are bought on board; the airport information desk shows the stop. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Grand taxi from arrivals

  Grand taxis wait outside arrivals and go to central Tangier, the station and nearby towns at set fares per destination. Often shared by a group. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Petit taxis cannot leave city limits; use a grand taxi for trips outside Tangier. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• ONCF train to Tanger Ville

  Al Boraq high-speed trains run from Casablanca and Rabat, and regular trains serve other cities. The station is on the eastern edge of the city, a short taxi ride from the medina. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Petit taxis cannot leave city limits; use a grand taxi for trips outside Tangier. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the port to the centre

• Ferry from Tarifa to Tangier Ville port

  Ferries from Tarifa dock at Tangier Ville, beside the medina. Services from Algeciras and elsewhere may use Tangier Med port, which is far outside the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• At the port, ignore touts offering help with forms or guiding. A polite refusal usually works. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
• Petit taxis cannot leave city limits; use a grand taxi for trips outside Tangier. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Taxi

  Blue or turquoise petit taxis are usually metered and cover trips within the city; they cannot leave city limits, so grand taxis serve longer routes.

• Train

  Tanger-Ville station is on the eastern edge of the city, a short taxi ride from the medina, with taxis for the ride into town.

• Walking

Paying

• Petit taxis are usually metered. Grand taxis are not, so agree the fare for the whole car first. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Fake guides at the port & Grand Socco

  Tangier medina & ferry port

  Touts (some posing as "students") latch onto arriving travellers, offer guiding or hotels and demand payment or commission.

  How to avoid it: Walk with purpose, decline firmly, and arrange guides or transfers through your hotel.

Best time to visit Tangier

• Jan 16°C
• Feb 17°C
• Mar 18°C
• Apr 19°C
• May 22°C
• Jun 25°C
• Jul 28°C
• Aug 29°C
• Sep 27°C
• Oct 24°C
• Nov 20°C
• Dec 17°C

More in Morocco

• Marrakech
• Fez
• Chefchaouen
• Casablanca
• Essaouira
• Merzouga

Frequently asked questions about Tangier

What are the main places to visit in Tangier?

Places covered in our Tangier guide include Kasbah Museum (Dar el Makhzen), Grand Socco, Petit Socco, Cap Spartel, Caves of Hercules.

Where should I stay in Tangier?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Tangier: Medina & Kasbah, Ville Nouvelle & Corniche.

How do I get around Tangier?

Ways to get around Tangier covered in our guide: Taxi, Train, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Tangier?

Scams reported to us for Tangier include Fake guides at the port & Grand Socco. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Tangier?

Average daytime highs in Tangier run from 16°C in Jan to 29°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Tangier?

The nearest airport to Tangier has the code TNG.