It might not be the first place you think of when planning a trip to Morocco, but the port city of Tangier is the perfect gateway to North Africa for travelers coming from Europe. Overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier offers visitors an adequate introduction to what they can expect from the country. Far from being a refined tourist destination like, for example, Marrakesh, Tangier gives you an authentic gritty feel of city life in Morocco, flaws and all.
- The perfect 1-day itinerary in Tangier
- Medina of Tangier
- The Kasbah Museum
- The American Legation Museum
- Corniche of Tangier
- Cap Spartel
- The Caves of Hercules
- Phoenician Tombs for the Sunset
- More than 24 hours in Tangier? Here’s what to see nearby
- 1. Traditional Hammam
- 2. Tétouan
- 3. Asilah
- Best time to visit Tangier
- How to get around in Tangier
- Where to stay in Tangier
Exploring all the best places to visit in Tangier, you’ll not only get a well-rounded view of the city but also find your footing, which will make exploring the rest of Morocco much easier. To make the most of your time there, it’s best to follow our itinerary for Tangier. This way, you’ll know exactly what to do in Tangier in 1 day.
The perfect 1-day itinerary in Tangier
Although it is the first port of call in Morocco for many people, Tangier is not a destination that requires a lot of time. Rather than being a city full of must-see attractions, Tangier is the perfect place to get used to what Morocco is like. With one day there, you shouldn’t have trouble covering all the best things to do in Tangier and come away with beautiful memories.
To cover the best spots in the city in a single day, it’s best to start with a plan, which is exactly what this Tangier travel itinerary is. Along the way, you’ll not only see the old town of Tangier but also some of the most beautiful coastal locations overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar.
However, before starting our Tangier itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. You never know what will happen, and trust us, you don’t want to be stuck with thousands of euros in medical bills. As a wise man once said: “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” So don’t leave home without it.
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After taking care of this useful reminder, let’s dive into how to spend 1 day in Tangier. After reading this guide, you’ll be ready to experience the very best of Tangier.
Medina of Tangier
The natural place to start your visit is with the Medina of Tangier. If it’s your first time visiting a medina in Morocco, it will give you an idea of what the fortified old town center of Moroccan cities is like. A maze of narrow streets leading from the port to the Grand Socco market square, there is a high chance you will get lost many times while exploring this part of the city.
Wandering through the Medina, you’ll surely find many shops selling all kinds of crafts. Don’t be surprised if locals approach you while you roam, asking if you’re lost. They’ll offer to help you find your way, only to insist on payment or instead take you to their shop. If you’re tired of walking and shopping, head to Place Petit Socco where you can find ideal cafés for people-watching.
The Kasbah Museum
For tourists, the undisputed main attraction near the Medina is the Kasbah Museum inside the old Sultan’s palace Dar El Makhzen. Although most of the information inside is in French and Arabic, you can see this restored palace in all its splendor. The museum’s collection of detailed maps is a big hit, as well as the beautiful courtyards and tiles throughout the palace.
The American Legation Museum
Probably not the type of museum you’d expect to find in Morocco, the American Legation Museum focuses on Morocco being the first country to recognize an independent America in 1821. Being the first American diplomatic mission, the building was the first property outside the United States and now exhibits about the relationship between the two countries. American visitors will likely get the most out of this museum, but there are aspects of the museum, such as colonial art and architecture, that will interest everyone.
Corniche of Tangier
Being a port city, you can’t avoid exploring the Tangier waterfront. While you might expect the harbor piers, the view of the city beach and the Corniche of Tangier behind it is probably more unexpected. Escaping the boundaries of the medina, you’ll feel you can catch your breath as you stroll along the Corniche. With Ville Nouvelle, the new part of Tangier, on one side and the city beach on the other, it’s a refreshing glimpse of what Tangier is like. While you can relax on the sand, you can also take a camel ride along the beach, which is a great option if you can’t reach the Sahara.
Cap Spartel
Overlooking the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar and the northwest corner of Africa, Cap Spartel is a popular attraction for tourists outside Tangier. A short drive from the city, it’s hard to resist the incredible ocean views you get from this point. The coastal scenery is only enhanced when you include in the view the Phare Cap Spartel lighthouse and its Arabic design. If you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of Tangier, this is the place to escape.
The Caves of Hercules
A bit further down the coast from Cap Spartel, between two beaches, lies another popular spot in the area, the Caves of Hercules. According to legend, the famed hero Hercules slept inside the caves during his journey to steal apples from the Garden of the Hesperides, one of the 12 labors of Hercules. Open to the public, you can actually descend into the caves and see the fascinating rock formations inside. It is said that the opening facing the sea was carved by the Phoenicians and closely resembles the shape of the African continent, hence nicknamed the “Map of Africa.”
Phoenician Tombs for the Sunset
To end your day in Tangier, there really is no better place than the Phoenician Tombs on top of the hill where you can admire the sunset. Labeled on maps in French as Tombeaux Phéniciens, the tombs are near Café Hafa and overlook the northern coast of the city. Tangier was founded by the Phoenicians, and here you’ll see countless tombs carved into the rock that were excavated about a century ago.
Despite the historical significance of the rocks, you’ll see people walking and climbing on them. This is because the spot is a popular place among locals to watch the sunset, from young couples to families. It’s a fantastic spot with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, something you probably haven’t experienced in the city so far.
More than 24 hours in Tangier? Here’s what to see nearby
Although you can see a lot in Tangier in 24 hours, it never hurts to give a destination a bit more time. There are other activities to do in Tangier, not to mention nearby destinations in northern Morocco that you can visit as day trips. So if you have time, here are some day trips and other activities from Tangier you might consider.
1. Traditional Hammam
Part of what makes Morocco such an interesting country is that there are many opportunities to experience aspects of its culture. One of the most popular cultural experiences travelers love to take part in is visiting a traditional Moroccan Turkish bath. Hammam in Arabic, these public baths are an essential part of life in Morocco and thus represent a fantastic local experience.
There are two paths when seeking a hammam experience in Morocco. You can do as the locals do and visit a regular public hammam, or opt for a more international hammam that will be more like a spa resort. If it’s your first time trying a hammam, handling the process can be difficult, so choosing a hotel or spa hammam is a good way to relax.
2. Tétouan
Tangier is not the only destination in northern Morocco tourists should visit; the city of Tétouan really deserves a trip. Located at the foot of the Rif Mountains, the city is often nicknamed the “White Dove” because of its sparkling white buildings with strong Spanish influence. This makes it a nice contrast to many other Moroccan cities that have a more French background.
Sightseeing in Tetouan focuses mostly on the medina, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll be transported back centuries. With the high fortified walls surrounding it and beautiful Andalusian architecture inside, it’s sure to fascinate visitors.
Once you’re satisfied with having thoroughly explored the medina, head to the Tetouan Archaeological Museum. The museum displays artifacts from different eras of the city’s history, including Roman, Berber, Punic, and Islamic periods.
3. Asilah
For a short day trip to the sea, look no further than the charming town of Asilah on the Atlantic coast. A former Portuguese colony, Asilah exudes historical character mostly due to the 15th-century walls and gates that surround it. If you want to see waves crashing against ancient stone fortifications, this is the place.
Although visiting another medina might not seem that exciting, the Medina of Asilah is decorated with fantastic murals, turning the old town into a large art gallery. Even buildings without murals have the same whitewashed exterior, giving the town exactly the kind of look you might imagine when you think of Morocco.
There is also much to do in Asilah beyond the medina walls. For starters, there is the city beach located outside the city walls, to the north, while other beaches like Paradise Beach are a bit further away. Just outside the Bab El-Homar medina gate you can visit a local farmers’ market and experience what local life is like there.
Best time to visit Tangier
To make the most of your visit to Tangier, you’ll have to consider the time of year. You might be surprised to learn that the climate in Morocco is not warm year-round, so choosing the right season is important. However, Tangier is not a large tourist destination, so it doesn’t suffer from too many tourists like other Moroccan cities.
The weather will be the main thing to consider when deciding the best time to visit Tangier. As you’d expect, it’s very hot in Tangier and the rest of Morocco in the summer, making sightseeing unpleasant and the city relatively quiet until after sunset. Winter, on the other hand, can be cold, damp, and windy, which is far from ideal. All this to say that the best periods to go are from March to May and from September to October. During these times of year you’ll benefit from pleasant spring and autumn weather and also avoid Morocco’s high season.
How to get around in Tangier
During your visit to Tangier, you’ll be moving around the city, going from one place to another. This means you need to know the best ways to get around town. In places like the Medina, you’ll have no choice but to walk, because the streets are too narrow. You can actually see most of Tangier on foot, but definitely bring a map because it can be easy to get lost.
However, there will be times when walking won’t work, such as when visiting Cap Spartel. Since there’s no public transportation network to rely on here, the alternative is to get around by taxi. Tangier has two types of taxis, the petit taxi and the grand taxi. As the name suggests, petit taxis are smaller and can only accommodate three passengers, while grand taxis hold six. Another difference between the two types is that small taxis use a meter and usually aren’t shared, while grand taxis are mostly shared and tend to follow a specific route.
You’ll probably arrive in Tangier by ferry or plane. The Tangier ferry terminal is right next to the Medina, so you can simply walk or take a taxi to your accommodation, but beware of scalpers claiming to be from the tourist office saying they’ll take you on a tour. Coming from Tangier airport to the city, which takes 30 minutes, the only real option is a grand taxi. The price for a grand taxi should be posted on a board at the airport.
Where to stay in Tangier
Whenever you’re unfamiliar with a place, trying to figure out where you should stay can be a challenge. After all, you don’t know the city layout, so finding somewhere close to main attractions and restaurants will be difficult. That’s why we’ll tell you where to stay in Tangier, so it’s not a problem.
The best places to stay in Tangier are those that give you easy access to the city medina. Many people choose to stay in the Medina for the atmosphere and convenience, but it’s not the only option. The Marshan neighborhood on the hill and west of the Medina is another good choice, while parts of Ville Nouvelle near the beach are also nice.
If you’re looking to indulge while you’re in Tangier, the El Minzah Hotel is the way to go. Just a short walk from the Medina and the beach, this classic five-star hotel offers its guests rooms with true Moroccan charm, as well as access to an outdoor pool and views of the bay.
Being a budget-friendly destination, you can often find quality accommodations with an authentic touch like Dar Sami that won’t empty your wallet. This riad on the edge of the Medina offers travelers an authentic Moroccan experience, with stunning terrace views and a delicious and ample breakfast.
For backpackers looking for a cheap place to stay, the Riad Hostel Tangier has what you’re looking for. Both in dorms and private rooms, guests will find clean rooms, private bathrooms, and great staff.
It’s fair to say you won’t be bored seeing Tangier in 1 day thanks to all the excellent places we’ve mentioned here. Visit and the start of your trip to Morocco will definitely be an exciting success.
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