Things to Do in Tangier: Kasbah, Caves of Hercules and Cape Spartel
Tangier, on the Strait of Gibraltar, is Morocco's gateway to Europe. Its highlights are the kasbah with views across to Spain, the medina and Grand Socco, the Tangier American Legation Museum, Cafe Hafa's sea-view terraces, Cape Spartel lighthouse where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, and the Caves of Hercules. One or two days is enough, and Chefchaouen is about 2 hours away.
Top things to do in Tangier
- The kasbah: the fortified upper town, with the Dar el-Makhzen palace museum and terraces overlooking the strait.
- The medina: whitewashed lanes, small souks and the Petit Socco square, once the heart of the international city.
- Grand Socco: the lively square at the medina's edge, near the Mendoubia gardens.
- Tangier American Legation Museum: the first property owned by the United States abroad, now a museum on Tangier's international history.
- Cafe Hafa: terraced café on the cliffs, open since the 1920s, perfect for mint tea at sunset.
- Cape Spartel: lighthouse at the north-west tip of Africa, about 15 km from the centre.
- Caves of Hercules: sea caves with an opening often compared to the shape of Africa.
- Achakar beach: a long Atlantic beach near the caves.
- The corniche and the new marina.
- Gran Teatro Cervantes: the façade of a historic Spanish theatre.
- Art galleries and bookshops recalling the city's literary past.
- Day trip to Asilah on the Atlantic coast, famous for murals.
Getting there and onward
Tangier is linked to Rabat and Casablanca by the Al Boraq high-speed train (about 2 hours 10 minutes to Casablanca); see our Morocco train guide. Ferries cross from Tarifa and Algeciras in Spain. From Tangier, Chefchaouen is about 2 hours by road and Fes about 4–5 hours. Read our Chefchaouen guide.
Including Tangier in a Morocco trip
Travellers arriving from Spain often go Tangier → Chefchaouen → Fes → Sahara → Marrakech. From Fes, the 3-day desert tour to Marrakech completes the route. Our 10-day grand tour covers the north and the desert in one loop, and our 14-day Morocco itinerary includes Tangier.
The Tangier American Legation Institute has visiting information for the museum.
Book it with a local operator
- From Fes: 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Marrakech via Merzouga — from €165 per person, pay on the day.
- From Fes: Chefchaouen Blue City Day Trip in the Rif Mountains — from €55 per person, pay on the day.
- From Marrakech: 10-Day Private Grand Tour of Morocco & Sahara — from €1190 per person, pay on the day.
Related guides
- Akchour Waterfalls: Hiking to God's Bridge From Chefchaouen
- Things to Do in Rabat: A One-Day Guide to Morocco's Capital
- Train Travel in Morocco: Routes, Al Boraq, Classes and How to Book
Frequently asked questions
Is Tangier worth visiting?
Yes. Its kasbah, sea views, cafés and history as an international city make it worth one or two days, especially at the start or end of a trip from Spain.
How far is Chefchaouen from Tangier?
About 115 km, roughly 2 hours by road.
How do I get from Tangier to Marrakech?
By train via Casablanca (Al Boraq then a conventional train, about 5–6 hours total), by plane, or overland via Fes and the Sahara on a multi-day tour.
Can you see Spain from Tangier?
Yes. On clear days the Spanish coast is visible across the Strait of Gibraltar, about 14 km away at its narrowest.
Main photo: Yamen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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