Introduction:

Are you wondering if Tangier is worth visiting? If so, you’re not alone. As a leading Morocco travel agency, we hear this question all the time from travelers planning their trip to Morocco. Whether you’re considering a quick day trip from Spain or mapping out a full Morocco itinerary, this comprehensive Tangier travel guide will help you decide.

We recently took our children on an unforgettable Morocco trip — a road trip through some of the country’s most iconic cities. As part of our adventure, we spent a few days in the vibrant port city of Tangier. We’d arrived there after crossing the Strait of Gibraltar from southern Spain, and we immediately dove into exploring both the heart of the city and the stunning coastal scenery at Cap Spartel. Overall, we had such an amazing time in Morocco with our kids. However, at the end of our stay, we couldn’t help but ask ourselves: compared to other Moroccan cities, is Tangier truly worth visiting?

Honestly, we had fun in Tangier. Nevertheless, when you compare it to other Moroccan cities, it wasn’t one of the best places that we visited. That said, what’s great is that you can take a ferry ride from a port in southern Spain and be in Tanger Med within just 1.5 hours. Consequently, this makes Tangier the perfect introduction to Morocco and the African continent — especially if you’re booking trips to Morocco tours for the first time.

To help you decide if Tangier deserves a spot on your itinerary, we’ve put together a detailed list of pros and cons. Additionally, we’ve included a comprehensive guide to the best things to see, making this your ultimate Tangier travel guide.

Is Tangier Worth Visiting? The Pros

We spent considerable time reflecting on all of the things that made us believe Tangier is absolutely worth visiting. Here’s what stood out:

You Can Take a Day Trip from Spain to Tangier

First and foremost, one of the biggest advantages of Tangier is its proximity to Europe. The ferry has its own passport control onboard, so you can complete immigration before you even arrive — which we absolutely loved! Furthermore, if it’s your first time, you can take a guided tour, which helps make it a perfect introduction to the country. Many tours from Tangier are specifically designed for day-trippers coming from Spain, making the logistics incredibly smooth.

An Easy First City to Visit in Morocco

If you’re unsure about visiting Africa and simply want to have a taste of the country, then Tangier is the perfect introduction and one of the best places to start. It has a classic old medina, which is essentially a Moroccan old town. Moreover, it features a souk — their traditional shopping area — where you’ll have a wonderful chance to try local food and drinks like refreshing mint tea.

In particular, if you’re new to Morocco, we’d strongly suggest it’s a good idea to take a guided tour. That’s because experienced guides can show you the best places to go and all the main attractions to see. Many private Morocco tours and custom Morocco tours include Tangier as a first stop, which is ideal for newcomers. This is especially true for family tours in Morocco, where having a knowledgeable guide can make the experience far more enjoyable for children and adults alike.

Plenty to See on a Day Trip and Easy to Get Around

In addition to being a great introduction, there are lots of fun things to see in Tangier. You can get a surprisingly good taste of the history of Tangier and Morocco in just one day. Specifically, you’ll get this by visiting various main attractions in the city itself, as well as ones further afield such as the Caves of Hercules and the lighthouse at Cap Spartel.

What’s more, we loved that it’s incredibly easy to get around because they have a hop-on, hop-off bus called City Tour Tanger, which we took to reach Cap Spartel. They also have an audio tour, so you don’t need to go in a tour group or with a private guide if you prefer exploring independently. As a result, we think you can easily see everything you need to in a single day. This makes Tangier a fantastic option for those on shorter Morocco itineraries who want to maximize their time.

Buy Some Fantastic Moroccan Spices

Morocco is famous for the souks that you’ll find in most towns and cities; a souk is the term for a marketplace in northern Africa. The narrow streets of Tangier are, therefore, full of small shops selling anything from clothes to jewellery to aromatic spices.

Whilst you’re in Tangier, it’s a great time to buy all kinds of Moroccan spices. Indeed, spices are one of the most popular things to buy when you visit Morocco. Typically, you can head to a spice shop and they’ll give a lengthy and fascinating presentation of everything on hand.

We did one and it was truly interesting — we learnt not only about the spices but also about the different qualities and uses. For instance, there are spices to help you sleep, some for diet support, ones to improve sinuses, and even varieties that are said to stop snoring! The spices we bought were cheap and excellent quality. Additionally, we bought some pre-mixed bags of tagine spices to take home, as we absolutely love Moroccan food. This is one of the most rewarding Morocco activities you can enjoy, regardless of which city you’re visiting.

You Can Make a Day Trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen

We went to Tangier as it was the starting point of our Moroccan adventure when we crossed over from the Spanish coast. Subsequently, our first stop was Chefchaouen, which turned out to be one of our absolute favourite Moroccan cities.

It is just 2 hours from Tangier and very possible to do as a day trip. We loved it! For a deeper dive into planning your visit, be sure to check out our Chefchaouen travel guide.

Chefchaouen is a stunning city often called the “Blue City.” According to the popular story, after WWII, as the Jewish community grew, they painted the walls, floors, and steps blue as a religious practice. It is said to represent the colour of the sky and connect this beautiful city to heaven and God.

Moreover, it’s the perfect place to get a feeling for the rest of Morocco, as it’s very different in feel compared to Tangier. It’s a lot more relaxed and vibrant in its vibe. Many trips to Morocco include both Tangier and Chefchaouen, and for good reason — the contrast between the two cities is striking. Several tours from Tangier offer day trips to Chefchaouen, making it an easy addition to your plans.

A Chance to Eat Some Great Local Food

Without a doubt, we love traditional Moroccan food. By the end of our trip, our son Cameron also loved the flavours — which was a pleasant surprise! Their main dish is tagine, which is a slow-cooked stew made with meat, vegetables, and potatoes, and it’s typically served with couscous or bread. At the end of the meal — and indeed in most social situations — you’ll be offered a mint tea to enjoy. In our minds, there’s nothing more refreshing than a mint tea to finish off your meal!

Tangier has a large selection of local restaurants to choose from. Since we’re keen people watchers, we went to the Petit Socco (locally called Place Souk Dakhel) for our dinner. The Petit Socco is a small main square located in the middle of the medina (old town) of Tangier. We’d highly recommend Cafe Tanger, as they have a terrace that overlooks the Petit Socco — the food was tasty and the service was excellent.

In addition, you can also find some great food on the edge of the medina if you head towards the Kasbah Museum along Rue de la Kasbah and Rue d’Italie. There are lots of wonderful places to eat there. Sampling local cuisine is one of the top Morocco activities that every traveler should prioritize.

Is Tangier Worth Visiting? The Cons

On the other hand, we also thought carefully about the things that made us feel Tangier might not be the best choice for every traveler. Here are the drawbacks to consider:

Tangier Is Not the Best Moroccan City to Visit

During our road trip, we visited a variety of Moroccan cities, including Fes, Rabat, Marrakech, and Chefchaouen. Unfortunately, we’re sad to say that Tangier was perhaps the least exciting of them all. The others all had something truly unique about them — for example, Marrakech has the legendary Djamaa el Fna, and Chefchaouen is a breathtakingly beautiful blue city. However, there wasn’t anything that particularly stood out about Tangier in comparison.

Don’t get us wrong — there’s plenty to see and do, and we had a great time exploring the Medina and Cap Spartel. Nevertheless, we probably wouldn’t recommend it if you asked us where to go in Morocco and you could go anywhere. If you’re booking Morocco tour packages or luxury Morocco tours, other cities may offer more memorable experiences. Similarly, if you’re planning Morocco desert tours or desert tours Morocco, Tangier won’t be on that particular route at all.

It’s Very Commercialised — You May Not Have a True Moroccan Experience

When compared to other Moroccan cities, Tangier feels noticeably commercial. This is particularly evident in comparison to the more traditional vibes of cities such as Fes. Perhaps this is because it is just a short journey from the Spanish coast and has become famous as a day trip from Spain. Consequently, this may be why so many businesses have built up around the tourist trade.

If you’re seeking a more authentic experience, private tours Marrakech or custom Morocco tours in cities like Fes might be better options. Those looking for luxury private tours with a genuine cultural immersion may find that other destinations deliver a richer experience. That being said, Tangier still has its charm — you just need to look a little harder for it.

There Are a Lot of Businesses Touting for Business

Additionally, there are a lot of touts in Tangier. It can feel like you’re getting the hard sell at every street corner, and this is perhaps the worst part about visiting the city. Of course, it’s not just Tangier that has this problem — many other Moroccan cities can have the same issue. We noticed this most prominently in Djamaa El Fna in Marrakech when we were deciding what to eat one evening.

However, if you find this unwanted attention distracting — especially with kids — then we’d recommend a clear and firm “no thank you,” and most sellers will move on. Booking family tours in Morocco with an experienced guide can also help navigate these situations, as guides know how to handle the touts and can steer you away from the more aggressive areas.

Best Things to See in Tangier

We’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best places to see on your trip to Morocco when visiting Tangier. If you really want to get to know the city, then there is nothing better than taking a local guide. Alternatively, many Morocco excursions departing from Tangier cover the main highlights efficiently.

We personally like to do free walking tours when we visit a new city. However, there weren’t any available on the days that we visited, so we did a self-guided tour instead. Here are the must-see spots:

The Main Attractions in the City

• Medina – You should plan your stroll around the old medina, the ancient heart of the city, so that you can enjoy each of its landmarks at the best time of day. The medina is the soul of Tangier and offers a fascinating window into daily Moroccan life.
• Kasbah – This encompasses the fortified area of the ancient city of Tangier, including the impressive city walls. Notably, there is also a great museum there that’s well worth a visit.
• Cafe Hafa – A very cool and atmospheric cafe with a terrace overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. It opened in 1921 and has seen many celebrities pass through its doors, including The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. It’s a fantastic place to stop for a mint tea and soak in the views.
• Phoenician Necropolis – This is one of the most iconic and historically significant places in the city. The necropolis features 108 tombs carved directly into the rock of a gorge — truly remarkable.
• Grand Socco – This is a roundabout-come-square that separates the Medina from Tangier Ville. If you have children, this is a particularly great place to head, as there’s a play area there. It’s also a lively gathering spot that captures the energy of the city.
• Kasbah Palace – Known locally as Dar El Makhzen, this is the magnificent Kasbah Palace situated in the old city. Its architecture and gardens are impressive and well-preserved.

The Main Attractions Outside of the City

• Caves of Hercules – An archaeological cave complex located at Cape Spartel, next to the summer Palace of the King. According to mythological tradition, the Greek god Heracles stayed and slept in this cave. Furthermore, archaeology has shown that the Hercules Caves were first used in 6000 BC by Neolithic people. This is one of the most popular Morocco excursions from Tangier.
• Cap Spartel Lighthouse and Gardens – This was the best thing we did in Tangier, without question. It is the most northwestern point in Africa and the location of a spectacular lighthouse that overlooks the Strait of Gibraltar. We found that it was a wonderful spot to enjoy with our kids, as it has beautiful gardens too. If you’re following Morocco travel guides, this should be at the top of your Tangier to-do list.

FAQs About Visiting Tangier

Is Tangier worth visiting?

Yes, Tangier is worth visiting — especially as a gateway to Morocco. While it may not be the most exciting Moroccan city, it offers a convenient and accessible introduction to the country, particularly for those on trips to Morocco tours starting from Spain.

What is the currency in Morocco?

The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham. Most shops, restaurants, and markets accept cash, so it’s a good idea to exchange currency before exploring the medina.

How do you get around Tangier?

The best ways to get around are either a tour group with a knowledgeable tour guide, a petit taxi with a private driver, or the convenient hop-on, hop-off bus. Many private Morocco tours also include transportation as part of their packages.

Where is Tangier?

Tangier is a city in northern Morocco in North Africa, situated on the coasts of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is divided from Europe by the Strait of Gibraltar, making it one of the closest African cities to the European continent.

What is the religion in Morocco?

Morocco is largely a Muslim country, and a majority of its citizens are Sunni Muslims. Other minority religions include Christianity and Judaism. Visitors are welcomed warmly regardless of their faith.

Is Morocco safe for families?

Although we can never guarantee that any country is totally “safe,” in our opinion and based on our personal experience, Morocco is a very safe country to visit with kids of all ages. The people of Morocco are very peace-minded and friendly. Family tours in Morocco are increasingly popular, and many Morocco travel packages are designed specifically with families in mind. You might also consider Morocco student tours if you’re traveling with older children or teenagers.

Final Thoughts: Is Tangier Worth Visiting?

In conclusion, we had a genuinely good time in Tangier. However, after our visit, we did find ourselves asking, “is Tangier worth visiting?” The reason we questioned it was because, compared to the other cities in Morocco that we explored, Tangier was good — but not amazing.

If you’re planning a Morocco trip or booking Morocco tour packages, then it’s unlikely that Tangier is going to be at the top of your list of the best places you’ve visited. Nevertheless, if you’re just heading for a day trip from Spain, then it makes an excellent and convenient starting point into Morocco and Africa.

For those planning a more extensive adventure, we’d recommend looking into Morocco travel packages that combine Tangier with more captivating cities like Chefchaouen, Fes, and Marrakech. Whether you’re interested in luxury Morocco tours, Morocco desert tours, or custom Morocco tours, there’s truly something for every type of traveler.

Ultimately, our advice is this: don’t skip Tangier entirely, but don’t make it your only stop either. Use it as the launching pad for a broader Moroccan journey, and you won’t be disappointed. Check out our comprehensive Morocco travel guides for more destination inspiration, and consider booking through a reputable Morocco travel agency to make the most of your adventure.