Tangier is an hour’s ferry ride from Tarifa, so you can even fit it into a day trip. In one day, you can see the medina and the Kasbah; in two, the Atlantic coast; and in three, you can head out to Chefchaouen or Tetouan.
Here is the day-by-day itinerary and, above all, What you need to know before crossing, which has changed this summer.
This is the most important piece of information on the page at the moment, and hardly any guidebook has up-to-date information on it.
Morocco maintained the GMT+1 since 2018. On 20 September 2026, it returns permanently to GMT. For anyone crossing the Strait, this changes:
Why it matters: if you’re going there and back in a day, the return ferry departs on Spanish time. If you miscalculate the difference, you’ll end up staying in Morocco. When you disembark, check the local time and set the return journey with a buffer.
The good news is that the Ramadan adjustment disappears from September, so the difference will remain stable throughout the year.
If you only have one day, visit the old town. Start at the top and head down towards the port, so you don’t have to go up the same hills twice.
The ancient citadel, at the very top. This is where the sultan’s palace stood, now the Kasbah Museum, and from its viewing points you can see the Strait and, on a clear day, the Spanish coast.
The streets are narrow and steep: wear comfortable shoes.
A maze of white alleyways, painted doors and small squares shared by residents, workshops and shops. Don’t try to follow the map: the best thing to do is just go with the flow and let yourself drift down.
If you fancy shopping, this is where you will find leather, ceramics, brass and spices. Read more in What to buy in Tangier.
The Zoco Chico, the most famous square in the medina, surrounded by cafés with terraces. In the 20th century, it was a meeting place for writers, artists and spies when Tangier was an international zone, and it retains that atmosphere.
It’s the place to sit down and have a mint tea and look.
The link between the old town and the new town: a spacious square, with a market selling fresh produce and flowers. From here, you can access the Mendoubia Gardens and at the door of Bab el Fahs.
Open since 1921 on a cliff, with stepped terraces overlooking the Strait. Past visitors include Paul Bowles, Jean Genet, William Burroughs and Juan Goytisolo, and local legend also includes the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
People come for tea and the sunset, not for dinner. It’s the best sunset in Tangier.
Located 14 kilometres from the centre, beside the ocean. Its opening towards the sea forms a silhouette that closely resembles the map of Africa, and it’s the photo everyone’s looking for.
Go at low tide, which is when it looks its best. They have set visiting hours and affordable admission fees.
Just a few minutes away is the spot where it is believed that the Mediterranean and Atlantic meet. It is dominated by a 19th-century lighthouse and there’s a viewpoint. A short but very scenic stop: you can do both in the same morning.
Back again, the Tangier Bay has a long urban beach and a promenade that comes alive at sunset, with the port and passing ferries in front. A good place to end the day at a leisurely pace.
If you have three days, spend the third on a short break. There are three options, each very different from the others:
The most comfortable. A coastal village with Portuguese walls facing the Atlantic and a medina whose walls are covered in murals painted each summer during its festival. You can see it in a few hours, so it works well as a half-day trip.
Its medina is World Heritage and has a strong Andalusian influence, inherited from the Moriscos expelled from al-Andalus. It is much more authentic and less touristy than Tangier’s.
You can find it at what to see in Tetouan and in the eight gates of its medina.
The Blue City, nestled in the Rif Mountains and painted entirely in shades of indigo. It is the longest of the three excursions and needs a full day, but it is probably the most spectacular place in the north of the country.
Tarifa is the only port on the Spanish mainland with a direct ferry to Tangier Ville, the city port, fifteen minutes from the medina. Ferries from Algeciras arrive at Tangier Med, 45 km from the city.
And the key factor in deciding on a day trip: the last return ferry usually leaves Tangier between 9.00 pm and 10.00 pm, depending on the day and season. Make sure you account for the time difference.
More at how to travel to Morocco from Spain and Is it safe to travel to Morocco?.
Something surprising: in Tangier A lot of people speak Spanish. The city was international zone until 1956 and is still home to a sizeable Spanish community, as well as the Cervantes Theatre. It’s common for people in the medina to speak to you in Spanish without you even asking.
If you carry on southwards, the train Al Boraq, Africa’s first high-speed rail line, connects Tangier with Casablanca. Rabat It’s about 3 hours away and Fez, home to the largest medina in the Arab world, at 4 or 5.
We are a local Málaga operator with more than 50 years’ experience organising trips around Andalusia and northern Morocco. If you would rather leave the ferry, formalities and guide to us:
Before crossing, if you’re in the area, explore What to see in Tarifa. And the whole destination at The Morocco Guide.
Until 20 September 2026, the time in Tangier is one hour behind that of mainland Spain. From that date onwards, Morocco will abandon the GMT+1 time zone it has used since 2018 and return to GMT permanently, meaning it will be one hour behind in winter and two hours behind in summer. It is important to bear this in mind as the return ferry departs at Spanish time.
The old town: the Kasbah at the top with its museum, the medina, the Petit Socco for a cup of tea and the Grand Socco marking the boundary with the new town. Start at the top and work your way down towards the port to avoid climbing the same hills twice. If there is still daylight, head up to Café Hafa to watch the sunset over the Strait. This is exactly what a day trip from Tarifa covers.
The Tarifa–Tangier Ville route is operated by Baleària and Africa Morocco Link. The crossing takes around an hour, covers some 32 kilometres, and tickets start from around 39 euros. It’s best to book online, as the port gives priority boarding to passengers who arrive with a pre-assigned ferry company, date and time.
Yes, it is one of the most popular day trips from Tarifa. The key is the return timetable: the last ferry usually leaves Tangier between 21:00 and 22:00, depending on the day and season, and departs on Spanish time, so you need to account for the time difference. You need a valid passport; an identity card is not accepted.
The three classics are Asilah, 45 minutes away, with its Portuguese walls and murals; Tetouan, an hour away, whose UNESCO-listed medina retains a strong Andalusi influence; and Chefchaouen, around two hours away, the blue town in the Rif, which needs a full day because of the distance.
Much more than you might expect. Tangier was an international zone until 1956 and still has a sizeable Spanish community, as well as the Cervantes Theatre. In the medina and shops, people often speak to you in Spanish without being asked, something that does not happen in other Moroccan cities.
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