I love A LOT of things about Tangier. However, one of my favorite things is that this city is super well-located. Therefore, you’ll have easy access to some of the best day trips from Tangier during your visit.
Now I know some people say “day trips” and you end up traveling 3+ hours in each direction to get there.
However, all of the day trips I am about to share are very easy to access (no need to transfer trains three times) and will introduce you to places that are totally different from Tangier.
As a result, these trips are perfect if you are short on time and want to see as much of Morocco as possible. In fact, if you use this list then you can quickly and easily explore a wide variety of cool, super-unique spots in Morocco
So, no need to spend months traveling around Morocco to get a taste of the country’s awe-inspiring natural beauty – unless you have the time for that and love Morocco almost as much as I do.
Instead, use my guide to Tangier day trips to plan the Morocco itinerary of your dreams. After all, I have been living in Morocco with my Moroccan partner since January of 2023.
In that time, we have traveled to Tangier MANY times. Now, I want to share my top tips with you so that you can enjoy your trip and have the best experience possible.
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Table of Contents
Best Day Trips from Tangier
1. Chefchaouen
⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5.0 (1495 Reviews) Price: $47.00+ per person Duration: 10 hours 📍Meeting Point: Pick up included Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Easily one of the most popular day trips from Tangier, a trip to Chefchaouen (aka the blue city) is a must if you happen to find yourself in Nothern Morocco.
After all, Chefchaouen is only about a 2-hour bus ride from Tangier, or a 1.5 hour drive if you hire a private driver/have a car.
Therefore, I highly recommend getting up early (leave by 7:00 am) so that you can make the most of your day in one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco.
In fact, if you arrive before 10:00 am then you should be able to explore the beautiful blue Medina without a ton of people around.
Afterward, grab breakfast at Cafe Clock and explore the charming Andalusian garden of the Kasbah before grabbing lunch at Sofia’s.
You can then shop for cool Moroccan souvenirs before climbing up to the Spanish Mosque to watch the sunset. Just be sure to get here EARLY since this is a super popular spot to watch the sunset.
To make things even easier, you can also visit Chefchaoeun via group tour. It’s a good option if you don’t want to worry about transportation and want to get picked up directly from your hotel.
Personally, I don’t find a group tour necessary since Chefchaouen is small and easy to navigate on your own.
“Great trip! Highly recommend a day trip to chefchaouen if you have a few days in tangier. Our guide was great and it was the perfect mix of guided tour for all the good photo spots, history, and then free time to explore.”
Abigail (read more reviews now)
Additionally, Chefchaouen is very accessible from Tangier by bus and Grand Taxi. So, feel free to use either if you want to quickly travel from Tangier to Chefchaoeun.
The only downside of a day trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen is that you probably won’t have time to go hking in Chefchaouen and do the hike to Akchour Waterfall.
However, you can always come back and do that hike another time if you want to enjoy all of the coolest things to do in Chefchaoeun.
After all, this is one of the many reasons why people take the ferry from Spain to Tangier.
2. Cap Spartel and Hercules Grotto
⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5.0 (218 Reviews) Price: $37.00+ per person Duration: 3 hours 📍Meeting Point: Pick up included Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
I put Cap Spartel and Hercules Grotto together on this list because you can easily visit both spots at the same time. In fact, the last time I visited I took a grand taxi to Cap Spartel and then walked from there to Hercules Grotto.
The walk was a little long (about 45 minutes), but it was a crisp day, and the views of the coast were stunning, making this a perfect addition to any Tangier itinerary, especially if you’re looking for free things to do in Tangier.
Of the two spots, I prefer Cap Spartel. The views of the coast are awesome, the lighthouse is pretty, and you can access a nice trail that takes you along the coast.
If you want, you can also pay extra and explore the inside of the lighthouse. Personally, I thought the museum was a bit overrated and I would give it a pass.
In contrast, I found Hercules Grotto a bit boring. You basically just chill by the coast and admire views of the ocean (I preferred the views at Cap Spartel).
If you want, you can also pay to enter the caves. However, I found the space to be small and not all that impressive. Plus, I think the ticket to get inside the cave is ridiculously expensive.
Overall, this is a super nice/easy day trip from Tangier since Cap Spartel is about a 25-minute drive from Tangier. If you can, use a Grand Taxi to get here since it’s cheap and efficient.
However, if you don’t feel like searching for the Grand Taxi stand then you can always use the Hop on Hop Off Bus. The last time I did this, the bus only had departures in the afternoon and you had to use the red line to visit this area.
Tickets are also much more expenisve then the price fo a Grand Taxi and you will have to wait awhile for the bus when you want to return to Tangier from Hercules Grotto.
But, it’s convenient if you don’t speak Darija and don’t feel like searching for the Grand Taxi stand. Another option is to book a tour to Cap Spartel and Hercules Grotto.
This 3-hour group tour is nice since you’ll get picked up directly from your hotel, enjoy round trip transportation to both sites, and will even get to do a fun camel ride near Hercules Grotto.
“Khalid was a fantastic driver and guide! The scenery was beautiful and we even got to see a wild boar!”
Sofia (read more reviews now)
You’ll also get bottled water, enjoy expert commentary from a local guide, and can relax inside a comfy van with A/C. Sadly, admission to Cap Spartle and Hercules Grotto is not included in the price of the tour.
But, visiting with a group or own your own is easily one of the best things to do in Tangier.
Local Tip: If you want you can sign up for a fun cooking class in Tangier that will also introduce you to this amazing place before heading back to a beautiful riad in Tangier.
You can also stop by Park Perdicaris on the way and visit one of the coolest museums in Tangier since it’s on the way to Cap Spartel.
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3. Asilah
To me, Asilah feels a lot like Essaouira, only smaller. It has a super chill “beach town vibe”, is home to one of the best beaches in Morocco, and is a great place to walk around since the Medina is both historic and beautiful.
But, the best part about this Moroccan beach town? Asliah is a quick 50-minute drive from Tangier. So, you can visit via Grand Taxi or by using the train.
The train departs from Tangier Centre Ville (you can check times here), tickets cost around 25 Dirhams each way, and the trip lasts about an hour.
TBH, the train is a great option if you are not sure where the Grand Taxi stand is and don’t speak Darija. Just know that once you get to Asilah you will still have to walk around 30 minutes (or take a taxi) from the station to the actual town.
Not gonna lie, the walk kind of sucked but the town is really beautiful. You can walk along the streets, take pictures of the beautiful doors, admire the amazing street art, and hang out on the beach.
Yeah, there aren’t a ton of BIG things to do in Asilah and it is basically just a great place to chill. It is pretty, though, and definitely worth visiting.
Just don’t expect to have the place all to yourself since Asilah has become VERY popular in recent years. Also, be sure to stop by Dar Al Maghrebia for lunch since they serve amazing couscous, harira, and pastilla.
Then when you get back, refuel at one of the most beautiful cafes in Tangier.
4. Tetouan
I like visiting Tetouan for a couple of reasons. First of all, the beach is stunning. Second of all, this city is often overlooked by tourists who are traveling from Chefchaouen to Tangier, making this one of the non-touristy things to do in Tangier.
Finally, Tetuoan is SUPER close to Tangier and is only about an hour’s bus ride from the city.
So, if you would like to visit, just hop on a CTM bus and visit basically any time you like since buses are always running between the two cities. Alternatively, try using a Grand Taxi if you want to get there a little faster.
Upon arrival, be sure to visit the beach before watching master craftsmen teach apprentices how to create tile mosaics, carve plaster, and create intricate silk outfits at the Royal Artisan School near Bab El Okla.
Afterward, explore the ancient alleys and old-world buildings of the Medina (which is much less touristy than other cities) before enjoying some of the modern art on display at the Tetouan Museum of Modern Art.
Honestly, stop by even if you don’t like modern art since the building looks like this amazing Spanish Castle.
Finally, don’t leave without grabbing lunch at Café Al Amal. The portions are huge, the prices are reasonable, and the food is good. The last time I was here I got the Mediterranean Breakfast and thought it was really tasty.
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5. Rabat
I feel like Rabat is one of the most criminally underrated cities in Morocco. I know a lot of people think it’s boring but I personally never run out of things to do in Rabat and always find cool places to eat in Rabat.
So, if you have the time, definitely stop by since Rabat is only about an hour and fifteen-minute train ride from Tangier.
However, what makes this day trip from Tangier even more convenient is the fact that trains depart every hour and will drop you off in the center of the city at Rabat Ville station.
Once here, stop by the Mohamed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. It’s located right near the train station and has some cool art on display.
Next, hang out by the city’s tiny beach before climbing up to the top of the Kasbah of the Udayas. The historic buildings are gorgeous (way better than what you’ll find in the Medina) and you can enjoy stellar views of the Ocean from the top.
I also like the Andalusian Garden here since you can walk around, sip tea, and enjoy stellar views of the river before visiting the on-site museum. Seriously, this garden is epic and is not to be missed.
Afterward, walk along the river and visit Hassan Tower/Mohammed V Mausoleum. Both landmarks are in the same area and are perfect for photo ops.
You can even see local guards sitting on horses, dressed in awesome uniforms as they watch over the area. It’s a lovely spot and a great place to check out before grabbing brunch at Boho Cafe.
I have been to this restaurant a couple of times and am always happy with the pancakes and baked goods here. We had the carrot cake the last time and it was AWESOME.
6. Casablanca
You can definitely do a day trip from Tangier to Casablanca since Casa is only about a two-hour train ride away. However, this definitely isn’t my all-time fave day trip for a couple of reasons.
Mainly, Casablanca is huge and not the safest city in Morocco. So, if you want to visit as part of a day trip then you will have a hard time getting around since public transportation is limited and major attractions are scattered throughout the city.
Your best bet is to hire a driver for the day and just have them take you to iconic spots like Arab League Park, the Medina (not as impressive as other Medinas in Morocco), Rick’s Cafe (very touristy and overrated IMHO), and Hassan II Mosque.
If I am honest I would spend most of my day at Hassan II Mosque. The architecture is beautiful and the building sits right on the water. You can even tour the inside of the mosque (no head scarf needed) and visit a cool on-site museum too.
Afterward, escape the chaos of the city with a trip to Arab League Park. The gardens are beautiful and feature a ton fo well-maintained walkways.
You can also check out Notre Dame Cathedral right next door or visit Musée Abderrahman Slaoui if you have extra time. It’s a fun and funky museum that has all sorts of posters, clothes, furniture, and other historic items on display.
7. Ceuta
If you’re looking for a truly unique day trip from Tangier then try visiting Ceuta. Just take a CTM bus to Tetouan (about an hour) and then enjoy a 30-minute taxi ride to the border.
Once here, be sure to have your passport handy since you’ll have to enter Spain if you want to visit Ceuta. Yup, this unique city it is in mainland Morocco but is actually a part fo Spain.
So, if you’ve never been to Spain then this is a great chance to visit. I also highly recommend having a taxi drop you off at Fnideq and then crossing the border by foot since it will be a lot faster than using a car.
Besides, you really don’t need a car in Ceuta since it is a super small city that is easily navigated by foot.
Then, use a local bus to make your way into the city. Just be sure to have Euros for the trip since this Spanish city does not accept Dirhams. Finally, relax and enjoy all of the cool things to do in Ceuta.
You can visit the ruins of the Arab Baths of Ceuta (from the 12th and 13th centuries), explore the royal walls of Ceuta, check out the Museo de los Muralles Reales, learn about the city’s history at the Museo de Ceuta (it’s free), and take photos of the House fo Dragons.
This building is probably one of the coolest structures I’ve ever seen and has these ornate dragon statues lined all along the exterior.
Afterward, hit up La Ribera Beach and grab some delicious donuts, and other Spanish-style pastries, from Pasteleria La Africana before heading back to Morocco and checking out some of the best places to eat in Tangier.
Conclusion
That wraps up this epic guide to the best day trips from Tangier. I hope you found this post useful and now know which day trips are perfect for you.
Personally, I would opt for a day trip to Asilah and a day trip to Cap Spartel/Hercules Grotto. Both trips are super easy, affordable, and offer a super fun way to experience all that this beautiful region has to offer.
Just use the tips outlined in this guide and you should have no problem visiting either spot. And if you enjoyed this post, be sure to join our email list and Facebook group for even more awesome Morocco travel advice.
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