Best Time to Visit Tangier: Local Guide for 2025

If you’re planning a trip to Tangier, one of the first things you’ll want to know is when is the best time to visit Tangier.

You don’t want to sweat to death in the summer or freeze to death in the winter. You also want to visit Tangier when the weather is nice, the days are long, and the crowds are minimal.

It also wouldn’t hurt if it was off-season and you could save money on your hotel room. Well, I have been to Tangier many times since I live in Morocco and it’s pretty easy for me to get here.

I can safely say that while there is no BAD time to visit Tangier, some seasons are better than others.

So, let’s look at when to visit Tangier for the best trip possible. I’ll go through what to expect in Tangier by season and share the inside scoop about cool events you might want to check out or local holidays you might want to be aware of.

By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly when to go to Tangier for the best trip possible.

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Best Time to Go to Tangier: The Short Answer

Okay, if you don’t want to read through this whole post and just want a super quick answer then the best time to go to Tangier is either April or October. Like with September in Marrakech, September is still a little hot.

This is when the days are long, the weather is warm, and the crowds are gone since it’s off-season. So, you can enjoy top landmarks in Tangier without heaps of people.

March, May, September, and November are also good times to visit but aren’t as awesome as the two months mentioned above.

Avoid visiting any time between June and August since the heat makes the city kind of miserable, even though you are right on the coast.

Winter is also a great time to visit if you don’t mind colder weather. I first visited in February and loved it since there was no one in the city. Just avoid December since a lot of people vacation in the city during Christmas and New Year’s.

Winter in Tangier

I think winter in Tangier kind of gets a bad rep. Yes, it’s a little cold, windy, cloudy, and rainy. But, just pack a raincoat, wear lots of layers, and enjoy the virtually empty streets as you enjoy all of the unique things to do in Tangier.

I visited Tangier for the first time in February and loved it since the city felt super empty. Additionally, you can score great deals on flights into and out of the city, as well as sweet rates for hotel rooms.

The downside is that it was a bit windy. So, walking along the beach was un-fun since I got a face full of sand. It’ll also be too cold for swimming or any water-related activities which is kind of a bummer since the city does have a nice beach.

This is also not a great time to take the ferry from Morocco to Spain since excess wind can sometimes lead to ferry cancellations.

If you visit in winter, you’ll also want to double-check and make sure your hotel room comes with heat. Many of the riads I stayed in were inside historic buildings that had minimal to no heat.

Additionally, you may want to avoid Tangier in December. Because of the city’s location near Spain, it can fill up with tourists during the holiday season at the end of December.

So, if you hate crowds and high prices then avoid visiting at this time of year. You can also escape the chilly weathe rby doing a cool cooking class in Tangier.

And if you visit in January, be sure to hit up some of the coolest museums in Tangier if you want to warm up since the city can get quite cold.

• December Weather: High of 18°Ç (64°F)/ Low of 10°C (50°F) and 10 days of rain
• January Weather: High of 17°C (63°F)/ Low of 8°C (46°F) and 9 days of rain
• February Weather: High of 17°Ç (63°F)/ Low of 9°C (48°F) and 8 days of rain

Spring in Tangier

Spring is an awesome time to visit Tangier if you like longer days that are filled with warmth and sun. It’s also not quite peak travel season yet.

So, you won’t have to deal with massive crowds and can still find decent deals in the city as you check the best Tangier restaurants.

The one downer? Ramadan takes place in 2025 and the end of February. It’s hard to know exactly when this holy month starts since the dates are determined by the cycle of the moon and vary from year to year.

But generally, Ramadan starts about two weeks earlier than it did the year before.

Yes, visiting Morocco during Ramadan can make things challenging. However, it does have its benefits. I know I like spending Ramadan in Essaouira and visiting Marrakech in March, which is when Ramadan will be this year.

Yes, shops and restaurants close during the day because everyone is fasting. The streets will also be super quiet since most people are at the mosque or resting at home (they come alive after sunset once everyone has eaten).

But, many attractions will be open for tourists, as well as hotels and some restaurants and cafes in Tangier. So, it’s a good time to enjoy the best things to do in Tangier for free.

So, you may want to visit Tangier during Ramadan if you have a flexible schedule and can deal with the time change since the clocks will go back one hour.

Honestly, if you hate crowds it’s a good time to visit. Just be prepared for wonky hours and possible closures. However, major sites should be open and you absolutely can eat inside open restaurants.

I just wouldn’t walk down the street eating and drinking since it’s kind of rude to fasting locals. Yeah, they can’t even drink water so I would be discreet and avoid eating/drinking in public.

Otherwise, just wait to visit Tangier until the end of March. The city’s parks will be lush and green, the days will be warm, the crowds of summer won’t arrive until May, and you can enjoy the sun on the roof of a cool riad in Tangier.

• March Weather: High of 19°Ç (66°F)/ Low of 10°C (50°F) and 6 days of rain
• April Weather: High of 20°C (68°F)/ Low of 11°C (52°F) and 6 days of rain
• May Weather: High of 23°Ç (73°F)/ Low of 13°C (55°F) and 3 days of rain

Summer in Tangier

Honestly, I hate visiting Tangier in summer for many many reasons. It’s hot, it’s humid, prices are high, places are packed, and it’s just not an all-around good time to visit Tangier.

If you want to chill by the pool and love warm weather then okay, you may want to visit Tangier in summer. Otherwise, stay away. That being said, there are some cool events to check out in Tangier in the summer.

I mean you can head to Asliah (it’s about 30 kilometers away) and enjoy the art festival. It’s pretty cool and features concerts, street art, exhibits, and more.

Additionally, be aware that Eid al-Adha is a sacred local holiday that lasts for 2 or 3 days in the middle of June. It is NOT a good time to visit Morocco since everything will close – to the point that you need to stock up on food.

Additionally, everyone is traveling so it will be VERY difficult to get into or out of the city. The holiday also involves sacrificing sheep. So, let’s just say you might see blood running down the street.

I honestly do not recommend visiting anywhere in Morocco at this time of year unless you want to just chill by the pool of your hotel for a few days.

It’s also worth noting that you should pack a hat, sunscreen, and lots of light, long clothes since the sun can be strong and you’ll want to protect yourself from sunburns.

A filtered water bottle is also a great idea since it’s easy to get dehydrated walking around all day. It’s also great since the filter means you don’t have to worry about getting sick from local tap water.

Local Tip: If you’re in the city in August then you can check out the Asilah Arts Festival and enjoy one of the coolest day trips from Tangier.

• June Weather: High of 26°Ç (79°F)/ Low of 17°C (63°F) and 1 day of rain
• July Weather: High of 29°C (84°F)/ Low of 19°C (66°F) and 0 days of rain
• August Weather: High of 29°Ç (84°F)/ Low of 19°C (66°F) and 0 days of rain

Fall in Tangier

As you probably already guessed, this is my pick for the best time to visit Tangier. I’m not into September because it’s still hot and there are still a lot of summer tourists here.

But, once October hits the city is perfect. There are no holidays to consider, the days are long, the crowds are gone, prices are good, and the weather is still warm.

Yes, it can be a bit rainy but October isn’t as rainy as November. So, just pack a windbreaker and you should be fine spending the day in Tangier.

Honestly, November is another great month to visit if you can deal with weather that is a little chillier and rainy.

Sure, it might be a bit too chilly to swim but that’s okay. You can always go to Marrakech and get your swim on since that city is always hot.

• September Weather: High of 27°Ç (81°F)/ Low of 18°C (65°F) and 1 day of rain
• October Weather: High of 24°C (75°F)/ Low of 15°C (59°F) and 6 days of rain
• November Weather: High of 20°Ç (68°F)/ Low of 12°C (54°F) and 8 days of rain

Special Events and Holidays to Consider in Tangier

When deciding on the best time to travel to Tangier, some local holidays and events may impact your trip. I have outlined them below so that you know what to expect and you can plan accordingly.

Art Festival in Asilah

This event is super cool and shouldn’t impact your trip to Tangier too much since this tiny village is located about 30 kilometers outside of Tangier. So, the event won’t have Tangier overflowing with hordes of people.

This annual event is held through June and July and features colorful street art murals created by people from all around the world.

Other highlights include exhibitions, concerts, seminars about relevant social topics, and live performances. It’s a great place to go and learn more about local culture.

Ramadan

As I alluded to earlier, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year for Muslims since this is when God transmitted the words of the Quran to the prophet Muhammad.

To commemorate this event, and the creation of Islam’s sacred text, Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset for 30 days.

In Morocco, this means that the faithful do not eat or drink (water included) anything during daylight hours and that they frequent local mosques for some self-reflection and prayer.

Because the holiday starts and ends based on the cycle of the moon, it is difficult to say when the holiday will end and begin from year to year.

However, Ramadan generally starts two weeks earlier than it did the year before. This year it is supposed to start around the end of February. The clocks are also set back an hour to make fasting easier.

Additionally, because holidays mark the beginning and end of this holy month, travel can be challenging a few days before and after Ramadan. Many local businesses may also be closed at the start and the end of the month-long holiday.

On the whole, Ramadan is a quiet month in Tangier since many restaurants and stores close during the day since everyone is fasting.

However, because Tangier is a major city, hotels, some restaurants, and local attractions should be open to tourists. So, if you hate crowds and love empty streets then you might want to visit Tangier during Ramadan.

Just have some flexibility in your schedule since opening hours can change as a result of the holiday. You’ll also see the streets come alive with activity once the sun goes down and everyone has broken the fast.

Just don’t expect to do anything between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm since this is when everyone heads home to break the fast (Iftar). Most places will be closed and even staff at hotels will take a quick break so that they can go eat.

Since this is a holy month, do keep your shoulders, chest, and knees covered. Avoid eating and drinking in public, unless you’re inside an open restaurant, out of respect for fasting locals.

Eid al-Adha

I would 100% not visit Tangier during this holiday. Essentially, this event lasts for 2 or 3 days, beginning around June 15th. However, the exact dates change since the start of the holiday is determined by the phases of the moon.

During the holiday, locals sacrifice sheep (yes, real sheep) to represent the time when Abraham sacrificed a lamb to God instead of his son.

So, you will see blood running down the streets and people roasting sheep heads on open fires. Everything is also completely closed during the holiday.

Therefore, you should plan to stock up on food and remain in Tangier for the duration of the holiday since buses/trains are packed with people traveling to and from their family homes both before and after the holiday.

Honestly, very few things make me uncomfortable but I was a bit stunned when I walked down the street and saw all this happening. So, if you visit Tangier during this holiday then be prepared.

Best Time to Visit Tangier FAQs

How Many Days Is Enough for Tangier?

Plan on spending two days in Tangier. This way you can spend one day exploring the Medina and then another day doing a cool day trip to Cap Spartel and the surrounding beaches/grottos.

What Do I Need to Know Before Going to Tangier?

What you need to know before going to Tangier is that:

• Tangier is safe
• Tangier is worth visiting
• The medina is very walkable
• Most mosques are not open to non-Muslims
• Tangier has some amazing cafes
• Trains and buses are a cheap and reliable way to travel
• They put cumin in everything

Is Tangier a Walkable City?

Tangier is a very walkable city, especially in and around the Medina. However, if you want to visit Cap Spartel then you’ll need to use a Grand Taxi (shared taxi) to get there.

Can You Drink Alcohol in Tangier?

Yes, you can drink alcohol in Tangier, just like you can drink alcohol in Marrakech. However, you can only drink in places licensed to sell alcohol. So, you cannot drink in public and cannot be publicly intoxicated.

That wraps up this guide about the best time to visit Tangier. I hope you found this post useful and now know exactly when to visit Tangier.

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