Visit Morocco On A Day Trip From Gibraltar or Spain

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Gibraltar to Morocco Day Trip

Morocco ranks among the world’s most popular tourist destinations due to its rich cultural diversity, historical landmarks, and breathtaking natural wonders. If you’re in or near Gibraltar, Spain, and don’t head over to Tangier, Morocco, you’re missing out on an incredible experience. 

Imperial Cities & Sahara Discovery in Morocco
Morocco is a country of amazing diversity.

Introduction to Morocco: A Country of Diversity

From wandering the Medina to exploring the Cave of Hercules, Tangier has lots to offer. This is one of the most popular trips from Spain to Africa. One of the best parts is that even after hours of exploring, you can still return before the day ends from your Gibraltar to Morocco Day Trip

So, If you plan to set out on a day trip from Gibraltar to Tangiers, this guide covers everything you need to know that will help you have a smooth and memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience. Read on!

How to Get to Tangiers on the Ferry

Gibraltar has its own culture and sights. While it’s fairly close to Tangiers, ferries from here aren’t that frequent, departing a few times a week only.

That’s why it’s usually better to plan your trip from Algeciras or Tarifa in Spain instead. This route is preferred because of its shorter travel time and direct arrival in Tangier. So, you’ll find it more convenient, and it’ll be easier to plan your Morocco day trip from Spain if you start here.  

Tarifa to Tangier Ferry

Taking the ferry from the port of Tarifa is perhaps the best way to reach your destination. The two most popular ferry operators for Tarifa to Tangier include FRS and Inter Shipping.

If the weather is all good, you’ll arrive at the Tanger Ville Port in Tangier city within the next hour and a half of your departure. 

Check the schedule and book tickets in advance to secure your preferred time slot. This is great because you don’t have to book at the last minute in person. 

Return tickets cost around $125 USD on average, with up to a dozen ferries spaced throughout the day, depending on the operator. So, you can plan to start your trip at any point in the day conveniently.

Buy Tarifa To Tangier Tickets

Algeciras to Tanger-Med

The route from Algeciras to Tanger-Med is another viable way to cross the Strait of Gibraltar. There are two ways to get to Tangier from Algeciras.

Ferry from Algeciras to Tanger-Med Port

First, you can choose the ferry journey from Algeciras to Tanger-Med port, followed by a bus transfer to Tangier, as no ferry directly reaches Tangier. The ferry departs every four hours with an hour-and-a-half journey duration. 

On average, it costs around $60-$160 USD, depending on the season you choose to travel and which boat and time you choose.

The ferries from Algeciras take about an hour and a half to make the crossing.  

Once you’ve reached the Tanger-Med port, which is about 31 miles from the main city, you can find buses outside. It’s easy to catch one because there’s at least one bus leaving for Tangier City about every 10 minutes. 

The fares are highly economical, starting from $1, with the ride close to an hour to get into the city.

Buy Algeciras To Tangier Tickets

Bus and Ferry to Tanger Ville

Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Algeciras to Tarifa, which has a journey time of about 45 minutes and costs only $2-3. From there on, you can board the ferry directly to Tanger Ville. The ferry from here also leaves every four hours with a journey time of about an hour, costing anywhere from $39-230, depending on the time of the year.

While you make your way from Algeciras to Morocco, be careful not to take the ferry to Ceuta. 

Ceuta is a Spanish territory and not part of the main Moroccan area. 

Travelers who arrive in Ceuta from Algeciras will face difficulties crossing the border into Morocco. There aren’t any direct routes or transportation methods to take you from this point to Tangier either. So it’s best to avoid this route altogether. 

Day Trips To Tangiers From Tarifa

Sometimes it’s just easier to do a day trip and let someone else do all the work. Honestly I do way more day trips than everyone things. I love them, especially if I’m short on time.

Check out these day trips to Tangiers from Tarifa.


Day tours to Tangier are also available from Malaga, Algeciras, and even Seville.

Cinema Rif, Tanger Morocco
The Rif Cinema Tanger – Typical Tanger Architecture

Tanger Sightseeing: What to See in Tangiers

As soon as you arrive in Tangiers, you’ll see the rich culture the city offers. Because of how close the city is to Europe, it’s always had a bit of African and European history to it. But there’s a lot more to it than first meets the eye. 

Visit the Medina

The Medina of Tangier is an ancient walled city with many small markets dating back hundreds of years. 

This location is important in history because it’s been a meeting point for Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, and Europeans. 

You’ll see lots of different types of architectural styles here. From traditional Moroccan work to Andalusian influences, it’s got it all. There are intricate doorways, ornate tiles, and vibrant colors that all come together to show you how this city has been for generations. 

As you stroll through the narrow streets, you’ll discover there’s a lot to do here. 

A typical shop inside Tanger Mdina
A typical shop inside Tanger Mdina

Go to the Kasbah Museum

Head over to the Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures inside the Sultan’s palace of Dar El Makhzen. Inside, you’ve got artifacts showcasing Islamic Art and History, the gilded and illuminated Qur’an, and more. 

You can check out artifacts from prehistoric eras to the 19th century as you walk through time. 

Head outside, and there is the scenic and tranquil Andalusian Garden, which brings the whole place together beautifully.

The Kasbah Museum Tanger
The Kasbah Museum Tanger

Check Out Grand Socco

Place du 9 Avril 1947, or Grand Socco, is a historic square. It stands as a boundary between the old Medina and newer developments in downtown Tangier. There are shops and restaurants, and some natural beauty and mosques. 

This is one of the major tourist areas though, so you might want to be a little careful while shopping. Chances are you can find the same things in the older parts of the city compared to the main streets. But if you’re good at haggling, you might get a great deal here too. 

Our tip is to look for carpets here. There’s no better place to get traditional Moroccan carpets than here and take them back to Spain. 

The Grand Soto area Tanger
The Grand Socco area Tanger

Go to St. Andrew’s Church

Completed in 1894, this church showcases striking Moorish architectural elements. Its decoration in the high Fassi style brings in a local Moroccan style to it. 

If you’re religious, The Lord’s prayer in Arabic above the altar is one of the main attractions you shouldn’t miss here. 

There’s also a historic graveyard, with some of the most famous people throughout history buried here. 

Explore the Moshe Nahon Synagogue

While Islamic history is heavily featured throughout the city, it doesn’t mean that other religions aren’t celebrated here. 

The Moshe Nahon Synagogue is iconic and it celebrates the Jewish heritage of the city. 

It’s the only one open to the public, even though there are four others on the same street. So this is the perfect place to come to if you want to learn about the Jewish history in Tangier. 

Walk the Corniche

The Corniche is a coastal walkway where you can take in the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city’s coastline. 

The entire walkway is also only 0.3 miles, so it’s easy for people of all ages to take a stroll here. 

Even if you don’t have a lot of time on your day trip to Tangiers, it’s great to visit this area for a little bit to take in the mesmerizing views before finishing the tour. 

Tanger Coniche - A great place for a nice walk
Tanger Coniche – A great place for a nice walk

5 Star Tours Of Tangier Morocco

Would you like to just get the ferry over and do a tour of Tangier instead of making your way around yourself?

The tours below are all rated 5 stars and offer a variety of options and customisation. Almost all day tours in Tangier pick up from the port, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding something to suit your needs.



Explore Food Options

There are fancy options like Nord-Pinus, which is in the former Pasha’s palace. The Berber Family Lodge is where you can find traditional Moroccan food. Another good option is Riad Imlil Restaurant or the Kasbah Du Toubkal. 

With all the walking around, you’re bound to get hungry quickly. The good thing is that there are many different food options in the area, so no matter what type of food you like, there is something to suit everyone’s taste. 

If you’re looking for other cuisines, Casa D’Italia, or L’Ocean are also great choices. 


Heading Back to Spain

After sightseeing and exploring, you can catch a bus back to Tanger-Med to get to Tarifa or get the ferry directly to Algeciras. You’ll be back within the next two hours and conclude your inter-continental day trip to Tangiers!



Jenny Marsden - Charge The Globe
About the author

Meet Jenny, a passionate Australian travel blogger who has explored 103 countries to date. With over 30 years of travel experience, Jenny has a wealth of knowledge to share with her readers about the cultures, landscapes, and people she has encountered on her journeys. She’s always battling unfashionably frizzy hair and you will never catch Jenny in anything but comfortable shoes. Learn more about Jenny and her travels.