Day Trips from Tangier. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Nearby Destinations

Several unique towns and cities are easily accessible from Tangier for a rewarding day trip.

Chefchaouen (The Blue City), Tetouan, Asilah, and Larache are popular choices.

Accessible Locations

Chefchaouen: The Blue City, 2-2.5 hours by grand taxi or bus.
Tetouan: UNESCO World Heritage Medina, 1 hour by grand taxi or bus.
Asilah: Fortified coastal town, 45 minutes by train or grand taxi.
Larache: Quieter coastal town, 1.5 hours via train or bus.

Planning Your Day Trip

Choosing between a guided tour and independent travel for nearby excursions.

Transportation & Tours

Large taxis and buses depart from Tangier's main bus station for places such as Chefchaouen and Tetouan. Trains connect to Asilah and Larache from Tanger Ville station.

Options for Travel

Grand taxis for collective or private journeys.
CTM and Supratours buses offer comfort.
Frequent trains from Tanger Ville.

Tour vs. Independent

An organized tour often includes transport and a guide, suited for structured experiences. Independent travel provides flexibility for pace and budget.

Comparing Approaches

Organized Tour: Convenient, structured, potentially higher cost. Book day trips here.
Independent Travel: Flexible, budget-friendly, personal planning required.
Consider budget and preferred travel style.

Suggested Itineraries

Day Trip Lengths

Chefchaouen: Full day (8-10 hours including travel).
Tetouan: Half-day to full-day (5-7 hours).
Asilah: Half-day to full-day (4-6 hours).
Start early for full enjoyment.

Excursion Focus

Chefchaouen: Blue Medina, Uta el-Hammam square, Kasbah museum.
Tetouan: Unique Medina, Bab el Rouah gate, Royal Palace area.
Asilah: Ramparts walk, Medina art, beach relaxation.
Larache: Historical architecture, Roman ruins of Lixus.

Natural Escapes

Parc Perdicaris (Rmilat Park):Walks and picnics near Tangier.
Talassemtane National Park:Hiking near Chefchaouen.
Rif Mountains:Dramatic landscapes, green valleys.
Atlantic Coastline:Rugged cliffs, quiet beaches.

Dalia Beach:Beautiful, less crowded beach.
Plage des Grottes (Achakar):Swimming and relaxation near Caves of Hercules.
Rural Areas:Hills around Tangier for agricultural life.
Stargazing:Excellent opportunities away from city lights.

Helpful Tip

When planning day trips, especially to Chefchaouen, begin your journey early. This maximizes your time at the destination before returning to Tangier.

Cultural Excursions

Discover Morocco's rich history and traditional rural life beyond Tangier's city limits.

Historical Sites

Tour ancient Phoenician and Roman ruins like Lixus (near Larache) and the extensive Volubilis (near Meknes/Fes), an UNESCO World Heritage site.

Rural Villages

Visit small villages in the upland areas around Tetouan or en route to Chefchaouen. See traditional rural Moroccan life, local farming, and artisan work.

Pilgrimage Sites

Moulay Abdeslam Ben Mchich's shrine in the Rif Mountains (near Chefchaouen) is a significant site for Moroccans, revealing local spiritual traditions.

Multi-Day Extensions

Extend your trip to discover more of Morocco's diverse regions and cities.

Short Extensions 1-3 Days

2-Day Rif Loop: Tangier > Chefchaouen (overnight) > Tetouan > Tangier.
3-Day Imperial Cities: Tangier > Fes (overnight) > Meknes/Volubilis > Casablanca (overnight) > Tangier.
Explore cities in depth with added nights.

Next Destinations

Consider other Moroccan cities for further exploration.

Cities to Visit

Fes: Spiritual and cultural capital with historic Medina.
Rabat: Modern capital with historical sites and coastal scenery.
High-speed and conventional trains connect major cities.

Longer Regional Travel

Northern Morocco Circuit:Tangier > Tetouan > Chefchaouen > Asilah > Tangier.

Imperial Cities Tour:Tangier > Fes > Meknes > Rabat > Casablanca > Marrakesh.

High-speed train (Al Boraq):Connects Tangier to Kenitra, Rabat, Casablanca.

Conventional trains:Connects to Fes, Meknes, Marrakesh.

CTM and Supratours buses:Extensive connections across Morocco.

Comprehensive itinerary:Explore diverse landscapes and cultures.

Travel Advice

Look into guided excursions for certain destinations.
Book transport in advance during peak seasons.
Pack essentials for day trips.
Always carry identification.
Enjoy the journey and the discoveries.

Practical Information

Detailed information to stay connected and navigating local interactions.

Communication

Staying connected in Tangier is simple with local SIM cards and widely available Wi-Fi.

Staying Connected

Local SIM: Maroc Telecom, Inwi, Orange Maroc. Purchase with passport. Consider Airalo eSIM for easy setup.
Wi-Fi: Available in hotels, cafes, restaurants. For personal use, explore Solis Wi-Fi options.
Mobile Data: Local SIM with a data plan is reliable on the go.

Language & Post

Darija (Moroccan Arabic) and Amazigh are official. French is widely spoken. Spanish is common in Tangier.

Navigating Language & Mail

Translation: Apps like Google Translate or a phrasebook. Consider learning basic phrases with Rosetta Stone.
Post Office: Barid Al-Maghrib in Ville Nouvelle for postcards and deals.
English: Spoken in tourist areas; less in local settings.

Phrases

Essential Expressions

Salam alaikum: Hello (response: Wa alaikum salam).
Shukran: Thank you. Afak: Please.
Labas?: How are you? (response: Labas, hamdulillah).

Business Hours

Operating hours for businesses and services vary across Tangier.

Operating Schedules

Shops: Typically 9:00 AM-1:00 PM and 3:00 PM-8:00 PM.
Banks: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:00 PM. ATMs widely available.
Restaurants: Lunch 12:00 PM-3:00 PM, Dinner 7:00 PM-11:00 PM or later.

Holidays & Closures

Morocco observes Islamic and national holidays. Dates for Holidays in islam change annually.

Islamic Holidays

Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ras al-Am al-Hijri, Mawlid an-Nabi. Dates vary.

National Holidays

Fixed dates like New Year's Day (Jan 1), Throne Day (July 30), Independence Day (Nov 18).

Ramadan Impact

Many restaurants close during day; business hours may shift. Travel can be busy.

Seasonal Advice

Plan ahead for holidays, especially during Eid, when many services may be closed or operate on reduced schedules.

Cultural Etiquette & Accessibility

Etiquette & Cultural Norms

Greetings & Attire

Handshakes between men are common. Avoid initiating physical contact with women. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, especially in traditional areas and religious sites.

Photography & Dining

Always ask permission before photographing people, most notably women and children. Eat with your right hand. Accept mint tea or sweets as a gesture of welcome.

Taboos & Sensitivities

Refrain from public displays of affection. Do not openly consume alcohol outside licensed places. Do not criticize the King or Islam. Be mindful during The islamic holy month.

Gender & LGBTQ+

Morocco is a conservative society. Women travelers may experience unsolicited attention; dressing modestly and ignoring it is effective.
Avoid walking alone in secluded areas at night.
Homosexuality is illegal in Morocco.
Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon for all couples, and especially for same-sex couples.
Act with prudence and respect local laws and customs.
Your personal safety and comfort are priorities.

Accessibility Information

Accessibility infrastructure for mobility challenges is limited, especially in the Medina and Kasbah with uneven terrain.
Newer areas (Ville Nouvelle, Corniche) may have smoother sidewalks and ramps in current buildings.
Tanger Ville train station is relatively modern and accessible.
Adapted taxis are not readily available; private transfers with assistance require pre-arrangement through tour operators or hotels.
Specific services for visual or hearing impairments are limited.
Assistance from travel companions or pre-arranged guides is advisable.

Resources for Accessibility

Hotels & Operators

Research specific hotels or tour operators specializing in accessible travel for facilities and services.

Tourist Office

Contact the Moroccan National Tourist Office for potential resources or advice regarding accessibility in Tangier.

Pre-Arrangement

Consider pre-arranging any specialized transport or assistance for a smoother journey.

Currency Tip

Carry small bills and coins for daily transactions, tipping, and acquisitions in local markets. This avoids issues with vendors lacking change.

Day Trips from Tangier