Best 2 Day Trip to Morocco from Spain – Tangier
In this post I am sharing all you need to know to enjoy an incredible 2 day trip to Morocco from Spain.
Isn’t it mind-bending to know that you can be standing in Europe and literally see the African continent on a clear day?! Or is that just me?
It’s incredible! You can start in Spain and less than two hours later you can be enjoying a completely different mix of historical and cultural experiences in Morocco. This itinerary will help you make the most of that trip.
Don’t have time to read it all now? Check out the highlights from the itinerary here:
- You can spend literally all of your time in the Medina if you want. Consider hiring a guide to make sure you don’t miss anything.
- Try the kabobs or a tagine, and don’t forget the mint tea.
- Choose to stay in a riad to get the most authentic experience.
Traveling for your 2 day trip to Morocco from Spain
So, you’re enticed to make the most of your Spain trip by also dipping your toe in Africa?
I get it!
If you’re in Spain – especially southern Spain – it almost feels like a waste to be so close to the enchanting Morocco and not go see what the fuss is all about.
The Strait of Gibraltar – the channel connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea – is all that separates Europe and Africa and, at its narrowest point, the Strait is only 8 nautical miles.
You can practically swim there! So let’s go!
So, first things first. If you only have 2 days to devote to Morocco, then considering travel time is a must! The best ways to get to Tangier depends on where you are in Spain.
Ferry Ride
If you are considering the ferry as an option to get to Morocco, I’m going to assume that you are in the southernmost part of Spain.
While there are many ferry crossings from different parts of Spain to Morocco, I would only consider a couple of those routes ‘short’ – and for a 2 day trip, short is what we’re after!
So, if you’re closer to the port of Tarifa area, then the fast ferry ride across the Strait of Gibraltar directly into the city of Tangier is the way to go.
There is also a ferry ride from Algeciras to Tanger Med with several different ferry companies. That trip is about an hour and a half long. Once you arrive in Tangier Med, take additional transportation (car, taxi, bus) to get from Tanger Med to Tangier. That road trip can take an additional 40-60 minutes.
Directferries.com is great for doing comparison shopping, both on the prices and the timings that work for your budget and schedule.
Flights
Flights from Malaga, Spain can be as short as 45 minutes. And flights from Madrid, Spain area can be as short as 1.5 hours, if you are flying direct.
As of the time of this writing, flights from either Madrid or Malaga were available for as little as $38 USD on discount airlines such as Ryanair.com.
Of course, any of the prices I mention here are as of the time of this writing. Just a snapshot in time. The prices you will see when doing your planning will depend on the time of year you’re traveling. And, of course, whether the specific companies have made any adjustments to their pricing.
When planning, keep in mind that travel by air also includes the time waiting in the airport before the flight and waiting for your luggage, if you checked any. And maybe times 2 if you are doing a roundtrip.
Factor that extra time in when you are deciding whether flying makes sense when you only have two days to spend.
Also note that whether you fly or go by ferry, you will need to bring a valid passport. On the ferry, seek out the passport control line to get your passport stamped before arriving in Morocco.
Where to spend the night on your 2 day trip to Morocco from Spain
Before we dive into all of the incredible things you can see and do in the northern part of Morocco during your 2 days there, let’s pause here to talk about where you should stay while you’re there.
The best places book up fast and I want you to have your pick of the look and feel that you want to experience while in Tangier. So don’t leave booking your hotel until the last minute.
Now, like in any major metropolis, Tangiers offers a range of hotel options to fit every budget and desired experience.
However, if you want to get a distinctly Morrocan experience, consider staying in a riad. Riads are traditional Moroccan homes that include an interior courtyard and garden.
Riads are traditionally (and often opulently) furnished, and typically come with modern amenities. Generally, they can be more expensive than standard hotel rooms, but there is no better way to get a real Moroccan feel for your 1 night in the country.
Now, with only 2 days in Morocco, you’ll want to be strategic in order to pack in as much history, culture, and beauty as possible.
If you are heading back to Spain after the 2 days, then it’s a good idea to leave your luggage in Spain and travel only with a small backpack filled with essentials for your overnight trip.
That way you can hit the ground running, without needing to head to the hotel first to store your luggage.
If you do need to bring larger luggage with you, then you’ll need to drop it off at your hotel first before you start to explore. There is way too much walking to be done and way too many cobblestone streets for you to lug a suitcase around until check-in time,
Your room most likely won’t be ready first thing in the morning, but often they have an area where they will hold your luggage until your room becomes available.
Plan based on your specific situation, and pick a hotel that provides the service you need.
Itinerary
Day 1 of your Morocco visit
Now let’s get to the good stuff! You’ve touched down in Tangiers. What should you do first? What to do next. Here’s what I recommend.
Morning: Hit the Medina
Tangier Medina
Dive right into the culture and history of Tangier by heading straight over to the old city, Tangier Medina.
You’ll hear a lot about going there and allowing yourself to “get lost” in this city within a city. I’m not going to recommend that.
In fact, the first time I was in a medina in Morocco (in Fez), getting lost was something I was afraid would happen – literally.
There are lots of people and a lot of narrow streets in the medina. It can feel like a daunting maze at times.
A Moroccan medina is beautiful to experience and, for me at least, doing it while concerned about getting lost took away from my enjoyment of the experience.
Get a local guide for a walking tour through the Medina
The more adventurous of you may disagree with me, but my recommendation is always to do the medina with a guide – at least for your first time until you find your bearings.
That way, not only will you not get lost, but also you will get to hear some of the history and see the hidden gems that you might miss while you’re stumbling around on your own unsure where to go or what to focus on.
Instead of tours in small groups, however, I recommend getting a private tour. You and your party can go at your own pace, pause however long you want at those cute little shops, make special requests for where to stop, etc.
If you do decide to tour the medina with a local tour guide, I suggest arranging for one prior to your arrival, rather than picking one up at the port.
You will most likely be approached by many people offering you a guided tour around the medina (or wherever you want to see in Tangier).
But it would be hard for you to know whether the person truly knows the history of the city. Or has the skills to impart that knowledge to you in an effective way.
Companies such as GetYourGuide.com offer knowledgeable tour guides that you can book in advance. You’ll just agree on a meeting point to begin your Morocco tour.
Whether or not you choose to work with a guide, the medina has so much to offer. Be sure to experience Petit Socco’s Bleu de Fes. This is home to incredible Moroccan rugs that can be purchased in-store and shipped back to your final destination.
Afternoon: the Kasbah and the Palace
You can choose to spend half a day (or more!) in the old medina. But there is so much more to see.
If you haven’t already, stop for a cup of mint tea in the medina’s Petit Socco. Or do so inside the Kasbah on your way to the Kasbah Museum, which is located in the Dar el Makhzen palace.
Entering Tangier’s Kasbah is like stepping back into the 10th century. Among other things, it contains many cafes. Sit and enjoy your tea while enjoying beautiful Mediterranean sea views.
Once you’re refreshed, continue on to the Kasbah Museum. There you’ll find ancient ceramics and archeological artifacts that depict many aspects of Morocco’s rich history.
Lunch
Probably by now you’re pretty hungry. It’s hard to make a specific restaurant recommendation because so many have a great reputation.
However, I can recommend some typical Moroccan dishes if you haven’t tried them yet.
- Kabobs
- Chicken Tagine
- Couscous
- Bissara
- Kefta
You’re here to experience a different culture, so don’t be afraid to try any of these.
Relax and let your feet rest from all of that walking in the medina.
Evening: Visit a Mosque
Now it’s time to head over to Place du 9 Avril 1947, also known as Grand Socco, in the evening. There you’ll find the Sidi Bou Abib mosque and Cinema Rif, two iconic places in Tangier.
You’ll also find many vendors selling everything you can imagine – food, clothes, and more – in the world-famous souks.
Morocco is known for incredible leather goods. My own first trip to Morocco was in 2018. I went wild buying leather belts, hand luggage, and hand-crafted wallets. Each piece is as beautiful and durable today as it was when I first bought them. And time has only made them even more supple.
Day 2 of your Morocco visit
The next day you have a lot of options.
If you were going at a slower pace on day 1 and didn’t get to everything on the list, you can do some of those things today.
Or if you want to go back into the medina, you can do that.
Morning: Caves of Hercules
But if you want a completely new experience on the second day in Morocco, here’s what I suggest:
Drive a short distance outside of the city to experience famous archeological caves called the Caves of Hercules.
From there, you can walk along the shoreline towards Cape Spartel. There you can view the famed Cape Spartel lighthouse and get an incredible view of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Along the way, consider stopping at Achakar Beach, an ideal place to experience a camel ride on the sand.
The walk between Cave of Hercules and Cape Spartel is about 50 minutes. That is, if you don’t stop for camel rides along the way.
Again, you can do all of the above with the assistance of a private tour guide or private driver. But these destinations are also easy enough to reach by taxi, if you prefer. Your first stop, Hercules Cave, is only 9 or so miles from Tangier.
Midday: American Legation Museum
After a leisurely lunch, head towards the American Legation Museum. It’s a mansion and museum that represents the historic relationship between Morocco and the United States. The museum is only open on weekdays and during very specific times, so plan accordingly.
From there, head over to Boulevard Pastuer, where you can experience the modern part of the city. Amble along, check out the boutiques, and do some people-watching.
Evening: Experience a traditional Moroccan dinner
Round out your last evening in Tangier with dinner at El Morocco Club. It’s a well-known and highly rated restaurant and club in the Kasbah that combined traditional Moroccan and western flavors.
Reservations are required, so if you would like to experience it, plan ahead.
Alternate Options
Rather than staying close to Tangier, you may wish to venture into Rabat or Casablanca for either your first or second day in Morocco. Rabat is the capital city of Morocco, and home to the Royal Palace. The famed Casablanca is filled with stunning architecture. And while you’re in Casablanca, consider visiting one of it’s incredible beaches, which you can learn about HERE.
Either of these trips will take you out of Tangiers for the entire day. And once you arrive, you will immediately wish you had more than just 6 or so hours to explore and soak it all in before needing to head back to Tangier.
Still, it is doable.
If you choose that, I would recommend starting very early and traveling by train. That will give you enough time to see a few sights and make the round trip.
You can be in Rabat from Tangier in an hour and 20 minutes. And in Casablanca from Tangier in about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
As an alternate option, you may choose to spend your entire 2 days in either of these cities instead of Tangier.
Either way, I know that once you get a taste of Morocco, you will be back.
And now that you’ve had this tiny – but exquisite – taste of Africa, it’s time to head back to Europe!