1–3 Day Excursions to Morocco from Spain

1–3 Day Excursions to Morocco from Spain

By Claire | Updated Mar. 19, 2024

Between Morocco and Spain, there only lies the Strait of Gibraltar, the narrowest point of which is only 14 km (9 miles). So, it's pretty convenient to travel to Morocco from Europe. Short excursions of about 1–3 days are especially popular with people living in Spain, particularly those looking for the perfect summer retreat or a honeymoon destination.

Getting to Morocco from Spain

By flight: Flights between Spain and Morocco are usually quite cheap, with international carriers including Iberia and Royal Air Maroc connecting both destinations. If you prefer a low-budget airline, you can go with EasyJet or Ryanair.

By ferry: Taking the ferry is another option you can try. Tangier port is well connected by train with important cities like Fez, Marrakech, and Casablanca. Besides Tangier, Nador, Ceuta, and Melilla are also other options. Some of the ferry routes that you can try are given below.

Algeciras — Tangier Med

The ferry route between Algeciras and Tangier Med is the most popular one (about 34 trips per day), with five ferry companies running services on this route: Trasmediterranea, FRS, Inter Shipping, AML, and Balearia. Normally, Balearia tickets are the cheapest, but prices vary by travel time.

Tangier Med is a cargo port about 40 km (25 miles) from Tangier city center, so it's advisable to buy tickets in advance along with shuttle bus transfer.

Tarifa — Tangier Ville

It is a popular route (about 14 sailings per day), with FRS and Inter Shipping running high-speed ferries. FRS operates the fastest ferry on this route, which takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour, but Inter Shipping's tickets are the cheapest. Tangier Ville port is located in Tangier town, a location popular with tourists.

Barcelona — Tangier Med

Not many people prefer this route, but it does save you the trouble of traveling down to Algeciras or Tarifa. There are six sailings per week operated by Grandi Navi Veloci and Grimaldi Lines, and the fastest one takes around 26 hours per run. You can choose to take a private suite or share a berth with other passengers to save money.

Ferries to Nador 

You can also take a ferry from Almeria to Nador, located on the Moroccan Mediterranean coast. There are 3–4 sailings every day by Balearia, Trasmediterranea, and Naviera Armas, and it takes about 7–7½ hours one way from Almería.

Ferries to Ceuta

Interestingly, Ceuta is a Spanish city though it's connected with the African continent and lies on the opposite side of the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. It takes about 1 hour for the fastest ferry, provided by FRS, to reach Ceuta from Algeciras. The other two companies that run ferries on this route are Trasmediterranea and Balearia. Hire a taxi that will take you to the border after arrival, and then go through the passport check.

Ferries to Melilla

Melilla, located next to Nador, is a Spanish city. There are ferries run by Balearia, Trasmediterranea, and Naviera Armas that sail 13 times a week from Malaga, Motril, and Almeria. The shortest time duration on this route is around 4½ hours per run.

Where to Go for a 1-Day Trip

For people traveling from or staying in southern Spain, a one-day trip to Tangier is worth trying. As the third-biggest city of Morocco and one of the most important ports, you will find relics and monuments with elements of Arabic or European traditions in Tangier, which are a must-see for travelers.

Kasbah de Tanger

Tangier Fort is one of the most important historical sites in Tangier. It is located on the highest point in the city, offering excellent views. It is lavishly decorated inside with an exquisitely carved wooden roof and a marble courtyard. The fort has been converted into a museum (Musée de la Kasbah) that houses a vast collection of historical artifacts.

Grande Mosquée

It is another famous historical site in Tangier that is immensely popular with tourists. This mosque once housed a 17th-century Portuguese church. Though it is open only to Muslims, its delicate appearance still attracts onlookers.

Palais Moulay Hafid

Also called Palais des Institutions Italiennes, this palace was built by former Sultan Moulay Hafid. It houses a charming central garden, surrounded by four luxury halls symmetrically placed around it. One of the halls is considered the most beautiful hall in Tangier. Now the palace hosts cultural activities like jazz festivals.

Plage Municipale

It is a beach inside the city area. The soft sand beach stretches for 1 km (0.6 miles) and offers lovely views of the coast.

Cap Spartel

It is famous for its iconic yellow lighthouse, which dates back to 1864, Situated of a cliff, the lighthouse offers gorgeous views of both, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Located around 14 km (9 miles) from Tangier, you will need a car or taxi to reach there.

Grottes d'Hercule

The Grottes d'Hercule, or the Caves of Hercules, are located to the south of Cap Spartel. The caves are famous for their naturally formed entrance, shaped like the continent of Africa. According to Greek mythology, Hercules, the son of Zeus, took rest here after separating Europe from Africa. Watching the sunset from the cave cannot be missed if you ever visit Tangier.

Where to Go for a 2–3 Day Trip

If you have the time and can spare a day or two in Morocco, don't miss the opportunity to visit some of the famous cities around Tangier, like Chefchaouen, Fez, and Casablanca. Typically, a visit to just one of the cities will take about two days. You can choose to either have a relaxed vacation seeing just one city in its entirety, or you can tweak your pace to cover all three together, which we wouldn't recommend.

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen, known as the Blue Pearl of Morocco, is famous for its buildings in shades of blue. It is about 110 km (65 miles) from Tangier and takes about 2 hours' drive one way. Read more on what to see and do in Chefchaouen.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 1: Take a ferry and arrive in Tangier in the morning. Visit Kasbah de Tanger (Tangier Fort), see the museum, walk around in the medina, pass by the Grand Mosque, and then have lunch. After lunch, visit Palais Moulay Hafid and go to Cap Spartel and the Grottes d'Hercule. Stay overnight in Tangier.

Day 2: Drive down to Chefchaouen. Make sure you reach Chefchaouen before 11 a.m. Walk around in the blue medina and enjoy the surrounding beauty. Have lunch in the afternoon and then head to Kasbah Museum to enjoy the city view from the tower-top. Afterward, you can choose to walk about 45 minutes to reach the Spanish Mosque, which stands atop a hill. Enjoy the sunset there, or stay back at the medina to take some beautiful pictures of the place. Spend the night in Chefchaouen.

If you have only two days to spare, you can skip Kasbah Museum or Spanish Mosque and go back to Tangier on Day 2, from where you can take a late-afternoon ferry back to Spain. 

Day 3: Go to Spanish Mosque for a nice sunrise view if you couldn't do it on Day 2. A 45-minute drive or a four-hour hike through the national park will take you to Akchour Waterfalls. If you don't mind hiking for another hour, you can choose to see God's Bridge. Drive back to Tangier (2 hours) and take a ferry back to Spain.

Fez

Fez is the most famous ancient imperial city of Morocco and also the most academic one in Moroccan history. Click here and check more details about what this wonderful city has to offer. By car, it takes around four hours to reach Fez from Tangier, while trains take 4–4½ hours one way.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 1: Take a ferry to Tangier in the morning. Visit Kasbah de Tanger (Tangier Fort), visit the museum, walk around in the medina, pass by the Grand Mosque, and then have lunch. Next, visit the Moulay Hafid Palace, Cap Spartel, and the Grottes d'Hercule. Stay overnight in Tangier.

Day 2: Drive for around four hours to reach Fez before 11 a.m. Tour around in the medina, where the most important sites include Al-Quaraouiyine University, Medersa Attarine, Tannery Chouara, Madrasa Bou Inania, and the mausoleum of Zaouia Moulay Idriss II. Stay overnight in Fez.

Day 3: Go to Borj Nord or the Merenid Tombs for a panoramic view of the entire city during sunrise. Go back to the medina to see the Madrasa Al-Attarine and the blue gate if you still have time. Drive back to Tangier and take a ferry to Spain.

Casablanca

You may have heard of Casablanca owing to a famous classic movie of the same name. Find out whether Rick's Cafe is the same café as shown in the film or what the correlation between them is. Visit the unparalleled Hassan II Mosque, which is one of the most iconic mosques in the region. Read more about what to see in Casablanca.

It takes about 3½ hours' drive to get to Casablanca from Tangier. You can also take a train, which takes about 2 hours one-way, or a flight, which reaches in about 2½ hours.

Suggested Itinerary: 

Day 1: Take a ferry and arrive in Tangier in the morning. Visit Kasbah de Tanger (Tangier Fort). See the museum, walk around in the medina, pass by the Grand Mosque, and then have lunch. Visit Moulay Hafid Palace after lunch and go to Cap Spartel and the Grottes d'Hercule. Stay overnight in Tangier.

Day 2: Take a car or train and arrive in Casablanca before 11 a.m. Visit the Hassan II Mosque and walk around in the medina. Check out the Marché Central and Quartier Habous, and relax at Rick's Café. Stay overnight in Casablanca.

Day 3: Take a leisurely walk down La Corniche along the beach. Walk a bit further and reach Morocco Mall, which is an excellent place to cool down in summer. Drive back or take a train to Tangier, and then head back to Spain.

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