Day trip from Spain to Morocco

Looking for a fresh destination and a getaway from Spain? Did you know that the southernmost tip of Spain is just 1 hour away from Morocco in North Africa? Now that you know, all you have to do is find out which Morocco treasure you want to visit most and organize the perfect day trip! 

Too many options? Don’t worry! We have picked some great destinations for you to choose from and spend one unforgettable day. And, of course, we will help you find the most convenient ferry routes and book ferry tickets now!

• A day in Tangier
• Day trip to Chefchaouen
• Day trip to Tétouan

The beautiful blue "medina" of Chefchaouen city

Day trip to Tangier in Morocco from Spain

Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, at the northernmost tip of Africa you will find Tangier, a revitalized city that combines a long tradition, contemporary architecture, and different cultural influences.

How to get to Tangier from Spain for 1 day

If you are planning to spend the day in Tangier, your best option is to travel there from Tarifa to Tangier Ville. The ferry trip lasts only 1 hour and the Tangier Ville port is only 15 minutes away by car from the Tangier old town!

There are frequent daily crossings (up to 12) and ferry tickets start at around €38 one way. You can catch the 07:00, 09:00 or 11:00 ferry to Tangier Ville and return to Tarifa with the last ferry, which usually departs at 22:00.

Of course, you can also catch a ferry from Algeciras to the Tanger Med port. However, Tanger Med is a 50-minute drive from Tangier, so you will lose plenty of precious time from your day trip.

Tangier Ville or Tanger Med? Find out which Tangier port is right for you, depending on the destination you want to reach in Morocco!

Useful info: since there is a 1-hour time difference between Spain and Morocco, if you leave Tarifa, for example, at 09:00, you will arrive at 09:00 Morocco time. This practically means that you gain 1 extra hour for your day trip!

The modern port of Tangier Ville

What to do in Tangier in 1 day

Once you arrive at Tangier Ville, get ready for some on-foot-exploring of the city’s lively neighborhoods. First, head to the walled medina (old town) and get lost in its narrow, colorful alleys. There, you will witness Tangier’s rich history and diverse influences. In the historic center, you will find traditional souks (markets) for souvenirs and shopping.

When your legs can’t take any more, head to the city and to the cafés of the famous Place de France, familiar from Hollywood movies, for coffee or mint tea!

If you want to become an expert in local history, don’t miss a visit to the Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures, housed in the impressive former sultan’s palace. Then again, if you want to see more of the city, move on to the Grand Socco square for some people-watching and enjoy a romantic walk in the Mendoubia gardens.

Next, head to the Corniche de Tanger, grab some ice cream and head to Tanja Marina Bay, a huge urban marina with modern architecture. There you will enjoy some great views of the sea and the old medina.

Finally, choose a restaurant to try some traditional Moroccan dishes, like couscous or tagine with meat or vegetables. We recommend you head to the medina to find some more value-for-money options, like Rif Kebdani or Al Maimouni.

Tip1: to discover the hidden gems of the city that only locals know, you can always hire a guide or take a walking tour.

Tip2: are you a passionate shopper? Check our shopping guide and find out what to buy in Tangier.

The beautiful and diverse architecture of the Tangier old town

Day trip to Chefchaouen in Morocco from Spain

Built on a mountainside in north Morocco, the blue city of Chefchaouen attracts more and more travelers thanks to its dream-like vibe that makes you drift off reality. 

On a day trip to Chefchaouen, you will wander in the maze of narrow streets and discover its unique charm! The alleys of the medina are decorated with architectural treasures that demonstrate the city’s rich heritage.

Don't miss a visit to the walled Kasbah that makes a small oasis in the city. If you want to see local costumes, folk art and instruments, you can also visit the Ethnographic Museum. After all the walking, quenching your thirst at a quaint teahouse in the city center is a blessing!

The city is famous for its handicrafts, so you can’t leave without taking a shopping tour for hand-woven blankets, wafts, handmade jewelry, and other authentic objects. Then again, if you enjoy nature sports, you can try a short hike, discover caves and cedar forests, or bike on the reliefs of the Kelaa and Meggou mountains.

Tip: speaking of shopping, consider that when visiting Morocco during Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, certain shops and coffee shops/restaurants remain closed. Some may open only in the evening, while some more touristic options continue business as usual.

How to get to Chefchaouen from Spain for 1 day

To spend a day in Chefchaouen, your best option is to travel by ferry from Algeciras to Tanger Med and then get to Chefchaouen in 2 hours by car or taxi. The ferry ride to the Tanger Med port lasts only 30 minutes if you go with a high-speed ferry. Tickets start at €36.

There are frequent crossings all day long from Algeciras to Tanger Med. This means that you can leave early in the morning (maybe around 07:00 or 08:00), reach Chefchaouen around 10:00 and return to Algeciras even after midnight! This way, you can make the most of your day trip without being in a hurry.

Tip: if you want to get to Chefchaouen by bus, you better opt for the Tarifa - Tangier Ville ferry route, since the bus station (Gare Routiere) is located in Tangier city.

The stunning blue city of Chefchaouen

Day trip to Tétouan in Morocco from Spain

Located on the Martil river valley, Tétouan is a real Morocco jewel. It is a whitewashed, picturesque city with a rich Hispano-Moorish heritage and multicultural identity, whose medina is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On a day trip in Tétouan, first you can plan a sightseeing tour and visit the Big Mosque, the Spanish Cathedral, Babu Saidi, and the Kasbah, and admire the architecture of the 17th century Royal Palace at Hassan II Square.

Next, you can explore Tétouan’s medina, which was the Spanish capital back in colonial times and still has a strong Andalusian influence. Stroll the quaint winding alleys to find all sorts of goods at the stalls of the souk district: snacks and bread at El Fouki Market, clothes and textiles at Guersa El Kebira, handmade ceramics and jewelry at El Hot Market.

Now that you have seen all of the medina, the next stops are the Berber market, the Andalusian sector and, of course, the Jewish neighborhood (mellah), once segregated from the rest of the town by gates and home to Jewish refugees from Spain.

If you are not completely exhausted by now, the Tetouan Archaeology Museum, with exhibits from Lixus and Roman times, is really worth your time.

Note: because of its strong cultural and religious heritage, visiting Tetouan during Ramadan is an experience of unparalleled depth. Even if you do not wish to participate, we suggest that you do not eat, drink or smoke in public, as Ramadan includes fasting from sunrise to sunset (daylight hours).

How to get to Tétouan from Spain for 1 day

For your day trip to Tétouan, you will save precious time if you take the ferry from Algeciras to Tanger Med (more details on the ferry route under the Chefchaouen day trip section) and drive south to Tétouan. Tétouan is less than 1.5 hours away from the Tanger Med port by car or taxi. 

The marvelous whitewashed city of Tétouan

More ferry routes from Spain to Morocco

Apart from the ports of Tarifa and Algeciras, you can reach Tangier via other ports in Spain, such as:

• Barcelona
• Málaga
• Seville
• Marbella
• Cádiz

However, these ports are not convenient for a day trip to Morocco, since the ferry routes are not frequent and the ferry ride to Tangier lasts several hours.

Find tickets at the same prices as ferry companies for all available ferry routes from Spain to Morocco on Ferryhopper!

Borj Dar El-Baroud: fragment of imposing fortification in Tangier

Book your day trip from Spain to Morocco

Tangier, Tétouan or Chefchaouen? Which one will be your next destination for a day trip from Spain? Even though it’s hard to pick only one, you know what is extremely easy? Booking ferry tickets to Morocco online on Ferryhopper step-by-step.