Tanger Med or Tangier Ville: which is the right port for you?

You’re preparing for your trip to Morocco by ferry and the big question remains: Tanger Med or Tangier Ville? In our guide, you can read all the information about the ports and find out which port fits best with your travel plans!

Fortress in the Medina of Tangier 

But, first where are the ports?

Both ports are located in northern Morocco, overlooking the slope of the Strait of Gibraltar. The port of Tangier Ville is on the western edge of the harbor and it’s situated on a bay between Cap Spartel and Cap Malabata, very close to Tangier’s center.

On the other hand, the port of Tanger Med is almost an hour and 50 km northeast of Tangier. It is located in Oued Rmel, very close to the Spanish city of Ceuta. Its strategic location connects the Moroccan coast to the Iberian Peninsula and other European countries. 

Now, let's see each port in more detail to help you make a decision so you can start packing your bags today!

The bustling square of Grand Socco in Tangier

The mega port of Tanger Med

Are you wondering why should you travel to Tanger Med port? It is a major port that started operating passenger routes in 2010. Therefore, it has the most up-to-date facilities and new terminals. Also, if you're considering embarking with your car, this port is great for you.

If you’re planning to travel south towards the beautiful Tétouan, the blue village of Chefchaouen, or the stunning Fez instead of going to Tangier, then Tanger Med will save you time.

However, if you want to spend a day or two in the picturesque Tangier, it’s about a 50-minute drive from the port. But, what if you don't travel with your vehicle? Don't worry!

The port of Tanger Med is well-connected to other places in Morocco with many train and bus routes. Do you want to know more reasons why to choose Tanger Med as your port? If yes, just keep reading. 🤓

Tanger Med is a hub for cruise ships, and it has great connections with Europe and other African countries, welcoming almost 2 million passengers every year. Therefore, you can easily travel from/to European countries such as Spain, France, and Italy, thanks to several year round and seasonal ferry connections.

Also, if you want to stretch your legs and relax after disembarking, you can enjoy a coffee or a refreshing mint tea in one of the recreational areas near Gate 3. There, you can also grab some lunch or go shopping.

Tip: if you wish to leave your vehicle, there are 2 public parking lots in the port area. 

The huge port of Tanger Med on the Strait of Gibraltar

The bustling port of Tangier Ville

Tangier Ville port has a smaller capacity than its counterpart, Tanger Med. However, it’s one of the most important ports in Africa, thanks to its proximity to the Iberian Peninsula.

Tangier Ville port is the right port for you if you plan to spend a few days or enjoy a day trip in Tangier. One of its biggest assets is that it is only 15 minutes by car from the old town of Tangier, a beautiful historic district.

Therefore, as soon as you hop off your ferry, you can enjoy a walk through picturesque winding alleyways, and see stunning mosques, traditional whitewashed houses, as well as the kasbah, the fortified quarters of the city.

There are so many things to do near the port, so if you are into shopping, you just found your paradise! At the souks (traditional marketplaces), you’ll find multicolored clothes, handmade jewelry, and a whole mix of spices. Alternatively, you can explore the area of the Grand Socco, a square full of cafés and restaurants.

Also, the port is connected to other major cities of Morocco by bus, train, or car. In a 10-minute drive from the port of Tangier Ville, you can catch a train to Marrakesh, Casablanca, Nador, Fez and Rabat.

Tip: at the port, you can find a free parking lot. However, if you wish to leave your vehicle for more than 1 day, it is preferable to leave it in one of the car parks at the south end of Mohammed V Avenue.

The old town and the port of Tangier

Ferry connections to Tanger Med and Tangier Ville

You can travel by ferry to Tanger Med and Tangier Ville from the Iberian Peninsula (Algeciras, Barcelona, Gibraltar, Tarifa and Motril), France (Sète and Marseille), and Italy (Genoa and Civitavecchia near Rome). Here you can find more information on Tangier ferry schedules:

There are several year-round ferry routes from Spain to Morocco, which are served by Africa Morocco Link, Baleària, FRS Iberia DFDS, Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) and Naviera Armas:

• Algeciras - Tanger Med: there are usually up to 40 daily ferry crossings from the Spanish city of Algeciras to Tanger Med, with the trip duration ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 hr and ferry ticket prices starting at approximately €30.
• Barcelona - Tanger Med: the ferry from Barcelona to Tangier normally departs 4-6 times per week. The ferry ride from the Catalan capital takes about 31-33 hr and ticket prices start at approximately €90.
• Gibraltar - Tanger Med: while not a part of Spain, you can usually travel by ferry once a week from the British port of Gibraltar to Tanger Med. The trip typically takes around 1.5 hr and tickets for this route cost from €37.
• Tarifa - Tangier Ville: you can travel directly to the port of Tangier Ville from Tarifa in southern Spain, with around 15 daily crossings during the high season. The ferry trip takes about 1 hr and tickets tend to start at around €40.
• Motril - Tanger Med: there is also an occasional ferry route from the Andalusian port of Motril to Tanger Med. The crossings normally takes around 10 hr and tickets are priced from about €55.

You can also hop on a ferry from France to Tangier, with the routes operated by GNV and La Méridionale on a year-round basis:

• Sète - Tanger Med: the ferry route from Sète to Tanger Med ferry is operated up to 7 times a week. The journey takes around 40-49 hr and ticket prices start at approximately €80.
• Marseille - Tanger Med:  you can travel from Marseille to Tanger Med, typically up to 3-4 times a week, with the ferry trip lasting as little as 40 hr and tickets priced from around €70.

There are also year-round and seasonal ferries from Italy to Morocco operated by GNV:

• Genoa - Tanger Med: there are up to 3 weekly ferries from the port of Genoa in Liguria to Tanger Med all year round. The ferry trip takes about 47-55 hours and tickets start at €120.
• Rome (Civitavecchia) - Tanger Med: in the summer (June to August), you can travel by ferry from the port of Civitavecchia near Rome to Tanger Med once a month. The trip takes 55 to 67 hr and ticket prices start from around €205.

The imposing walls overlooking the seafront of Tangier Ville

By now, you have probably decided which port is right for you, so there's just one thing left to do! Book your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper at the same price with the ferry companies and…anchors aweigh!