Tangier day trip from Tarifa: a practical guide

The Tarifa – Tanger Ville ferry

Several operators, including FRS and Inter Shipping, run the crossing, with up to a dozen departures a day depending on the season. Allow about an hour on a fast ferry, longer on conventional boats.

Ferries from Tarifa arrive at Tanger Ville port, in the city centre. Do not confuse it with Tanger Med, 45 km away, where boats from Algeciras arrive.

Passport and formalities

A passport is required, with enough validity left (operators usually ask for 6 months). National ID cards are not accepted to enter Morocco.

Your entry stamp is usually done on board by the Moroccan police: ask the crew where the desk is as soon as you sail, to avoid queuing on arrival.

Time in Morocco

Morocco is on GMT+1 all year except during Ramadan (GMT+0). In summer it is usually one hour behind Spain: check your return ferry time, which is shown in local time.

The ideal route

Morning: walk up from the Grand Socco to the Petit Socco, then on to the kasbah and its museum, with views over the Strait. Lunch in the medina. Afternoon: the American Legation, then mint tea at Café Hafa before heading back down to the port.

With a licensed guide everything is done on foot from the port, without getting lost or hassled. With more time, a driver can take you to Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules in two hours.