Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Tangier

Morocco has been on my list for quite some time now. I finally had the opportunity to visit this beautiful country. I wanted to have a longer trip; however, time constraints limited my stay to Tangier. The latter was a pleasant surprise.

Learn more about my trip to Tangier.

Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Tangier

Tangier is a port city located in Northern Morocco. Tangier's history dates to the 1st millennium BC when it was a Phoenician trading post. Its strategic location has made it a prized conquest of many empires over the centuries from the Byzantines to Romans to Carthaginians to the Moors to the English to the Portuguese and to the Spaniards. The country gained its independence from foreign rule in 1956. The city is a popular summer destination of many Europeans. The city is a vital trade and port hub until now.

Literary figures also frequented Tangier. The likes of Truman Capote, Jack Kerouac, Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, and Tennessee Williams among others. Among renowned Moroccan writers, Mohamed Choukri was one that lived and worked in Tangier. The city's mix of old and new and its beach make it an attractive destination. I didn't expect much from Tangier, but I was a satisfied visitor after my trip.

Do You Need a Visa for Morocco?

Filipino passport holders like myself don't need a visa to enter Morocco. You can check online to find out if your country also has visa-free access.

How to Get to Tangier

You have a number of options on how to get to Tangier.

By Air

If you're flying internationally, the most convenient way is to book a direct flight to Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport (TNG), which is located around 12km from the city center. Some major airlines flying to Tangier include from cities like Madrid, Paris, London, and Barcelona are common. There are also budget carriers such as Ryanair, Air Arabia or EasyJet that often fly to Tangier.

By Ferry

From Spain (Algeciras or Tarifa): Tangier is easily accessible from Spain via ferry. You can take a ferry from Algeciras (about 1.5 hours) or Tarifa (about 35 minutes) to Tangier Ville or Tangier Med (the new port). Ferries are frequent and popular among travelers. Major ferry companies operating between Spain and Morocco include Balearia from Algeciras and FRS from Tarifa.

By Train

From Casablanca, Marrakesh, or Fes: The Moroccan train system (ONCF) is well-connected, and you can take a train from any of the major cities to Tangier. The train ride from Casablanca to Tangier takes about 4 hours, while Marrakesh to Tangier takes roughly 6-7 hours. Trains are comfortable and offer both first-class and second-class seating.

By Bus

You can travel to Tangier by bus from various Moroccan cities such as Marrakesh, Casablanca, and Fes. Bus travel is usually cheaper than taking the train but can take longer. Companies like CTM and Supratours offer regular services to Tangier.

Things to Do in Tangier

Tangier is a laid back coastal city that you can use as a base to explore other destinations in Morocco. You can take a shared taxi or a train to do a few day trips. When planning your budget and itinerary for Tangier, here are some of the things you can do.

The Medina

The medina is the old part of the city. Its maze-like alleys and narrow streets are lined with white-washed buildings, shops, restaurants, and all types of accommodations. This centuries old area is lively with a mix of locals and visitors roaming about. You can chill in one of the cafes and restaurants, go people watching, eat local food, and/or simply soak in the ambiance of the medina.

Kasbah Museum

You'll find this museum inside the Kasbah. You can find exhibits and displays that trace the country's complex history. You can also see various items on display such as mosaics, silks, ceramics and manuscripts. The museum isn't big so you can get through it in an hour or so.

Grand Socco

Tangier used to be the old haunt of quite a few famous literary figures such as Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, Paul Bowles and Allen Ginsberg just to name a few. Their set used to hang out in one of the cafes and restaurants in different parts of the city. This area is also a great place to chill in as you'll see many locals killing time hanging out with friends and/or family here. You'll also encounter a few architectural gems in this neighborhood.

Tangier Beach

Tangier Beach is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. Many walk along its shores, watch the sunset, read a book, hang out, ride a horse, and other activities. It's a nice place to unwind in after a day's work or sightseeing for tourists like myself.

Grand Mosque

This is the city's main mosque. Its location was supposedly the site of previous places of worship centuries ago. The iteration you see now dates to the 19th century.

My impression of Tangier was that it lacked interesting attractions. However, it's the kind of place where you just soak in its vibe and ambience. Go sit in a cafe, eat local food, or use the city as a base for day excursions. I encountered quite a few friendly locals that greeted me randomly (one even gave me a handshake), befriended me, and were eager to help.

Day Trips

Depending on how long you'll be staying in Tangier, you can go on a handful of day trips to other places in the country. These trips are a few hours or less away by train, shared taxi or joiner tour from the city. When planning your budget and itinerary for Tangier, consider the following day trips.

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is one of the most popular destinations in the country. It's known as the Blue City because of the colorful buildings and houses in the city. You can visit Chefchaouen as a day trip from Tangier. You have the option to join a tour or go on your own. Chefchaouen started as a small fort established centuries ago in the 15th century. I was only here for a day but it was worth the long trip to and from Tangier. The different colors and culture of the place made it a noteworthy destination. The neighborhood had a mix of Muslims and Jews some centuries ago. They came from Spanish Al-Andalus. The Spanish Christians expelled them as they reconquered Spain. The BlueCity is a mazeof serpentine and narrow alleys and streets lined with traditional houses, shops, hotels, and restaurants. Each corner looks like a picture perfect spot. Locals often repaint their houses and shops to maintain the vibrant blue colors of their city.

Tetouan

Tetouan is another day trip destination you can consider if you have a few days to spare while in Tangier. It has a history dating to the 9th century when the Idrīsid dynasty inhabited it. Moorish Andalusian refugees lived in the city in the 16th century. The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It feels more authentic compared to the ones I went to in Chefchaouen and even in Tangier. Locals come and go about their usual routine. The walls are a bit dirtier and the paint fading a bit. You can spend a few hours here just getting lost in the maze-like walk ways of the medina. You can take a shared taxi just outside Tangier train station. Ask around for taxis bound for Tetouan.

Asilah

If you think Tangier was laid back, wait until you visit Asilah. This quaint coastal town is another day trip you can consider while in Tangier. You can access it by train, which makes it a convenient destination to include in your budget and itinerary for Tangier. The Spaniards, Moroccans, and Portuguese controlled this coastal town at some point in its history. Then it became completely Moroccan territory when the country gained independence. Maybe I was fortunate to have been here during low season, hence the few visitors. Its medina is small but charming and lovely. You can feel its artistic vibe because of the beautiful murals and galleries you'll see. This is the kind of place where you take it slow and not think much of an itinerary.

Getting around Tangier

I saw buses going around the city but I found them confusing to use. One of the ways you can get around the city is to take a taxi. Sometimes they'll use the meter, sometimes you have to agree on a price before getting on. I've done both. You'll also encounter shared taxis for longer distances. However, most of the attractions in the city are within walking distance so you might not need a ride in many cases.

Where to Stay in Tangier

Tangier is an affordable city. You can find private rooms and hostel dorms depending on your budget. Sometimes the price difference for a dorm bed isn't much different from a private room. I often browse www.booking.com to look for accommodation wherever I go.

Budget for Tangier

You don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy Tangier. It's a budget-friendly city in a budget-friendly country. A budget of roughly (Moroccan Dirham) MAD 540 a day includes accommodation, food and drinks, tours, transportation, and entrance fees. I didn't always pick the cheapest option during my trip I spent a few nights in a hostel dorm and in a private room and took taxis occasionally. You can definitely spend less than MAD 540 a day if you're budget-conscious.