Tangier on a stopover: what to see in a few hours?
Arriving in Tangier by cruise ship or ferry for a few hours? Here is a walking route from the port, what to see first and how not to waste time.
- First check your port: Tanger Ville is in the city centre, Tanger Med is far away.
- From Tanger Ville, the medina is a few minutes' walk away.
- Keep an hour's margin before the boat leaves.
Check your port of arrival
Cruise ships and ferries from Tarifa dock at the port of Tanger Ville, at the foot of the medina. Tanger Med is a cargo and ferry port about forty kilometres away: if you arrive there, you need a road transfer, which greatly reduces your sightseeing time.
The three-hour route
Leave the port and walk up to the Petit Socco through the lanes of the medina. Continue to the Grand Socco along Rue Siaghine, then head up to the Kasbah. Leave through Bab Bhar for the view over the strait, and walk back down to the port through the medina. With an extra hour, add the American Legation or a tea at Café Hafa, by taxi.
Guide or no guide?
The route is easy to do on your own. People will offer to guide you as soon as you leave the port: decline politely if you do not want one. If you prefer a guide, choose an official guide, who wears a badge, and agree the price and duration before setting off.
Money and shopping
Bring a few dirhams for a tea, a taxi or a museum ticket: there are cash machines in town. For shopping in the souks, take the time to compare before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Tangier on foot from the port?
Yes, from the port of Tanger Ville: the medina begins just above it.
How long does it take to see Tangier?
Three hours are enough for the medina and the Kasbah; a full day lets you add Cape Spartel.