Tangier Tours Through Northern Morocco
Our Tangier tours begin where Africa meets Europe, in a lively port city on the Strait of Gibraltar just 14 km from the Spanish coast. Whether you step off the ferry from Tarifa or land at Ibn Battouta airport, a driver from our Marrakech-based team meets you and the road south starts straight away – or after a night in the whitewashed kasbah, if you would like to see the city first.
Tangier is the ideal starting point for a north-to-south journey. In one trip you can wander the blue lanes of Chefchaouen, explore the medina of Fes, sleep among the Sahara dunes and finish in Marrakech, without ever doubling back on yourself.
Routes from Tangier, 8 to 18 Days
Our multi-day itineraries from Tangier are private: you travel with your own English-speaking driver and vehicle, set your own pace and stop wherever a viewpoint or village catches your eye. Choose the length that suits your holiday:
- 8-day tour from Tangier to the Sahara – Chefchaouen, Fes, a night in a desert camp at Merzouga and the road through the gorges to Marrakech. The best fit if you have just over a week.
- 10-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech – a similar north-to-south route with extra nights, so you have full days to explore Fes and Marrakech rather than arriving in the evening.
- 14-day Morocco tour from Tangier – more time for the imperial cities and the Sahara, with shorter driving days and room for slow mornings.
- 18 days in Morocco from Tangier – our most complete grand tour, covering the north, the imperial cities, the desert and the south at a relaxed pace.
Each tour page shows the day-by-day itinerary, live prices and online booking. If none of the routes fits your dates, we design tailor-made Morocco tours around your own plans, starting or ending wherever you like.
Tangier to Chefchaouen and Beyond
Chefchaouen is the first highlight of almost every route south. The drive from Tangier to Chefchaouen covers about 115 km and takes around two to two and a half hours, climbing from the coast into the green Rif Mountains. Most travellers stay the night, when the blue-washed alleys grow quiet after the day visitors have left.
From Chefchaouen it is roughly four hours to Fes, and some itineraries stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes on the way. Allow at least one full day in the Fes medina, ideally with a local guide – our Fes tours page has more ideas.
From Fes the road crosses the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to Merzouga, a drive of seven to eight hours (about 470 km). Here you ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes, which rise to around 150 m, and spend the night in a desert camp. The journey then continues through the Todra and Dades gorges and past the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech. If the desert is your main goal, compare our Morocco desert tours as well.
How Our Tours from Tangier Work
- Pick-up – we meet you at Tangier Ville port, Tanger Med, Ibn Battouta airport or your hotel or riad.
- Your own driver – an experienced English-speaking driver and a private vehicle for the whole trip. Read more about our private Morocco tours.
- Accommodation – choose standard or luxury hotels and riads; the Sahara night is spent in a camp among the dunes.
- Booking – reserve online with a 10% deposit by PayPal or card and pay the balance on the first day of your tour.
- Free quote – send your dates, group size and ideas by WhatsApp on +212 673 55 54 08 or by email to [email protected], and a local expert replies with an itinerary and price.
Compare Tangier Tours
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Private tour · 8 days · from Tangier8-Day Tour from Tangier to the Sahara & Marrakech
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Private tour · 10 days · from Tangier
10-Day Tour from Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara
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Private tour · 14 days · from Tangier
14-Day Morocco Tour from Tangier: Imperial Cities & Sahara
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Private tour · 18 days · from Tangier18 Days in Morocco: Grand Tour from Tangier
Things to Do in Tangier
Give Tangier at least a full day before or after your tour. The city has a cosmopolitan, slightly faded charm that feels quite different from Fes or Marrakech, shaped by centuries of trade between two continents.
- The kasbah and medina – climb the white lanes to the Kasbah Museum, housed in the former sultan's palace, for views across the strait to Spain.
- Grand Socco and Petit Socco – the two squares at the heart of the old town, perfect for people-watching over a glass of mint tea.
- Café Hafa – a terraced cliff-top café open since 1921, best visited late in the afternoon as the light softens over the water.
- The American Legation – a museum in the medina on the history of Tangier's international years, with a fine collection of art and maps.
- Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules – a lighthouse headland west of the city where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, with a sea cave just down the coast.
Easy day trips from Tangier
Asilah, an Atlantic town known for its ramparts and colourful murals, is about 45 minutes south. Tetouan, whose UNESCO-listed medina shows strong Andalusian influence, is about an hour to the east. Both can be added to a private itinerary, and if you are heading straight to the coast, the high-speed Al Boraq train links Tangier with Casablanca in just over two hours.
Arriving in Tangier by Ferry or Plane
Fast ferries from Tarifa take about an hour and dock at Tangier Ville port, a short walk from the medina. Ferries from Algeciras and longer crossings from other European ports use Tanger Med, about 45 km east of the city and roughly 45 to 60 minutes away by road. Ibn Battouta airport lies around 15 km from the centre.
Share your ferry or flight details when you book, and your driver will meet you on arrival and take care of your luggage from the first minute.
Best Time to Travel from Tangier
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons for a north-to-south trip: green hills in the Rif, mild days in the cities and warm afternoons in the desert. Summer is pleasant on the breezy coast around Tangier but very hot in Fes and the Sahara. Winter brings rain to the north, and desert nights between November and March are cold, so pack warm layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for a tour from Tangier?
To reach the Sahara and finish in Marrakech, plan at least eight days. Ten to fourteen days give you a more relaxed pace with full days in Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech. For Tangier itself, one or two days is enough.
How long is the drive from Tangier to Chefchaouen?
The drive is about 115 km and takes around two to two and a half hours through the Rif foothills. It works as a long day trip, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the town when it is quiet.
Can I visit Tangier on a day trip from Spain?
Yes. The fast ferry from Tarifa takes about an hour, so a day trip is possible, but staying at least one night gives you time to enjoy the medina and the coast without rushing.
How much does a tour from Tangier cost?
Prices depend on the number of travellers, the accommodation level you choose and the season. Each tour page shows live prices and online booking, and we are happy to send a free quote for a tailor-made route.
Is Tangier safe for travellers?
Tangier is generally a safe and welcoming city. Take the usual care with valuables in busy areas, and politely decline unofficial guides around the port. Travelling with your own driver makes arrivals and onward journeys simple.