Phylicia StitzelAre you perched in Spain and itching for an adventure that screams ‘eat, pray, love’ minus the long-term commitment? Guess what? Morocco is calling your name and she’s closer than you think! Imagine spicy aromas, bustling souks, and riveting history—all served up in a single day. Yep, that’s right! 🚀 Buckle up as we spill the ultimate guide to a day trip to Morocco from Spain for a whirlwind day trip that’ll have your Insta fam green with envy.
Hey, my travel-savvy buddy! 🌴✨ Before I spill the beans on all this incredible free info, I’ve got a little favor to ask! 🙏🤩 How about using my affiliate links below to book your trip? It costs you absolutely nothing, and it gives my blog a little ✨boost✨ to keep the adventure train chugging along! 🚂 So, why not help a friend out, have an incredible trip, and keep the good vibes flowing?💃 Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Before We Zoom Off: The Essentials 🎒
First thing’s first, let’s talk logistics, because even the most spontaneous adventures need a lil’ planning:
Passport at the Ready:
Ensure your passport isn’t just lying around gathering dust. You’ll need it in hand, and while visas aren’t usually required for short hops, always double-check for your specific passport deets.
Currency Quick Swap:
Swap some euros for dirhams (Morocco’s currency), because you’ll definitely want to snag some souvenirs! If you are taking the ferry over to Tangier you don’t really need to exchange currency for a day trip, everywhere usually takes Euros and cards.
Dress to Impress (Respectfully):
Morocco is a beautiful blend of cultures and respecting local customs is key. Pack a scarf and dress modestly to blend in seamlessly.
From Spain To Morocco: Catching That Ride 🛥✈️
The gateway to your Moroccan daydream lies in the south of Spain. Cities like Tarifa, Algeciras, and Malaga are your launchpads, with ferries and flights ready to whisk you to the Moroccan magic.
Ferry Frenzy:
Tarifa to Tangier is the way to go for most day trippers. Just an hour on the fast ferry and bam – you’re in a whole new world. Make sure to book your return ticket in advance to avoid the end-of-day rush!
Flying High:
Short on time but high on energy? Flights from cities like Malaga to Tangier can slice the travel time, giving you those extra precious moments to soak in the Moroccan sun.
After doing some extensive research about taking a tour with children in Morocco I found a great tour company someone had recommended to us, Jamal Chatt Private Tours. The most significant highlight points for me to set up the private tour were:
1) He takes care of all the ferry transportation for us – huge burden off my shoulders
2) It was an all-inclusive Private Tour – so I didn’t have to worry about other people while traveling with my toddler.
Touchdown in Tangier: Your Moroccan Adventure Begins
Oh, Tangier! She’s mysterious, she’s captivating, and she’s got stories for days. Here’s how to make the most of your brief love affair:
A Medley of Markets:
Step into the Kasbah and lose yourself (not literally, please 😅) in the medina. This is where the magic happens, with spices, textiles, and artisan treasures at every turn.
Caffeinate Like a Local:
Dive into Café Hafa, an iconic hangout with views over the Strait of Gibraltar. Mint tea is the name of the game here—it’s practically a Moroccan hug in a cup. 💚
History Hustle:
The American Legation Museum is a shout-out to history buffs. This place is a treasure trove of art and history sandwiched between captivating architecture. And guess what? It’s America’s only historic landmark abroad!
Culture, Cuisine, and Countless Memories 🍲📸
Morocco’s heart beats in its streets and kitchens. Here’s how to taste and see everything without feeling like you’re on a reality show challenge:
Tantalize Your Taste Buds:
Snack your way through the day. From bustling street food vendors selling everything from b’stilla (a savory pie that’s all kinds of amazing) to sweet, sticky pastries, your taste buds are about to be taken on a journey.
Capture the Colours:
Whether it’s the azure blue of Chefchaouen (a bit of a journey but worth it for the ‘gram alone) or the vibrant hues of the local markets, your camera is about to work overtime. And yes, posing with a camel is almost obligatory.
Chill with the Locals:
Brush up on a few basic Arabic or French phrases to mingle with the locals. It’s all about those smiles and ‘shukrans’ (thank yous) that open up hearts and doors.
During my travels to Tangier for the first time everything went very smoothly. We arrived in Tarifa and everything went like clockwork. We found parking at the ferry terminal, where we could park all day in a secured parking area for a low cost. Checking in and getting our tickets was straightforward with the booking assistance of Jamal Chatt Private Tours. All I had to do was show them the booking number, inform them the number of people on our reservation had changed, and they handed us our tickets.
I learned that customs will take the longest. Once you board the ferry you will to go through customs to enter Morocco, and then once you disembark from the ferry upon your return arrival to Spain you will go through customs a second time. (PS: Make sure you take a pen with you.)
Traveling Tip: As SOON as you get on the ferry, I highly recommend that you get into line for customs on the Moroccan side and don’t wait till you get closer to landing in Morocco. If you wait, you could risk getting turned away and having to do this process at the ferry terminal, which takes MUCH longer. If you’re traveling with a group, keep them with you so you don’t hold up the line, the agents have to verify the names and faces of every single passport – including children.
Once we had gotten all the stamps in our passports, we went and found some seats near the windows and settled in for our hour-long ferry ride. Upon landing in Tangier the key is to follow the crowd. The herds led you right out the doors, where we found Jamal waiting for us with a sign in the terminal!
This is when the fun began. We were graciously escorted to the van to start our tour and were informed by Jamal that he would make sure we were treated like queens! (Which is something, I’ve noticed, you will see a lot if you are traveling as a mother – side note)
The tour started with a driving/sightseeing tour around Tangier. This tour took us through some of the neighborhoods of Tangier, which included “Kings of Oil” (which is exactly as it sounds), Little Italy, Andalusia, and even a “California” area!
After we left the neighborhoods, we started to climb a steep hill that took us through part of the National Park, Park Rmilat, and suddenly the crest peaked, and we were at the “Northernmost point of Africa”. Our first stop took us to the landmark where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet!
Here, we were able to get out and explore! The beautiful scenery could stop your adventures for hours! And it was a PERFECT day for capturing it on camera. The dramatic blues against the lighthouse’s white was a perfect photo opportunity for capturing the contrast and the bright colors of Morocco I was looking for. Standing proud over 1,000 feet above the crashing waves of the Atlantic, the lighthouse of Cape Spartel watches over the Strait of Gibraltar.
The next stop, Hercules’ Cave! Also known locally as The Grottes d’Hercule. These caverns are where Hercules allegedly rested during his labors of gathering the Golden Apples which happened after he split Africa and Europe apart (known now as the two sides of the Gibraltar Straits), if you follow Greek Mythology. The caves are also known for the odd and yet naturally created openings in the shape of Africa.
Travel Tip: If you are traveling with babies or toddlers, I highly recommend putting them in a backpack carrier. I would not recommend having a stroller in the caves. You CAN take them down there, but it is slippery and steep going down – fair warning.
The next stop of our driving tour was, I think, Harmony’s favorite part of the whole day – riding camels!
This was an enjoyable experience with my daughter; I remember my first camel ride. I was on a trip to Israel with my mom when I was six, and one of the ladies in our tour group was taking me around the market, and she thought it would be fun for me to have a camel ride.
Travel tip…agree to a price BEFORE you get on the camel.
We didn’t have to arrange this prior to riding the camel this time. Our tour guide works with these owners a lot and they know not to mess with his customers. He asked if we wanted to ride down on the beach instead of next to the road, and I was all for it. It was amazing! Our camel, Sabrina, was so sweet and even posed for the pictures that we stopped several times to ensure that we were delighted with our ride. The entire experience was fantastic, especially knowing that my daughter is just a little younger than I was from my first camel ride, and we got to experience this together.
Once we were done on the camels we loaded back into the van and headed back for the city, from here, our sightseeing tour transitioned to a walking tour. This is when we would walk through the Souks and the Medina, which is their old city center.
Walking into the heart of Tangier is like stepping back in time. We entered the city walls through the Bab Kasba (or gate), one of eleven gates into the Medina. This is also a time I was very thankful for having a guide.
The narrow streets that suddenly changed levels and took sharp turns would have seemed impossible to navigate had we not had a guide to show us the way, nor having cell reception to pull up Google Maps.
I have walked some odd, old, and narrow streets before in my travels, but walking through the Medina of Tangier took my knowledge and understanding of “narrow streets” to a new level. One street we walked down, which is the narrowest street in the city, couldn’t have been any wider than 3 feet.
One thing that has always drawn me to Morocco is all of the colors! Sometimes when you see things on social media you think that it is too good to be true, the reality of visiting is a disappointment in comparison of the dream on Instagram. That was NOT the case in Tangier!
Suddenly, you would come around the corner, and there would be a POP of color that is so sudden that it almost startles you! This is the Morocco I had been dreaming of and I was so thankful that the dream and the reality were the same.
We wandered through narrow streets as my guide pointed out interesting landmarks and histories throughout the city. Another great point of my tour, especially with a guide, was being able to get advice on where to pick up souvenirs and where you’d end up buying a Chinese knockoff. I have been on plenty of tours before and I have never seen a guide direct where to get authentic items and where to avoid shopping.
The next stop I was very excited about was the Spice Market! Now, this isn’t a market like you might be imagining. These are more like spice kiosks that are all in a row, vendors who mostly all have similar products but displayed in a different manner to draw attention from unsuspecting shoppers. My guide took me to “his guy” and then asked me what kind of spices I was looking for. I hadn’t even thought about it! I just wanted to pick up some fresh spices, knowing how much easier and cheaper it is to buy them here.
Finally, my guide suggested that I get the “Moroccan blend.” there are 23 different spices that are blended together in a single phenomenal-smelling blend! I only paid 2 euros for a decent amount (see photo below), and now my kitchen smells amazing!
One of the last stops we made on the walking tour was to see some rugs! As I’m sure you know, Morocco is relatively famous for beautiful handmade rugs, so of course, part of the tour includes stopping at a home that has been converted to a multi-level shop. Each floor has a different theme of items being sold: rugs on one floor, wood carving and pottery on another, trinkets and knickknacks, and so on and so forth. I’m sure every tour group has “their guy” they visit to bring in customers, but the one we went to was fabulous! So many colors!!!
You could get every size and color imaginable! One thing I constantly remind fellow travelers is – HAGGLE! It is your best friend. These shops know they have their prices marked up. They expect you to haggle so that way they still can make a profit, and the travelers who aren’t comfortable haggling can make a lot of money off of it.
Travel Tip: Did you know that you can use Euros in Tangier? I had Euros with me and shopkeepers preferred if I paid in Euro! I wasn’t even able to exchange money. I was informed that it is a “useless currency” since you can’t use it anywhere else. With the close proximity to Spain, it stands to reason that they would at least acknowledge the currency, but when receiving change, don’t be surprised if you get several currencies back.
Shortly after my shopping endeavor ended it was time to get back to the ferry. The sun was beginning to set, and I knew that after our ferry ride back, we still had an hour and a half drive to get home. It was going to be a long night for us but the full day of adventures in Tangier was worth the exhaustion.
Last notes: The tour company used was Jamal Chatt Private Tours. You can find the links to his site above. If you are planning to visit Northern Morocco I highly recommend looking them up, they take very good care of their customers!
This is one of many trips to Morocco, certainly some good tips if you are wanting to take a day trip to Morocco from Spain!
