Gateway to Europe: The Strait of Gibraltar and the Ferry to Spain
Tangier is the African end of the shortest sea crossing between the continents, just 14 km across. The ferry to Tarifa or Algeciras is a dramatic transit. From the Tangier shore, the Spanish coast and the Rock of Gibraltar are clearly visible on clear days.
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Tangier Med Port
The modern container and ferry port 40 km east of Tangier city handles the main ferry traffic to Europe. Fast ferries cross to Algeciras in 90 minutes. The scale of traffic is extraordinary, especially in summer.
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Strait of Gibraltar Viewpoint
From the Kasbah terrace and Cap Malabata east of the city, the full width of the strait is visible. On clear days Spain is sharp on the horizon; in the morning haze it disappears and reappears like a mirage.
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Ferry to Tarifa
The fast catamaran to Tarifa, the southernmost town in continental Europe, takes 35 minutes and allows a day trip combining the medina with Andalusian tapas and a walk to Tarifa beach.
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Day Trip to Seville or Granada
Tangier is only four hours from Seville by ferry and bus or high-speed train from Algeciras. Many Morocco visitors combine a Tangier stay with a short Andalusia excursion across the strait.
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Cap Malabata
A headland east of Tangier with a lighthouse and beaches, offering the clearest views of the Spanish coast and the container traffic in the strait. Local families come here for weekend picnics.
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Tangier Ville Train Station
Tangier connects by high-speed train to Casablanca, Rabat, Fez and Marrakech. The new station is modern and efficient, making it easy to incorporate Tangier into a wider Morocco itinerary.