One of my favourite destinations in the world is definitely Morocco. I had been there a few times, but last year I really wanted to make the crossing by boat. In fact, I ended up making the crossing 3 times in 2023, so I liked it that much ;-)

It was in the summer of 2022 that I saw acquaintances passing by on Instagram, it had not occurred to me before. They were doing a day trip from Málaga to Algeciras to take the boat to Tangier Med. After communications back and forth, they gave me the tip to definitely not make the crossing from this place, but from Tarifa. No sooner said than done. 

From Sedella, I left for Tarifa and then parked my car in the car park there. It is also possible to take your car, but I found the price difference to go as a pedestrian or by car quite big. From the car park, you walk through the cozy center of Tarifa to the port in a few minutes. 

It is advisable to book your tickets online prior to the crossing. There is no difference in price when you book them at the port or online. The period when you book your ticket does not differ either. You pay around 35 euros per person per one-way trip. You can easily book your tickets online via Direct Ferries (Tarifa - Tangier).

From the coastline of Spain, the contours of Morocco are already easy to see, but after an hour on the boat, you immediately step into another world. The first time I made the crossing, I arrived exactly during Friday afternoon prayers so there was a lot of noise from the minarets in the city!

As one of Morocco's oldest cities, Tangier has a strategic location on the Strait of Gibraltar, making it an important trading post for many centuries. The city has been influenced by several civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and Europeans. This is well reflected in the city's architecture. This city is known for its lively medina and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Tangier has a number of sites that are not to be missed. When you arrive in the city, you can already see the medina from the harbor, this is because it is a lot higher than the port itself. After climbing some stairs you enter this maze of streets, a lovely place to get lost in passing all the little shops and cafes. This is a good place to buy spices, Argan oil products or other souvenirs. 

Don't miss the Kasbah, a historic district located in the heart of Tangier's old medina. The Kasbah means 'citadel' in Arabic. Originally, it served as a defensive fortress and residence for local leaders.

The medina has a great atmosphere, but the Kasbah has an edge for me partly because of its unique architecture and the atmosphere of its narrow, winding alleys. The traditional houses with intricate mosaics, wooden doors and ornate wrought-iron window grilles ask to be photographed, and everywhere you can enjoy beautiful views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea.

The Kasbah is also home to the restaurant Le Salon Bleu. A great place to enjoy Moroccan tapas with stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean and Place de la Kasbah where there is all kinds of local entertainment during the evening.

Besides the Medina, it is also recommended to explore the neighborhood around Ave. Mohammed V. For instance, on Friday (the most important day for Muslims) I ate at Restaurant Bachir, which is crowded both inside and outside, but you can eat delicious tagine dishes here and on Fridays they have special couscous dishes. 

If staying a bit longer, it is also recommended to take a taxi to Parc Perdicaris. The route in the taxi leads past beautiful villas before arriving at a large city park. There are several routes you can walk in the park, but make sure not to miss the Ocean Viewpoint. Here you will have wide views of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. To finish the walk enjoy a cup of coffee or tea at Café Le Mirage.

Are you staying a bit longer in southern Spain or living here? Then making the crossing by boat to Morocco is really worthwhile. In 60 minutes, you will be in a completely different world, experience a different culture, have fantastic food and of course not to forget...endless shopping!

Sanne