Day to Tangier from Spain: Guide
 

Hello,

My husband and I are active, adventure seekers, who like to get a taste of authentic culture and sights.

While we are in Tarfia Spain this June, we'd like to take a day trip to Tangier, Morocco. Most likely, we will be traveling with another couple. My friend will be 5 months pregnant at the time of the trip.

Since a guide is a must for us, can you recommend a reputable guide or travel service?

Secondly, to avoid being overcharged, do you have an idea how much we should pay for ferry tickets and the day tour?

Thank you!
-B

Hello,

I don't know exactly any guide so that's why i can't recommend someone, but you should look for tickets here:
http://www.frs.es/en/home-area/frs-i...anger-med.html

http://tarifa.costasur.com/en/ferry-to-morocco.html

http://www.directferries.pt/ferry_tarifa_tanger.htm

about your friends, probably you should say to them that they should look for another things to do untill you and your husband seek and have some adventures... or you two can just pass it for this time... after all your friend is pregnant and stuff...

I know I sound like a broken record, and there are those who will disagree with me, but going to Tangier for a day for a "taste of Morocco" is like going to Tijuana for a day for a "taste of Mexico." Waste of time and while you'll likely THINK you're getting something of the Moroccan experience, you won't be. Save Morocco for sometime when you can actually get into the interior of the country - Marrakesh, Fez, Agadir, Essouira, the Atlas Mountains. It's a beautiful, exotic place. Tangier is not.

As StCirq - I will continue to counsel against a day trip to Tangier, which could be almost any city port on the Med. apart from ethnicity.

Especially as the OP said they wanted "authentic culture and sights."

If you have enough time to see the major sights in Southern Spain - Seville, Cordoba, Granada, sure, why not make the day trip to Tangier for a small taste of Morocco. Sign up for a guided tour. There will be plenty on offer in Tarifa. Can't see any problem with your friend's 5 mo. pregnancy. Have fun !

I both agree and disagree with the above observations. It is true as StCirq says that going to Tangier and thinking you've had an authentic Moroccan experience is like going to Tijuana and thinking you've have seen the authentic Mexico.

Tangier is a fairly crumby place. Except - a day trip to the Casbah of Tangier is IMO worthwhile. I have been to Casbahs, Shouks, Suks, etc. and the one in Tangier is pretty typical and will give you an authentic Casbah (not necessarily Moroccan) experience. I would skip the guide - most want to steer you to places where they get a commission. Get off the hydofoil and take a taxi to the main gate. Watch the snake charmer if you like or just plunge right in to the myriad of narrow winding streets lined with tiny shops. If you see something that you want bargain hard with the idea that you will still probably get the short end of the stick. Start with no more than 15-20% of the asking price- starting at half makes you a mark (which you are any way). Be prepared to have your own group of kids selling trinkets latch on to you and follow you for the day. As the day goes on, prices get lower hitting bottom as you head back to the boat. Have fun.

St Cirq

I would totally agree, Tangiers is a god awful place and there are far better examples of Moorish architecture in Southern Spain. I would regard it as a trip simply to say "we went to Africa" which is a waste.

However, I would suggest a trip out from Tarifa to see the sealife of the Straits which in summer is fairly spectacular. The Orcas usually appear in July/August but there are still many other species around.

Fly to Marakesh, so much nicer

Tangier is not everyone's cup of tea, but IMO it's worth a day visit. I'm not a fan of "saving" places for a future trip because life has a way of throwing us curve balls, and that future trip may never materialize. Besides, going to Tangier for a day doesn't preclude you from returning to Morocco in the future.

Here's an old thread that discusses this same topic. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...r-176190-2.cfm

For a more positive perspective on day-tripping to Tangier, check Lonely Planet:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...readID=2098932
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...readID=2147212

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for the comments (positive and negative)! I had a feeling there would be some push back in regards to the Tangier day trip. I'm leaning towards not going, my husband would really like to visit. Thus, my conundrum!

One more piece of information...we are coming from the States and I don't think we'll be able to visit this region of Spain or Morocco for quite some time. It's 17 hours of travel for us, plus we're planning to start a family soon (yay!). Given those variables, would you still suggest against it?

As Walkabout said, go for it ! Push comes to shove, you can stay in Tarifa, and the others can go to Tangier !

As someone who lived in Tangier a long time ago people are right when they say it is a little like going to a Mexican border town. There is no way to not look like a tourist so the merchants and hustlers will try to work you for a few buck. If you keep a positive attitude and just wave of the ones you don't want to deal with they will just move on to easier pickings.

If I said a woman who is 5 months pregnant wasn't up to a boat ride and a walk through the casbah I would be hung from the nearest tree. Tangier is not like the inland cities but that is one of the things that makes it special. Go for it, it will be a highlight of the trip. Put you wallet in an inside pocket.

Thanks for your help and suggestions...Tangier, here we come!

One last question...it sounds like there will be plenty of places to schedule a tour of Tangier once we are in Tarifa, Spain. Do you feel I can wait on a booking?
I'd like to avoid per-scheduling too far in advance just in case my pregnant friend is not feeling well.

Cheers,
-B

Wait till you're in Tarifa to book a small group tour. No need to book in advance.

St. Cirq..Absolutely right..Tangiers is a nothing place for a day and without a quide..impossible..You will be harassed to death. We were there one day ,off cruise, excursion and was really disappointed. Except for another notch in your travel belt it would not be something I would ever reccommend. 5 months pregnant??? I would not hang you up to dry, Aisle seat..Been there, done that (travel preg. that is) and the heat, crowds. touts, etc. will be a disaster for this lady.Save this for another time and get the most out of Spain that you can..there is alot to do, see, and experience.

Thanks everyone...your comments have been so very helpful :-)

Does anyone have a good day trip while in Tarifa?

We will plan to visit Jerez de la frontera on our way to Sevilla so perhaps something other than that option.

-B

amer-can - we did it without a guide and it was easy and fun. Although Tangier is a hole, the Casbah is not, at least no more than any Casbah, Suk, Shouk etc - it is similar to Casbahs wherever they are found. That means crowded, colorful, narrow winding streets going every which way, tiny shops open to the street on both sides, plucked chickens hanging on hooks outside the meat shop, spices in baskets on the street, hawkers calling after you as you pass, kids selling trinkets following you around, and so forth. In a word, typical. I one wants a Casbah experience, the one in Tangier will supply it.