Book hostels in Tangier
Where Africa meets Europe. Ferry port, cafés, and surprisingly cool hostels.
If you're ferrying in from Tarifa or starting a Morocco trip in the north, Tangier is your first stop. The medina has had a serious glow-up over the past decade, the cafés once haunted by the Beat writers still serve strong coffee, and hostels here are unusually modern and design-conscious compared to the rest of the country.
Highlights
- Kasbah Museum & views over the Strait
- Cap Spartel & Caves of Hercules
- The rebuilt medina and souks
- Café Hafa at sunset
- Grand Socco on a market day
Best for
- Travellers arriving from Spain
- Design-conscious hostellers
- Writers and café-loungers
- Anyone on a Tangier–Chefchaouen–Fes route
When to visit
Tangier's Mediterranean climate makes almost any month workable. Peak: May–September. Winters are mild (12–18°C) with occasional rain. July–August gets busy with European ferry weekenders.
Budget
A touch pricier than Fes because of the ferry tourism. Dorms €10–15. Ferry ticket from Tarifa (Spain): €40–50 one-way, 1h crossing. Seafood lunch at the port: €6–10.
Getting there
Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG) with flights from most European capitals. Ferry from Tarifa (1h, fast) or Algeciras (1h30, cheaper, more frequent). High-speed Al Boraq train to Casablanca (2h). Night train to Marrakech (10h).
Safety
The old port area had a dodgy reputation decades ago; it has been thoroughly cleaned up and the medina is safe. Standard big-city caution at night around the ferry terminal. Taxis should use a meter ('compteur') or agree a price first.
Where to stay — neighborhoods
Not all hostels are in the same part of town. Here’s how each area compares.
Medina & Petit Socco
Best for: Literary legends, cheap sleeps, cafés
The old walled city where Bowles and Burroughs hung out. Tight alleys, hostels in old merchant houses, and the Petit Socco square at its heart.
Kasbah
Best for: Sea-view rooftops, quieter riads
The upper old town with views across the Strait of Gibraltar. Boutique riads, the Kasbah Museum, and the best sunset terraces in the city.
Ville Nouvelle / Boulevard Pasteur
Best for: Modern stays, ferry-day basing
Around the central boulevard: banks, cafés, international brands. Good if you want a modern apartment or are just passing through for the ferry to Spain.
Tips from us
- Book ferry tickets online (FRS, Inter Shipping) — cheaper than at the port.
- The Kasbah at golden hour is the best photo spot in Tangier.
- Café Hafa has been serving since 1921 — try the tea not the coffee.
- Day-trip to Asilah (30 min south) if you have an extra day — whitewashed seaside town.
- Don't confuse ONCF trains (real) with 'train' signs leading to informal taxi stands.