Driving in Tangier and Exploring Northern Morocco by Car
Tangier is one of Morocco's most compelling cities, the hinge between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Between the gleaming new corniche and the wild switchbacks of the Rif that climb towards Chefchaouen or Tetouan, a rental car turns a city break into a proper journey. Here is what to know about local traffic, pick-up points and the roads of the north.
Contents
Collecting your car: Ibn Battouta airport, Tanger Med or the city centre
Driving and parking in Tangier: corniche, medina and Cap Spartel
The day trips you should not miss from Tangier
Taking the road to Chefchaouen and the bends of the Rif
Which car to rent for northern Morocco
Collecting your car: Ibn Battouta airport, Tanger Med or the city centre
Tangier has several front doors. Tangier Ibn Battouta international airport (TNG) sits in Boukhalef, about 13 kilometres south-west of the centre, and its direct link to the ring roads lets you head for Asilah or Tetouan without touching city traffic.
If you are crossing the strait by ferry, where you land depends on your route: sailings from Algeciras always arrive at Tanger Med, about 43 kilometres east of the centre, near Ksar Sghir, roughly forty minutes' drive away. Only the crossing from Tarifa, which takes about an hour, serves Tangier City port, opening straight onto the centre and the beach. When you book with Loccor, state your arrival terminal precisely so the agency hands over the keys in the right place, with no delay.
Driving and parking in Tangier: corniche, medina and Cap Spartel
Traffic in Tangier has eased considerably in recent years thanks to wide new avenues, underpasses and a modern panoramic ring road. The centre and Boulevard Pasteur stay busy, but driving there is far less frantic than in Casablanca.
On-street parking is paid in the shopping districts, handled by meters or by attendants in hi-vis vests, for a few dirhams during the day and a higher flat rate for a supervised overnight stay. Never take a car into the narrow lanes of the Kasbah: use the large car parks at Grand Socco square or the marina, then explore the old town on foot.
The day trips you should not miss from Tangier
Having a car in Tangier means total freedom to range out in every direction.
To the west, thirty minutes or so gets you to Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, and then down to the Caves of Hercules along a perfectly surfaced coast road.
To the south, the motorway runs smoothly to Asilah, about 45 kilometres away, a charming artists' town ringed by Portuguese ramparts facing the waves.
To the east, an expressway links Tangier to Tetouan, some sixty kilometres away, and to the Tamuda Bay coast (M'diq, Cabo Negro, Martil), whose beaches are hugely popular in summer.
Taking the road to Chefchaouen and the bends of the Rif
From Tetouan, or by turning off further south, the road that climbs to the blue city of Chefchaouen winds through the heart of the Rif massif, about 110 kilometres from Tangier. The scenery is stunning, but the road calls for extra care.
The bends are tight, lorries and intercity coaches are overtaken constantly, and you will often meet goat herds or slow farm vehicles. Drive it in broad daylight, keep a generous gap to the car ahead and watch your speed on the descents.
Which car to rent for northern Morocco
If your route sticks to Tangier, the Atlantic coast and the fast roads to Tetouan, a compact city car is ideal for slipping through traffic and parking easily.
If you plan to venture into Talassemtane national park, explore the Akchour gorges or reach the isolated coves of the Mediterranean coast towards Oued Laou, an SUV with raised ground clearance will be far more comfortable on rough stretches and beach access tracks.
Frequently asked questions
Is the road between Tangier and Chefchaouen dangerous?
No, it is fully surfaced and in generally good condition. It is simply mountainous and winding. Drive calmly and avoid doing it at night and the trip is straightforward.
How much does renting a car in Tangier cost on Loccor?
Tangier is among the cheapest cities in the Loccor catalogue, with rates starting at 250 dirhams a day and an observed average of around 284 dirhams per day.
Is the Tangier to Rabat motorway a toll road?
Yes, it is run by ADM on a closed toll system: you take a ticket at the entry barrier and pay on the way out, in cash or with a Jawaz electronic toll badge.
Further reading
pick up your car at Tangier Ibn Battouta airport
SUVs available to rent in Morocco
Written by the Loccor editorial team, the platform connecting travellers with car rental agencies in Morocco.