Tetouan day trip from Tangier: the white medina and the Spanish quarter

Tetouan is only an hour from Tangier, but it feels very different. Its medina, rebuilt by Muslim and Jewish refugees from Andalusia at the end of the 15th century, is one of the best preserved in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next to it, the white streets of the Spanish quarter recall the years when Tetouan was the capital of the Spanish protectorate. It makes an easy and rewarding day trip.

Getting there

• By tour: the simplest option. A guided day trip includes transport, a local guide in the medina and often lunch.
• By bus: CTM and other companies run buses from Tangier’s main bus station. The trip takes about an hour.
• By grand taxi: shared taxis leave when they are full and are quick and cheap. You can also hire a whole taxi for the day.
• By car: the road is about 60 km and takes around an hour. Park outside the medina, as the old streets are pedestrian only.

Our getting there page has more on the bus station and taxis in Tangier.

The medina

Enter at Place Hassan II, the big square in front of the Royal Palace, and walk into the lanes beyond. The medina is divided into quarters by trade, with streets of tailors, jewellers, spice sellers and leather workers. It is less touristy than many Moroccan medinas, and shopkeepers rarely push hard. A local guide is useful here, as the lanes twist and many of the best buildings are easy to miss.

Look for the old gates, such as Bab Okla, the carved wooden doors of the houses, and the tanneries near the edge of the old town. The Mellah, the former Jewish quarter, lies just off the main square.

Crafts and museums

Just outside Bab Okla, the school of traditional arts and crafts trains young people in zellige tilework, wood carving, embroidery and other skills. When it is open, you can watch the students at work. The ethnographic museum nearby shows costumes, instruments and household objects from northern Morocco. Opening hours change, so check them on the day.

The Spanish quarter

South of the medina, the Ensanche was built by the Spanish in the early 20th century. Its wide streets are lined with white buildings with green shutters and wrought-iron balconies, cafés and pastry shops. It is a pleasant place to stop for mint tea after the medina, and it shows a side of Morocco’s history that few visitors see.

What to eat

Tetouan’s cooking has strong Andalusian roots. Try pastilla, the sweet and savoury pie, slow-cooked tagines and local pastries. The cafés of the Spanish quarter are good for breakfast and sweets. For more ideas, read what to eat in Tangier, as many of the same dishes are served here.

Tetouan or Chefchaouen?

Tetouan is closer and less crowded. Chefchaouen, the famous blue town, is about an hour further into the mountains. Some tours visit both in one long day, but that leaves little time in either. If you have time for only one, choose Chefchaouen for photos and atmosphere, and Tetouan for history and a more everyday Moroccan city. See our Chefchaouen day trip guide to compare.

Tips

• Avoid Friday midday: many shops close for prayers.
• Dress modestly: Tetouan is more conservative than Tangier.
• Use official guides: the same advice as in Tangier applies. Read is Tangier safe? for tips.