Cross the Strait to Africa for the day: Tangier's medina, Chefchaouen's blue lanes and what a Morocco trip really involves.
From the beaches of the Costa del Sol, Africa sits just across the Strait of Gibraltar, close enough to see on a clear day. Crossing to Morocco for the day is one of the region's most rewarding adventures. Tangier is the natural gateway: a vibrant port where cultures meet, framed by a maze-like medina, a hilltop kasbah and sweeping sea views.
The quickest way over is the fast ferry from Tarifa, which lands you right beside Tangier's medina. Boats also run from Algeciras to Tangier Med, a little further from the centre. Many visitors book an organised day tour, which bundles coach transfers from resorts along the coast with the crossing, a guide and the border paperwork.
In Tangier, lose yourself in the medina's tangle of lanes, pausing at the Petit Socco and the lively Grand Socco. Climb to the kasbah for its museum and panoramas across the water toward Spain. Beyond the walls, Cap Spartel marks where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, and the nearby Caves of Hercules make a breezy, memorable stop.
Dreaming of Chefchaouen, the blue-washed town scattered across the Rif mountains? Its powder-blue lanes are magical, but it lies a fair drive inland from Tangier. Squeezing it into a single day from the coast means long hours in transit; to truly savour it, consider an overnight stay. Be realistic about how much one day can hold.
A few essentials: carry a valid passport, as Morocco is a separate country outside the EU. The currency is the dirham, though euros are widely accepted; clocks may differ from Spain, so confirm the local time. Haggling is part of souk life, dress modestly at religious sites, and a guided tour smooths the border, the language and the navigation. It suits curious first-timers and families alike.