Tangier Beaches: A Local Guide to the Best Coastline
Tangier is the only city in Morocco with two seas on its doorstep. Here are the Atlantic and Mediterranean beaches worth the trip, how to reach them, and which one to pick depending on what you want from the day.
Two Seas, Two Very Different Coasts
This is what makes Tangier unusual. Cap Spartel marks the dividing line between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and the beaches on either side have almost nothing in common.
On the Mediterranean side, east of the city, the water is calmer and warmer and the beaches more sheltered. On the Atlantic side, west of the city, the waves are strong, the sand runs for kilometres and the wind almost never stops.
The Atlantic Beaches
Achakkar Beach
About twenty minutes from the centre on the Cap Spartel road. This is the beach most visitors see, partly because camel rides are offered along the sand. The setting is dramatic, cliffs on one side and open ocean on the other, but swimming is not advised because of the currents.
The Cap Spartel Coves
Several wild coves sit below the lighthouse. Almost no facilities, which makes them good for walking and photographs and less good for swimming.
Robinson Beach
Close to the Caves of Hercules, a long and very photogenic stretch of sand. It combines easily with a visit to the Caves of Hercules and Cap Spartel in the same half day.
The Mediterranean Beaches
Tangier Municipal Beach
Right in the centre, along the corniche. Convenient if you have no car, busy in summer and lively in the evening. It is not the prettiest beach but it is by far the easiest to reach.
Towards Ksar es Seghir
Heading east, the water gets clearer and the beaches quieter. You need a vehicle, but this is where Tangier families go at the weekend.
Which Beach to Choose
- For swimming: the Mediterranean side, calmer and warmer water
- For photographs: Achakkar and Cap Spartel, especially late in the day
- With children: the municipal beach or the sheltered beaches east of the city
- Without a car: the municipal beach, walkable from the centre
- For quiet: the Cap Spartel coves on a weekday
When to Go
The beach season runs June to September, with water around 20 to 22 degrees. July and August are the warmest months but also the busiest, particularly with Moroccans living abroad who return for the summer.
May, June and September are the best compromise: good weather, acceptable water temperature and far quieter sand.
Practical Tips
- Atlantic currents are strong, ask locally before swimming
- The wind on the Atlantic side is constant, bring a windbreaker even in summer
- Few beaches have lifeguards outside high season
- Bring water, the wild beaches have no shops
- Dress modestly once you leave the beach areas
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim in Tangier?
Yes, mainly on the Mediterranean side where the water is calmer. On the Atlantic side the currents are strong and swimming is risky at several beaches.
What is the best beach in Tangier?
Achakkar is the most striking to look at, with its cliffs and camels. For actually swimming, the beaches east of the city are better.
Are Tangier beaches free?
Yes, beach access is free. Only sunbed and parasol rental costs money.
How warm is the sea in Tangier?
Around 20 to 22 degrees in summer, cooler on the Atlantic side than the Mediterranean side.
See the Coast with a Local Guide
Cap Spartel, the Caves of Hercules and Achakkar beach in one half day, with hotel pickup.