Tangier Cruise Ship Port Guide

How to get to the port, by air, train, road

Getting to Tangier’s cruise port is straightforward thanks to its handy location near major transport links.

Ibn Battouta International Airport sits just 12km away, with direct flights from many European cities. You can catch an airport taxi or shuttle to reach the port in around 20 minutes.

Coming by train? Tangier’s main railway station links to big Moroccan cities like Casablanca, Rabat and Fez. From there, it’s a quick 10-minute taxi hop to the port.

If you’re driving, simply follow the N1 coastal highway or A1 motorway straight to the port. Alternatively, take a long-distance bus to Tangier’s main bus terminal, then grab a taxi for the final leg to your cruise ship.

Port Parking Options

Parking at Tangier’s cruise port has three different ways to leave your car.

Right in front of the terminal building, there’s a short-term car park that costs 20 dirhams per hour – you can’t stay longer than 24 hours.

If you need longer parking, there’s a secure car park about 200 metres from the terminal where you can park for 350 dirhams per week, and they’ll give you a lift to the terminal.

The cheapest option is the economy car park, which sits 500 metres from the terminal near the port’s eastern entrance.

It costs 150 dirhams weekly, but you’ll have to walk to the terminal or hop on the port shuttle.

All car parks have security cameras and staff working round the clock.

You can sort out payment with cash or cards at the machines by each car park entrance.

Local Transport & Transfers

Getting from Tangier’s cruise port to the city centre is straightforward, with several ways to get around. You’ll spot the transport options right outside the terminal building, with clear signs pointing you where to go.

1. Port shuttle buses come and go every 15 minutes between the cruise terminal and the Medina entrance – it’ll cost you about 2 euros for a return ticket.
2. Look for the licensed blue ‘petit taxis’ which use meters. A ride to the Medina typically costs 5-7 euros.
3. If you prefer, book a private transfer through your cruise line or local companies – air-conditioned cars wait at the marked pickup spot.
4. Fancy walking? It takes roughly 25 minutes to reach the Medina on foot, following the waterfront path which is clearly marked for pedestrians.

Port Terminal Facilities

The modern Tangier cruise terminal has everything you need. Inside, you’ll come across duty-free shops, places to exchange money, and cash machines on the ground floor.

Fancy a bite? The terminal has several cafes with both local Moroccan and international food, plus free Wi-Fi throughout.

There’s a helpful tourist desk where you can grab maps and sort out local tours. You’ll also find proper toilets, comfy seating areas with spots to charge your devices, and a small medical centre.

The whole building is air-conditioned, with easy-to-read signs in English, French and Arabic. Need help? Friendly staff in uniform are posted at info points, ready to point you in the right direction or answer questions about what’s available at the port.

Things to Do Before Your Cruise in a Day

Getting to know the terminal layout means you can pack loads into your day in Tangier before your cruise sets sail.

The city has brilliant spots to see within walking distance of the port, so you can make the most of your time and still get back for your ship.

1. Wander through the Medina’s twisty streets, where you’ll come across traditional markets full of spices, textiles and local crafts.
2. Pop into the Kasbah Museum to learn about Tangier’s rich history and catch amazing views over the Strait of Gibraltar.
3. Have a break at Café Hafa, a lovely old clifftop spot perfect for mint tea and brilliant Mediterranean views.
4. Take a nice stroll along the beach promenade and try some fresh seafood at local restaurants by the port.

Just remember to head back to the terminal at least two hours before your ship leaves.

Walks near the port

Nice walks can be found all around Tangier’s port area, and you won’t need to wander far from your ship to see the city’s character.

From the port entrance, walk east along Avenue Mohamed VI to see lovely Mediterranean views and local fishing boats. Fancy a walk into town? The Boulevard Pasteur path takes you uphill for about 15 minutes to the city centre, with nice cafes and colonial buildings along the way.

If you’re keen on seeing more local culture, take the western route through Place de France and you’ll reach the medina entrance in about 10 minutes.

The Beach Promenade is brilliant for a seaside walk – it’s about half a mile long with cracking views of the Strait of Gibraltar. Worth popping by Place du 9 Avril 1947 too – it’s a lively square where you can watch street performers and see loads of local life.

Dining and Shopping

The streets you’ll walk down lead to brilliant spots for shopping and eating in Tangier.

You’ll come across proper Moroccan restaurants in tiny alleyways and trendy cafes with lovely Mediterranean views. The Grand Socco market area has both old-school and modern shopping.

1. Pop into the Medina’s spice souks for local saffron, ras el hanout, and fresh mint for tea.
2. Try fresh seafood at the fish market restaurants by the port.
3. Look through leather goods, like handmade bags and slippers, at fixed-price boutiques.
4. Grab a meal at a rooftop restaurant for tagine whilst watching the sunset over the Strait of Gibraltar.

Remember to haggle at the souks, but you’ll see fixed prices at modern shops.

Most restaurants take major credit cards, though small vendors prefer cash.

Accommodation near the port

Staying by Tangier’s cruise port means you can walk to all the main sights and the lively medina.

There’s plenty of places to stay along Avenue Mohamed VI and around the marina area, from posh hotels to simple guesthouses.

The Marina Bay Hotel has modern rooms where you can see the harbour, whilst Hotel Rembrandt is a lovely four-star place just five minutes’ walk from the port.

For something more traditional, try staying in a riad in the medina – La Tangerina or Dar Nour are both about 10 minutes away on foot.

If you’re watching your pennies, Hotel Mauritania and Hotel Marco Polo have clean, straightforward rooms at good prices.

They’re between the port and the Grand Socco, which makes them brilliant spots for getting around.

Tips for First-Time Cruisers from The Port

Getting to Tangier’s cruise port? Make sure you’re there three hours before sailing time to sort your boarding without stress. It can get quite busy when lots of ships come in, so keep your travel papers handy.

1. Get the port’s app on your phone before you go – dead useful for finding your way around and seeing any important updates.
2. Swap some cash for Moroccan dirhams at the port’s currency desk – they use proper rates and are trustworthy.
3. Pop your passport in the ship’s safe once you’re on board, but take a photocopy with you when you go ashore.
4. Book the port’s own shuttle buses to the medina – they’re better than trying to find a local taxi, and you’ll know exactly when they’re coming back.

Customs & Immigration at The Port

Remember to sort your passport and cruise ship ID card before leaving the ship – you’ll need them to get through Moroccan customs and immigration at Tangier port. During busy times, it usually takes about 15-20 minutes.

First stop is passport control, where you’ll get your passport stamped. If you’re not from the EU, you’ll need to fill in a simple entry form at the counter. Keep these documents safe, as you’ll want them handy when you come back to the ship.

Getting through customs is normally quick and simple. You don’t need to tell them about your personal bits and bobs, but watch out for limits on alcohol, tobacco, and money over 100,000 dirhams.

If you’ve got expensive jewellery or gadgets with you, let them know – it’ll make things easier when you leave.

Local Currency & Payment Options

The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is what you’ll need in Tangier, and most local places only take cash. You can’t buy Dirhams before entering Morocco, so you’ll want to sort out your money once you land.

While posh hotels and restaurants will take your credit card, it’s wise to carry cash everywhere else, particularly in the old medina and souks.

1. Get your money changed at official exchange places or banks near the port – they give better rates than the shops aimed at tourists.
2. Try to keep plenty of smaller notes (20, 50, and 100 MAD) – they’re handy for haggling and everyday purchases.
3. Some tourist spots will take Euros, but you’ll lose out on the exchange rate.
4. You can find ATMs all over central Tangier, but let your bank know you’re travelling to avoid any bother with your cards.

Emergency Contacts

While Tangier is generally safe when visiting from cruise ships, keep these important emergency numbers with you.

Ring 19 for police help, 15 for ambulances, and 150 for fires. The tourist police are on +212 539-94-65-46 and can help in several languages.

Always carry your cruise ship’s emergency details with you.

The Port of Tangier Med runs round-the-clock – call them on +212 539-33-70-00. If you’re in the medina, the tourist information centre’s number is +212 539-93-03-03.

For medical help, Mohammed V Hospital’s number is +212 539-93-24-00.

Remember to write down your embassy’s phone number before you travel.

History of The Port

While the port today comes with up-to-date safety kit and emergency help, Tangier’s sea-going past goes back thousands of years.

The Phoenicians set up shop here in the 5th century BC, as they spotted how useful its position was at the Mediterranean Sea’s doorstep. The port grew more important under Roman, Arab and Portuguese control, becoming a major centre for sea trade.

Important dates along the way:

1. 1684: The British got the port as part of Catherine of Braganza’s wedding gift, and made it bigger.
2. 1777: Sultan Mohammed III told his builders to put up strong walls to keep pirates at bay.
3. 1923: The French colonial lot built the first modern harbour bits and bobs.
4. 2007: King Mohammed VI opened the current cruise terminal, turning Tangier into a top-notch port.

Environmental Initiatives at The Port

The port of Tangier is going green with some brilliant eco-friendly projects.

You’ll see solar panels all over the terminal buildings, which handle about 30% of the port’s power needs. They’ve got a really good waste management system running too – it manages to recycle 65% of all the rubbish from cruise ships.

Pop by and you’ll spot their advanced water treatment plant that cleans ballast water to keep local sea life safe.

The port’s “Clean Air Program” lets ships plug into the shore’s power supply whilst docked, meaning they can switch off their engines and cut down on pollution. There are electric cars zooming about and charging points dotted around the terminal.

All this green work has paid off – Tangier’s port grabbed several environmental awards, including EcoPort status in 2021.

Accessibility Information for Disabled Passengers

The cruise port in Tangier is well set up for disabled visitors, with wheelchair ramps, lifts and special parking spots to help you get around easily.

Staff at the terminal know how to help people with different mobility needs and are happy to give extra support when needed.

1. Every main entrance has automatic sliding doors that are extra-wide, so wheelchairs and mobility scooters can fit through without any trouble.
2. You’ll find accessible loos every 50 metres throughout the terminal, and they all have emergency buttons.
3. You can borrow a wheelchair for free from the information desk – just let them know at least 24 hours before you need it.
4. If you need to get around, there are wheelchair-friendly taxis and shuttle buses with special lifts.

Cruise Insurance and Medical Facilities at The Port

The cruise port in Tangier has a well-equipped first-aid station with proper medical staff right by Terminal 1. It’s open round the clock throughout cruise season.

The medical team can handle basic urgent care and get patients stable enough to move to Tangier’s main hospitals if needed.

It’s really important to sort out comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation and treatment in Morocco before you set sail. Your regular health cover probably won’t work on ships or in foreign ports, so don’t count on it.

Look for a policy that specifically mentions cruise-related issues like cancelled trips, missing port stops, and emergency medical transport.

Keep your insurance paperwork and emergency phone numbers on you whenever you’re in port – it’s just common sense.

Families: Child-Friendly Services and Activities

Family travel through Tangier’s cruise port is well set up for kids, with handy facilities to make your day easier. The port building has family toilets with baby-changing stations and staff keep an eye on a play space where little ones can let off steam between trips.

Family-friendly things to do near the port include:

1. A small train that goes round the harbour – great fun for kids and lovely views too.
2. The Petit Socco square, a quick 10-minute walk away, with entertainers and food stalls the kids will love.
3. The American Legation Museum has a brilliant children’s area where they can learn about Morocco through hands-on displays.
4. A family rest spot with shade, benches and drinking water spots.

You can hire pushchairs and find reliable childminders if you need someone to watch the kids during your port stop.

Local Cultural Highlights and Events

Head to Tangier’s port and you’ll see wonderful cultural traditions throughout the year at local festivals, markets and shows.

The lively Grand Socco market hums with spice sellers, musicians playing traditional tunes, and local craftspeople. If you’re about in July, pop along to the Tanjazz Festival, where you can listen to Moroccan and international jazz musicians performing across the city.

In August, the Tangier Mediterranean Nights Festival brings traditional music, dancing and theatre to the streets. You can spot snake charmers and street performers in the medina every day, whilst the Mendoubia Gardens puts on regular cultural exhibitions.

Spring visitors will catch the Festival of World Sacred Music, with its Sufi ceremonies and spiritual shows. The Ibn Battuta Centre always has local art exhibitions and demonstrations of traditional Moroccan crafts going on.

Best Times of Year to Cruise from The Port

Spring and autumn are brilliant times to cruise from Tangier’s port, with temperatures around 18-24°C and not much rain.

These in-between seasons are spot-on for both city wandering and relaxing on your cruise ship deck.

You can sail all year round, and here’s what each season brings:

1. March-May: Lovely weather for seeing the sights, plus flowers are in bloom and it’s not too hot.
2. June-August: Gets quite warm and busy, but fantastic for the beach with sea temperatures near 21°C.
3. September-November: Sea’s still warm and there are fewer tourists about – perfect for swimming and cultural visits.
4. December-February: A bit nippy with some rain, but you’ll find better deals and shorter queues at local sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Restrictions on Bringing Moroccan Souvenirs Back on the Ship?

Feel free to bring most Moroccan souvenirs back to the ship, but you’ll need to tell customs about any food items. Skip bringing alcohol, drugs, weapons or fake goods. Fresh fruit, veg and living plants aren’t usually allowed either.

What Voltage Is Used for Electronics at Tangier Cruise Port Terminals?

The cruise terminals in Tangier have 220V/50Hz power points. Since Morocco follows European electrical standards, you’ll want to bring a Type C or Type E plug adapter for your gadgets.

Is Photography Allowed Inside the Port Security Areas?

Photography isn’t allowed in the security areas of Tangier’s cruise terminal. You’ll need to wait until you’ve gone through all security checks before snapping any photos with your camera or phone.

Do Cruise Ships Dock Overnight at Tangier Port?

Cruise ships don’t tend to stay overnight in Tangier. They usually pop in for the day – getting there early in the morning and sailing off by evening time. It’s more of a quick stop rather than a long stay at port.

Are There Luggage Storage Facilities for Passengers Arriving Early?

The port terminal and hotels near Tangier port have places to keep your bags. If you get there early, you can leave your luggage for a small fee whilst having a look around the city before your ship leaves.