Casablanca to Tangier with a Private Driver: Guide to the Gateway to Africa

Facing Spain, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, Tangier has always been a city of crossings. A legendary port and a haven for writers and artists in the twentieth century, it has modernised a great deal in recent years while keeping the charm of its medina and kasbah. From Casablanca, Tangier is ≈ 3 hours 30 minutes away by motorway, about 340 km: a comfortable drive with a private driver, with the option of a stop in Asilah on the way.

Top things to see in Tangier

Start with the Kasbah at the top of the medina, where the former Dar el-Makhzen palace now houses the Kasbah Museum. Its terraces look out over the strait and, on a clear day, the Spanish coast. Then wander down to the Petit Socco, a small square ringed by cafés, and on to the Grand Socco (Place du 9 Avril 1947), the busy crossroads between the old medina and the new town.

Inside the medina, the American Legation, the first public property the United States owned abroad, is now a museum dedicated to Moroccan-American relations. Do not miss Café Hafa, open since 1921 and perched on the cliffs, for mint tea with a sea view. About fifteen kilometres west, Cape Spartel and its lighthouse mark the entrance to the strait, close to the Caves of Hercules, whose sea-facing opening is said to resemble the shape of Africa.

Casablanca to Tangier private transfer

The Casablanca to Tangier drive follows the A1 motorway up the Atlantic coast via Rabat, Kenitra and Larache: ≈ 340 km and about 3 hours 30 minutes. The Al Boraq high-speed train also links the two cities, but a private driver remains the most convenient option for door-to-door travel with luggage, children or several stops.

Your driver can collect you at Mohammed V Airport, your hotel or the train station and drop you in central Tangier, at Ibn Battuta Airport or at the port for a ferry to Spain. In a Mercedes V-Class, S-Class or Skoda Superb, the journey is as comfortable as it gets.

When to go and travel tips

Tangier is pleasant from May to October, with a mild Mediterranean climate and summers that are cooler than inland Morocco. Wind is common in the strait and can freshen the air, so bring an extra layer, especially for Cape Spartel.

On the way, stop in Asilah, ≈ 45 km south of Tangier: its small whitewashed medina inside Portuguese ramparts and its colourful murals make for a charming break. Tangier is also a great base for Tetouan, whose medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for Chefchaouen.

Suggested itinerary: 2 days in Tangier

Day 1: leave Casablanca, enjoy lunch and a stroll in Asilah, reach Tangier in the late afternoon and sip tea at Café Hafa at sunset. Day 2: morning in the Kasbah and medina (Kasbah Museum, Petit Socco, American Legation), then an afternoon at Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules with your driver. The next day, continue to Chefchaouen or return to Casablanca.

Frequently asked questions