Cap Spartel is rapidly becoming a must-visit destination on any Tangier travel itinerary, and for good reason. Many tourists flock to the well-known Cap Spartel Lighthouse and Hercules Cave.

But this blog post isn’t about them! You see, there’s much more to discover in this stunning area. And if you move too fast, you might just miss them.

We urge you to slow down and set aside a full day to explore what Cap Spartel really has to offer.

Our family made it our home for ten weeks, and we want to share some unique experiences you must include in your visit.

If you’re planning your own Tangier adventure, we’ll share not just our favorite hidden spots but also some helpful ways to book tours, arrange transport, and pick the right family gear.

Read on to discover our top Cap Spartel family moments and let us know if you’ll be adding any of these activities to your Morocco travel plans.

Where Is Cap Spartel?

You will find Cap Spartel in the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, just 12 kilometers outside Tangier City. Rising 300 meters above sea level, it offers breathtaking views right across the Strait of Gibraltar.

A pair of wooden signs mark a unique spot on the northwestern coast of Morocco where the Atlantic Ocean in the west meets the Mediterranean Sea from the east.

Looking out to sea, you can’t help but imagine how many lives were lost to treacherous conditions throughout the centuries, especially before the lighthouse was first illuminated in 1864.

Your journey from Tangier should take around 25 minutes, but don’t worry, a rental car isn’t essential. There are affordable transport options, including grand taxis, the hop-on-hop-off bus, and the InDrive app. For more tips on getting to Cap Spartel from Tangier, click here.

Many tourists either arrive at Cap Spartel Lighthouse in the north or at Hercules Cave further south. A coastal road stretches 3.6 kilometers between these two popular spots. Traveling this road offers memorable experiences, yet it gets considerably less attention from visitors.

Well, we want to change that! This blog post will focus on the seven (not-so-obvious) things you must do when visiting Cap Spartel, Tangier.

If you’d rather not worry about taxis or apps, you can book a 2 hour guided tour that includes Cap Spartel, Hercules Caves, and a camel ride. It’s often cheaper for families than paying for multiple taxis.

Scan the code above for 2 hour guided tour ↑

7 Memorable Things to Do at Cap Spartel, Tangier

Cap Spartel is more than just a lighthouse and a cave. It offers a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered. Here are seven memorable things to do when visiting Cap Spartel:

2. Eat Like the Locals Do

While there are restaurants at Cap Spartel Lighthouse and Hercules Cave, you’ll pay a premium to eat there. If you’re willing to walk a bit (only about 10 minutes from the lighthouse), you can find a hidden gem. Just above Plage Bouhendia are rows of terraces leading up the cliff edge where you can sit for hours and enjoy authentic Moroccan food at great prices.

To read more about Café Garden Beach, one of our top Tangier restaurants, please check out this blog post.

If you fancy a Tangier food tour:

Packing for a Family Trip Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful

After years of traveling full-time with kids, we’ve fine-tuned what actually gets used (and what just takes up space).

Want our exact Family Packing List?

It’s printable, organized by carry-on vs hold luggage, and tailored for parents who want to travel smart, not just light.

Download it free and make packing one less thing to worry about.

3. Take Playing to New Heights

This one’s for the kids (big and small!). Spend some time at the clifftop park, just a short downhill walk from Cap Spartel Lighthouse. We watched our kids for hours as they tested their speed and strength on the many wooden obstacles. You can buy local snacks (seeds, nuts, and lollipops), and there are plenty of picnic tables along the cliff edge. You can also pay for the kids to have a horse ride.

Just a quick warning though – if you visit on a windy day, you will feel it tenfold up there. And if you’ve got younger children, keep a close eye on them, as it’s a sheer drop down to the sea.

For those who like to book ahead, here is a City tour that includes a visit to the Cap Spartel Lighthouse:

We always carry a foldable picnic mat and reusable water bottles: both lifesavers when hanging out here for hours.

4. Ride on a Camel

Camel rides are especially popular with families and provide great photo opportunities. At Cap Spartel, you can pay for camel rides either on Sol Beach (near Cap Spartel Lighthouse) or on the terrace above Achakar Beach (near Hercules Cave).

If you take a camel ride on Achakar Beach, the camel will scale the steep dunes next to the steps to meet you down on the beach. Even if you don’t want to ride a camel yourself, watching them walk down from the terrace is a worthwhile experience in itself!

You can book a ride directly on the spot, or reserve in advance via a family-friendly Tangier camel ride tour if you’d rather have it arranged:

5. Experience THREE of the Best Tangier Beaches

Cap Spartel is home to some of the best beaches in Tangier. Three of them; Sol Beach, Ba Kacem Beach, and Achakar Beach sit right between Cap Spartel Lighthouse and Hercules Cave. Rather than hopping in a taxi to get from one spot to the other, we highly recommend slowing down and strolling along the water’s edge. The leisurely walk should take around 50 minutes, but you may decide to slow down even more and do a spot of sunbathing.

In this blog post, I walk you through what to expect at each of these beaches, especially if you’re traveling with children.

For families, kids quick-dry beach shoes and reef-safe sunscreen make the day a lot smoother.

6. Lounge in the ‘Lagoon’ & Beach Club Pools

Despite what a lot of information online tells you, the ocean at Cap Spartel is not a safe place to swim! Trust us, on several occasions we saw people get caught up in rip tides. This doesn’t mean you can’t swim, though. Depending on when you visit, there are options.

In the cooler months, you can find “the lagoon” (named by our kids) at the far end of Achakar Beach. River water collects around the ruins of a 1960s hotel—you’ll see groups of local kids jumping in off the rocks. When this dries up (around the end of May), Kabana Beach Club opens to the public. For a reasonable fee, you can use their beach pool and sun loungers.

Another option is to stay at a Tangier apartment with a pool, which guarantees safe swimming spots for kids:

Achakar Hill Apartment (where we stayed)

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Apartment with Pool

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7. Journey Through Royal Grounds

Here’s our wild card. This one involves walking past Hercules Cave, so it’s not exactly between the two main tourist spots. However, we believe it’s worth including in our list of not-so-obvious things to do when visiting Cap Spartel.

Follow the coastal road – it’ll take you inland occasionally but keep veering back toward the sea and you’ll find yourself walking through the center of Salman of Saudi Arabia’s Moroccan Compound. While you can’t enter the private residence, a walk through the compound provides a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Saudi royal family.

Oh, and you’ll be rewarded at the end of the road with another beautiful Tangier beach – Sidi Kacem Beach!

Key Takeaways For Your Trip to Cap Spartel

Cap Spartel is more than just a cave and a lighthouse. From mesmerizing sunsets over Achakar Beach to sampling authentic Moroccan cuisine at Café Garden Beach, every moment at Cap Spartel promises something special.

We encourage you to slow down, immerse yourself in the beauty of Cap Spartel, and discover its lesser-known treasures.

Have you added any of these activities to your Morocco travel plans? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

And if you found this guide helpful, share it with fellow travelers seeking an unforgettable adventure in Tangier.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post 7 Things to Do At Cap Spartel (It’s Not What You Think!) appeared first on Slow Traveling Family.

In this blog, we present not three, but four of the best restaurants in Tangier, Morocco.

We’ll provide detailed insights on menus, prices, and locations, so you can avoid wasting time searching when you’re h-angry!

Just a heads up—if you’re looking for English, Italian, or fast-food restaurants in Tangier, this is not the blog for you. As travelers at heart, we aim to eat and cook local traditional dishes. These recommendations are perfect if you want to sample authentic Moroccan cuisine while in Tangier.

With that said, let’s get to it!

Why Our Opinion Matters

Before we get to the meat and potatoes, here’s a quick introduction and justification for why you should consider our recommendations. If you’re short on time, no hard feelings—feel free to skip to the part you came here for.

Our family of four lived in Tangier, Morocco, for ten weeks between March and June 2024. We enjoyed our fair share of delicious Moroccan cuisine at several Tangier restaurants during that time.

Initially, I set out to give you our top three places to eat in Tangier, but we couldn’t quite agree. So, you’re getting a bonus—today, we’re offering not three but four Tangier restaurant reviews!

These restaurants made it to our final list as they ticked all the boxes for:

1. Delicious authentic Moroccan food
2. Varied menu (essential when you have picky eaters in tow)
3. Friendly service
4. Great price (unbelievably cheap for a family of four!)
5. Convenient location

In no particular order, here are our family’s favorite restaurants in Tangier, Morocco. Enjoy—and please let us know if you visit any of them in the comments!

Our Pick: The Four Best Restaurants in Tangier, Morocco

For each of the four Tangier restaurants, I have included the address (if available) and the Google Maps Plus Code. You can easily find the locations by pasting the Google Plus Code into the Google Maps search bar or clicking on the link.

Many restaurants in Tangier aren’t ideal for wheelchair or pram users as seating is often upstairs. One of our recommendations, Maison Grill Kasbah, is better than the others for people with limited mobility.

We found all these restaurants to be very affordable, especially compared to places in the UK, US, and Europe. The prices provided are the average cost per sitting for our family of four. Prices can change, so use these as ballpark figures.

I also list all the dishes we ordered from each restaurant during our visits to give you an idea of what is on offer.

1.  Café Garden Beach, Cap Spartel

A Hidden Gem Near Cape Spartel

Three out of four of these restaurants in Tangier, Morocco are situated around the ancient Medina. Not this one though.

Located just a 10-minute walk from our apartment, Cafe Garden Beach quickly became one of our go-to spots. We visited between five and ten times in total. We felt like we’d discovered a hidden gem, perfect for anyone visiting Cap Spartel during their stay in Tangier.

This restaurant offers authentic Moroccan cuisine at great prices and is a favorite among the locals. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for us!

How to Find It

Set back from the main road, Cafe Garden Beach is easy to miss. As you walk down the coastal road from Cap Spartel Lighthouse toward Hercules Cave, you’ll come across a car park on the right-hand side.

Walk through the car park and you’ll find an archway next to a tourist information board. Pass through the archway and descend the steps to reach the kitchen and BBQ area.

From here, you can choose your ideal spot overlooking the ocean, and a friendly waiter will soon greet you with a menu. The seating area is terraced down the side of the cliff. We preferred to sit higher up to avoid the grill’s smoke.

Beautiful Beachside Setting

Just below the restaurant is Plage Bouhendia, a small rock and sand beach accessible via steps in front of the kitchen area. During one of our visits, we witnessed the sad sight of a washed-ashore dolphin.

Check out this blog post if you’re planning on visiting some of Tangier’s best beaches while at Cap Spartel.

Delicious Menu

The menu at Cafe Garden Beach isn’t extensive—don’t expect couscous—but it offers something for everyone, including vegetarians, meat lovers, and fish enthusiasts. My favorite was the Tajine Baysara, a hearty vegetarian soup made from fava beans. It’s more filling than it looks, and you can order larger sharing portions. The fresh fish, caught nearby, and the tagines cooked over an outdoor fire are also must-tries.

Every time we ate at this restaurant, we were provided with complimentary chili-flavored olives and plenty of bread to accompany the meal. It was always very much appreciated!

Impressive Service

One particularly impressive aspect of our experience was the waitstaff’s ability to remember orders without writing anything down. No matter how long we spent dining or how many other guests they served, they always recalled our order when it was time to pay.

(Overly) Friendly Felines

One last thing to note is the presence of street cats. They may wander under your table looking for scraps, but they quickly get the message if you shoo them away.

Packing for a Family Trip Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful

After years of traveling full-time with kids, we’ve fine-tuned what actually gets used (and what just takes up space).

Want our exact Family Packing List?

It’s printable, organized by carry-on vs hold luggage, and tailored for parents who want to travel smart, not just light.

Download it free and make packing one less thing to worry about.

2. Restaurant la Réception, Ancient Medina

A Hidden Gem in the Medina

We were determined to visit this restaurant in Tangier during one of our trips to the ancient Medina. In all honesty, the raving reviews on Google led us here. We were also excited about the panoramic rooftop view—and trust us, it didn’t disappoint.

Finding the Location

The location of this restaurant isn’t entirely obvious. We walked past it twice before spotting the sign next to an open doorway.

You will need to walk up five levels to reach the rooftop terrace. Don’t make the mistake we did, though. The kitchen is on the second floor (you’ll pass it on the stairwell). Pop your head in and let them know you want to eat, and they’ll follow you up with a menu. We didn’t do this and ended up going all the way back downstairs.

Vegan-Friendly Options

This is one of the few restaurants in Tangier that offers vegan options. While I’m not a vegan, I do enjoy plant-based foods, so I took the opportunity to try it out for our vegan readers. I was torn between a vegan burger and a vegan tagine, but being in Morocco, the tagine won me over. The falafel balls cooked in tomato and onion sauce were so tasty and got my approval. I would order that dish again and highly recommend it to all our vegan and vegetarian readers.

Complimentary olives were also provided to tide us over while we waited for our meals.

Must-Try Dish: Chicken Pastilla

Another must-try food here, if you’re not on a plant-based diet, is the chicken pastilla. In this traditional Moroccan dish, a savory chicken filling is wrapped in delicate filo pastry and dusted with sugar. The sweet and savory tastes work well together—we’ve not found anything else like it outside Morocco.

3. Maison Grill Kasbah, Ancient Medina

Convenient Location and Accessible Seating

We visited this restaurant twice during our ten-week stay in Tangier, and we’ll definitely be back! Located not far from Grand Socco, you’ll need to walk uphill until you see the restaurant on your right. There is seating upstairs and downstairs (we tested both!) and outdoor seating across the road, which is great if you have limited mobility.

Multilingual Menus and Friendly Service

There are many plus points for this restaurant. They provide their menu in different languages, including English, Spanish, and French. The waiters were incredibly helpful and put us to shame with their multilingual abilities. They were happy to chat and recommend different dish combinations we wouldn’t have otherwise tried.

We were given a little dish of cooked lentils and some olives to eat while we waited for our meal. They went down very well with the hungry kids!

A Memorable Encounter with the Chef

On our second visit, we had the pleasure of meeting the chef—a lovely lady from Rabat. (If anyone knows her name, please let me know in the comments as I want to give her the credit she deserves.) The food was seriously delicious! The couscous is to die for, and the portions are huge.

You really must try some of the sides, including the caramelized pumpkin with honey, cabbage with grapes, and baqoula. Our favorite drink was the mint and red fruit smoothie.

4. Restaurant Al Maimouni, Ancient Medina

Convenient Location Near the Port

Out of the four restaurants in Tangier, Morocco, this one is closest to the port—handy if you’re coming over for the day from Spain. However, this is not a good choice for people with limited mobility. This restaurant has the narrowest and steepest staircase I think I’ve climbed, but it’s well worth it once you reach the top.

Finding the Entrance

Follow Google Maps directions. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see steps leading up the old wall behind a public toilet block. Restaurant Al Maimouni is just opposite the steps. The kitchen is on the ground floor, and the steps up to the rooftop can be seen to your right when you go inside.

Rooftop Dining with a View

Restaurant Al Maimouni offers both indoor and outdoor seating. We chose to sit at one of the six tables on the roof terrace to enjoy unspoiled views of the port and ancient Medina. The sink on the rooftop was a nice touch for washing hands before and after the meal. Sometimes it’s the small things that are most appreciated, hey?

Delicious Food and Thoughtful Extras

The food here was very tasty, and the portion sizes were just right. The kids were particularly enamored with the lemon tart for dessert. As with other restaurants we visited in Tangier, we were given olives and bread on the house while we waited for our meal. We were also very thankful for the complimentary glass of mint tea after our meal and Moroccan sweets for the children to take away.

Check out the Tripsadvisor traveler reviews for this restaurant. We’re not alone in rating it highly!

Key Takeaways on the Best Restaurants in Tangier, Morocco

1.  Authenticity Over Tourist Traps: When in Tangier, skip the familiar chains and immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of Morocco. Our handpicked restaurants offer authentic Moroccan cuisine.

2. Diverse Dining Experiences: Whether you prefer a casual beachside cafe or a rooftop view in the heart of the Medina, Tangier provides diverse dining settings.

3.  Warm Hospitality: Experience genuine Moroccan hospitality at these restaurants. From their multilingual menus to delightful complimentary treats – these touches make every visit memorable.

4. Budget-Friendly Options: You can enjoy quality meals at reasonable prices at all four of these restaurants in Tangier, Morocco. They offer great value for families and travelers alike, allowing you to savor delicious local dishes without stretching your budget.

5. Share Your Experience: Whether you try the Tajine Baysara at Cafe Garden Beach or the couscous at Maison Grill Kasbah, please share your dining experiences in Tangier with us. Your feedback and experiences enrich our community and inspire future travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post 4 Best Restaurants in Tangier Morocco: Authentic Moroccan Cuisine appeared first on Slow Traveling Family.

Today, I want to share what we believe are some of the best Tangier beaches. Our family of four lived right by these stunning shores for 10 weeks, from March to June 2024. These beaches quickly became our haven—a perfect spot to rejuvenate and embrace a slower pace of life as we embarked on our slow travel journey.

Tangier City is an exhilarating place to visit—a sensory overload! Everywhere you turn, there are bright colors, bustling people, and exotic smells, but the constant noise can be overwhelming.

If, like us, you crave some peace and quiet, we highly recommend retreating to the beautiful North African coastline, even if just for a short while. Feel the warm sand beneath your feet, get lost in the soothing sound of the Atlantic waves crashing against the shore, and let the kids run off some steam.

Let me tell you about four wonderful beaches in Tangier: Achakar Beach, Ba Kacem Beach, Sol Beach, and Sidi Kacem Beach.

Does Tangier Have Nice Beaches?

Tangier boasts a variety of beaches, many of which are quite lovely. But which ones should you visit during your stay?

The most obvious choice for many tourists is Tangier Municipal Beach. Located right in the heart of the action, just a short walk from the ancient medina, it’s a great option if you’re short on time. You can sit for an hour or so and gather your thoughts, and if a camel ride along the sand is on your bucket list, this is a great place to do it.

However, if you truly want to experience the best of Tangier’s beaches, we recommend venturing outside the city center. A 25-minute cab ride will take you to some of the finest beaches in Tangier, just a little further along the coast.

Three beaches—Achakar Beach, Ba Kacem Beach, and Sol Beach—are located at Cap Spartel, nestled between the Cap Spartel Lighthouse and Hercules Cave. The fourth, Sidi Kacem Beach, is a bit further but can be reached on foot from Hercules Cave. It took us about 20-25 minutes to walk there at a leisurely pace.

Getting to Tangier Beaches from Tangier

For the best Tangier beaches, head approximately 12 km outside the city center towards Cap Spartel. If you don’t have a car, no need to worry—there are several transport options:

1. Grand Taxi: Grand taxi stations are dotted around Tangier. The routes and fares are set, so you can hop into a shared taxi and pay only for your seat(s). There will be someone to direct you to the correct cab. Although we didn’t use Grand Taxis for this route, My Free Range Family did, and their fare came to around 20 DH per person. The return taxi station is at Grotte d’Hercule (Hercules Cave).
2. Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus: Tangier has a hop-on-hop-off city tour bus. One ticket gives you access to two set routes for 48 hours. For the beaches, you’ll need to hop on the Grotte d’Hercule Tour. We saw these buses driving along the coastal road at Cap Spartel throughout our stay, and they seemed to be a popular option.
3. Taxis: It’s hard to go a day without being beeped at by a passing taxi offering a lift on the coastal road. This could be a good option if you don’t fancy walking to the grand taxi station at Grotte d’Hercule after a day at the beaches. Just be sure to agree on the price before getting in.
4. InDrive App: Our go-to transport option between our apartment in Cap Spartel and Tangier City was the InDrive App. It’s easy to use and the trip cost us 59 DH each way – slightly more cost-effective than a grand taxi for four of us, even with a tip.

Do you have limited time in Tangier? With a private tour you get the best of all worlds: Visit Achakar Beach, experience a camel ride and explore the medina all in one day! A short trip shouldn’t mean missing out on Tangier’s best beaches.

Book Now on Viator

Now you know how to get to the Tangier beaches, it’s time to decide which one to visit first.

1. Sol Beach, Tangier (Plage Sol)

When walking down the coastal path from Cap Spartel Lighthouse toward Hercules Cave, the first sandy beach you’ll encounter is Sol Beach. The easiest way to access the beach is to turn right into the car park at Café Restaurant Sol and take the steps down.

You can also access the beach a bit further down the road, where the police vans are parked, but depending on the time of year, you might need to wade through a large body of water to reach the sand. This was the case for us in April 2024, although it dried up from May onward.

Sol Beach Amenities

This Tangier beach gets quite busy, especially on less windy days, but we never had trouble finding a good spot to set up. Plus, it’s a great beach if you want to be near amenities.

There are toilets at the Sol Café Restaurant car park entrance—just remember to keep some small change for the attendant (2 – 5 DH should be fine).

You can buy drinks, snacks, and ice creams from the mini-market across the road from the beach, and there are several restaurants nearby. For our top Tangier restaurant recommendations, check out this blog.

Once on the beach, you can hire sunbeds, chairs, tables, and umbrellas from the vendors by the steps. Camel rides are also available here.

You’ll likely see men walking up and down the beach selling snacks – a definite highlight for our two children. For 1 or 2 DH (approx. 10-20 cents!), you can buy lollipops or a packet of salted sunflower seeds for around 3 DH. Seeds are a delicious and popular local snack that quickly became our favorite.

If you prefer a hot drink, there is a coffee car a little further down from the mini-market. You’ll find these coffee cars dotted along the coastal road.

Safety Considerations at Sol Beach

There are a few things to be aware of on the beach, and this is consistent across the three beaches between Cap Spartel Lighthouse and Hercules Cave.

First, are the people speeding up and down the beach on quad bikes, buggies, motorbikes, and even horses! This was a bit of a worry for us, especially with our kids wanting to run and play on the sand.

There was a heart-stopping moment when a bike zoomed across the water’s edge between the kids and us.

Over the ten weeks, our kids became very street (or should I say beach) smart, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re visiting with children. Make them aware so they don’t panic and run into the path of these vehicles (our biggest worry).

You’ll also see a lot of people playing in the waves. At certain times of the day, the waves can get very big and dangerous for younger children. We watched full-grown men get knocked off their feet.

Rip tides are also common along this coastline. You’ll see them forming on the shore as you walk along. We taught the kids what to look out for and what to do if they get caught in one (YouTube is a good source of information for this).

From June onwards, there is a lifeguard station on Sol Beach, but it’s best not to take any unnecessary risks.

2. Ba Kacem Beach, Tangier (Plage BaKassem)

Ba Kacem Beach is another wonderful spot to visit. From Sol Beach you can access Ba Kacem Beach by:

1. Heading back onto the coastal road and walking up the hill until you reach the restaurant Cote Sud. Here you’ll see a road veering right that leads straight down to the beach, or
2. Walking down Sol Beach and up the sandy path to the top of the rocky outcrop. You’ll likely come across some local fishermen up there. You can then walk into the car park next to Plage Ba Kacem. If you’re young at heart (and body), you might want to scale the steep rocky slope directly down to the beach on the other side—our kids’ preferred that route, and of course we had to follow!

Ba Kacem Beach Atmosphere

Ba Kacem Beach quickly became one of our favorites during our 10-week stay. The vibe was different every time we visited. Some days, it felt like we had the beach to ourselves; on others, it was bustling with tourists and locals.

In summer, the famous Mikki Beach Club is open to the public with music, sunbeds, drinks, and food. Just be aware that in 2024, the stairway down to the beach club from the car park collapsed down the side of the cliff. So, to access the beach club, you’ll need to walk to the beach via the road at Cote Sud Restaurant.

Beach Dogs

You’ll come across many beach dogs on this stretch of beach. The yellow tags on their ears indicate that they have been neutered and vaccinated against rabies. These dogs are quite friendly and accustomed to people, although they do not like the quad bikes! They often appear from nowhere to chase the quad bikes down the beach.

Packing for a Family Trip Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful

After years of traveling full-time with kids, we’ve fine-tuned what actually gets used (and what just takes up space).

Want our exact Family Packing List?

It’s printable, organized by carry-on vs hold luggage, and tailored for parents who want to travel smart, not just light.

Download it free and make packing one less thing to worry about.

Safety Considerations

The sea can be treacherous here. We witnessed two groups of teenagers rescued from rip tides on this beach and Achakar Beach.

On one occasion, a group of girls got caught in a rip tide. A bystander’s whistle caught the attention of some boys playing football, who then whistled for help. Some men with surfboards came running down the beach to rescue the girls. Fortunately, the beach was busy but the situation could have ended differently. We were informed by the police at the top of Sol Beach that not everyone makes it out.

I don’t write this to scare anyone but to raise awareness. It’s possible to enjoy these beautiful beaches without putting your life at risk. We weren’t immediately aware of the dangers, and want to make sure others are informed too.

Unforgettable Moments at Ba Kacem Beach

One unforgettable memory from this beach was the day a bewildered cow was herded onto the beach by the beach dogs. It was one of the scariest moments, having a cow charge towards you while sunbathing!

Thankfully, no one was hurt, and a man (who seemed to know what he was doing) herded it back up off the beach. We never saw that cow again, so who knows where it came from.

Amenities at Ba Kacem Beach

For amenities, the only mini-market is opposite Sol Beach, so you’ll need to walk about 5 minutes back toward Cap Spartel Lighthouse for refreshments. Cote Sud Restaurant is just at the beach entrance, but we never ate there, so I can’t give my opinion… maybe next time!

3. Achakar Beach, Tangier (Plage Achakar)

Now we come to one of the most famous beaches in Tangier – Achakar Beach. Since we stayed very close to this beach, it became our most frequented spot.

It is linked to Ba Kacem Beach and can be easily reached along the water’s edge. You’ll pass by a rocky narrowing with overhanging caves where the stretch transitions into Achakar Beach.

Points of Interest on Achakar Beach

Just a point of interest, check the side of the cliff for circular marks left by Berber people who cut into the rocks to make grinding wheels. They look very similar to the patterns on the walls of Hercules Cave but are easy to miss if you’re not looking for them!

Fun Activities for the Kids

At the beginning of Achakar Beach, you’ll walk past a huge dune. The kids had so much fun climbing to the top and running down as fast as their legs would carry them.

Just past the Kabana Beach Club (open from June), you’ll see some winding steps up the cliff that lead to Stage de Camel. If the camels are not already on the beach, this is where you will go to get a camel ride. There is also a small snack bar in the car park at the top of these steps.

Seasonal Changes on Achakar Beach

Achakar Beach transforms as peak tourist season approaches at the beginning of June. We saw lifeguard stations, bins, and what looked like changing stations appear almost overnight.

There are some areas on this beach where rubbish accumulates, especially outside the tourist season, which is a real shame. But as the beach started to get busier, we saw people walking up and down the beach cleaning up.

Our Favorite Spot on Achakar Beach

Our favorite spot was right at the far end of Achakar Beach. Walk as far as you can go, and you will see what looks like the ruins of a 1960s hotel (please correct me if I’m wrong!).

I found it fascinating and could almost feel the buzz of excitement that must have filled the place all those decades ago. I’m always looking for an opportunity to connect with the history of the places we visit. Are you the same? Let us know in the comments!

In April and May, there was a pool of water here at the mouth of the river which the kids named “The Lagoon.” This was a safer place for them to swim than in the sea, and many local kids seemed to agree, as there were always people playing in the water. Unfortunately, as the weather got drier and hotter toward the end of May, it all dried up.

4. Sidi Kacem Beach, Tangier (Plage Sidi Kacem)

To reach Sidi Kacem Beach take a 20-minute walk past Hercules Cave. Just follow the road, even when it seems like you’re heading inland—keep veering right when you can. You’ll find yourself walking on a path through Salman of Saudi Arabia’s Moroccan compound.

Accessing Sidi Kacem Beach

As you reach the end of the compound, you’ll see the ocean on your right. Keep walking down the road until you reach a roundabout. Here, you’ll find steps to take you down to the beach.

When we visited in April 2024, there was a large stretch of water to cross. It’s only ankle-deep but be prepared to get your feet wet!

Sidi Kacem Beach Experience

The waves were too big for swimming, so the kids had a great time splashing about in the clear shallow water at the top of the beach. It may have been the time of year, but apart from some local fishermen, we were the only people on the beach.

What did we like most about this Tangier beach?

The beach is flat, with golden sand stretching as far as the eye can see. It had a different feel to the beaches on the other side of Hercules Cave, and variety is the spice of life after all.

We also enjoyed walking to the beach through the royal compound—the whole experience was memorable.

Nearby Restaurants

Two restaurants are on the road along the top of Sidi Kacem beach: L’Ocean and La Piscine. We didn’t get a chance to eat at either of them, but the swimming pool in La Piscine looked very tempting!

Key Takeaways: The Best Tangier Beaches

We started this blog with a question: “Does Tangier Have Nice Beaches?” I hope this blog has helped answer that question. In addition to Municipal Beach Tanger in the city center, there is an abundance of great beaches in Tangier that are easy to get to.

If you’re looking for the best beach in Tangier, we recommend checking out Achakar Beach, Sol Beach, Ba Kacem Beach, or Sidi Kacem Beach.

But wait, there’s more!

For smaller Tangier beaches, you could try Playa Blanca or Dalia Beach. During the summer months though, these beaches fill up quickly.

If you’re visiting Tangier, you may also enjoy our other blogs that cover our experiences and recommendations from our stay. Happy beach-hopping!

Frequently Asked Questions

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