Can You See Morocco From Spain?
Visitors to Southern Spain often ask, can you see Morocco from Spain? The answer is yes!
Spain’s southern coast offers several vantage points where you can see the northern coast of Africa. This often begs the question how far is Morocco from Spain? Well, at its narrowest point, it’s just a mere 14 kilometres between the two.
And the best part is you can easily take a day trip to Morocco from Spain. I’ve stood in Spain, looking towards Africa, and vice versa from Africa, gazing back at Spain.
Curious how you can experience this too? Read on and find out how to make it happen!
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Can You See Morocco From Spain?
Yes! you can see Morocco from Spain. In fact, there are several places in Southern Spain where you can see Morocco from the coast.
One popular spot for viewing Morocco from Spain is Tarifa, a small town in Andalusia known for its beautiful beaches and strong winds that make it a top destination for adventure sports, namely windsurfing and kitesurfing.
From Tarifa, you can easily see the coast of Morocco, specifically the city of Tangier.
Another popular spot for viewing Morocco from Spain is Gibraltar. This British Overseas Territory is located at the southern tip of Spain and is known for its iconic Rock of Gibraltar. From the top of the rock, on a clear day, you can see across the Strait of Gibraltar to the coast of Morocco.
Map of Southern Spain and Morocco
Below is a map of Morocco and Spain, you can see how close they are to each other.
There are various points along the southern coast of Spain where you can easily see Morocco across the Strait of Gibraltar.
So is Morocco visible from Spain? the answer is yes, although you’ll need to be on the southern coast of Spain to see it.
How Far Is Morocco From Spain?
The distance between Morocco and Spain varies depending on the location you’re measuring from in both countries.
The Morocco and Spain map above shows a narrow passage of water between the two countries called the Strait of Gibraltar.
At its narrowest point, the gap is about 13 kilometres (8 miles) – these two points are Punta de Tarifa in Spain and Point Cires in Morocco – although that’s not the destination most people head to when they visit Morocco from Spain – most will head to Tangier.
The proximity to each other is part of the reason why there is SO MUCH Arabic influence in the South of Spain.
#Cities like Seville, Cordoba and Granada all have stunning examples of Moorish architecture dating back to when this part of the world was referred to as Al-Andalus and under the rule of the Moors.
can you see Spain from Morocco?
Yes!
Just like you can see Morocco from Spain, you can also see Spain if you’re standing along the northern coast of Morocco.
There are a few lookout points in Tangier where you can stand and see the coast of Southern Spain.
Can You See Morocco From Malaga?
Yes, you can see Morocco from Malaga in southern Spain.
Getting from Malaga to Morocco
You can travel from Malaga ferry port to Tangier Med ferry port. There is one crossing a week. It takes about 5 hours to make the 77 nautical miles (142km) crossing.
Alternatively, if you want someone else to sort the transportation, you could book an organised tour from Malaga to Morocco.
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Day Tour of Tangier with Bazar Shopping and Lunch
✅ 13 Hours
✅ English Speaking Guide
✅ All transportation included
Can You See Morocco From Gibraltar?
Yes, you can see Morocco from Gibraltar on a clear day. From the top of the Rock of Gibraltar, you’ll get stunning views of the coast of Morocco across the Strait of Gibraltar.
The distance between Gibraltar and Tangier is a mere 14km (9 miles), making it one of the narrowest points between Europe and Africa.
Getting from Gibraltar to Morocco
The Gibraltar-Tanger Med crossing is a short 1.5-hour route covering a distance of 35 miles (56 km). Although this route sounds appealing, it’s useful to know that departures are limited to just three times a month.
Can You See Morocco From Portugal?
No, you can not see Morocco from Portugal.
The distance between Portugal and Morocco varies depending on where you’re measuring from in both countries. The closest point is Tavira in Portugal and Tangier in Morocco with a distance of about 223 km (138 miles).
Getting from Portugal to Morocco
Currently, there are no ferry connections available for travel between Portugal and Morocco. So you’ll either have to travel to Southern Spain or take a flight to Morocco.
Can You See Africa From Spain?
Yes, you can see Africa from Spain. At its closest point, Spain and Africa are separated by just 14km (9 miles) across the Strait of Gibraltar.
I was standing just outside of Gibraltar when I took this photo, and you can clearly see a view of Morocco from Spain.
Can You See Africa From Barcelona?
No. You can not see Africa from Barcelona.
The closest point in Africa to Barcelona is the city of Melilla, which is located 270km (168 miles) across the sea.
Can You See Africa From Malaga?
Yes, you can see Africa from Malaga.
Tangier is located about 163km (101 miles) away from Malaga – you can’t see Tangier from Malaga. However, you’ll be able to make out the Atlas Mountains of Morocco in the distance across the Strait of Gibraltar from Malaga. You’ll only be able to make these out on a clear day.
You can even catch a ferry from Malaga to Tangier although I don’t recommend this as it takes approximately 6 hours.
👉 The better option is to depart from Tarifa, Spain. You can catch a bus from Malaga to Trarifa which takes anywhere between 2 hours 30 minutes and 4 hours, depending on which service you use – you can check bus times here.
👉 Alternatively, you could book an organised tour from Malaga to Morocco who will arrange all the transportation for you.
Can I Make a Day Trip to Morocco From Spain?
Yes, with a little planning, you can easily do a Morocco day trip from Spain.
If you don’t want to do so much planning, then you can opt for an organised Spain to Morocco tour which will sort out your transportation to and from the ports, as well as the ferry tickets.
If you want to organise your trip independently, then there are two ports I suggest using.
- Port of Algeciras
- Port of Tarifa
Getting From Spain to Tangier
The easiest way of visiting Tangier from Spain is from Tarifa. You can take a ferry from Tarifa to Tangier within 90 minutes – this is one of the most unique activities in Spain – not many places in the country can boast such an easy way to visit a totally different continent!
Depending on your travel style, this is an easy enough trip to take independently – that is if you don’t mind arranging all your own tickets and transportation to and from the ports. If you prefer – then book an organised tour from Tarifa to Tangier instead.
Several ferry operators offer the route which departs from Tarifa Port in Spain and arrives at the Port of Tangier Ville.
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Tangier Day Trip by Ferry with Lunch & Tour Guide
✅ 8 Hours
✅ English Speaking Guide
✅ All transportation included
Seville to Morocco Day Trip
Getting from Seville to Morocco can be quite a challenge if you do it independently – I don’t recommend doing this for a one-day trip.
The journey from Seville to Tarifa takes about 4 hours if you go direct – the shortest bus route goes via Cadiz. You can check the bus times here.
The most efficient way to do a day trip from Seville to Tangier is to book an organised tour.
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Tangier Day Trip from Seville with Guide and Meal
✅ 15 Hours
✅ English Speaking Guide
✅ All transportation included
Going From Cadiz to Morocco
While Cadiz is indeed a port city, it is important to note that there is currently no direct connection available from Cádiz to Morocco.
Gibraltar to Morocco Day Trip
Covering a distance of 35 miles (56 km), the Gibraltar-Tanger Med crossing is a short 1.5-hour route. However, it’s important to note that departures are limited to just three times per month.
If you plan well ahead, then your trip might coincide with one of these crossings, if not, then I recommend taking the 24 km journey from Gibraltar to Algeciras, or the 47 km journey from Gibraltar to Tarifa and picking up a ferry from there. You can check bus times here.
One Day Spain-Morocco Trip Itinerary Ideas
Nearly every ferry crossing from Spain to Morocco will land you in Tangier.
Once in Tangier, you have a few options if you’re not part of an organised tour.
Here are my suggestions for things to see in Tangier:
- Visit the Grand Socco, a bustling square in the heart of Tangier’s medina (old town) with daily markets.
- Explore the Kasbah Museum and its beautiful gardens
- Wander the gorgeous old Medina and get lost in the pretty white streets
- Take the hop-on hop-off bus to see the highlights with zero effort
- Enjoy some authentic Moroccan cuisine at one of the many restaurants in the Petit Socco area
- Go shopping for souvenirs and traditional handicrafts at the Souk
- Take a walk along the picturesque cliffside promenade, Avenue Mohammed VI
- For history buffs, check out the American Legation Museum, which houses artefacts and exhibits on Tangier’s role in American history
Where to Go in Morocco From Spain?
Not limited by time? Then I 100% recommend doing some extended Morocco travel from Spain.
If you’re looking for things to add to your Morocco itinerary, then here are my top suggestions on places to go.
- Chefchaouen: This beautiful blue-washed city is just a few hours from Tangier and is perfect for a day trip or an overnight stay.
- Fez: One of Morocco’s most famous imperial cities, with its UNESCO-listed medina and impressive architecture.
- Marrakech: Another imperial city with bustling souks, stunning palaces and the iconic Djemaa el-Fna square. It’s worth spending at least two days in Marrakech – there’s A LOT to do here. For an authentic stay, I recommend staying overnight in a traditional Riad.
- Essaouira: A charming coastal town with a laid-back atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing beach break or to try some water sports.
- Sahara Desert: For an unforgettable experience, take a trip to the Sahara Desert and spend a night camping under the stars in a traditional Berber camp.
Check out my 10 day Morocco itinerary here for some inspiration.
Can You See From Spain to Morocco? FAQs
Now you’ve discovered that you can see Morocco from Spain, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Can You See Africa From Spain?
Yes, you can see Africa from Spain at its closest point across the Strait of Gibraltar – the only country in Africa you can see is Morcco.
Can We See Spain From Morocco?
Yes, you can. Although it will depend on where in Spain and Morocco you’re looking from. You will only be able to see South Spain from the northern coast of Morocco – the best city to view it from is Tangier – they even have viewing platforms for it.
How Far is Morocco From Spain?
The distance between Morocco and Spain varies depending on the specific locations in each country. The closest point between the two countries is just 14km (9 miles) across the Strait of Gibraltar, while other points can be several hundred kilometres apart.
What’s the Shortest Morocco to Spain Distance?
The shortest distance between Morocco and Spain is just 14km (9 miles) across the Strait of Gibraltar.
Is it Possible to Visit Morocco From Spain?
Yes, it is possible to visit Morocco from Spain. There are various transportation options available including ferries and flights from cities such as Tarifa, Malaga, and Gibraltar. The easiest option is going by ferry, the distance between Spain and Morocco by sea is just 14km.
Can You Take a Ferry From Spain to Morocco?
Yes, you can take a ferry from Spain to Morocco. The most popular routes are from cities such as Tarifa and Algeciras in Spain to Tangier or Ceuta in Morocco.
Can I Do A Day Trip From Spain to Morocco?
Yes. You can easily do a Tangier day trip from Spain. The ferry from Tarifa to Tangier takes only about 1 hour and a half. This makes it a convenient option for a day trip if you’re visiting Southern Spain. Other cities such as Malaga and Algeciras also offer ferries to Morocco.
So, Can You See Africa From Spain?
Yes, as you’ve just read you can see Africa from Spain at its closest point across the Strait of Gibraltar.
Not only that, it is also possible to visit Morocco from Spain by taking a ferry or flight.
If you’re travelling to the South of Spain, and looking for an exciting day trip, then I highly recommend taking a day trip from Spain to Morocco. It’s a great way to get a glimpse into the culture, food and customs of Morocco without having to spend too much time or money.
Have a question? then don’t forget to join our free Facebook Group and ask the community.
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