Can you see Africa from Spain? (7 top locations included)

Can you see Africa from Spain? The answer is yes. You can see Africa from places such as Gibraltar, Tarifa, Estepona, Marbella and even Montes de Malaga Natural Park.

The African continent isn’t as far from Spain as you think, so it’s possible to get beautiful views of the north of Africa (Morocco) on clear and sunny days.

In this guide, you’ll find the best places to see Morocco from Spain, which I’ve personally visited, and the best day trips in case you want to get a taste of Morocco.

This post contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click through and purchase something, I receive a small commission on the price at no extra cost to you. This helps me keep the content up to date and make other improvements to the blog.

---

How far is Africa from Spain?

The distance between Spain and the African continent is minimal, only about 14 kilometres (9 miles).

Spain and Africa are only separated by the Strait of Gibraltar, a hypothetical bridge that would connect Europe and Africa.

The closest points to Spain are the city of Tangier and Ceuta, one of the two Spanish enclaves in the north of Africa, the other is Melilla, situated a bit further from the Strait of Gibraltar.

The best places to see Africa from Spain

If you want to enjoy the views of Africa from Gibraltar and the south of Spain, here is a list of the best places to admire the African continent.

1. Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a different country from Spain, and it belongs to the United Kingdom, however, it is in the Iberian Peninsula, the same Peninsula Spain is. This is by far the best place to see Africa as it’s the closest point too. 

Within Gibraltar, the Rock of Gibraltar and Upper Nature Reserve are excellent locations to contemplate the views of not only Africa but also Gibraltar and Spain. However, not only should you visit these two places for the scenery, but the attractions too.

You can visit St Michael’s Cave, home to beautiful stalactites, explore the historical Great Siege Tunnels, see the macaques and walk on the Windsor Suspension Bridge, among other things.

Another location to add to your Gibraltar itinerary is Europa Point, known as Punta de Europa in Llanito and Spanish. Situated in the southern part of Gibraltar, it has some of the clearest views of Africa, particularly of the Rif Mountains.

2. Tarifa

Tarifa offers incredible views of Gibraltar and the African continent from Mirador del Estrecho, a viewpoint which is approximately 6 kilometres from the centre of Tarifa. 

It’s one of my favourite viewpoints because, from just one point, you can see Gibraltar, the Moroccan coast and Ceuta, a Spanish town on the African continent.

Parque Natural del Estrecho (Estrecho Natural Park) is a fantastic place to visit for the views but also for its impressive landscapes, such as sand dunes and woodlands and wildlife. 

If you love birdwatching, this is your spot because you’ll be able to see a wide variety of birds that migrate between Africa and Europe.

3. Estepona

Estepona is one of the prettiest coastal towns in Malaga – its picturesque old town, golden sand beaches, and natural surroundings make it a place worth visiting. But it’s also a fantastic place to enjoy the views of Gibraltar and the African continent. 

You don’t need to go to any viewpoint or high spot to contemplate these beautiful views. On a clear and sunny day, you can see them from any beach in Estepona.

However, I love the view of Gibraltar and the north of Africa you can get from Playa de la Cala at sunrise and sunset. The sky colours and landscape are magical.

4. Marbella

Marbella is another Costa del Sol town where you can spot Africa. You will have to go on the hiking trail of La Concha to admire breathtaking views of the African coast. This is the highest peak in Sierra Blanca (1200 metres above the sea), so I wouldn’t recommend going there if you aren’t used to hiking.

However, if you have some experience hiking, you’ll be rewarded with some of the views of Costa del Sol, Gibraltar and Africa.

Apart from this fantastic hiking trail, I also recommend exploring the old town of Marbella – a labyrinth of whitewashed streets with flowers and plants hanging down the walls, a vibrant square home to lively cafes and restaurants and historic buildings such as Marbella Castle.

5. Benalmadena

Benalmadena is one of the most popular destinations in Malaga. Its family-friendly attractions, beautiful beaches and close location to the airport and Malaga City make it a no-brainer for many travellers.

In addition to these fantastic things about Benalmadena, it’s possible to see the north of Morocco, specifically from Calamorro Mount. The easiest way to go to the mount is by taking the Benalmadena cable car. 

In Calamorro Mount, you can also find scenic walking routes, birds of prey exhibitions, and horseback riding.

6. Montes de Malaga

The highest point of Malaga is located in Montes de Malaga Natural Park. This is a paradise for nature lovers! This protected natural space has beautiful flora and fauna to discover yourself by going on one of its many hiking trails or cycling.

Within the park, there are many spots where you can see the beautiful Mediterranean coast and Africa.

7. Nerja

Nerja, a beautiful town located on the east side of Malaga, is another point from which you can sometimes see the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco on a clear day.

However, that’s not the only reason why you should visit Nerja; the town is also very well-known for Balcón de Europa, a viewpoint in the heart of Nerja which offers stunning views of the mountains and coast.

Other fantastic things to do in Nerja include exploring Nerja Caves, going to crystal-clear water beaches like Maro where you can snorkel or kayak, and visiting its neighbour town (Frigiliana) considered one of the prettiest towns in Malaga.

Map with all the locations you can see Africa from Spain

Click on the map below to open it in Google Maps. You can access directions to each of the locations mentioned in this article.

How to get from Southern Spain to Morocco

Being so close to each other, why wouldn’t you visit two countries during your holidays? Travelling from Southern Spain to Morocco isn’t complicated. Here are a few different options to travel from Spain to Morocco:

Taking the ferry

If you have plenty of time, then you might want to consider taking the ferry on your own, especially if you happen to be near a ferry port such as Algeciras and Tarifa.

Travelling to Morocco by ferry is a unique experience because you get to contemplate the beautiful scenery of the coast and mountains you wouldn’t be able to enjoy anywhere else. Plus, if you take the ferry from Tarifa to Tangier, you’ll be there in no time (in just 1 hour).

However, there are a few things you want to know about taking the ferry from Spain to Morocco. For example, don’t be surprised if there are delays, as ferry schedules can be unreliable. Also, it’s important to double-check timetables because there’s an hour difference between Morocco and Spain.

Going on a day trip

Marrakesh is the most popular destination in Morocco, and you might want to visit it too. It’s a bucket list destination.

Going on a day trip to Marrakesh from the south of Spain isn’t a good idea as you’ll spend more of your day travelling. You’d need to take the ferry and then drive for 6 hours to reach Marrakesh and then head back to Spain shortly.

Therefore, when it comes to one-day excursions, you’ll only find day trips from Southern Spain to Teoutan and Tangier, the closest point to the Strait of Gibraltar.

Tangier is a fantastic place to get a taste of Morocco! Expect incredible buildings with beautiful Moorish architecture and colourful tiles, vibrant markets and independent shops and delicious Moroccan food and tea.

Teoutan is much less busy than Tangier and, therefore, offers a more authentic experience. You can explore the ancient medina, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the impressive Dar El Oddi history museum and Royal Palace.

If you’re looking for excursions to Morocco, some of the best day trips are:

Tangier Day Tour from Malaga

This excursion includes:

• Pick-up and drop-off in Malaga NH hotel
• Ferry from Tarifa to Tangier
• Local guide in Tangier
• Walking and bus tour
• Traditional Moroccan lunch

📌 Book this day trip to Tangier here

Morocco Day Trip from Malaga and Costa del Sol

This excursion includes:

• Pick up
• Return ferry tickets from Algeciras to Ceuta
• Local guide
• Transportation between Ceuta and Teoutan
• Guided tour in Teoutan
• Traditional Moroccan meal with live music

📌 Book this highly-rated Teoutan tour

Flying to Morocco

If you don’t like the idea of taking a ferry, you can also fly from Southern Spain to Marrakech and other northern African cities such as Tangier and Fez.

From Malaga Airport (AGP) you find flights to Marrakech from 15 GBP and the average flight time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. Flights are very regular all year-round.

From Seville Airport (SVQ), you can find flights to Marrakech from 27 GBP and the average flight time is 1 hour. Similarly to Malaga, flights are regular.

Although Cadiz might look close to Africa, there aren’t direct flights to Morocco from Cadiz Airport (CDZ), so it isn’t worth flying from this airport as it will take you much longer to reach Morocco. If you’re in Cadiz, it’s worth travelling to Malaga or Seville airport.

📌 Find the best flight fares with Skyscanner

Frequently asked questions about seeing Africa from Spain

Conclusion: can you see Africa from Spain?

Yes, you can see the north of Africa from Spain. There are several places across Gibraltar and the provinces of Cadiz and Malaga to enjoy breathtaking views of Morocco and Ceuta.

It’s also possible to go on day trips to the north of Africa, so if you have time, it’s worth thinking about going on a day trip to cities like Tangier, Teoutan and Ceuta. They’re interesting cities to visit and get a taste of Morocco.

If you have any questions about visiting Gibraltar or Southern Spain, drop me an email or leave a comment below. I’ll be happy to give you more recommendations.

Safe adventures!

Cristina

Pin this article on the best places to see Africa from Spain for later

Things to do before travelling to Southern Spain

• Check out and book flights with Skyscanner to find the cheapest dates and fares.
• Book accommodation with Booking.com
• Have a look at unique experiences and excursions with Get Your Guide.
• Rent a car to travel with ease around Andalucia.
• Buy travel insurance before your trip. SafetyWing offers affordable and flexible health and travel insurance.

Other Spanish travel guides you’ll find useful

• The Ultimate Bucket List Experiences in Spain You Won’t Forget
• Hidden Gems in Spain You Need to See
• The Most Beautiful Towns and Cities in Southern Spain
• Best City Breaks in Spain You Should Add to Your List
• Top Tips for Travelling in Spain for the First Time
• Best Places to Visit in Spain for First Timers
•  Incredible Reasons To Visit Andalucia
• Does It Snow in Spain?

Sharing is caring!