Malaga to Morocco Day Trip: My Honest Experience and Tips

Are you planning a trip to the Costa del Sol and want to tick Morocco off your list too? I understand since it looks viable and relatively close.

Well, I had always wanted to visit Morocco, and it was on my list for a long time, so I finally decided to take this day trip from my hometown, Malaga. 

It’s definitely a viable day trip, but be prepared to be travelling most of the day. 

So, is it worth it? I’d say it depends. If you want to experience what Morocco is like with a local guide because you’re concerned about safety, it’s a good choice. 

If you have the mindset of seeing a lot in a day, you’ll probably be disappointed because you’ll only get between 4 and 6 hours in Tangier or Teoutan.

In this guide, I’ll share my experience, top-rated tours and other helpful information for anyone who decides to take this day trip. 

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My experience

I booked my trip with Visitanddo, and the day was very long as expected, but it was worth it. 

This guided tour is under 150 euros and includes transportation, local guides, and a very complete Moroccan lunch. Therefore, I definitely think it’s a good value. 

Whether you go with this company or another, you will spend most of your day travelling. 

The only way to travel from the Costa del Sol to Morocco is by bus and ferry.

The bus journey to Algeciras, where the ferry departs, is a minimum of 40 minutes when leaving from Estepona. 

However, it will take about 2 hours or longer if leaving from Malaga, bear in mind there are quite a few stops across the Costa del Sol (Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola). 

The fastest ferry takes about an hour, and then you need to add the bus time from Ceuta to the city included in your tour (Tangier or Tetouan). 

But, I can’t forget to mention that you’ll also probably spend quite some time on the Moroccan border. 

I couldn’t believe we spent almost an hour! They check your passports several times and do a thorough search. Yes, we even had a police officer going through the bus with a dog. 

This isn’t down to the tour companies, it’s something that can’t be controlled, and it’s worth knowing. I wish I knew this, as it was a bit of a shock for me. I had never gone through such a strict passport control, and it felt a bit uncomfortable. 

Tangier or Tetouan? 

Another big question when booking your day trip to Morocco is: Should I go to Tangier or Tetouan?

I’ve only been to Tetouan, so that’s the destination I can talk about from personal experience. Nevertheless, I had a look at Tangier when deciding which one would suit me best. 

Why did I decide on Tetouan? I had seen it was smaller, which made it a better option for a day trip, more authentic and less crowded.

After my visit, I can say that I agree with these. Tetouan didn’t feel small, but it’s smaller. 

Regarding authenticity, I can say you’ll have an authentic experience in Tetouan. You’ll see the city’s rawness and beauty. 

I felt like my group was the only one while I was there. I couldn’t see any other tourists. Therefore, it didn’t feel crowded either. 

Summary 

• Best for an authentic experience: Tetouan
• Best for affordability: Tetouan
• Best for a lively atmosphere: Tangier
• Best for nightlife: Tangier
• Best for history: Both have plenty of history

Best tours to Morocco from Costa del Sol 

Tetouan excursion from Malaga and the Costa del Sol

Company: Visitanddo

Price: 130 euros

Included:

• All transportation (buses and fast ferries)
• Guided tour in Tetouan
• Typical Moroccan lunch with traditional folklore

This excursion is a good introduction to northern Morocco. I’ve taken this day trip and thought it was great value for money. 

Be ready for an early start, regardless of the meeting point you select when booking this trip. 

First, it was the coach to Algeciras, where we had 20 minutes for breakfast, and then the fast ferry to Melilla. This city is on the African continent, but it’s part of Spain. 

Then we took another coach, crossed the passport border, which was an experience, and headed to Tetouan.

There, we met two local guides who took us to the Medina, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is where you spend most of the trip! The Medina is a labyrinth of interconnected streets and alleys. It’s very easy to get lost, but you won’t with this guided tour.

My top advice is to go with an open mind, as the market feels busy and crowded, and it’s completely different from any market in Europe. 

I learned a lot about the city and culture during the tour! Afterwards, it’s one of the best times of the tour, or in my opinion, the traditional Moroccan lunch. We were served quickly, the restaurant looked beautiful, and the food was delicious.

The last part of the visit before heading back to the Costa del Sol was the old Barbary pharmacy and souvenir shop. This was my least favourite part of the tour. While it’s part of the culture, I don’t like the hard-selling part. I want it, or I don’t. No need to persuade me to buy something. However, I must say that this would have been more uncomfortable for me without having the local guides.

Overall, it’s a long day, but I’m so happy I took this trip. I had always wanted to visit the north of Morocco, but I was concerned about safety. I can confirm that this tour is very safe and perfect for solo travellers. 

✨ Book your Tetouan day trip here

From Costa del Sol: Tangier Full-Day Tour by Ferry

Company: Julia Travel Gray Line Spain

Price: 89 euros

Included: 

• All transportation (buses and ferries)
• Local guide
• Traditional Moroccan lunch 

If you opt for this tour, you can expect a good introduction to Tangier, where you’ll explore its kasbah and take in its architecture and history.

The excursion starts on the Costa del Sol, where you’ll be picked up from your meeting point by coach. Then, you’ll head to the beautiful city of Tarifa, where you’ll get on board the Fast Ferry. 

After arriving in Morocco, you’ll get on another bus and make your way to Tangier.

Once in Tangier, the local guide will take you through the old town, sharing insights and interesting facts before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.

The last part of the tour includes time to visit a couple of bazaars where you can purchase typical Moroccan products.

✨ Book your Tangier day trip here

FAQ

Conclusion

It’s one of the most unique excursions I’ve taken from my hometown, the Costa del Sol. 

I’d say that if this is your first time in Morocco, like it was for me, be open-minded, as you’ll see and experience things that might be very different from your culture.

I wish I’d known about passport control and motion sickness, which wasn’t fun on one of the ferry journeys, but it was a very complete day, and I’m so glad I did it with a guide because I felt safe and comfortable.