A guide to Tetouan: its Andalusian medina, the Protectorate-era new town, museums, the Martil beaches and how to get there from Tangier, Ceuta and Chefchaouen.
- From Tangier
- About 1 h
- Time needed
- Half a day to 1 day
- Languages
- A lot of Spanish is spoken
- UNESCO
- Medina since 1997
What to see
Half the city was built by Andalusians and the other half by the Spanish during the Protectorate.
When to go
- April – JuneGood timeMild, the Rif is green and there are few people.
- July – AugustMixedCrowded coast and higher prices. The Ceuta border is overloaded.
- September – OctoberGood timeThe sea is still warm and the city gets back to its normal pace.
- November – MarchMixedIt rains often and the medina empties early.
Tetouan neighbourhoods and areas
Only a square separates the medina from the Spanish quarter, and you can walk everywhere.
Typical prices
- Taxi to Martil
- About 5–10 MAD per seat
- Bus to Chefchaouen
- About 30–40 MAD
- Simple meal
- About 50–100 MAD
- Tea on a terrace
- About 10–15 MAD
1, 2 and 3-day itinerary
You can see Tetouan in a day, but as a base for the north it's good for three.
A bit of history
In the late 15th century it was refounded by Sidi al-Mandari, a man from Granada who arrived with Andalusian families after the fall of the Nasrid kingdom; that's why it's called the daughter of Granada. Spanish troops occupied it in 1860, after the Hispano-Moroccan War, and stayed for two years. From 1913 to 1956 it was the capital of the Spanish Protectorate, and that period left the Spanish quarter, the Spanish spoken by older people and even the football club, Moghreb, founded in 1922.
What to eat and where
Tetouan's cooking mixes the Andalusian tradition, the Rif mountains and a bit of the Spanish years.
Shopping and crafts
Fewer tourist shops than in other medinas, and more workshops where things really are made.
How to get there
The 2027 eclipse
On 2 August 2027 the path of totality of the solar eclipse crosses the Strait of Gibraltar, and northern Morocco falls inside it. Tetouan and the nearby coast will be in high demand those days; if you're interested, book early. Times and the exact path are in our guide to the 2027 solar eclipse in Morocco.
Where to stay
How long and which trip to choose
Frequently asked questions about Tetouan
Is Spanish spoken in Tetouan?
Quite a lot, especially among older people, in shops and in hotels, because of the Protectorate legacy and the proximity of Ceuta. Younger people speak more French and English, although many understand Spanish from television.
How do you get from Ceuta to Tetouan?
You cross the Tarajal border into Fnideq and from there it is about 40 minutes by grand taxi or car. The border time is what varies most: it can be quick or take hours in summer and on public holidays. Check the situation before you go.
What is the difference between Tetouan and Chefchaouen?
Tetouan is a large city with a residential medina and a Spanish quarter; Chefchaouen is a mountain town with a blue-painted medina and far more tourism. They are an hour and a quarter apart, and it is worth seeing both on the same trip.
Is it safe to visit the Tetouan medina?
Yes, with the normal precautions you would take in any city. Some fake guides wait at the entrance; a polite no is enough. At night the medina streets empty early, so it is better to visit during the day.
