Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima · Morocco
Tétouan travel guide
Tétouan is a city in Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Morocco, home to about 423,000 people.
- Best months
- March to October
- Nearest airport
- TTU6 km · Sania Ramel Airport
- Currency
- MADMoroccan dirham
- Time zone
- Africa/Casablanca
- Language
- Arabic, Standard Moroccan Tamazight
About
About Tétouan
Tétouan is a city in northern Morocco. It lies along the Martil Valley and is one of the two major ports of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea, a few miles south of the Strait of Gibraltar, and about 60 kilometres (37 mi) E.S.E. of Tangier.
The city is an important transportation hub in the north. Many travelers only see the bus station en route from Ceuta or Tangier to Chefchaouen, but it is well worth a longer visit. Tétouan enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The city boasts an amazing amount of sunshine.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Tétouan
See
Unlike any other Moroccan Medina, Tétouan's Medina (UNESCO World Heritage Site) offers a unique perspective on the multicultural history of northern Morocco and, because of its relatively small size, it offers visitors a chance to explore without getting hopelessly lost. There are three distinct sections of the Medina, the Andalusian, the Jewish, and the Berber sections, though the untrained eye might have trouble distinguishing between the three. Be sure to hire a guide and you'll enjoy the medina that much more.
- Medina
- Bab El Okla
- Bab Sebta
- Bab Jiaf
- Bab Mkaber
- Bab Saida
- Museum of religious heritage
- Dar El Oddi Museum
- Tannery
- Royal Palace
- Kasbah
- Mohammed V Ave
Do
Tétouan is surrounded by two mountains: Mount Dersa and Mount Ghorghiz which offer splendid hiking opportunities.
- Mount Dersa
- Mount Ghorghiz
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Tétouan
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Tétouan are March to October. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C; December is the wettest, with about 108 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Tétouan: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Sania Ramel Airport (TTU), about 5.7 km from the city centre in a straight line; Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport (TNG, 53 km) and Gibraltar Airport (GIB, 65 km) are also within reach.
Getting around
The CTM bus station and the non-CTM bus station are in the center, though the walk from the CTM station to the center is a hike up a rather steep hill. The city center is quite small and most tourist attractions and hotels are there, so there really is no need to use petite taxis. But if you choose to stay at one of the hotels on the way to Martil (Champs or Dreams) petite taxis and grand taxis are always available. Petite taxis are very cheap, though the fare increases if you have luggage.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
TTU · Sania Ramel Airport
TNG · Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport
GIB · Gibraltar Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Tétouan
Drink
Za3Za3 is one of the most locally famous juices. It's a kind of milk-shake with avocado, banana, apple, some almonds, and some other ingredients.
Stay safe
Be alert at the bus station here; since many travelers only pass through, this is a popular spot for touts. When attempting to purchase a ticket, only talk with someone behind one of the counters, not with anyone standing anywhere near it. Some even have friends working in the bus station who will back them up in their attempt to divert you into an expensive taxi by agreeing that there are no buses to your destination. Be persistent, and show a willingness to wait as long as it takes. While some complain this town is filled with hustlers and hasslers, others find it charming and a perfect place to make some Moroccan friends, especially if you speak Spanish.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Tétouan: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Tétouan?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Tétouan are March to October. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C; December is the wettest, with about 108 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Tétouan?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Sania Ramel Airport (TTU), about 5.7 km from the city centre in a straight line; Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport (TNG, 53 km) and Gibraltar Airport (GIB, 65 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Tétouan?
Moroccan dirham (MAD).
Nearby
Destinations near Tétouan
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.