Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima is the northernmost region of Morocco, where the country meets the Strait of Gibraltar, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. It combines the port city of Tangier and its Cap Spartel headland, the white-walled UNESCO medina of Tetouan, the blue-washed mountain town of Chefchaouen, the mural-covered Atlantic town of Asilah, the Mediterranean beaches of M'diq, Martil and Al Hoceima, and the wooded Rif mountains of Talassemtane National Park.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima.
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- urban and social, cafes and promenade life
- wide sandy promenade
- beach cafes and restaurants
- umbrella and chair rental
- showers at some cafes
Tangier Municipal Beach
Editor’s tip. Arrive before about 10:00 in July and August to find parking near the Corniche
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- relaxed resort-edge shore, calmer than the city beach
- sandy shore
- seaside cafes
- hotels nearby
- limited lifeguard cover in summer
Malabata Beach
Editor’s tip. Agree the petit taxi fare before leaving, typically 25-40 MAD from the centre
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- wild Atlantic shore with a day-trip crowd
- open Atlantic sand
- a few cafes
- caves nearby
- horse and camel rides
Achakar Beach
Editor’s tip. Swim only in summer and only on calm days; Atlantic currents and swell are strong
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- family-friendly Atlantic beach beside a historic medina
- long sandy beach
- seafront cafes
- seasonal lifeguards
- parking
Asilah Beach
Editor’s tip. Take the ONCF train or a grand taxi from Tangier, about 20-30 MAD
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- wide, local and relaxed, busier only in high summer
- wide beach
- seaside cafes
- parking
Larache Beach
Editor’s tip. Take a bus or grand taxi from Tangier, then a petit taxi for about 15-25 MAD
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- busy summer resort, promenade and fish restaurants
- long corniche promenade
- cafes and fish restaurants
- umbrella rental
- lifeguards in peak summer
Fnideq Beach
Editor’s tip. Visit in June or September to avoid the peak August crowds
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- busy family resort with a working fishing port
- sandy corniche beach
- fish restaurants
- umbrella and chair rental
- port-side cafes
M'diq Beach
Editor’s tip. Take a shared grand taxi from Tetouan, about 8-12 MAD per seat
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- residential resort bay, calmer than the town beaches
- sandy bay
- resort hotels and villas
- cafes
- parking
Cabo Negro Beach
Editor’s tip. Ask the grand taxi driver for Cabo Negro on the Tetouan to M'diq route, about 8-12 MAD per seat
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- lively family beach and promenade, packed at weekends
- long sandy beach
- beachfront cafes
- umbrella rental
- promenade
- seasonal lifeguards
Martil Beach
Editor’s tip. Take a shared grand taxi from the Tetouan rank, about 6-10 MAD per seat
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- relaxed resort beach with marina cafes
- wide sandy beach
- marina and resort nearby
- cafes
- parking
Restinga Smir Beach
Editor’s tip. Ask the grand taxi driver for Restinga Smir on the Fnideq route, about 10-15 MAD
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- quiet fishing village under the Rif mountains
- pebble and sand shore
- small cafes
- fish restaurants
- mountain backdrop
Oued Laou Beach
Editor’s tip. Take a shared grand taxi from Tetouan, about 20-30 MAD per seat
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- lively cliff-backed town beach, packed in high summer
- sandy town beach
- beach cafes
- umbrella rental
- seasonal lifeguards
Quemado Beach, Al Hoceima
Editor’s tip. Visit in the morning or in June or September to avoid July and August crowds
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- remote sheltered cove, scenic and basic
- clear shallow cove
- a few basic cafes in season
- informal parking
Cala Iris Beach
Editor’s tip. Hire a car or taxi charter from Al Hoceima, about 500-700 MAD for a day return
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- remote, quiet fishing village by a historic islet
- pebble and sand beach
- fishing village cafes
- small guesthouses nearby
Badis Beach
Editor’s tip. Hire a car or taxi from Al Hoceima; allow about 1 hour 30 minutes each way
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima memorable.
Horse and camel rides
Beach umbrella and chair rental
Jet ski and boat rides
Snorkelling
Kite and wind sports
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Getting There
Tangier, Achakar and Asilah are on the Atlantic side and are reached by petit taxi, rental car or train from Tangier Ville. Martil, M'diq, Cabo Negro, Restinga Smir and Fnideq are on the Mediterranean and are served by frequent shared grand taxis from Tetouan. Oued Laou needs a shared taxi or rental car from Tetouan. Al Hoceima, Cala Iris and Badis are far east and are reached by plane to AHU, bus to Al Hoceima, then rental car or chartered taxi.
Best Time
June to September for swimming; July and August are crowded with Moroccan holidaymakers and Europeans visiting family.
What To Bring
Swimsuit, towel, sandals, sun protection, plenty of water, and small dirham notes for chairs, parking and cafes; modest cover-ups for walking through towns.
Safety Note
Most beaches have no lifeguards outside July and August. Atlantic beaches at Achakar, Asilah and Larache have strong currents and swell; stay close to shore and avoid swimming alone. Cala Iris and Badis are remote with no medical services nearby. Women travelling alone may prefer the busier resort beaches of Martil, M'diq and Quemado. Call 15 for an ambulance.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima’s coast.
Is Tangier Municipal Beach good for swimming?
Swimming is possible from June to September, when the water is warmest, but the open bay can have currents and the sea is cool in spring. Visitors should follow the flags and choose areas with lifeguards where available.
From the Tangier Municipal Beach editorial.
How far is the beach from the Medina?
The beach is about 1.5 km from the Medina, a walk of roughly 20 to 30 minutes. A petit taxi usually costs about 10-20 MAD.
From the Tangier Municipal Beach editorial.
How far is Malabata Beach from central Tangier?
It is about 6 km east of central Tangier. A petit taxi typically costs 25-40 MAD, and city buses also serve the area.
From the Malabata Beach editorial.
Are there lifeguards at Malabata Beach?
Lifeguard cover is limited in summer and may not extend along the whole beach. Swimmers should be cautious and stay near other bathers.
From the Malabata Beach editorial.
Is Achakar Beach safe for swimming?
It faces the open Atlantic, so currents and swell can be strong. Swimming is best limited to calm summer days, close to shore.
From the Achakar Beach editorial.
How far is Achakar from Tangier?
It is about 14 km west of central Tangier. A round-trip taxi with waiting typically costs about 250-350 MAD.
From the Achakar Beach editorial.
How do visitors get to Asilah Beach from Tangier?
The ONCF train or a grand taxi runs from Tangier to Asilah for about 20-30 MAD. The beach is then a short walk or petit taxi ride from the town.
From the Asilah Beach editorial.
Are there lifeguards?
Seasonal lifeguards operate in summer. Outside the main season, swimmers should not expect supervision.
From the Asilah Beach editorial.