Tetouan nestles in northern Morocco, between the foothills of the Rif mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. A city with two faces, we were seduced by its UNESCO-listed Andalucia medina and its new town inherited from the Spanish protectorate. There are many ways to discover the city. Here, we share all the options for getting to Tetouan, whatever your city of departure.
Happy reading, and enjoy your trip to Tetouan!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to get to Tetouan
If you want the essentials at a glance:
- Tetouan is located in northern Morocco, 1h25 from Tangiers and 1h25 from Chefchaouen.
- Tetouan airport is a 10-minute drive from the city center, while Tangier Ibn Battouta (TNG) airport is about 1 hour 25 minutes away – check available flights
- From Europe, most flights are via Tangiers, Casablanca or Rabat.
- By bus, regular services from Tangiers, Chefchaouen and Ceuta (CTM, Supratours)
- By car, easy access via motorway network, national road N13 or N2 or R417 – book ahead
- Tetouan is not connected to the Moroccan rail network: you have to get to Tangier by train and then continue by road – book your ticket on the ONCF website here
- Day trips from Tangier or Chefchaouen – all options
WHERE TO STAY IN Tetouan
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
By the sea
Sofitel Tamuda Bay Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
St Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort Hotel – See photos and availability
In the Medina
Riad El Reducto Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Tetouan location and map
Tetouan is located in the north of Morocco, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Rif mountains. The town backs onto the slopes of the Djébel Dersa and opens onto a jagged coastline whose seaside resorts, including the best-known Martil, M’diq and Marina Smir, can all be reached in less than 20 minutes’ drive.
Its geographical position makes it a natural gateway between several major destinations in northern Morocco. We appreciated this centrality during our stay: from Tetouan, it’s easy to reach Tangier, Chefchaouen or even the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Here are the distances:
- From Tangier: 1h25 drive (via N2)
- From Chefchaouen: 1h25 drive (via the N13, a winding, uphill road)
- From Ceuta (or Sebta – Spanish enclave): 1h drive (via the A7 Tétouan-Fnideq freeway)
- From Casablanca: approx. 4h50 drive (via the A1 freeway and the R417 or N2 via Tangiers)
- From Rabat: 4h drive (via the A1 freeway and the R417)
- From Asilah: 1h40 drive (via the A5 Rocade de Tanger freeway and the N2)
Note that the N2 road between Tangier and Tetouan is well maintained, but some stretches from Chefchaouen are winding and require caution, especially at night or in wet weather.
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Option 1: by plane
Tetouan has a small airport. To get there by plane, you have three options: Tétouan S. Ramel airport, 10 minutes from the city center by car, Tangiers Ibn Battouta airport, 1h25 away, or the major airports of Casablanca or Rabat. These options complement each other, giving you a wider range of international connections.
From Tétouan Sania Ramel Airport (TTU)
Tetouan has its own international airport, Sania Ramel Airport (IATA code: TTU), located around 6km north of the city center, a 10-15 minute cab ride. This is the most direct option for reaching the city from Europe.
The airport remains modest in size. International flights account for 70% of traffic. Main connections from TTU:
- From France: Marseille (Ryanair, 3 flights a week from March 2026), Paris, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes, Strasbourg, Nice, Limoges (seasonal connections depending on airline).
- From Belgium: Brussels (TUI fly Belgium, 2 flights a week from April 2026)
- From the Netherlands: Amsterdam (Air Arabia Morocco, seasonal service)
- From Spain: Madrid, Malaga, Alicante, Sevilla
- In Morocco: Casablanca and Al Hoceïma (Royal Air Morocco, 2 flights a week), Marrakech (Ryanair).
Seasonal supply is concentrated between April and October. Outside this period, frequencies decrease significantly. If you’re traveling in low season, consider transiting via Tangier (Ibn Battouta airport).
Compare available flights to Tetouan.
Getting to the city center from TTU airport
The airport is 10 minutes from the center. You can go there:
- By cab – cabs are available outside the terminal. Official cabs are equipped with meters. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the journey.
- By bus – routes 17 and 70 serve the Place du Grand Socco in the city center. Economical option, frequency to be checked according to season
- By rental car – local availability is limited; we recommend booking in advance. Compare car rental offers in Morocco.
From Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG)
Tangier’s Ibn Battouta airport, with its more frequent connections, is about 1h25 from Tetouan by car. We recommend this option for its logistical simplicity: you land, take the road, and you’re in Tetouan in less than 1h30, depending on traffic.
Main destinations to Tangier include:
- From France: Paris (Ryanair, easyJet, Royal Air Morocco), Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nantes (seasonal connections).
- From Belgium: Brussels-Charleroi (Ryanair), Brussels-Zaventem (Brussels Airlines)
- From Spain: Madrid, Barcelona (Iberia, Vueling, Ryanair) – frequent flights all year round
- From Morocco: Casablanca (Royal Air Morocco) – daily flights all year round
Compare available flights to Tangier.
Getting to Tetouan from Tangier airport
There are several ways to get to Tetouan from Tangier airport.
- By rental car – The main agencies (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar, as well as local rental companies) have counters at the airport. The route to Tetouan takes the N2, a direct, well-signposted road. Book in advance, especially in July and August. Compare car rental offers in Morocco.
- By cab – Available from the terminal exit. Check the price before getting in, and prefer large cabs (white Mercedes), whose fares are generally clearer for long-distance journeys.
- By private transfer – for greater comfort, for families or groups, a driver will meet you at the exit and take you directly to your accommodation. The fare per vehicle is often cheaper than two separate cabs. See transfer options from Tangier.
From Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (CMN)
Casablanca’s Mohammed V airport is Morocco’s main air hub. If there are no direct flights to Tetouan or Tangier from your departure city, it’s often simpler and cheaper to transit via Casablanca. From CMN airport, Tetouan is about 4 hours 50 minutes away.
This is particularly interesting if you combine Tetouan with other Moroccan destinations such as Fez, Marrakech or Rabat during a long stay. The network of connections to CMN from Europe, Asia, Africa and America is much denser.
From Casablanca, there are two options for reaching Tétouan:
- rent a car at the airport and head north via the A1 freeway and the R417 or N2 via Tangier
- take the train to Tanger Ville and continue by road (ONCF website here)
Compare prices for flights to Casablanca.
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Option 2: by car
The car remains the most flexible means of getting to Tetouan, especially if you want to stop off en route or explore the Mediterranean coast once you’re there. We appreciated the flexibility it offered, especially for trips to Martil, M’diq or the Aïn Zarka waterfall.
Roads in northern Morocco are generally in good condition. City driving requires vigilance: heavy traffic, sometimes implicit priorities, frequent motorcycles. We advise you to consult our dedicated articles before getting behind the wheel. Compare car rental offers in Morocco.
From Tangier
From Tangier, allow around 1h25 by taking the N2 national road (expressway). It is well signposted and presents no particular difficulties outside the urban bangs.
From Chefchaouen
From Chefchaouen (the famous blue city of the Rif), the N13 national road links the two towns in 1h25. It passes through interesting mountain scenery, but some of the bends are sharp. We advise against this trip at night or in wet weather, especially for inexperienced drivers.
From Ceuta (Spanish enclave)
From Ceuta, you need to cross the border at Bab Sebta (Fnideq on the Moroccan side). Allow 1 hour’s drive, including the border crossing, whose waiting time varies according to traffic – sometimes 15 minutes, sometimes over an hour in high season or on weekends. Bring your identity papers (passport or national identity card, depending on your nationality) and, if you’re crossing by car, your vehicle documents.
From Casablanca or Rabat
From Casablanca, allow around 4h30 on the A1 freeway towards Kenitra, Rabat, then Tangier and finally Tétouan. From Rabat, the journey takes around 3h45. These routes are ideal if you want to combine Tetouan with a visit to these cities as part of a wider Morocco tour.
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Option 3: Day trip
If you’re staying in Tangier or Chefchaouen, a day trip to Tetouan is perfectly feasible. We suggest booking a guided tour that includes a visit to the medina: you benefit from the explanations of a local guide, without having to worry about transport or parking. It’s a great way to discover the city’s rich heritage on your first visit.
However, Tetouan deserves at least one full night’s stay to fully appreciate its museums, medina and surroundings. A day trip is a good first approach, but doesn’t leave enough time for Dar El Oddi, the Archaeological Museum and a stroll through the Ensanche.
Option 4: by bus
The intercity bus network is an economical and practical alternative, especially if you don’t have a car. Two national companies regularly serve Tetouan: CTM and Supratours. Their buses are air-conditioned, and tickets can be purchased online or at ticket offices.
The Tetouan bus station is located in the Ensanche district, less than 15 minutes’ walk from the main attractions. We found this location very convenient: you get off the bus and you’re already in the city.
- From Tangier: frequent connections, journey time approx. 1h30. Regular departures throughout the day
- From Chefchaouen: connections available via CTM or large shared cabs, journey time approx. 1h30 to 2h.
- From Fnideq (Moroccan side of Ceuta): frequent shuttle buses and large shared cabs to Tétouan, journey time approx. 30-40 min.
- From Casablanca or Rabat: direct CTM connections, journey time from Casablanca 4h30 to 5h.
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Option 5: by train
Tetouan has no railway station. To get there by train, you have to go to Tangier-City – the terminus of the TGV Al Boraq high-speed train linking Casablanca, Rabat and Kénitra – then take a cab, bus or rental car for the remaining 60km to Tétouan.
Classic ONCF trains also serve Tangier from Fès, Meknès and Marrakech, with varying frequencies depending on the season. This combination of train and car rental is only worth considering if you’re planning an extended stay in northern Morocco: it combines the comfort of rail travel with freedom of movement on arrival.
Parking in Tetouan
Access to the medina is exclusively on foot: no cars are allowed. We advise you to park your car as soon as you arrive in town, then explore on foot.
- Pay underground parking lot Place Feddan – the most convenient for the medina: 10-15min walk to the main entrances. Flat, paved ground up to the gate, then cobbled streets. Bring change in dirhams (MAD).
- Hammadi underground pay parking lot – same walking distance as the Feddan for the main attractions, good alternative if the former is full.
- Outdoor parking lots Avenue Alger or Rue Aljazaer – convenient for the Ensanche district, open-air, guarded
- Street parking – possible in some alleys of the modern city, often with informal wardens (bring a few dirhams).
Getting around Tetouan
The easiest way to get around the city is on foot. Remember to wear good shoes, as the streets are steep. And take a hat and sunglasses, because even in winter, the sun’s rays can be intense.
If you’d like to visit the surrounding area (beaches, mountains, waterfalls…), a guided tour or a car will be more suitable.
And once in Tetouan…
Once in Tetouan, you’ll discover a dense and varied city. We were seduced by the finesse of its Andalucia medina, its quality museums and the daily life that enlivens the Ensanche. Here’s an outline of what to expect:
- The medina of Tetouan, the only one in Morocco entirely shaped by the Andalusian heritage, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The Dar El Oddi Museum, a traditional 1927 house transformed into a cultural space
- The Archaeological Museum, to understand the historical depth of the territory since the ancient city of Tamuda
- The Centre d’art moderne, housed in the former railway station built in 1918
- The Ensanche district, urban legacy of the Spanish protectorate (1913)
- Martil beach and the Mediterranean coast, 15 minutes away by car
See our full article on the best things to do in Tetouan.
To help you choose where to stay, see our selection of the best hotels and neighborhoods in Tetouan.
WHERE TO STAY IN Morocco
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Morocco (coming soon)
- The most beautiful riads in Morocco
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