Are you planning to visit Tetouan by car?
Here’s everything you need to know to park without any stress:
- The Best Parking Spots for Exploring Tetouan
- Where to park near the main sites
- Free options and secure parking
- Areas to avoid and safety tips
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is it hard to park in Tetouan?
Parking in Tetouan requires a little planning ahead, but it’s nothing you can’t handle if you’re familiar with local customs. We’ve noticed that parking in the city center relies almost entirely on parking attendants—recognizable by their yellow or blue vests—who watch over street parking spots for a small fee. The Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains largely pedestrian-only, which means you’ll have to leave your car near the historic gates. We recommend arriving before 10 a.m., as the parking lots near the Medina fill up quickly toward the end of the day.
Parking in Tetouan: Summary
Careful street parking
In Tetouan, on-street parking operates under a well-established but informal system: parking attendants—some authorized by the municipality and others working independently—monitor parking spaces along the boulevards of the Ensanche, the old Spanish quarter. Payment is made exclusively in cash, handed directly to the attendant upon arrival or departure, since there are no parking meters or automated ticketing systems on the street. We therefore recommend that you always keep some change on hand.
Free parking
Completely free parking is rare in the heart of Tetouan. Officially, it’s only available on a few major roads on the outskirts, such as Avenue des FAR or Avenue Al Massira, also known as Route N13. We’ve noticed that very few areas actually escape this unwritten rule. On the outskirts of the Medina and in the very heart of the city, any available parking spot is almost always taken over by a parking attendant who will ask for a small fee. We find this arrangement rather reassuring in terms of vehicle security, even if it limits the free options. If you’re looking to save money, it’s best to plan on walking from these outlying roads to the center.
The main parking lots for tourists
- Place El Feddan Underground Parking Garage – Underground, open 24 hours a day, paid parking
The most modern and secure, with direct access to the Medina - Bab El Oqla Parking Lot – Outdoor, 24 hours a day, paid
, at the eastern gate of the Medina - Bab Tout Parking Lot – Outdoor, 24 hours a day, paid
: An above-ground alternative right next to the underground parking garage - Street Parking at Place Moulay El Mehdi – Outdoor, accessible 24 hours a day, paid parking
For the modern downtown area of Ensanche
We provide details on each of these parking lots later in the article, including their hours and services.
Expect to pay between 3 and 5 MAD per hour at the Place El Feddan Underground Parking Garage, with a daily rate of around 30 to 50 MAD.
The Bab El Oqla parking lot charges about 10 MAD per day and 20 to 30 MAD for 24 hours.
Parking at Bab Tout costs about 20 MAD per day and 40 to 60 MAD per night.
At the parking lot on Place Moulay El Mehdi, a short-term parking fee is 3 to 5 MAD, and a half-day fee is between 10 and 15 MAD.
We invite you to compare these rates based on the length of your visit. Be sure to check the rates on site as well.
Essential tips
- During peak season (summer, Ramadan, weekends), the parking lots near the Medina—the Place El Feddan Underground Parking Lot and the Bab Tout Parking Lot—fill up very quickly in the late afternoon. It’s best to arrive before 10 a.m.
- The Medina is entirely pedestrian-only: if you’re staying in a riad, park your car in a secure parking lot near the closest gate (Bab El Oqla, Bab Tout, or Feddan) and hire a porter, a “krossa,” to carry your luggage.
- Bring cash: Credit cards are not accepted by parking attendants or at most surface parking lots. Keep 2, 5, and 10 MAD coins on hand.
- Do not leave any items or luggage visible inside the vehicle. Place all your belongings in the locked trunk before arriving at your destination.
- And check out all our tips for renting a car and driving in Morocco (coming soon)
Accommodation with parking: our recommendations
Most riads in the Medina of Tetouan do not have private parking, as the area is entirely pedestrian-only and very difficult to access by car. We therefore recommend choosing a secure parking lot near the gate closest to your accommodation—Bab El Oqla, Bab Tout, or Feddan—and then hiring a local porter to help you carry your luggage to the riad. For accommodations in the modern Ensanche district, however, street parking monitored by an attendant is generally available in the immediate vicinity. We recommend checking the luggage drop-off procedures directly with your host before arrival. You can also find accommodations closer to the beaches; hotels generally have ample parking spaces. Here are our suggestions:
- Sofitel Tamuda Bay Beach & Spa Hotel (M’diq): free, private, no advance reservation required, wheelchair accessible, bike parking, and electric vehicle charging stations
See prices, photos and availability—and book now! - St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort (Fnideq), outdoor, private, no reservation required, wheelchair accessible, with electric vehicle charging stations
See prices, photos and availability—and book now! - Omeya Hotel (Martil), free and private parking available on site
See prices, photos and availability—and book now! - Check out all our recommendations for the best places to stay in Tetouan!
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
Where to park to get closer to specific locations in Tetouan
Tetouan is centered around two distinct areas: the UNESCO-listed Medina on one side, and the Ensanche, the former Spanish colonial district, on the other. Depending on which area you’d like to explore first, your choice of parking will vary significantly. Here are our recommendations for each area if you’re planning to visit Tetouan’s attractions.
Where to Park When Visiting the Medina and the Royal Palace
To explore the narrow streets of the Medina, the Royal Palace, and the historic gates, the Place El Feddan Underground Parking Garage is the most convenient option. Its pedestrian exit leads directly to the El Feddan Esplanade; it’s a 10- to 15-minute walk from the Feddan parking garage to the entrance of the Medina. We particularly appreciate its immediate proximity to the historic center, which saves you a long walk as soon as you exit the parking garage. For the eastern entrance to the medina, closer to the Ethnographic Museum and the School of Traditional Arts, the Bab El Oqla Parking Garage is the most convenient alternative. We recommend this option if your itinerary begins on that side of the city.
Where to Park When Visiting the Ensanche and the Modern City Center
To explore the Spanish colonial architecture around Moulay El Mehdi Square and Mohamed V Avenue, the Moulay El Mehdi Square parking lot remains the most direct option. We appreciate the simplicity of this street parking: no barriers or tickets, just a parking attendant to whom you pay a few dirhams when you leave. If you’re staying in the modern district rather than in a riad in the Medina, this option saves you a detour. However, we recommend finding a spot before noon, as demand is high around the shops on the avenue.
A LITTLE MORE PATIENCE
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay at Maroc a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
Coming soon!
The Best Parking Lots for Visiting Tetouan
Tetouan offers visitors four main parking options, located between the historic center and the modern downtown area. Here are the details for each one.
Place El Feddan Underground Parking Garage
The Place El Feddan Underground Parking Garage is the most modern facility in Tetouan, spread over several levels beneath the esplanade of the same name. We highly recommend it for its direct pedestrian access to Bab Tout Gate, the Medina, and the Royal Palace. Please note, however, that if you’re driving a RV or a vehicle taller than 2.10 meters, underground access is not available. We also appreciate the presence of surveillance cameras and security guards—a real plus for leaving your vehicle there for several hours without worry.
- GPS coordinates: 35°34’21.0″N 5°22’23.0″W
- Approximately 450 seats
- Open 24 hours a day
- Paying
- Underground, covered
- Secure: yes — surveillance cameras and security guards
- Height limit: 2.10 m; RVs not permitted
- No electric charging station on site
Bab El Oqla Parking Lot
The Bab El Oqla Parking Lot is located at the foot of the eastern gate of the Medina, on Bab El Oqla Square. We find it particularly convenient for reaching the Ethnographic Museum and the School of Traditional Arts in just a few steps. This outdoor parking lot is guarded day and night by attendants wearing vests, which is reassuring for extended parking. Payment is accepted in cash only. We recommend having the exact amount ready, as the attendants don’t always have change.
- GPS coordinates: 35°34’13.8″N 5°21’48.6″W
- 60 to 100 seats
- Open 24 hours a day
- Paying
- Exterior, on the surface
- Secure: yes — security guards in vests day and night
- Immediate access to the Ethnographic Museum and the School of Traditional Arts
- No electric charging station
Bab Tout Parking Lot
The Bab Tout surface parking lot complements the nearby underground parking facility on Avenue Ben Aboud. We recommend it for vehicles that can’t fit underground: pickup trucks, small vans, or RVs under 7 meters long. If you’re traveling with a vehicle that’s a bit wide, this option is often simpler than underground parking. We also suggest checking the size restrictions before heading there, as spaces are limited during peak season.
- GPS coordinates: 35°34’18.2″N 5°22’22.3″W
- 30 to 50 seats
- Open 24 hours a day
- Paying
- Exterior, on the surface
- Secure: yes — security guard on duty day and night
- Suitable for larger vehicles (RV under 7 meters)
- No electric charging station
Roadwork at Moulay El Mehdi Square
The parking lot at Place Moulay El Mehdi, right in the heart of Ensanche, the former Spanish colonial district, offers about 100 parking spaces along Avenue Mohamed V and the neighboring boulevards. We recommend it if your priority is to explore the colonial architecture rather than the Medina itself. A security guard usually monitors the area from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and beyond, for a few dirhams. You can reach the Royal Palace and El Feddan Square in just a 5- to 10-minute walk. We find this location ideal for combining both neighborhoods into a single walking tour.
- GPS coordinates: 35°34’12.7″N 5°22’27.5″W
- About 100 on-street parking spaces
- Open 24 hours a day; a security guard is usually on duty from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Paying
- Outdoors, on the street
- Secure: guarded by the street guard during his shift
- A 5- to 10-minute walk from the Palais Royal and Place El Feddan
- No electric charging station
Please note that there are now several charging options available in Tetouan, though not necessarily at the parking lots recommended in the article. The nearest charging station is located at the Afriquia Tetouan Park station on Route N2, or at certain hotels and residences in Cabo Negro and Martil.
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Where can I park for free in Tetouan?
The options for truly free parking in Tetouan remain limited, and it’s best to know this before you start looking for them. Here, we’ll outline the few available alternatives, while being transparent about their respective limitations.
- Avenue des FAR (GPS: 35.5831, -5.3509): Parking along the sidewalk is free and tolerated. It’s a 15- to 20-minute walk to downtown or the Medina.
- Al Massira Avenue / N13 Road (GPS: 35.5652, -5.3875): parking spaces along the roadside. Please note that walking to downtown involves a steep uphill climb.
- General rule: In Morocco, free parking in the very center of town is virtually nonexistent. If you park in an unguarded spot in the city, it’s best to pay a nominal fee of 2 to 5 MAD (10 MAD in the evening) to the neighborhood parking attendant, if one is present, to ensure your vehicle remains safe.
DISCOVER Tetouan
Where should you avoid parking in Tetouan?
Parking regulations in Tetouan aren’t always clearly spelled out, but it’s best to be aware of the pitfalls before leaving your car just anywhere—or you might run into trouble.
- Inside the Medina (UNESCO site): entirely pedestrian-only, with stairways, narrow passageways, and markets. It is impossible to drive through this area.
- Bab Tout area during rush hour (5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.): heavy traffic and significant traffic jams around the roundabout and at street entrances.
- Dark, out-of-the-way alleys at night: Avoid leaving a vehicle with visible items inside on poorly lit streets without a guard.
- Loading zones in Souk El Hout: reserved for merchants and delivery vans, with a real risk of your vehicle getting stuck.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Maroc
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Adapt your choice of vehicle to your itinerary!
- For more choice, book early.
Read our tips (coming soon)
FAQ — Parking in Tetouan
Where can you park in Tetouan without having to walk too far?
The Place El Feddan Underground Parking Garage remains the best choice for minimizing walking: its pedestrian exits lead directly to Place El Feddan and the Bab Tout Gate, just a stone’s throw from the Medina and the Ensanche. For the eastern entrance to the Medina, the Bab El Oqla Parking Garage is the closest option to the Ethnographic Museum.
Secure parking lots in Tetouan
We recommend that you do not leave anything visible inside your vehicle, regardless of which parking lot you choose. The Place El Feddan Underground Parking Lot, the Bab El Oqla Parking Lot, and the Bab Tout Parking Lot are all continuously monitored, day and night, by security guards wearing high-visibility vests.
Is there a parking lot in Tetouan that’s open 24 hours a day?
Several parking options are available around the clock in Tetouan, including the parking lots located around the Medina. Please note, however, that for on-street parking spaces, the presence of a parking attendant is not always guaranteed. We also recommend that you bring cash, as it is often required to pay for parking.
What is the cheapest parking lot in Tetouan?
On-street parking monitored by an attendant remains the most economical option. For a full night, the Bab El Oqla Parking Lot or the Bab Tout Parking Lot offer affordable daily rates.
Can you reserve a parking spot in advance in Tetouan?
No. There is no online reservation system or prepayment app for parking lots in Tetouan. Access is on a first-come, first-served basis, and payment is made directly on site, usually in cash or by credit card.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Morocco
- Best of
Must-See Places in Morocco
Most Beautiful Riads
Most Beautiful Cities
Most Beautiful Medinas
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Landscapes
Most Beautiful Gardens
Best Museums
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Beaches
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in Morocco
Driving tips
Where to Stay in Morocco
- The must-dos
Marrakech
Casablanca
Fez
Meknes
Chefchaouen
Essaouira
Rabat
Tangier
Tetouan
Agadir
The Sahara Desert
