Tarifa with Luggage

Passport control from Tangier to Tarifa takes place at the port prior to boarding the ferry. It's only on the ferry from Tarifa to Tangier that has an on-board passport control (not really a control, just a couple of Moroccan officials sat at a desk, looking moody and stamping your passport. Passport control from Tangier takes no time at all, it's a brief glance at your passport and you're on your way so the ferry will depart and arrive on schedule, the officials at the port will know when to allow boarding based on the number of passengers at the terminal.

I'm afraid I can't assist with your question regarding luggage storage. We only drove to Tarifa, parked and boarded the ferry and drove straight back out on our return. To be honest, the little I saw of it left me with no burning desire to return and explore a bit more.

Have you considered flying direct to Seville thereby eliminating Tangier (if you'll have been travelling through Morocco for six weeks Tangier will be your most disappointing experience and it would be a shame if that was your lasting memory of leaving Morocco!)?

Thank you for the information regarding passport control, that is very helpful. Flying probably won't be in the cards; I have to admit that sometimes the complicated logistics are part of the appeal.

While we'll use Tangier as a base for those last few days before going to Spain, the time we're actually in the city is probably going to be limited, maybe only one day. We'll probably go through Chefchaouen on our way from Fez, and go for a day to Asilah. If we end up disliking Tangier, we've got reservations at La Tangerina, which looks like it has an excellent terrace, so at least we'll have that to enjoy. I may have to report back on Tangier, it seems to be a very polarizing spot!

I've sent out a few messages to hostels in Tarifa... we'll see what happens!!

Tangier, it seems to be a very polarizing spot!

It does indeed. It's actually the only part of Morocco I've visited so I have no experience of any other Moroccan city to compare it to other than what I've seen and read on TV and guidebooks (and also the opinions of those who have experienced other places).

My feeling, based on overhearing conversations and actually talking to other travellers is that most people visit Tangier whilst on holiday in Spain for a day trip simply to say that they've been to Africa. It appears to be an allure that is difficult to pass up on considering the continent is so tantalisingly close. We made the trip last year simply because we've been visiting the Costa Del Sol for many years and I was curious as to the popularity of the excursions taking place so decided to plan our own visit , hire a guide to pick us up on arrival and explore the city. Unfortunately for us we found it a disappointing experience. I can't blame the guide, he was very good but the place itself, the attitude of the people (particularly store owners) was just poor and a disappointing let down.

Others however enjoy it very much, you may or may not have picked up on previous posts of mine that I'm a very grumpy, hard to please man so it's worth bearing that in mind when considering any advice from me!

The Tarifa Tourist Office is within walking distance of the ferry. You might want to try contacting them.

I love it; I'll keep the grumpiness in mind! :) I could see how things like the more aggressive sales tactics would be an issue, especially for someone going for a day - there's really no time to acclimate!

I love it; I'll keep the grumpiness in mind! :) I could see how things like the more aggressive sales tactics would be an issue, especially for someone going for a day - there's really no time to acclimate!

It wasn't the aggressiveness as such, there wasn't really much of that, it was the blatant attempt of ripping me off. Trying to charge me €60 for something I knew that I could pick up at my local B&M (think Target but cheaper) for £5. I don't take kindly to being treated like a mug, it wasn't even in the spirit of bargaining, not like the souks in Dubai for example where an inital hopeful high figure was gradually reduced to something more agreeable to both parties, or the markets in Bangkok or Moscow, the market holders in Tangier saw you as simply someone to rip off as much as possible

Just a quick reply to report that Baelo Tours in Tarifa offers left luggage services (and on their website suggests they are they only one to do this!). Phone number is 956 68 18 12 42, address Av. de la Constitución, 5, 11380 Tarifa, Cádiz, Spain.

If you notice two websites for them and are not a Spanish-speaker, they do say on the older-looking site that they have a new one, so both should be for the same company.