If we leave Granada in the morning,can we get to Tangier in time to tour some of the city that afternoon, stay there overnight and see more the next day and return to Granada by early evening? We will deffinitely hire a personal guide for times around the city. Rick Steves said in his guide book that they were available for @ 15 euros per person for a 5 to 6 hour tour. Any suggestions for a B&B or hotel that's safe, clean, charmingly exotic and not too expensive. Say, $80 to $100 a night for a double, preferably with a roof garden with a view of the city?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
It's going to be a bear of a trip. First, forget the RS DayTripFromTarifa mantra since Tarifa is too far away from Granada. You're going to have to use Algeciras (just across the bay from Gibraltar) which is a three-hour drive from Granada. I have no idea how to pull that off by public transportation, but somebody else will. Ferries run about every hour during the day and take a half hour or so to make the crossing. (But, depending on the weather, they might not run at all.) With that kind of shakey schedule, I don't see exactly how you can pre-arrange a guide, but who knows. What you don't want to do is hire one from the throngs waiting on the dock in Morocco. You can wander any place you want, so you don't really need a guide. Once you get past the mob at the dock, folks are really nice. I've spent a lot of time in Morocco, but haven't spent more than a couple of hours in Tangier in years. However, I suspect that hotels in your price range will either be on the ratty side or located beyond way-the-hell-and-gone (and I have fairly low standards). That's a start, but it has big gaps. I have no knowledge to argue with anybody who disagrees with me.
Posted by
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
62 posts
I've made the run by overnight train from Barcelona to Granada and then onto Tangier by train and it is a hassle. There are only a few regional trains that go from Granada to Algeciras (as Ed said, the only real option for Tangier if you are leaving from Granada) and those trains are slow with many stops along the way. If you arrive in Algeciras in the late afternoon I'd suggest staying there overnight and then taking the early ferry across to Tangier. After a day of wondering around return to Spain and either stay over night or continue with your travel plans. If you honestly feel the need to stay over night in Tangier consider the Hotel Continental, which is pleasant enough and close to the port. I see no actual reason the hire a guide because you can stroll the entire city (at least the areas of interest) on your own without so much as a care in the world. The people are friendly and helpful and I can't see the need for a guide. There are slow ferries and fast ferries and I suggest spending a few extra Euros on the faster option. I also advise that you buy your ferry tickets directly inside the port (downstairs inside the big hall) and not from the numerous travel agencies and booking agencies that are across the street from the port in Algeciras. My friends paid 5 Euros extra in "handling fees" from an agent for the very same ferry ticket I bought just by going to the port office. The trip to Tangier is worth it just for bragging rights for having been to Africa. Morocco has much more to offer the visitor but this involves a longer trip and much more time.
Posted by
Monein, Pyrenees, France
425 posts
Be careful which ferry you book. Tanger-Ville (where YOU want to be) and Tanger-Med (the new "super duper" ferry terminal) are a 30 minute drive apart. Roger