What's on in Tangier, Morocco through the year

Peak crowds — Ramadan, Mid-year holiday in Morocco

• Holiday

  Ramadan

  25 Jan – 25 Mar · usuallyClosures

  The medina cafés and the Petit Socco shut through daylight, and the ferry terminal is the only thing running normally. After sunset the Grand Socco is the busiest place in the city. Source ↗

Still on: Atlantic winter storms (15 Nov – 15 Mar (usually))

Busy — Ramadan, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Ramadan (25 Jan – 25 Mar (usually)), Atlantic winter storms (15 Nov – 15 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — Ramadan, Third interim break (spring) in Morocco

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Ramadan (25 Jan – 25 Mar (usually)), Atlantic winter storms (15 Nov – 15 Mar (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in April.

Busy — Fourth interim break (May) in Morocco, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  The eastern wind

  1 May – 30 Sep · usuallyWind seasonRisk

  The levante funnels through the strait for days at a time, flattening the beach umbrellas and putting the fast ferries to Tarifa on hold. Locals head round to the Atlantic side to escape it.

Peak crowds — The summer crossing, Summer holidays in Morocco

• Season

  The summer crossing

  15 Jun – 15 Sep · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedBook early

  Millions of Moroccans living in Europe come home through Tangier Med over the summer, and the port, the motorway and every hotel bed absorb the surge. Ferries need booking well ahead.

Still on: The eastern wind (1 May – 30 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — The summer crossing, Throne Day

• Holiday

  Throne Day

  29–31 JulNational holidayClosuresCrowded

  The 30th of July closes offices and banks and adds a long weekend to the busiest fortnight of the Tangier year. The beach at Malabata is at its most crowded around it. Source ↗

Still on: The eastern wind (1 May – 30 Sep (usually)), The summer crossing (15 Jun – 15 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — The summer crossing, Summer holidays in Morocco

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: The eastern wind (1 May – 30 Sep (usually)), The summer crossing (15 Jun – 15 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — The summer crossing, Tanjazz

• Festival

  Tanjazz

  15–25 Sep · usuallyMajor festivalCrowded

  The city's jazz festival takes over the Palais des Institutions Italiennes and several street stages for a long weekend in September, once the summer crush has drained away. Source ↗

Still on: The eastern wind (1 May – 30 Sep (usually)), The summer crossing (15 Jun – 15 Sep (usually))

Busy — First interim break (October) in Morocco, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Season

  Atlantic winter storms

  15 Nov – 15 Mar · usuallyWind seasonRiskClosures

  Depressions come through the strait in runs and the fast ferries to Spain are cancelled for a day or two at a time. Build slack into any plan that involves crossing.

Busy — Second interim break (December) in Morocco, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Atlantic winter storms (15 Nov – 15 Mar (usually))