Tetouan

Tetouan is a northern Moroccan city known for its UNESCO-listed medina, traditional crafts and access to the Mediterranean coast.

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Tetouan lies in northern Morocco, about 60 km east-southeast of Tangier, beside the Martil Valley. Its medina has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Seven gates open onto streets where weavers, jewellers and leather workers practice their trades. Pottery, zellige tilework, embroidery and other crafts each have their own quarter. Andalusian refugees rebuilt the town after Granada fell in 1492, and the city is known as “Granada’s Daughter.” Try the local pastilla, a savoury version made with preserved lemon and without sugar or almonds.

Visit the Archaeological Museum in the city centre, then see the Museum of Modern Art in front of Riad Al Ochak garden. The medina’s gates, outer walls and historic buildings make it the main draw for a culture-focused visit. Mount Dersa and Mount Ghorghiz offer hiking beyond the old town. Martil is the nearest popular beach town; further along the coast, Tamuda Bay has hotels and resorts. Winters are mild and rainy, while summers are hot and dry. The coast is busiest in summer, the best season for a beach visit.

Tetouan in five

Allow half a day for the UNESCO medinaUNESCO calls Tetouan one of the smallest Moroccan medinas but the most complete, rebuilt by Andalusian refugees. The tourist board says it was listed in 1997, and it is easy to cover on foot in a few hours.UNESCO listing
Plan the museums for a day that is not TuesdayThe national museum foundation lists the Archaeological Museum and the Bab El Oqla museum as open 10:00 to 18:00 and closed Tuesdays. Adults pay 10 DH at the first and 20 DH at the second.
Treat Tetouan as the quiet sister of TangierThe tourist board describes Tetouan as peaceful, a first cousin to Tangier, about 1 hr 20 min away. Pair them on one northern loop instead of treating Tetouan as a day trip from Chefchaouen.Tangier
Pick the coast only in summerThe Tamuda Bay resort strip, with Mdiq, Cabo Negro, Marina Smir and Martil, is a beach-and-golf coast. The medina is the reason to visit in other months, so do not book the coast for a winter trip.
Keep Chefchaouen as the next stopThe tourist board gives Chefchaouen about 65 km and 1 hr 38 min from Tetouan. Mountain roads are slower in rain, so avoid a night drive and leave in daylight.Chefchaouen

Things to do in Tetouan

See all attractions in Tetouan

Church · TetouanIglesia de Bacturia

Restaurant · TetouanMedina

Museum · TetouanArcheological Museum

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Need to know

Getting there: Road from Tangier (about 1 hr 20 min) or Chefchaouen (about 1 hr 40 min)
Getting around: On foot in the medina; taxis to the coast and the new town
Best base: A guesthouse in or near the medina; the coast in summer
Time needed: Half a day for the medina; a night with the coast
Heritage: Medina listed by UNESCO in 1997

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear8 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild, wet
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild, wet
MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Changeable
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Mild, green
MayClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Warm, easy
JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Warm, sunny
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low20°Hot, beach
AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Hot, beach
SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Warm sea
OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Mild, easy
NovemberClear8 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Wet spells
DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Cool, wet

Average daily high and low in Tetouan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Tetouan

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 17°
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Tetouan

09:14 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today21°16°0%Monday: Fog. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue19°14°40%Tuesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 40%.
Wed17°14°88%Wednesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 88%.
Thu20°15°27%Thursday: Rain. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 27%.
Fri20°14°8%Friday: Fog. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 8%.
Sat20°14°8%Saturday: Fog. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 8%.
Sun20°17°36%Sunday: Rain. High 20°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 36%.

Updated 06:26 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.842 MAD

Amount

Converted to

MAD · Moroccan Dirham

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Tetouan

Tetouan and Chefchaouen day tripsA driver for the mountain roadCompare tours

Guesthouses in the Tetouan medinaOld-town stays and coast hotelsCheck availability

eSIM for northern MoroccoMaps in the medina, signal in the RifRead the guide

Insurance for the northCover for road days and delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Tetouan, checked

Medina of Tetouan: UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted as the most complete of the smaller Moroccan medinas, rebuilt by Andalusian refugees.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Archaeological Museum: 10:00 to 18:00, closed Tuesday; adults 10 DH, children 3 DH. Bab El Oqla museum: same hours; adults 20 DH.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Tetouan

Tangier travel guide

The Strait city, an hour and a bit away

Read the guide Chefchaouen travel guide

The blue Rif town beyond the mountains

Read the guide Talassemtane National Park

Rif forests, gorges and waterfalls

Read the guide Asilah travel guide

A walled Atlantic town up the coast

Read the guide All of Morocco

Cities, desert, coast and entry basics

Read the guide Best time to visit Morocco

Which months suit the north

Read the guide Ceuta

Spanish city on the coast, with Schengen checks

Read the guide

Tetouan FAQ

Is Tetouan worth visiting?

Yes if you like medinas without crowds. UNESCO describes it as the most complete of the smaller Moroccan medinas, with clear Andalusian influence. It is quieter than Fes or Marrakech, so a half day is enough for many visitors.

Is Tetouan or Chefchaouen better?

Chefchaouen for blue lanes and mountain walks, Tetouan for a working medina and museums. Many northern itineraries use both: Tetouan first, then the road up to Chefchaouen the next morning.

How many days do you need in Tetouan?

Half a day covers the medina and one museum. A night lets you add the second museum and an evening walk, and a second night only makes sense if you add the Tamuda Bay coast in summer.

What are the museum hours in Tetouan?

The Archaeological Museum and the Bab El Oqla museum list 10:00 to 18:00, closed Tuesdays, on the national museum foundation's site. Check it again before you go, because hours can change on holidays.

Can you reach Tetouan from Tangier without a car?

Yes, by taxi or bus, though this guide has no verified timetable. The road is about 62 km and 1 hr 20 min according to the tourist board, so a shared or private taxi can fit a half day.