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Hiroki Ogawa CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Cape Spartel

Cape

Where the Atlantic meets the Strait of Gibraltar, Cape Spartel's lighthouse overlooks Tangier and, on clear days, distant Spain. Day-trippers come for coastal walks, seaside vistas and boat excursions.

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In this guide

Cape Spartel essentials

Address: Cap Spartel lighthouse area, ~18 km west of Tangier center
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About Cape Spartel

Cape Spartel is a headland on Morocco’s northwest coast near Tangier that marks the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. It is a well known maritime landmark and popular viewpoint.

The cape has been a noted navigational point since antiquity and later served as a fixed reference for mariners entering and leaving the Strait of Gibraltar. The modern lighthouse and associated facilities were established to support shipping through the busy strait.

Situated on the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima coast, Cape Spartel lies on the Atlantic side of the Strait of Gibraltar about 12 km west of central Tangier.

  • Nearby attraction: The Caves of Hercules lie a short distance from the cape and are commonly visited together with the headland.
  • Viewing tip: Sunset views from the cape look across the Strait of Gibraltar and are a popular time for visitors and photographers.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Cape Spartel

Spring and autumn are best for pleasant weather and manageable crowds; the cape is reachable year-round but can be windy and cool in winter.

Spring
March-May · 15-22°C (59-72°F)
Mild temperatures and clearer skies; wildflowers on the headland.
Autumn
September-November · 18-26°C (64-79°F)
Comfortable weather with warm sea breezes and fewer day-trippers.

Weather & Climate near Cape Spartel

Climate

Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (729 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 47 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 9° - 16° 12° 105 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.8 m/s 0.4 low 9.9h
February Very Good 10° - 16° 13° 83 mm partly cloudy 79% 4.0 m/s 0.7 moderate 10.8h
March Very Good 11° - 18° 15° 84 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.8 m/s 1.1 high 11.8h
April Very Good 13° - 19° 16° 59 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.9 m/s 1.5 high 13.0h
May Excellent 15° - 21° 18° 39 mm some cloud 77% 4.2 m/s 1.9 very high 13.9h
June Ideal 18° - 24° 21° 12 mm mostly sunny 76% 3.9 m/s 2.3 extreme 14.4h
July Ideal 20° - 27° 23° 2 mm clear 74% 3.7 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.1h
August Ideal 20° - 27° 23° 2 mm clear 76% 3.5 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.3h
September Ideal 19° - 26° 22° 19 mm mostly sunny 80% 3.5 m/s 1.5 high 12.3h
October Excellent 16° - 23° 19° 73 mm some cloud 81% 3.2 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.2h
November Very Good 13° - 20° 17° 124 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.5 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.2h
December Good 11° - 17° 14° 127 mm partly cloudy 80% 3.5 m/s 0.4 low 9.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Cape Spartel

Cape Spartel is roughly 18 km west of Tangier city center. By car or taxi it takes about 20-30 minutes via the coastal road (N1/A1). There are also organized tours and local bus services toward the cape area; from the center of Tangier one can hire a taxi for a half-day outing that includes the Hercules Caves.

Tips for Visiting Cape Spartel

  • Visit around late afternoon to see the cape's lighthouse silhouette against sunset and to avoid the worst heat of midday in summer.
  • Combine the visit with Tangier: Cape Spartel is about a 20-30 minute drive from central Tangier.
  • Stand on the promontory and look for the Hercules Caves on the north side - local guides can take visitors down to the cave opening at low tide.
  • Expect vendors near the lighthouse; if not buying, a polite refusal is the best tactic.