Originally published on www.JourneyBeyondTravel.com
Many visitors to Morocco enter and exit via Spain, perhaps not even aware that travel to some of Morocco’s other neighbors is possible. Though travel to Mauritania and the disputed Moroccan territory Western Sahara takes more planning, and considerable caution, adventurous travelers can add them to a Morocco itinerary. Meanwhile, anyone can easily extend visits to include Spain, Gibraltar or the Canary Islands.
The land border between Morocco and Algeria is closed. The U.S. State Department warns against travel in Algeria due to ongoing violence.
Spain
Only nine miles separate Morocco and Spain, making travel between the countries inexpensive and uncomplicated. Travelers need passports but no special visas to cross either border. Flights from Spain reach several Moroccan cities, including Casablanca, Marrakech and Fez. Many ferries, some with accommodation for cars, cross the Strait of Gibraltar daily between Spain and Morocco. Most visitors travel between Algeciras, Spain, to Tangier (a journey of about two hours), and ferries are also available from Almeria or Malaga in Spain and Melilla and Ceuta on the African continent.
Ceuta is a special case, as it is located on the Moroccan mainland but is a Spanish territory. Border guards check passports at the city’s border with the rest of the mainland. Travelers taking a car from Morocco to Spain or vice versa might find Ceuta the most convenient ferry port.
Canary Islands
