Things to do in Cap Negro

Cap Negro (Cabo Negro) is a green Mediterranean headland on the Tetouan coast, an hour and a half east of Tangier. Backed by pine-clad hills and lined with quiet beaches and marinas, it is the north's calmer answer to the busy strait. Here is how to make the most of the Cap Negro coast on a trip from Tangier.

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12 experiences

The best of Cap Negro

01Coast

Relax on Cabo Negro Beach

The headland gives its name to a long, gently shelving Mediterranean beach of soft sand. Sheltered and family-friendly, it is one of the most popular swimming spots on the Tetouan coast through the summer season.

02Coast

Marina Smir

Just north of the cape, Marina Smir is a purpose-built yachting harbour ringed by waterfront cafes, restaurants and hotels. Its calm basin and promenade make it a pleasant place to stroll, eat fresh fish and watch the boats.

03Coast

M'diq Fishing Port and Corniche

The lively town of M'diq, just south of Cap Negro, has a working fishing port and a seafront corniche. The daily catch supplies its quayside grills, and the promenade fills with families in the evening.

04Activity

Golf at Cabo Negro

The Royal Golf de Cabo Negro is a nine-hole course set between the pine hills and the sea. Its green fairways above the Mediterranean make it one of the better-known golf spots on Morocco's northern coast.

05Coast

Restinga-Smir Beaches

North toward Fnideq, the Restinga-Smir stretch offers a string of broad sandy beaches and seaside resorts backed by the coastal lagoon, a favourite for swimming and watersports in the warm months.

06Nature

Smir Lagoon Birdwatching

The wetland and lagoon behind Restinga-Smir attract herons, egrets and migratory waterbirds. Quiet and overlooked, the lagoon edges are a rewarding spot for birdwatching away from the beach crowds.

07Food

Seafood on the Coast

The M'diq and Marina Smir quaysides are the place to eat the Mediterranean catch, from grilled sea bream and sardines to prawns and calamari, often served simply with bread, salad and a sea view.

08Nature

Pine Forest Walks

The hills behind Cabo Negro are clothed in Aleppo pine and eucalyptus, with shaded tracks for easy walking. The greenery that gives the 'black cape' its dark silhouette also keeps it cooler than the open coast.

09Day trip

Tetouan Sightseeing

Tetouan and its UNESCO-listed medina lie about 15 km inland from the Cap Negro coast. The white city's Andalusian lanes and artisan school make an easy cultural counterpoint to a beach day on the Mediterranean.

10Day trip

Day Trip from Tangier

Cap Negro lies roughly 75 km east of Tangier, about 90 minutes by road via the A4 motorway through Tetouan. It makes a relaxed coastal escape from the city, combining quiet Mediterranean beaches with a marina and seafood lunch.

11Day trip

Fnideq and the Ceuta Border

North of Cap Negro, the town of Fnideq sits at the edge of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The drive up this coast passes resort beaches and ends within sight of the frontier, a short detour from the cape.

12Viewpoint

Sunset over the Strait

From the higher slopes of the cape and the coast road, clear evenings give long views across the Mediterranean toward the Spanish coast and, to the west, the headlands leading back toward Tangier and the strait.

Frequently asked

Where is Cap Negro in Morocco?

Cap Negro, also written Cabo Negro, is a wooded headland on the Mediterranean coast near Tetouan in northern Morocco, between the towns of M'diq and Marina Smir, about 75 km east of Tangier.

How do you get to Cap Negro from Tangier?

Cap Negro is about 75 km from Tangier, roughly 90 minutes by car on the A4 motorway via Tetouan. It is an easy day trip combining Mediterranean beaches, Marina Smir and a seafood lunch in M'diq.

Is Cap Negro worth visiting?

Yes, especially in the warmer months. Cap Negro offers quieter, greener Mediterranean beaches than the strait, plus a marina, golf and fresh seafood, making it a relaxed coastal alternative on a trip from Tangier or Tetouan.

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