Things to Do in Tangier in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Tangier
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak beach season with warm Mediterranean waters around 24°C (75°F) - actually comfortable for swimming without a wetsuit, unlike spring months when locals won't even dip their toes in
- Tangier's cultural calendar is surprisingly active in August with local moussems (saint festivals) happening in nearby villages, giving you access to authentic celebrations that haven't been packaged for tourists
- European expat and Moroccan diaspora communities return for summer, so restaurants and cafes in the Ville Nouvelle operate at full capacity with extended hours - you're not dealing with the winter skeleton crews
- The Atlantic breeze off the Strait of Gibraltar keeps temperatures 5-8°C (9-14°F) cooler than inland Moroccan cities, making August here genuinely pleasant while Marrakech hits 38°C (100°F)
Considerations
- Moroccan family holiday season means beaches like Achakar and Rmilat get genuinely crowded on weekends - you'll be sharing sand with extended families setting up elaborate picnic spreads and sound systems
- August sits in the shoulder between high European summer season and Moroccan domestic travel, so pricing is unpredictable - some hotels keep July rates while others drop them, making it harder to budget accurately
- That 70% humidity isn't oppressive by tropical standards, but combined with the medina's narrow stone streets that trap heat, midday exploration feels significantly warmer than the stated 28°C (83°F) suggests
Best Activities in August
Cap Spartel and Hercules Caves Coastal Exploration
The northwestern tip where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean is actually perfect in August because the coastal road gets that consistent breeze that makes the 14 km (8.7 miles) drive comfortable even in afternoon heat. The caves stay naturally cool around 18-20°C (64-68°F) regardless of outside temperature. Water visibility peaks in August for viewing the famous Africa-shaped cave opening from the ocean side. Go early morning around 8-9am before tour buses arrive, or late afternoon after 5pm when the light on the cliffs turns golden.
Tangier Medina Food Walking Tours
August is when seasonal produce hits the souks - you'll find peak-season figs, prickly pears, and the first early harvest olives appearing at market stalls. The evening timing of these tours, typically starting around 6-7pm, means you're walking through the medina when temperatures drop to comfortable levels and locals are out shopping for dinner. The humidity actually works in your favor here because bread stays softer and pastries don't dry out as quickly in shop windows. Focus on tours that include the Socco Chico area and Grand Socco market zone.
Strait of Gibraltar Dolphin and Whale Watching
August sits right in the migration window when pilot whales, common dolphins, and occasionally orcas move through the Strait. The sea conditions in August tend to be calmer than spring months, with wave heights typically under 1 meter (3.3 feet), making it suitable even if you're prone to seasickness. That morning fog that sometimes rolls in actually burns off by 10-11am, giving you clear visibility for the 2-3 hour excursions. Water temperature around 21-24°C (70-75°F) means marine life is active near the surface.
Rif Mountains Day Trips to Chefchaouen
The blue city sits at 600 meters (1,968 feet) elevation, which translates to temperatures 6-8°C (11-14°F) cooler than coastal Tangier - genuinely refreshing in August. The drive takes you through the Rif Mountains where August brings clear skies and long visibility for the winding mountain roads. You're looking at about 2.5 hours each way, so full-day trips running 9am-7pm make sense. The town itself is walkable and those blue-painted streets actually reflect heat rather than absorbing it, making midday exploration more comfortable than you'd expect.
Tangier Beach Clubs and Atlantic Swimming
August is genuinely the only month when Mediterranean and Atlantic waters around Tangier are warm enough for extended swimming without a wetsuit. Beach clubs along Malabata and Achakar offer loungers, umbrellas, and often pools, giving you options when Atlantic waves get choppy. The UV index of 8 means you need shade breaks, which is exactly what these clubs provide. Locals pack the beaches on weekends but weekdays remain manageable. Water stays warmest in the afternoon around 3-5pm after the sun has heated the shallows.
Kasbah Museum and Old Medina Cultural Walks
The Kasbah sits on the highest point of the medina, which means it catches that Atlantic breeze even on still days. August afternoons can make the lower medina feel stuffy, but the Kasbah stays noticeably cooler. The museum's thick palace walls keep interior rooms around 20-22°C (68-72°F) naturally. Plan your medina walking for early morning before 10am or late afternoon after 5pm when shadows fill the narrow streets. The whitewashed walls of the Kasbah quarter reflect rather than absorb heat, making it more comfortable than the darker stone sections of the medina below.
August Events & Festivals
Tangier Jazz Festival
This annual event typically happens in late August or early September, bringing international and Moroccan jazz musicians to venues around the city including outdoor stages at the Terrasse des Paresseux overlooking the port. Performances usually run evening hours from 8pm onwards when temperatures drop to comfortable levels. Worth noting that exact dates shift year to year, so confirm timing if this influences your travel dates. The festival has grown significantly since 2019 and now attracts serious international acts alongside North African fusion groups.
Local Moussems in Surrounding Villages
August sees several saint festival celebrations in villages within 30-50 km (19-31 miles) of Tangier. These aren't tourist events - they're genuine religious and cultural celebrations with traditional music, horseback fantasias, and communal meals. The exact villages and dates vary by year based on lunar calendar considerations, but your riad or hotel can tell you if any are happening during your visit. Transportation is informal - you'll typically share taxis or arrange private transport. Dress conservatively and bring small bills for food vendors.