Private shore excursion · Larache and Lixus
Larache Shore Excursion: Roman Lixus and the Atlantic Medina
A day down the Atlantic coast from your ship: the Phoenician and Roman ruins of Lixus above the Loukkos river, then the squares, medina and clifftop promenade of Larache, with a licensed local guide and a private vehicle.
From $140 per personFor a group of 4 guests. Smaller groups pay more per person: see the price for your group.
- Private group
- 6 to 7 hours
- About 90 km by motorway
Ship times from three public Tangier cruise schedules. We confirm yours when you book.
- Licensed local guidesMinistry-certified
- Timed to your shipWe follow the real docking time
- Roman LixusPhoenician and Roman ruins
- About 90 kmA little over an hour's drive
- Pay on the dayCash, PayPal or bank transfer
Why Larache
Roman ruins and an Atlantic town in one day
Larache sits on the Atlantic about 90 km south of Tangier, where the Loukkos river meets the ocean. Just outside the town, on a hill above the river, lie the ruins of Lixus: founded by the Phoenicians around the 8th century BC, later a Roman colony, and placed by ancient writers at the Garden of the Hesperides, where Hercules came for the golden apples.
The day pairs the two. A guided late morning among the amphitheatre, baths and temple hill of Lixus, then Larache itself: the oval main square from the Spanish years, the blue-and-white medina, the market and the clifftop promenade over the ocean.
It suits cruise passengers who already know Tangier, and anyone who wants Roman history and a quiet coastal town in one unhurried day.
- 6 to 7 hoursPickup to drop-off
- LixusPhoenician and Roman city
- About 90 kmA little over an hour by motorway
- PrivateYour group only
Your day in Larache
Ruins in the morning, the ocean town after
Example times for a 10:00 docking at Tangier City Port (Tanger Ville). Your guide sets the real ones with you, from your ship's arrival and all-aboard.
- Port pickup
- South by motorway
- Lixus
- The temple hill
- The main square
- The medina
- Lunch and the market
- Balcón Atlántico
- Back at your ship
- 60-minute buffer
- All-aboard
Pick your ship at the top of the page and every time here moves to its arrival.
Morning
Port pickup
We meet you with a name sign: inside the terminal for groups of 6 or more, just outside the port's main exit for smaller groups (at Tanger Ville, by the big mosque). Then off in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
About 1 h 15
South along the Atlantic
About 90 km down the coast on the motorway, through farmland and past the ocean. Your guide tells the story of Lixus on the way.
Late morning
The ruins of Lixus
A guided walk through the Phoenician and Roman city on its hill: the amphitheatre, the baths, and the stone tanks near the river where fish was salted and garum, the Roman fish sauce, was made.
Midday
The temple hill and the river view
Up to the temple quarter at the top of the site, where the legend of the Garden of the Hesperides was set, with the view down the Loukkos estuary to the sea.
Early afternoon
Plaza de la Liberación
A short drive into Larache and its oval main square, laid out in the Spanish protectorate years as the Plaza de España, with the arched gate of Bab el-Khemis on one side.
Early afternoon
Through Bab el-Khemis into the medina
Through the gate to the arcaded market square and the lanes of the old town, a small, lived-in medina of whitewashed walls and blue doors.
Afternoon
Lunch and the central market
Optional lunch at a local restaurant. Larache is a fishing port, so fresh fish is the thing to order. Then a look inside the white central market hall.
Afternoon
The Balcón Atlántico
The clifftop promenade over the ocean, beside the old Kebibat fortress. On request, a stop at the Spanish cemetery where the writer Jean Genet is buried. Then back north on the motorway.
Return
Back at the terminal
You are back at the cruise terminal with the buffer kept.
What you'll see
Six places that make the day
The Lixus amphitheatre
The Roman amphitheatre, set into the slope of the hill, where the city staged its games and shows.
The temple hill
The acropolis at the top of Lixus, with its temple quarter and the widest view over the Loukkos river and the ocean.
The salting tanks
Rows of stone basins in the lower town, where Lixus salted fish and made garum to ship across the Roman world.
Plaza de la Liberación
Larache's oval main square, built in the Spanish years as the Plaza de España, and the heart of the modern town.
Bab el-Khemis and the medina
The big arched gate into the old town, the arcaded market square behind it, and quiet lanes of blue and white.
The Balcón Atlántico
The clifftop promenade over the ocean, with the old Kebibat fortress at its edge.
Good to know
Before you book, for cruise passengers
Time in port
8 hours or more
The day takes 6 to 7 hours with a little over an hour's drive each way.
Ports
All the ports
We meet you with a name sign, inside the terminal for groups of 6 or more, just outside the port's main exit for smaller groups. From Tanger Med, 40 km east of the city, allow about 20 minutes more each way (9 hours in port or more).
Walking
About 3 km
Uneven paths and little shade at Lixus, then cobbled lanes in the medina. Comfortable shoes and a hat. Tell us about any mobility needs.
Lixus entry
Included
The entry to the archaeological site is in the tour price, and your guide takes care of the tickets.
Lunch
Optional, not included
Fresh fish at a local restaurant in Larache. Your guide suggests a good spot.
Late ship
Covered
We follow your ship's real arrival and move the start. You lose no time at Lixus and pay nothing extra.
Languages
English, French, Spanish, Arabic
Your licensed guide speaks the language you choose at booking.
Group
Private
Your group only, with your own guide and vehicle.
Payment
Pay on the day
Cash (USD, EUR, GBP or MAD), PayPal or bank transfer. Most groups pay nothing in advance; groups of 11 or more pay a deposit of 40% of the agreed price to hold the date. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before.
Price for your group
Per guest, for 4 guests
Smaller groups pay more per person: see the price for your group. Children under 12 pay half the adult price, and every guest counts towards the group size.
Your booking
Confirmed in writing
Nothing is booked until we confirm it by WhatsApp or email.
Limited mobility
Tell us when you book
Tell us about limited mobility or a wheelchair before you book: we tell you honestly which excursion works and plan the day around you.
Clear terms
What's included and what's not
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for the whole day
- Licensed Ministry-certified local guide (English, French, Spanish, Arabic)
- Guided visit of Lixus and walking tour of Larache
- Entry to the Lixus archaeological site
- All driving, fuel, parking and motorway tolls
- Bottled water
- A day planned around your ship's schedule
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- The transfer to and from Tanger Med, Ksar Sghir or the Tetouan terminal (an extra fee, shown in your quote)
- Personal shopping
- Tips for guide and driver
Why this excursion
Why choose Larache
A Phoenician and Roman city
Lixus was founded by the Phoenicians and became a Roman colony. You walk its amphitheatre, baths and temple hill with a guide who tells its story.
The Spanish years
Larache's oval square, market hall and arched gate date from the Spanish protectorate, and give the town its own look on the Atlantic.
The Atlantic coast
A fishing port on the ocean, a clifftop promenade and a river estuary: a different side of northern Morocco from Tangier.
Timed around your ship
The route and the times follow your ship's real arrival, checked on the morning.
Private from the gangway
Your group, your guide and your vehicle, with stops wherever you want them.
Book direct, pay on the day
No platform fees and no commission on top. You pay your guide on the day.
Compare
Larache, Tetouan or Chefchaouen?
Three day trips from the port, side by side.
| Larache | Tetouan | Chefchaouen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 6 to 7 hours | 5 to 6 hours | 8 to 9 hours |
| Distance | About 90 km, a little over an hour | About 60 km, about an hour | About 110 km, 2 to 2.5 hours |
| The day | Roman Lixus, Spanish-era squares, Atlantic medina | UNESCO medina, Royal Palace square, Spanish quarter | The blue medina in the Rif Mountains |
| Time in port | 8 hours or more | 7 hours or more | 10 hours or more |
| Lunch | Optional, not included | Optional, not included | Your choice, not included |
| Price | From $140 | From $130 | From $120 |
| Details | You are here | See the Tetouan | See the Chefchaouen |
Guest reviews
What our guests say
Rated 4.9 from 87 reviews on Google.
★★★★★
Just finished a full day tour with Fadi. It was a day packed with fun and exciting adventures, he has great knowledge of Morocco and the history of the beautiful country. This trip wouldn’t have been nearly as fun if I didn’t book this amazing guide. I will be recommending Fadi to anyone that decides to travel to Tangier.
LukeLocal Guide · Level 5
★★★★★
Thank you, Fadi, for a wonderful day in Tangier. Your tour guide was friendly, very interesting, and entertaining. Highly recommended, Fadi's tour.
Claudio LupiLocal Guide · Level 5
★★★★★
Communication w the company was excellent prior to our tour. Our guide Nedi was excellent, met us promptly at the designated place and the tour was fantastic. Pace was perfect and it was customized to meet our interests…
Barbara RSLocal Guide · Level 5
Direct with the team
Request your day in Larache
Send your ship name, date and group size. We confirm availability and a precise plan within 2 hours (8am to 10pm).
From $140 per personFor a group of 4 guests. Smaller groups pay more per person: see the price for your group.If you miss your ship because of our tour, the excursion is free and we pay your transport to the ship’s next port.
Price for your group
$170 per person
$340 in total for 2 guests
Same price per guest for 2 to 4 guests.
Estimate for your group. Our team confirms the final price in writing.
Every group size
| 2 guests | $170 per person |
|---|---|
| 3 guests | $155 per person |
| 4 guests | $140 per person |
| 5 to 6 guests | $130 per person |
| 7 to 10 guests | $120 per person |
| 11 guests or more | Ask us for a quote |
Children under 12 count in the group and pay half. One guest alone joins a tour already planned that day, if that group agrees, at the 2-guest price.
- Private: your group only
- Pickup at Tanger Ville, or Tanger Med for an extra fee
- Back 60 minutes before all-aboard
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
- No prepayment
- Reply within 2 hours (8am to 10pm)
Questions
Questions about the Larache shore excursion
What cruise passengers ask us before they book.
How far is Larache from the Tangier cruise port?
About 90 km down the Atlantic coast, a little over an hour on the motorway from Tanger Ville. From Tanger Med, allow about 20 minutes more each way, with an extra fee for the transfer.
What is Lixus?
The ruins of a city founded by the Phoenicians around the 8th century BC and later a Roman colony, on a hill above the Loukkos river about 3 km from Larache. You see the amphitheatre, the baths, the temple quarter and the tanks where fish was salted. Ancient writers placed the Garden of the Hesperides here.
Is the Lixus entry fee included?
Yes, the Lixus entry fee is included in the tour price, and your guide takes care of the tickets to the archaeological site.
How much time in port do we need?
8 hours or more at Tanger Ville, and 9 hours or more at Tanger Med. The day itself takes 6 to 7 hours, and we keep an hour before all-aboard. Shorter stop? Tetouan is an hour away.
Will I get back to my ship on time?
We follow your ship's real arrival, keep a 60-minute buffer and none of our guests has missed the ship. If you miss your ship because of our tour, the excursion is free and we pay your transport to the ship’s next port.
How do we pay?
You pay your guide on the day, in cash (USD, EUR, GBP or MAD), by PayPal or by bank transfer. Most bookings need no prepayment; groups of 11 or more pay a deposit of 40% of the agreed price to hold the date. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before.
More shore excursions
Other ways to spend your day in port
TetouanThe UNESCO-listed medina, Andalusian architecture, and the Royal Palace square. The Spanish-Moorish side of Northern Morocco.See the excursion
ChefchaouenThe drive through the Rif Mountains to Morocco's blue medina. Lunch in Chaouen, time for the photographs that earn the journey.See the excursion
Tangier Full-DayAll Tangier highlights, a traditional Moroccan lunch, and an optional camel ride on Achakkar Beach. The complete day.See the excursion