Cape Spartel sits about 20 to 30 minutes west of Tangier, at the northwestern tip of Africa, where the Atlantic Ocean is traditionally said to meet the Mediterranean Sea. A 19th-century lighthouse marks the point, with views out over the water on a clear day that stretch toward the Spanish coast across the Strait of Gibraltar.
A short drive away, the Hercules Caves are known for a large opening onto the ocean that, viewed from inside, resembles a map of the African continent. Local legend connects the caves to the mythical Hercules, said to have rested here between his labors. Because both sites sit so close to Tangier, this makes for an easy half-day outing — a common choice for a first afternoon after arriving by ferry, or a relaxed way to end a longer stay in the city.
