Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules
Cape and caves on the Atlantic coast
On the Cape Spartel massif, 14 km from Tangier, the Caves of Hercules are carved into the limestone of the Atlantic coast. A passage opens from the dark caves onto the ocean. The site has been protected since 1950, and close by lie the remains of the Roman site of Cotta.
On this page
The caves
The Caves of Hercules are a protected site on the Cape Spartel massif, 14 km from Tangier. They are carved into natural limestone along the Atlantic coast. Inside, the caves are dark and humid, and their light comes from a passage that opens onto the ocean, with a view across the Strait of Gibraltar. They are named after Hercules, the hero of Greek mythology.
History of the site
The caves were discovered in 1878. Excavations since then have brought to light archaeological finds, many of them from the Neolithic. Together with their immediate surroundings, the caves have been protected as a historic and picturesque site since 30 December 1950.
At the foot of Ras Achakar, near the caves, lies the Roman site of Cotta, considered the largest architectural complex uncovered in the Tangier region. From the 2nd century BC to the end of the 3rd century AD it was an industrial settlement that salted fish and made garum. Its Roman salting factory is considered one of the best preserved in the western Mediterranean, and the remains of the salting workshop, baths, galleried buildings and a temple are still visible today.
Around the cape
Tangier's bay lies between Cape Spartel and Cape Malabata, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. The lighthouse on Cape Spartel was listed as a heritage building in 2016. Cape Spartel Beach is named after the cape, and the beaches page covers it together with the other beaches around Tangier.
The Perdicaris Palace
The Perdicaris Palace stands in the Rmilat Forest, 6 km from the centre of Tangier, on a hill overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. The Greek American Ion Perdicaris built it in 1878, combining the Queen Anne style with classical and medieval elements. Since April 2022 the palace has housed a heritage interpretation centre on the life of Ion Perdicaris and the biodiversity of the region. Tickets are sold on the same ministry portal as those for the caves.
Planning your visit
The caves open from 09:00 to 17:00. You buy tickets online from the portal of Morocco's culture ministry. Prices differ for non-residents and for Moroccan nationals and residents, and children aged 7-13 pay less. Entry is free for people with reduced mobility, and for Moroccan nationals on Fridays and on the first day of national and religious holidays. All prices are listed under Plan your visit below.
For other excursions from the city, see day trips from Tangier. The sights in Tangier itself are on the things to do page.