Tangier is the largest town/city in the region. The airport is currently (2007/2008) being expanded with terminal buildings being doubled in size and is clearly intended as the main air access point.
The ferry port at Tangier is also quite large and caters for ferry traffic from Europe (Algeciras and Tarifa amongst others).

 

Tangier is currently at least a one hour drive to the Tetouan coast despite what anyone else might tell you. The road is single carriageway most of the way over some pretty steep hills. In daylight and when there is no time pressure this is a pleasant drive (Moroccan driving aside) but at night or when there is a deadline to meet it can be intimidating.

 

There is a motorway (toll) under construction between Tangier and Tetouan. At the time of writing, only the short section between Tetouan and Mdiq on the coast is open but the remainder is actually under construction (as opposed to being in the planning phase). Once open this motorway will dramatically improve the journey to the Tetouan coast via Tangier.

At present there is not a huge choice of flights to Tangier direct from the UK (Royal Air Maroc from Heathrow). This does not offer much for the traveller on a budget. Other airlines flying into Tangier are Easyjet and Iberia (from Madrid), Regional Airlines (from Malaga) and Atlas Blue who are the “budget” arm of Royal Air Maroc.

 

Flight times and numbers are given in the tables elsewhere

 

Driving directions from Tangier airport are given here.