The Map of Africa
A natural rock opening shaped like the African continent, framing the open Atlantic. It's the single most photographed view in the caves — and the light changes it completely through the day.
When the light is best →Cap Spartel, Tangier — Morocco
Step into the caves where the Atlantic meets the legend of Hercules
Tickets are available now in cash at the gate — skip-the-line online booking launches very soon.
Opening hours
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, daily — please confirm before your visit
Location
Cap Spartel, 14 km
Duration of visit
~45 min
Quick facts
- Location
- 14 km west of Tangier, on the Cap Spartel road
- Opening hours
- 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, daily — please confirm before your visit
- Price range
- 10–80 Dh (free under 7)
- Duration of visit
- About 45 minutes visit
- Nearby
- Cap Spartel's Atlantic–Mediterranean viewpoint
What makes these caves so legendary
Three things bring people to this stretch of Atlantic coast, and all three are visible in the same 45-minute walk.
Phoenician-era carvings
Evidence of use dating back to antiquity, alongside the distinctive round scars left by centuries of millstone quarrying that shaped much of the cave's interior.
Read the full history →
The Hercules legend
Local legend ties the caves to one of Hercules's Twelve Labors — the splitting of the Strait of Gibraltar and the creation of the Pillars of Hercules.
Myth vs. history →Planning your visit
Here's what's ready today, and what's launching very soon.
Available now: gate tickets
Buy your ticket in cash at the entrance — same official 2026 pricing shown on this site.
Coming very soon: skip the line
Online booking with skip-the-line entry and a mobile PDF ticket launches in the next few days — check back soon.
Audio guide — coming soon
We're producing a short audio guide covering the legend, the geology, and the millstone history. Watch this space.
Ready to see the Map of Africa for yourself?
Tickets are available now at the gate — online booking with skip-the-line entry launches very soon.
Frequently asked questions
Everything most visitors ask before their trip.
How much are tickets to the Caves of Hercules?
In 2026, entry is 30 Dh for Moroccan or resident adults, 10 Dh for resident children (7–13), 80 Dh for foreign adults, and 40 Dh for foreign children (7–13). Children under 7 enter free. See our tickets page for the full breakdown — tickets are currently available in cash at the gate, with online booking launching very soon.
What are the opening hours?
The caves are open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (hours may shift seasonally around sunset — we recommend confirming close to your visit date, especially in winter).
How do I get to the Caves of Hercules from Tangier?
The caves are about 14 km west of central Tangier on the Cap Spartel road, roughly a 20–25 minute drive. You can get there by chartered grand taxi, local bus, rental car, or an organized half-day tour. Our full transport guide covers costs and timing for each option.
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend about 45 minutes walking through the main gallery and the Map of Africa opening. You can easily extend that if you want to linger for photos, especially in good afternoon light.
What is the 'Map of Africa'?
It's a natural rock opening in the cave wall that, from the right angle, resembles the outline of the African continent, framing a view straight out onto the Atlantic. It's the most photographed spot in the caves.
Do I need to book tickets online in advance?
Not currently — tickets are available in cash at the gate for now. Online booking with skip-the-line entry and a mobile ticket PDF is launching very soon — check back shortly.
Is the site accessible for strollers or wheelchairs?
Partially. The upper areas near the entrance are manageable, but the deeper galleries involve uneven cobblestone surfaces and some steps, so full wheelchair access isn't currently possible. Contact us if you have specific mobility questions before traveling.
Is there parking at the Caves of Hercules?
Yes, there is a parking area directly at the site entrance, used by both independent visitors and tour buses.
Planning to visit Marrakech too?
We also publish independent visitor guides to the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace and the Bahia Palace — three monuments within a short walk of each other in the old city, about five hours south of Tangier.