Ferry to Morocco
Motril - Nador
From Granada's coast straight into eastern Morocco - with car, cabin and halal catering on board
- Around 5-6 hours with Naviera Armas - the shortest crossing from the Costa Tropical to Nador
- Seasonal sailings, more frequent during the summer travel period (Marhaba) - check dates in the timetable
- Check-in Motril: at least 60 minutes before departure with a vehicle, 30 minutes on foot - plus border control
Route guide
Motril - Nador ferry at a glance
Table of Contents
Everything about the Motril - Nador route with Naviera Armas: getting to the port of Motril, check-in and travel documents, on-board facilities, vehicle and pet rules, and arrival at the port of Beni Ensar near Nador.
Getting to Motril and the terminal
The port of Motril sits on the Costa Tropical, around 70 kilometres south of Granada, with direct access from the A-7 coastal motorway and the A-44 from Granada. The passenger terminals are at the Levante and Azucenas quays, with ticket desks, waiting areas, a vehicle marshalling area and the boarding and disembarkation control zones. As a sat-nav destination, "Recinto Portuario, 18613 Motril" is enough.
Check-in and travel documents
Under Naviera Armas's conditions of carriage, you must be checked in for boarding at least 60 minutes before departure with a vehicle, and 30 minutes on foot. Because Motril - Nador crosses an external EU border, passport and customs checks are added on top - so build in considerably more buffer than the minimum. You need a valid passport for Morocco; an ID card is not enough, though most travellers can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Have the ID documents of everyone travelling, including children, ready at the desk.
On board
Naviera Armas deploys conventional ferries such as the Volcán de Timanfaya, with room for around 1,000 passengers and 300 vehicles, on this line. A seat in the lounge is enough for the day crossing; if you'd rather have some privacy, book a two- or four-berth cabin with en suite bathroom. On board there's a bar-cafeteria and a self-service restaurant with halal and children's menus, Wi-Fi, a children's area and, in summer, a pool on deck. In Morocco you'll need the dirham, which you can only get once you've arrived in the country - euros are fine for the crossing itself.
Vehicle, bicycle and pets
Cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the vehicle deck; declare the dimensions, including any roof box or bike rack, when booking. What you need for the temporary import of a vehicle into Morocco is covered in our motorhome guide. On Naviera Armas's Morocco routes, pets travel only in the on-board kennels, never in the cabin; when boarding and disembarking, keep your dog on a lead and muzzled, while other animals stay in a carrier. A pet passport and rabies vaccination are compulsory - entry rules are summarised in our dogs & pets guide.
Arrival in Nador and onward travel
The ferry docks at the port of Beni Ensar, around 13 kilometres north of central Nador and linked by the N15 national road. After passport control, taxis and buses take you into town, and Beni Ensar railway station sits right at the port. Beni Ensar borders directly on the Spanish enclave of Melilla, so with your own vehicle you're quickly into the Rif and along Morocco's Mediterranean coast.
Tickets and fares
Naviera Armas tiers its cancellation terms by timing: cancel up to three days before departure at no charge, and after that the operator keeps a growing share of the fare; discount fares are excluded from partial refunds. You'll travel cheapest outside the summer season and by booking ahead. The booking window shows current fares for your date, and the fare overview gives a general idea.
Motril - Nador
From Granada's coast to the Rif in a day
The Motril - Nador route is the short link from the Costa Tropical near Granada to eastern Morocco: in around five to six hours, Naviera Armas takes you from the port of Motril to the port of Beni Ensar near Nador. The line is strongly seasonal - during the summer travel period, when the Marhaba campaign fills the ports, the operator sails several times a week, but only on selected dates the rest of the year.
On board you'll find cabins, seating lounges, a restaurant with halal dishes and Wi-Fi. Motril sits right on the A-7 motorway and is just over an hour from Granada via the A-44 - a handy option if you're travelling down from Andalusia and want to skip the drive to Almería.
- Crossing
- around 5-6 hrs
- Operator
- Naviera Armas
- Frequency
- seasonal, up to 3x a week in summer
Next departures
FAQ Motril - Nador
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about the Motril - Nador ferry link
How long does the ferry from Motril to Nador take?+
Expect around five to six hours. The operator quotes about five hours, while timetable data usually shows six; weather and port operations determine the actual time. That makes Motril - Nador considerably shorter than the overnight ferry from Almería.
How often does the ferry from Motril to Nador run?+
The line is operated by Naviera Armas and is strongly seasonal: during the summer travel period there are up to three departures a week, while the rest of the year only has selected dates. So don't book on spec - check the exact sailing days for your date in the timetable.
What does the ferry from Motril to Nador cost?+
The price depends on the season, on-board accommodation and vehicle; foot passengers pay considerably less than those travelling with a car, and summer is the most expensive time. Booking early secures the cheaper allocations. The booking window shows the current fares for your travel date, and the fare overview gives a general idea.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes, cars, motorbikes and motorhomes can travel. Declare the vehicle dimensions when booking and keep your driving licence and vehicle registration document to hand in original form. Naviera Armas requires at least 60 minutes' lead time for travellers with a vehicle, and given the border processing into Morocco, you should arrive well before that. What applies for entering with a camper is covered in our motorhome guide.
What documents do I need for the crossing?+
You need a valid passport - an ID card is not enough for Morocco. Travellers from most EU and non-EU countries can enter visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days; your passport should be valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
Can my pet travel on the ferry?+
Yes, but on Naviera Armas's Morocco routes, dogs and cats travel only in the on-board kennels, not in your cabin. Leads and muzzles are required when boarding and disembarking, and you must bring a pet passport and valid rabies vaccination. Everything on entering with a pet is covered in our dogs and pets guide.