Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Quarterly Financial Data of the Company (Unaudited) - Narrative (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Quarterly Financial Data of the Company (Unaudited) - Narrative (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on sale of real estate     $ 7,513us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal    
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on sale of real estate 7,500us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
  7,513us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 13,100us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
  (13,140)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Gain on previously held interest in acquired joint venture   $ 26,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
$ 0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
$ 26,002us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
$ 0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember