Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Equity Based Compensation of the Company (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Equity Based Compensation of the Company (Details) (Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member], USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Share-based compensation $ 3,613us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation $ 3,366us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Restricted Shares [Member]
    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Share-based compensation 2,658us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember 		2,306us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Notional Unit Performance Awards [Member]
    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Share-based compensation 841us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= skt_NotionalUnitPerformanceAwardsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember 		946us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= skt_NotionalUnitPerformanceAwardsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Options [Member]
    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Share-based compensation $ 114us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember 		$ 114us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember