About
Taroudant
Taroudant can be a fascinating part of a Moroccan holiday, either by itself or as part of a more extensive trip. It is an authentic Berber market town in the heart of the Souss Valley with the best preserved town walls in Morocco and a backdrop of the High and Anti Atlas Mountains.
With few tourists, it is a great place to gain an insight into Moroccan culture and environment. The town offers interesting souks, tremendously varied local geography, a warm winter climate and an ideal location to explore further into the south of Morocco.
The Town
Taroudant is a market town with a predominantly Berber population, who are well known for their friendliness. Its town walls are more complete than any other town in Morocco and has souks that are reputed to be the best in the south. Taroudant offers visitors an authentic experience of everyday Moroccan life and a relaxed atmosphere for first time visitors to Morocco.
It is well placed in relation to a great variety of contrasting environments nearby (sea, mountains, oases and mountain passes), so it is an excellent base for trips in the region.
Taroudant has warm winters - from November to March it is the warmest town in Morocco - yet in summer the cool Canaries Current prevents it from being the hottest.
Location
Taroudant is positioned in the heart of southern Morocco between the High Atlas and the Anti Atlas Mountains.
The nearest international airport is Agadir but, due to modern motorways, Marrakech arrivals are also suitable for visitors to Taroudant.
Taroudant is in a great position for visitors to access:
- Marrakech, the bustling centre of Morocco for most visitors around 3.5 hours to the north (or a longer, but highly scenic drive through the mountains);
- Agadir, the Atlantic coastal resort (and international airport) around 1 hour's drive west;
- Essaouira, the pretty beach, coastal medina and fishing village around 4 hours' journey north west; and
- Skoura, the oasis town en route to the desert around 5 hours' journey east.
The town
- There are two main attractions; the ramparts and souks. The souks are not large by Moroccan standards but are varied and authentic featuring work of outstanding quality by local craftspeople.
- There are two principal souks; the Souk Arab Artisanal and the Marche Berbere. The Arab Souk is good for rugs, carpets, leather goods and especially jewellery and the Marche Berbere is an everyday souk for spices, vegetables, clothing and pottery.
- There is also a leather tannery outside the town walls which is well worth a visit comparatively small compared to Marrakech and Fez with excellent quality leather goods available to buy.
- The traditional town walls can be an interesting and enjoyable circuit; they are around 5km in extent. Some people choose to walk around the outside but it may be easier to take a caleche ride (which is recommended at sunset).
Around Taroudant
- East of Taroudant accessed through savannah like and irrigated landscapes are the Oases and Kasbahs of Tiout and Freija close enough to explore by taking a half day trip by car. The Tiout Palmeraie gives you an insight into farming and irrigation practises and also an excellent site to see wildlife and atop a hill is the large stone built Glaoui Kasbah. There is also an opportunity to visit a local women’s Argan cooperative.
- Oued Souss is another attraction easily visited from Taroudant for bird watching, a key Moroccan bird habitat with a rich array of winter residents and spring migrants. A trip to the Massa Lagoon which is part of the Souss Massa National Park and is probably Morocco’s most important bird habitats packed with flamingos, avocets and ducks. Various gazelles, oryx and even ostriches have now been introduced into the park. Best time to visit is March-April or October-November.
- Another interesting excursion is a day trip to a Berber village nestled in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains; approx. 35-minute drive from Taroudant which offers a fascinating insight into the traditional Berber way of life.
- Paradise valley - a scenic drive just north of Agadir travelling via the Souss Valley and through the Anti-Atlas Mountains with a canyon and palm groves makes a fascinating day out in the countryside.
- Visit to the spectacular Tiz n Test pass; said to be the most spectacular mountain pass in Africa and certainly in Morocco, the Tiz-n-Test Pass at 2092 metres (6,863 feet) is passable thanks to an amazing piece of French engineering. The 57-mile journey from Taroudant takes about 1.5 hours; it starts with an easy drive through the Souss valley with excellent views of the western High Atlas and the Anti Atlas Mountains, then the slow ascent begins - with breath taking views into the valleys below- via a series of hairpin bends. On arrival at the summit, you may choose to take a hot drink and a simple but tasty tagine served by the little auberge which commands far reaching views.
Itinerary Inspiration featuring Taroudant
02 Anti-Atlas Mountains and the Atlantic Coast
03 Coast, City and Culture of the Berbers
05 Marrakech, High Atlas Mts and Taroudant
07 Anti-Atlas Mountains
13 Grand Tour of Morocco
16 High Atlas Loop
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