Morocco’s Mini Marrakech: Essential Travel Guide to Taroudant

Looking for the best things to do in Taroudant or highly recommended places to stay? Discover the ideal time to visit, tips for getting around and the best tours in this essential travel guide to Taroudant.

Situated east of coastal Agadir and south of Marrakech, Taroudant is an off-the-beaten-track destination that is well worth exploring. Encircled by imposing ramparts, it feels like a miniature version of Marrakech and is far more relaxed in its pace.

Located on centuries-old caravan routes, Taroudant is a lively market town that we love visiting as a day trip from Agadir. Its souks hum with activity as merchants hawk their wares, which range from locally crafted leatherwork to brightly coloured Amazigh jewellery.

Taroudant’s ramparts date back over five centuries when the city briefly served as the capital of the Saâdian Dynasty. They later moved their seat to Marrakech. Beyond the ramparts lie the fertile landscapes of the Souss Valley and the snowcapped peaks of the Atlas Mountains, giving you plenty of reasons to stay a few days. 

If you’re wondering: “Is Taroudant worth visiting?”, then you’ve come to the right place.

In this Essential Travel Guide to Taroudant, discover what makes the city a worthwhile trip from Agadir or a convenient stopover on a longer Morocco itinerary. I’ll cover everything from things to see and do, inspiring accommodation options and the best time to visit. 

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission when you make a purchase. Affiliate links cost you nothing and ensure my content stays free!

Want to visit Taroudant on a guided tour? This highly-rated half-day trip from Agadir takes in all of the city’s sights. Plus, you’ll have a knowledgeable local guide at the helm.

 

Best things to do in Taroudant

Wander through the medina

Taroudant’s historic medina features narrow winding streets that are a real pleasure to wander. It’s a great opportunity to soak up the sights, sounds and aromas of daily life, without the touts that often accompany an exploration of the more touristy Marrakech medina. 

The magnificent ramparts encircling the city stretch over six kilometres in length! As you wander around, you’ll notice they’re studded with fortified towers and elaborately carved gates. 

Taroudant’s historic medina is a living reminder of the city’s role as a former capital of the Saâdian dynasty and provides an immersive insight into Moroccan culture. Simply getting lost in its streets and chatting with locals over a cup of tea – these are among the best things to do in Taroudant.

Enjoy the views from Bab El Kasbah

The most ornate and architecturally striking of Taroudant’s fortified towers is Bab El Kasbah. It’s considered the main gate to the city. Approached via a stately avenue lined with fragrant orange trees, its three horseshoe arches create a dramatic facade. This is a Taroudant sight not to miss!

Steps inside the gate lead up to the ramparts, allowing access to a walkway along the top. From this vantage point, you can gaze out over the rooftops of the medina, as well as appreciate the strategic location of Bab El Kasbah, which historically controlled access to Taroudant’s citadel. 

Nearby is Place 6 Novembre with its famous teapot sculpture.

Soak up the sights, sounds and smells of Taroudant’s markets

Taroudant is home to two open-air souks where you can enjoy an authentic shopping experience amongst the locals. Stretching between Place Assarag and Place Talmaklate is the Arab Souk (also known as Kissaria). Here, artisans sell locally made handicrafts such as ceramics, metalwork and leather goods.

Take time to admire the many small treasures that can be found here, like the silver filigree jewellery or ceremonial daggers and rifle butts. All have been painstakingly crafted and etched by Amazigh artisans. 

Just across the square is Jnane Jamaa (also known as the Berber Souk). Here, local farmers and vendors gather to sell fresh produce, spices and household items under canopied stalls. Here you’ll find baskets bursting with seasonal fruits and vegetables alongside stacks of tagines and other kitchenware.

Jnane Jamaa is also a great place to see local men recycling used plastic and rubber into practical farming implements. These include everything from water troughs to saddles for pack animals. 

Explore the tannery

Unlike the sprawling tanneries of Fes, the Taroudant tannery offers a more intimate look at the traditions of Moroccan leather production. Here, you can get up close to the stone vats filled with colourful dyes that transform ordinary hides into sought-after leather goods.

While lacking some of the scale and photogenic qualities of Fes, the Taroudant tannery makes up for it with its accessibility. There are no restricted viewing areas!

Afterward, head to the tannery’s cooperative shop. Here, you can shop for leather bags, jackets, poufs and babouche slippers, all of which are crafted onsite. It’s the perfect place to pick up a unique, artisanal souvenir that is infused with memories, making it one of my top things to do in Taroudant.

Visit the Palais Musee Claudio Bravo

Occupying the former home of Chilean hyperrealist artist, Claudio Bravo, this splendid palace provides a glimpse into his private world. Its interior galleries are filled with Bravo’s magnificent paintings, alongside his personal collection of works by well-known artists. Bravo’s technical mastery is on full display in the life-like portraits and still-life paintings that earned him fame. 

Entrance to the palace requires a ticket and can only be visited with a guide (200 DH). But you can freely stroll through the sprawling gardens and grounds afterward. A network of reflecting pools, fountains and flower-lined pathways unfolds across the property, together with organic vegetable gardens. It really is sublime!

In the heat of summer, you can take refuge in the breezy pavilion overlooking the central lake while being served traditional Moroccan mint tea.

 The Palais Musee Claudio Bravo is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily and entrance costs 200 DH.

Visit the Oasis of Tioute

Just 30 kilometres south of Taroudant is the oasis of Tioute, which can easily be visited during a day trip from Agadir. This enchanting palm grove provides respite from the searing heat of a Moroccan summer, offering cooling shade and fresh irrigation canals that feed the agricultural crops growing here. 

At the heart of the oasis stands a magnificent kasbah, or fortified palace, dating back to the 16th century Saâdian rule. Beyond the oasis, the landscape transforms into mineral-hued hills dotted with small villages perched precariously along the ridge tops. 

Within easy reach of Taroudant, a visit to the Oasis of Tioute offers a chance to connect with the countryside and Morocco’s rural culture.

Best tours to Taroudant

While there are daily buses between Agadir and Taroudant, services are limited. If you take a bus to Taroudant, there is little opportunity to explore beyond the medina itself.

Thankfully, there are several tours available from Agadir to Taroudant. These include guided tours of the medina and its souks, as well as excursions to the palm-studded Tioute Oasis.

Both Viator and GetYourGuide are good starting points for finding tours from Agadir to Taroudant. They complete with reviews from previous travellers to help you make an informed decision.

If you’re staying overnight in Taroudant and want to book a half-day trip to the Tioute Oasis, your riad or hotel should be able to put you in touch with a reliable local driver.

Full day trip from Agadir to Taroudant and Tioute Oasis

This affordable small-group tour to Taroudant includes a guided tour of the medina and the Tioute Oasis, as well as a generous lunch.

Half day trip to Taroudant from Agadir

Ideal for those who are short on time, this half-day tour to Taroudant focuses on the medina and its souks.

Ali Baba Oasis and Taroudant medina private tour

This full-day private tour from Agadir to Taroudant includes an exploration of the Tioute Oasis and a guided tour through the walled medina.

How to get to Taroudant

By car

Taroudant is located around 80 kilometres from Agadir, with the journey taking 1.5 hours. From central Agadir, simply drive towards Agadir Al-Massira International Airport and keep on going! 

If you’re coming from Marrakech, it’s a 3.5-hour drive to Taroudant.

Having a car gives you the freedom to not only explore Taroudant and its medina but also the Tioute Oasis and the surrounding countryside.

To learn more about driving in Morocco, check out my detailed article here.

By bus

CTM runs daily buses from Agadir to Taroudant that leave in the morning (9 am) and continue on to Ouarzazate. For the return journey, they depart Taroudant in the late afternoon (4:45 pm) and the journey take two hours.

If you’re coming from Marrakech, you’ll need to change buses in Agadir to reach Taroudant. 

Bus tickets can be purchased directly with the companies or you can compare options (and purchase tickets) at 12Go.

By grand taxi

Grand taxis frequently travel between Agadir and Taroudant and depart once full. If you’re coming from Marrakech, grand taxis also make the journey. However, you may have to wait longer for them to fill as it’s not a popular route amongst locals. 

Best places to stay in Taroudant

Dar al Hossoun $$$

Best luxury hotel in Taroudant

Set amidst fertile farmland just beyond the ramparts, this luxury Taroudant hotel pays homage to traditional Moroccan architecture and craftsmanship. It has been carefully constructed using natural materials like wood, clay and stone. The result is a contemporary oasis with a respectful nod to the past.

Beyond the buildings, acclaimed landscape architects Eric Ossart and Arnaud Maurières designed the estate’s contemporary gardens, which have been featured in numerous magazines. Winding gravel pathways meander through groves of citrus trees and beds of indigenous plants chosen to reflect Morocco’s diverse landscapes. 

For a luxury stay in Taroudant, Dar al Hossoun is your best choice!

“The grounds are so pretty and the food is five stars.” – Bina (read more reviews here)

Dar Zahia $$

Best affordable hotel in Taroudant medina

Hidden within Taroudant’s historic medina, Dar Zahia is what I would describe as an oasis. It receives rave reviews from guests. It’s just a short stroll from the city’s souks but exudes an aura of relaxed elegance with its neutral colour palette and open-air patios. 

Inside this budget Taroudant hotel, you’ll find airy rooms decorated with handcrafted furnishings and textiles in soothing earthen tones. Wake up each morning to the aroma of mint tea and freshly baked bread. Then head up to the rooftop terrace to savour a hearty breakfast under the shade of date palms and grape vines.

“If we ever return to Taroudant, we wouldn’t consider staying anywhere else!” – George (read more reviews here)

Riad Tania Mozaik $$

Best boutique riad in Taroudant with a pool

Stepping through the large wooden doors of this boutique Taroudant riad and into its palm-studded courtyard will immediately transport you into a world of calm. It boasts a spacious swimming pool framed by loungers where you can relax in the summertime, as well as a steamy hammam.

The riad’s eight guest rooms open onto the courtyard, each uniquely decorated with hand-carved wooden furnishings and colourful textiles. Mornings begin with an ample breakfast spread on the rooftop terrace featuring Moroccan specialties, fresh fruits and pancakes.

In the evenings, guests can relax by the outdoor fireplace while enjoying a home-cooked Moroccan meal.

“My best stay so far in Morocco.” – Oliver (read more reviews here)

Riad Amnay $

Best budget riad in Taroudant

Built in a traditional style around an open-air courtyard, this colourfully decorated riad is a great choice for a budget stay in Taroudant. Upstairs, the seven guest rooms are an inviting escape, lovingly furnished with handcrafted wooden pieces and Amazigh rugs. 

Beyond the rooms, Riad Amnay features common spaces for relaxing and socialising. Plus, there’s a long dining table where home-cooked Moroccan meals are served.

Its location in the medina also makes it easy to step back out and sample the city’s bustling energy. There are restaurants, shops and historic attractions just steps from the front door.

“A perfect place to spend a few days in Taroudant.” – Sheila (read more reviews here)

Dar Les Dattiers $

Best budget hotel in Taroudant

Tucked away behind the Insitut Mohamed V, Dar Les Dattiers is another highly-rated yet affordable place to stay in Taroudant. It centres around a serene inner courtyard framed by the city’s signature ochre-coloured walls and surrounded by sunny rooms, some with shared bathroom facilities.

After a day exploring the souks and winding alleys of the medina, you can relax in a sun loungers beside the pool or curl up with a book next to the crackling outdoor fireplace. Hosts Hassan, Mahjoub and Chadia always receive praise from guests for their hospitality and will ensure your stay is comfortable and memorable.

“A perfect place for a longer stay – peace and quiet, a wonderful garden.” – Anna (read more reviews here)

Best time to visit Taroudant

The spring months of March through May are one of the best times to visit Taroudant, with daytime highs in the mid-20s Celsius (high 70s Fahrenheit). The sunny skies and low humidity make this an ideal time to explore Taroudant’s medina, as well as embark on day trips into the Souss Valley.

If you struggle with the heat, then the summer months of June, July and August are best avoided when the average high temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) most days.

Autumn (September to November) brings cooler weather, although intermittent showers may affect outdoor excursions and activities.

While winter nights can get chilly (I’d look for a riad or hotel with a fireplace), Taroudant is relatively quiet outside of the Christmas/New Year holiday period. This is a great time to visit if you want the medina largely to yourself. 

Is Taroudant worth visiting?

If you’re based in Agadir or looking for a quieter alternative to Marrakech, then I think Taroudant is definitely worth visiting. I find this relaxed market town really picturesque, surrounded by the peaks of the High Atlas Mountains and framed by remarkably well-preserved walls.

Unlike many other tourist-saturated cities in Morocco, Taroudant has managed to maintain its authenticity and, for me, that is a big part of its appeal. It may not have many big-ticket attractions, but if you’re into wandering at your leisure and chatting with friendly locals, then Taroudant will tick all the right boxes.

About Me

I’m Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I’ve developed an intense love for Morocco, its incredible landscapes, storied cities and the exceptionally generous hospitality of its people.

Malika in Morocco is a place to share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. As a resource for travellers visiting Morocco, I want to encourage others to experience this captivating destination the way they desire, whether that’s independently or under the expert guidance of local tour operators.

I believe strongly in supporting responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives while inspiring travel experiences that are life-impacting and mutually beneficial for both travellers and locals.