Away With The Steiners

20 Top, Historic And Tasty Things To Do In Taroudant, Morocco.

Sarah Steiner

Taroudant is one of Southern Morocco’s most beautiful cities.  For visitors it is often regarded as one of the most authentic Moroccan cities, unspoiled by modern tourism.  And although the city is small in size there are plenty of unique things to do in Taroudant, Morocco. 

Taroudant was once the capital of what is now the Souss region of Morocco and stands proudly in the Souss Valley with towering ramparts that surround the bustling medina and near entirety of the city. 

Whether you are stopping for one day in Taroudant or you have a few days up your sleeve, there is plenty to keep you occupied in this small mountain gem.  It doesn’t have the bustle and crowds of Morocco’s other touristic choices but that just gives Taroudant even more appeal. 

Enjoy Taroudant, Morocco.  And – don’t forget to make sure to stop for Sfenj, tea and to check out the Municipal Market and Berber Souk. 

A little bit about the history of Taroudant, Morocco 

The small southern city of Taroudant is often nicknamed “Little Marrakech” because it looks like Marrakech with the surrounding ramparts. 

But with a population of somewhere around 80,000 it doesn’t have the bustle and modern-touristic appeal of its bustling and beaconlike namesake.  

It does however bring claims of being a true gem of Morocco and one of the most authentic places to experience.  

The history of Taroudant is fascinating and dates right back to the Roman period.  

Taroudant’s position on the trading routes between Agadir and the Sahara Desert made the city an important stop in the Souss Valley region. 

Though there were far older dynasties that began the walled city in Taroudant, the Saadian dynasty built the current design of the wall and the city as a whole in the 16th century.  Led by Mohammed Ash-Sheikh Saadi, the Taroudant city wall is now the oldest wall in Morocco and one of the most robust in the world.  (A pretty darn cool claim to fame!). 

Inside Taroudant Medina in Morocco.
Welcome to Taroudant, Morocco.

Little Marrakech or the Grandmother of Marrakech?

First research sounds complicated as not only is Taroudant referred to as Little Marrakech, but it is otherwise known as the ‘Grandmother of Marrakech’.  Aside from looking like the city of Marrakech with the ramparts and medina layout, it was once also the region capital. 

In the 16th century the Saadians briefly used Taroudant as a capital before relocating and moving onwards to Marrakech. 

Today is has the feel of that history while retaining its contemporary importance as a fortified market town on what was once the great trading route. 

Getting to Taroudant Morocco 

Taroudant is located in the Anti Atlas Mountains in the Souss region of Morocco.  The closest large city is Agadir and the nearest airport to Taroudant is the Agadir Airport (1.5 hours drive).  

The easiest way to reach Taroudant is by road.  If you have your own vehicle it is an interesting drive from any direction (see camel traffic photo below). 

The main bus companies operating in this region of Morocco are CTM or SupraTours. It is easy to book a ticket for the bus online and tickets don’t need to be booked too far in advance.  

Driving distances to Taroudant, Morocco: 

You can also visit Taroudant as part of a daytrip from Agadir at only 1.5 hours driving each way. 

Traffic on the road between Tafraoute and Taroudant.

20 Best (and unique) Things to do in Taroudant Morocco

Read on below for a guide on the essential and usual things to do in Taroudant, Morocco plus a few additions to see the best of this authentic Moroccan mountain city.

1. Taroudant Medina 

Taroudant is actually a fairly decent sized city by Moroccan standards with a population of around 80,000.  However, without question the best part of the city to explore and get to know is all within the walls of the medina. 

Despite the generous name association with Marrakech, the medina in Taroudant is not like that.  It isn’t as typically photogenic or popular.  But that’s a good thing for you as a visitor.

Rather, a walk in Taroudant medina offers an insight into contemporary life without the hassle of touts (or tourists). Yet it retains the ambience of a historic walled city and is the best part of Taroudant to explore.  

And spoiler alert; all of the following best things to do in Taroudant, Morocco are within the medina (or certainly in close proximity to the iconic walls of the city). 

2. Walking the city walls / Taroudant Ramparts

The apparent oldest reference to a walled city in Taroudant dates to the 12th century.  That’s seriously impressive. (Even for Morocco). 

The current structure is not quite that old, but I’ve got to say that Taroudant boasts one of the most impressive city-walls we’ve seen in Morocco.  The current build can be traced as far back as the 17th century.  (Which coming from a very relatively young New Zealand, sounds equally impressive). 

According to locals it takes two hours to walk the entire length of the ramparts all the way around Taroudant medina.  (I can’t vouch for that as we didn’t take on the challenge).  But aligning yourself (especially if you’re lost) with the city walls at any part of the medina is as interesting as geographically helpful in finding your way. 

The queues for the ever-busy Sfenj inside Taroudant Medina (see below).

3. Sfenj 

If you haven’t already heard about it, Sfenj is the traditional Moroccan donut.  It is very similar to a typical donut you might see anywhere around the world, but these Sfenj are best tried fresh, hot, and just plain.  They don’t even need a sprinkling of sugar or icing like a Dunkin’ Donut. 

The best thing about Sfnej and what makes it so particularly delicious is that they aren’t overly sweet.  

But don’t underestimate the humble Sfenj.  

These are a streetfood that needs to be tried while in Morocco.  And Taroudant is the perfect place to do it.  

Inside the medina about halfway down Avenue Bir Anzarane road is one of the oldest and most famous Sfenj vendors in Taroudant, Morocco.  Sfenj is a typically afternoon and evening treat.  So don’t expect to find it cooking in the morning.  But ask around. And head out into the medina and let your nose lead the way. 

It costs just 2 MAD (20c EUR) for two Sfenj.  And just to add one more reason to try this great Moroccan donut is that it comes served simply tied with a piece of flax grass.   There is no plastic waste created.  (An extra-sustainable reason just in case you needed any further donut-convincing). 

The best ever Sfenj inside Taroudant Medina.

4. Assarag Place Plaza

One of the best things to do in Taroudant, Morocco to get your bearings and start to get a feel for this small mountain city, is to head for the main plaza. 

Assarag is a great place to start in Taroudant.  Or at least put this into your walking map of Taroudant and make the plaza your destination for the subsequent souk journey. 

It is one of the main squares in the medina.  But you can be assured it doesn’t have the vendor numbers or aggressive touts when comparing it to Marrakech’s main square of Jemaa El Fnaa. Rather there isn’t a whole lot to do at Assarag Place.  But the appeal comes with its lowkey stature and if you haven’t sat down for a mint tea yet, this is a great place to do it. 

Vegetables souks spilling outwards from Place Assarag.

5. Chebakiya 

Absolutely some of the best things to do in Taroudant are the tasting opportunities at the abundance of patisseries.  There are all kind of Moroccan pastries that warrant trying at some stage in your Morocco itinerary.  But for today, in Taroudant we are recommending some sticky fresh Chebakiya to start. 

This is one of Morocco’s most iconic sweet treats and commonly served as a daily part of breaking fast during Ramadan. 

It is literally a sticky pastry treat made from strips of dough rolled to resemble a rose and deep-fried before being sprinkled with a syrup made from honey and orange blossom water.  Oh, and to top it off they are sprinkled delicately with sesame seeds. 

It’s a must-try anywhere in Morocco.  But if you want a mission to find something to hunt in Taroudant for your visit then Chebakiya and some traditional biscuits are a good place to start with that. 

Of course there are other pastries to try too. 

The patisseries are inside the medina but just outside of the main souks.  

Delicious Moroccan pastries aplenty.

6. Taroudant Animalerie (Tortoises)

Continuing along Avenue Brahim Roudani is another (unofficial-but-important) stop of our walking-tour of the best things to do in Taroudant, Morocco.  This time there is a row of several small pet shops. 

Islamic countries all around the world have notably different pets.  There are far less dogs as pets in Morocco (as opposed to say, France).  Instead, there are birds, parrots, fish, and tortoises. 

As you walk through the medina you will spot the bird cages and pet accessories displayed outside the stores.  And if you look a little closer you will be sure to spot a rather random collection of tortoises available.  (Noteworthy if not personally a choice of ours). 

Checking out some of the animals (and noises) coming from Avenue Brahim Roudani.

7. Carriage Ride

Even entering the surrounding town area of Taroudant, Morocco you will start to notice horse and carts, donkeys with carts and as you get closer to the medina you will see horse-drawn carriages.  

These ornately decorated carriages have been part of the Taroudant medina landscape for generations.  But as a visitor the clip-clop of hooves on the paved alleyways makes the historic medina sound fairytale-like as well as visually.  

8. Kasbah of Taroudant, Morocco

The Kasbah is the historic citadel of Taroudant.   Like in Tangier or Marrakech, the Kasbah section of the medina was built by Moulay Ismail to be the administrative centre and home to the grand residential palaces of the era.  

There are publicly accessible observation platforms at several gates: Bab Selsla, Bab Targont and Bab Lkhmis. These haven’t yet been adopted for tourism or cafes in the medina and really do offer a great vantage point to observe views across the city. 

Albeit the Taroudant Kasbah area isn’t as impressive as the city’s namesake or as the medieval desert Kasbahs.  In places the gates and remains of the walls are crumbling and don’t appear to be inspired for restoration.  

And in fact, nowadays this part of the medina is one of the poorest areas of the city.  

Yet the Kasbah is well worth a wander with a different view to imagine and wonder at what life might have been like all those centuries ago. 

Small streets and alleyways galore heading between the Kasbah and the main souks of Taroudant.

9. Taroudant Municipal Market / Berber Souk

More colloquially known as the Berber Souk, this is the main local shopping area in Taroudant.   (And in case you haven’t noticed, we are huge fans of Moroccan markets and souks). 

This part of the medina isn’t specifically designed for tourist interest.  Rather it is the local shopping souk with fresh produce, fruits and vegetables, fish and meat.  And all the other brightly coloured spices, olives and condiments that make up the artful tastes of Moroccan cuisine. 

The Municipal Market spills onwards to the Artesian Arab Souk and beyond to smaller souks where you will find contemporary parallel imports for sale alongside fresh mint by the bucketload. 

So many colours in the marketplace it’s tempting to just bring a bag and shop right here.

10. Taroudant Souk / Arab Souk

Sometimes referred to as the Artesian Market or the Arab Souk this market sells leather, jewellery, pottery, and metalwork. 

Taroudant is renowned for handicrafts with leatherwork and carpets. There are Moroccan rugs in abundance all throughout the Souk. And if you have in your mind to go home with a handmade rug this is a good place to shop.  The craftsmanship is deservedly well recognized and prices are fair.  Taroudant isn’t half as big as it’s touristic competition so prices will be better than in Marrakech or Agadir. 

It’s easy to get lost inside Taroudant Souk (and hopefully end up with some treasures to take home).

11. Taroudant Tannery 

Somewhat overshadowed by the more famous imperial city of Fes, the Souss region and Taroudant, Morocco has long been regarded for its leather products. 

The current tannery in Taroudant was relocated 20 years ago to just outside the city walls.  About 20 metres north of the Bab Targhount you will find Dar Debagh, the house of a wholesale leather seller and the small tannery. 

All the work is done by hand and according to recipes from generations ago.  Taroudant leather production uses the skin of sheep and goats.  And the final products are transformed into handbags and wallets, slippers, belts, and bags. 

12. Babouches

In case you are wondering, Babouches is the name given to the wonderfully comfortable traditional Berber slippers.  These types of shoes are (now) iconic in Morocco and the most likely colour you will have seen is no bright yellow.  But they do come in other colours.  And truly, these Babouches are not just comfortable, but it is a work of art to watch them being made. 

The Babouches are handmade, and you can see cobblers stitching the leather and soles in small workshops within the medina.  Even if you didn’t intend of shoe shopping today these will only set you back 100 – 150 MAD (10 – 15 EUR) and will be the most comfortable pair of shoes you now own.  

And plus, you can’t argue these make a very cool wearable souvenir to take home. 

Beautifully coloured handmade Babouches inside the souk.

13. Zoco de los Esbanistas / Woodwork Souk

I admit this is another of the things to do in Taroudant that we can now recommend as worthwhile albeit one that we stumbled upon without intention.  Inside the medina and about halfway around Taroudant Souk is the Zoco de los Esbanistas.  This translates to the Souk of Cabinet Makers, and it really is worth further inspection. 

The medina not only offers the shopping hub for Taroudant, Morocco but also houses some of the region’s greatest workmanship with cabinetry (and leather) right up there as one of the city’s claims to fame. 

Take a wander through Zoco de los Esbanistas and check out some of the fantastic work. 

14. Taroudant Hammam 

If you haven’t yet tried a Moroccan hammam and are wondering whether Taroudant, Morocco might be the place to try.  There is a great local (very typically local) hammam inside the medina.  This isn’t a touristic spa type place.  The hammam in Taroudant is a small, local bathhouse but again a great experience to try in Morocco. 

Entry to Arraha Hammam costs only 15 MAD (1.5 EUR). Or for 50 MAD (5 EUR) you can get a complete exfoliating massage and experience the full hammam deal. 

Have you tried a Moroccan hammam yet?

15. Avenue Moulay Rachid

Avenue Moulay Rachid outside of the medina is the best place to get a look at it all.  From here you can admire the ramparts and the style of this famously renowned Little Marrakech.  

Looking down Avenue Moulay Rachid offers just a small part of Taroudant’s extensive city walls on the right.  But the view is panoramic looking towards the Anti Atlas Mountains.  

A stroll down Avenue Moulay Rachid is one of the most photogenic viewpoints in the city and certainly one of the most picturesque things to do in Taroudant. 

16. Orange Juice (or fruit)

Freshly squeezed juice is something that isn’t new on any Moroccan itinerary.  But have you ever had a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice beneath the 17th century walls of a fortified mountain town? 

If not, then this needs to be next on your list.  The Souss region has orchards a plenty.  And likely the brightly coloured oranges come from the north.  But stop for a pause to take it all in and shout yourself a 5 MAD (50c) glass of delicious freshly squeezed juice.  

There are lots of fruits for sale in Marche Park Al Ahbab just off Avenue Moulay Rachid.

17. Sahat 20 Ghoucht / 20 August Square

This is one of the city’s largest squares and just beyond the gate Bab El Kasbah on Avenue Moulay Rashid.  The square is a huge common area for Taroudant and popular for families with children during the day splashing in the shallow fountain in attempts to keep cool in the mountain sunshine.

In the evenings the square is a hive of activity with all kinds of activities and games for kids.  Plus, the usual small electric cars and bikes for children (of course) to drive around the square area.  Look out for the bright lights and balloons to find the square in the evening. 

18. Place 6 Novembre / Place 6th November 

Perhaps one of the most photographed sights of Taroudant, Morocco.  This is another of the city’s public squares but on a smaller scale than Sahat 20 Ghoucht and Assarag Place. 

The square is just outside Bab Al Kasbah on Avenue Moulay Rachid and is the gate for formal entrances and processions into the city. 

Further along Avenue Moulay Rachid (because I was the only one who forgot to take a photo of the famous Berber teapot in Place 6th November).

19. Brahim Roudani Garden 

Not far from the 20 Goucht Square is the beautiful kept Brahim Roudani Garden.  

More of a promenade cross plaza, there is a large fountain extending along the central path.  

There is a small bridge over the found to get to the other side of the garden. And next to garden is a children’s playground which is popular in the daytime but comes alive just on dusk. (Read: The evening is a busy time for families out and about in Taroudant, Morocco). 

20. Taroudant Sunday Market / Sunday Souk

The weekly market in Taroudant, Morocco is held every Sunday.  This is the traditional regional souk for Taroudant and is one of the largest in this region of Souss, Morocco.  

There is everything you can imagine here at the weekly market.  From fresh fruit and vegetables, locally grown nuts and honeycomb to hardware and tools, secondhand goods and a livestock area.  If you happen to time your visit to Taroudant on a Sunday, then the weekly market is well worth a look.

As with most regional markets all over the country the Taroudant market is located just out of town.  (This is because historically there was plenty of space to welcome nomads and desert travellers arriving by camel caravan to sell their wares and produce!).  

If you don’t make it to the Sunday souk there is lots to see the city (you won’t miss out).

Where to eat / Best cafes in Taroudant Morocco 

There is a huge selection of cafes in Place Assarag to choose from.

Where to stay with your motorhome in Taroudant Morocco 

By far the best place we found to stay with a motorhome in Taroudant is the Aire de Camping Car just outside the Medina gate.

Taroudant, Rocade Taroudant

About: A large, guarded motorhome park in Taroudant just outside the medina walls with space for 50 vehicles.  The location couldn’t be better for a great park to explore Taroudant.  

More about travel planning for Taroudant, Morocco and beyond

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

Read more about travel in Morocco

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