Taroudant

Overview of Taroudant

Nicknamed the "little Marrakech", Taroudant is the former capital of the Sous Valley, where olive trees and citrus fruits grow. After a turbulent history from the 11th to the 16th century, it reached its peak under the Saadian dynasty, which made it their capital before choosing Marrakech. The Alaouite sultan Moulay Ismail destroyed the city in 1687 and massacred much of the population. The ramparts were restored, but Taroudant never regained its former glory.

It is precisely these ramparts and the walled city that give Taroudant its charm, making it a great stop for many travellers en route between Agadir and Marrakech or Ouarzazate.

Key facts

• Type de lieu: city.

• Intérêt touristique: ★★ (worth seeing).

• Localisation: less than a hundred kilometres east of Agadir.

• Distances: Agadir (85 km to the west), Marrakech (200 km to the north-east), Ouarzazate (275 km to the east).

• Heure locale: Heure : Taroudant.

• Population: 80,149 inhabitants (2014).

• Superficie:

• Altitude: 238 m.

• Site internet: http://www.taroudannt-province.com

History of Taroudant

What to see and do in Taroudant

The walled city

Six kilometres of crenellated ramparts and over a hundred towers protect the city. This wall originally had five gates providing access to the city, to which new ones have since been added. Although the walled city doesn’t have any truly "extraordinary" monuments, it’s pleasant to wander around and explore its two souks, the "Berber" and the "Arab", which are rich in various goods. Just next to the ramparts, to the south-west, you can also take a look at the tanners' quarter.

In the surrounding area

Agadir ★★ (85 km)
For decades, it has been the country's main seaside resort and its second most popular tourist destination after Marrakech. The only thing missing is the city's historical heritage, lost in the 1960 earthquake. In short, Agadir is purely a "holiday-relaxation" destination.

Imouzzer Waterfall ★★ (90 km)
North of Agadir, the commune perched at over 1,100 m is home to a lovely waterfall. Several Amazigh villages nearby.

Souss-Massa National Park ★ (95 km)
Located almost at the gates of Agadir, the site is primarily renowned for birdwatching.

Tizi-n-Test Pass Road ★★★
This is the name of the road linking Marrakech to Taroudant along the western edge of Toubkal Park. This stunning route spans around a hundred kilometres, crossing passes over 2,000 metres high.

Climate and weather in Taroudant

Transport

Getting there

Getting around

Sleeping

Eating

Useful addresses

Further information