Taroudant: Morocco’s Hidden Gem Rivals Marrakech with Authentic Charm

Taroudant has nothing to envy the major tourist cities of Morocco. Nicknamed the "little Marrakech" due to its red-ochre walls and lively souks, "the city has much more to offer," writes CNN in an article titled: "The hidden oasis of ’little Marrakech’ that most tourists don’t know about." It’s a small paradise that few people still know about, as it is still preserved from mass tourism. Unlike the major tourist cities of the kingdom, Taroudant offers a "quieter but charming alternative," assures the American news channel.

Its medina, surrounded by "majestic ramparts, which stand at the foot of the Anti-Atlas mountain ranges, is classified as national cultural heritage," notes the article’s author, Carlotta Dotto. She invites travelers to savor "authentic Amazigh cuisine" there. Taroudant is also an "ideal base for exploring the arid mountains, camping in the Sahara desert or surfing in the Atlantic Ocean," the publication specifies.

The surrounding mountains, a desert a few kilometers away, and easy access to the Atlantic Ocean make "Taroudant one of the most authentic and discreet destinations in Morocco." What is most breathtaking about this millennial city, "one of the oldest cities in Morocco," are the souks, kasbahs, and riads "the most secret and beautiful in Morocco," notes the publication.

About 30 kilometers to the southeast is the Tioute oasis, "where the ruins of an ancient kasbah overlook lush gardens cultivated for centuries," reports the American channel, specifying that this oasis houses a variety of crops, including date palms, aromatic herbs, oranges, and prickly pears "thanks to the traditional irrigation system, called ’khettaras,’ which brings water to the surface without pumps."

The Anti-Atlas mountains are located south of the city. These mountains are home to a "string of charming villages with traditional houses, slender minarets, and oases dotted with palm trees," it is specified.

Taroudant simply has everything to please. All you have to do is book your vacation with friends, as a couple, or with family in this peaceful oasis.