Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes – tourist classics of Morocco, a must-see. For those who love water sports or want to live on the coast of North Africa, we suggest paying attention to the southwestern part of the country. Together with the author Nadezhda Doroshenko, who spent several months there, we talk about two villages known for their magnificent waves. Taghazout and Imsouan are locations where you can simultaneously surf and enjoy the ancient Berber traditions of Morocco.
Entry rules
All COVID restrictions have been lifted. No visa is required for travel up to 90 days.
How to get there
Royal Air Maroc flies directly from Moscow to Casablanca, the travel time is just over 6 hours, and the cost of one-way air tickets starts from 34,700 rubles*. There are also flights with transfers in Turkey, Egypt, the UAE or France. Prices start from 29,000 rubles*.
The closest airport to Taghazout and Imsouan is in the city of Agadir, but travelers usually buy tickets to Morocco’s main hub, Casablanca. From there you can fly to Agadir in 1 hour, tickets for a domestic flight will cost 4,100 rubles* one way.
Useful information
Transport.The most convenient way to travel between major cities and long distances is by plane. There are also buses between settlements. Morocco also has good roads and beautiful views, so independent travelers often rent a car.
A popular and inexpensive form of transport is a “collective” taxi, which collects and delivers fellow travelers. They park in a special parking lot or near public transport stops; if there are free spaces, you can catch a car right on the road.
Money. Russian cards in Morocco do not work now. Take cash euros/dollars or cards issued by foreign banks with you. The official currency of the country is the dirham. There are exchangers and ATMs in all major settlements.
Language. The official languages are Arabic and Tamazight (Berber). Everyone who interacts with tourists in one way or another speaks French and English.
Seasonality and temperature. According to local residents, the climate of Morocco is cold, but with a hot sun. The country welcomes tourists all year round. You should choose when it’s best to go here based on the purpose of the trip and the route.
Surf seasonin Morocco it lasts all year round, but the highest waves occur from November to April. For beginners and amateurs, the time of year does not matter. Surfers need a wetsuit as the water in the Atlantic Ocean is cold at this time of year. Most homes don’t have heaters, so be prepared to sleep under two blankets in winter. Beach season starts in May and ends in October. Summer in Morocco can be really hot, with temperatures reaching +35 °C in July and August.
Taghazut
This is the main surf village on the southwestern coast of Morocco and a favorite holiday destination for Europeans. Taghazout is a small village with beautiful streets, colorful steps, vegetable stalls, cafes and surf shops. Life here is centered around the ocean. Every morning, fishermen set out on wooden boats to catch their catch, and surfers sail to conquer the waves.
In the vicinity of Taghazout there are several spots for surfing, which are suitable for both beginners and professional athletes. Confident surfers should come in winter – this is when you can catch the biggest waves. Anchor Point is a legendary Taghazout spot with an ideal right wave, where international competitions take place. Even if you don’t ride, we recommend going to this location and seeing how professionals conquer the waves at sunset. A few more surf spots around Taghazout: Panoramas and Hash Point for beginners, La Source and Killer Point for advanced ones.
A 10-minute drive away there is another village popular among surfers Tamrakht – the Devil’s Rock and Banana Point spots are located there. They can be reached on foot along the equipped promenade along the Atlantic Ocean. This is a very beautiful route, following the curves of the coast, which is suitable for walking and jogging at sunrise or sunset.
If you miss civilization, supermarkets, beauty salons and city atmosphere, go to Agadir. You can get there from Taghazout by bus or taxi, the journey time is about 25 minutes. There is also a large market with fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood, banks, pharmacies, clubs, the city embankment and the port.
Things to do:watch the sunset and ride in the skate park overlooking the Atlantic. See Moroccan camels and goats walking around the village. Go to the sand dunes and try sandboarding.
Where to stay:
Hotel Sol House Taghazout Bay Surf (rating 8.2) – from 13,800 rubles* per night.
Hotel Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay (rating 8.2) – from 12,600 rubles* per night.
Vacation home Taghazout Hill Retreat (rating 9) – from 5,000 rubles* per night.
Taghazout Ocean View Hostel (rating 9.4) – from 3,600 rubles* per night.
Hostel TEDDY PIRATE (rating 9.7) – from 2,400 rubles* per night.
Imsuan
1.5 hours drive from Taghazout, far from big cities, the village of Imsuan is hidden between mountains and hills. The main activities here are fishing and surfing, so the village has an abundance of fishermen and boats, fresh seafood and yoga camps. There are no classic tourist attractions, but there is breathtaking nature and the longest wave in Morocco – a surfer’s dream.
Until May, there are the best waves, which are hunted by surfers from all over the world. The village has two large beaches: The Bay for beginners and professionals and Cathedral Point for the more experienced. Thanks to tourists, the level of service is growing every year, but Imsuan still manages to maintain its “wildness” and pristine nature.
If you are not interested in surfing, you can stop by Imsuan for a couple of days to see a real African village-bay with a fish market, goats and camels, lost among the sands and hills.
What to do: Take your first lesson at the local surf school. Climb the mountains and explore nature around Cathedral Point. Watch the sunset and try fresh seafood in a cafe near the lighthouse.
Where to stay:
Apartments Edy’s STD03 – from 7,100 rubles* per night.
Guest house Light House Imsouane (rating 9.8) – from 3,900 rubles* per night.
Imsouane Sunrise Apartments (rating 8.8) – from 3,500 rubles* per night.
National cuisine
Food and everything connected with it is an important part of the country’s culture. In every family, in every restaurant, home and hostel you will find the famous Moroccan tagine – a heavy ceramic dish with an elongated lid.
Everything is cooked in it: vegetables, meat, fish, cereals and legumes at any time of the day. The contents must be flavored with spices, pickled lemons or olives. Moroccans are incredibly hospitable and can invite you to share this unusual meal with them; you definitely shouldn’t refuse.
Moroccan tea– another important tradition of the country. And although tea leaves are not unusual in themselves and were brought from China, how and with what they are brewed and in what container they are served deserves attention. Real Moroccan tea is very strong and sweet; in the hot season it is brewed with mint, in the cold season – with wormwood. Tea is poured from the teapot into mugs and back several times; The drink is poured from the height of human height, so it has a pleasant foam.
Be sure to try Berber breakfast. This is scrambled eggs or omelet in olive oil with the addition of herbs, spices, lemon and olives. Served with delicious homemade bread. By the way, people in Morocco love bread and eat it in large quantities. More often these are round homemade flatbreads, less often – long baguettes inherited from France.
What to bring
Morocco is a country of colorful souvenirs. Ceramics, dishes, textiles, carpets, tiles, lamps will decorate the interior of your apartment or make excellent gifts. For example, I took with me a small tagine and several painted ceramic plates.
You can also bring Moroccan spices: ras el-hanout (a mixture of different spices), turmeric, cumin, cumin, paprika, saffron and etc.
Morocco is also considered the birthplace of the Argan tree, which bears fruit only there. Argan oil is very rare, and cosmetics containing it are an expensive gift. You can buy both edible and cosmetic oil, most importantly, pay attention to the composition and manufacturer.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
