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The only travel guide you need to plan a trip to Tamraght, the sleepy sister of buzzing Taghazout. We’ve included what the surf town’s like, our favourite things to do, where to stay, how to get there, and if it’s worth more than just a day trip from Taghazout!
When we came to Morocco for the second time, experiencing the laid-back vibes of the surf towns along the Atlantic was our top priority.
Imsouane and Taghazout seemed like long-established favourites, but Lucy read about a lesser-known town called Tamraght.
Sitting in the quiet shadows of its livelier neighbours, Agadir and Taghazout, we decided to spend a week there whilst working remotely in the hope of achieving every curious traveller’s dream: uncovering a hidden gem.
What we found as we wandered the dusty Tamraght streets was the slow way of Moroccan village life mixed with a strong surf and yoga presence, as well as the best coffee scene we’ve found outside of Marrakech!
We returned to Tamraght last year on yet another trip to Morocco, and in the 15 months between our visits, even more cafes, restaurants and new buildings had popped up. There is even an official Rip Curl store now too!
Therefore, we definitely see Tamraght continuing to develop as time goes on, and we just hope the peacefulness of the place rides that wave.
Where is Tamraght?
Less than half an hour north of Agadir and just 10 minutes from Taghazout, Tamraght is located on the southern half of Morocco’s Atlantic coast, in the Souss-Massa region.
However, unlike its neighbours, the town doesn’t sit on the beach itself but rather 1km inland of the golden sands, separated by the main coastal road. The 15 to 20-minute walk is flat from the town centre, but we still feel that not being directly on the beach is the town’s main drawback.
The town itself, though, isn’t flat. The buildings and streets sprawl up a large hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, which we didn’t realise until we arrived, as it isn’t obvious on the map. This does make for some epic sea views, but we faced a steep walk back to our apartment each day, which was up in the back of town.
You can see Tamraght’s location on the southwest coastline on the map below.
Should You Stay In Tamraght Or Day Trip From Taghazout?
As Tamraght continues to establish itself as a surf town in its own right, this question is being asked more and more. Especially as whispers of Taghazout ‘losing its charm’ due to overtourism are on the rise (we don’t think this).
Well, we actually had the chance to spend a week in both surf towns, which gave us a great opportunity to get a taste of both and compare the good, the bad, and the ugly.
We had a great time embracing the slow life in Tamraght, but if we had to choose only one town to base ourselves in next time, we’d go for Taghazout. Rolling out of bed in Teddy Pirate onto the laid-back yet buzzing Taghazout Beach, with its postcard-worthy backdrop, had us sold from the very first day!
Add in the daily sunset skatepark gatherings, cocktails overlooking the sea, and the blend of boutique and surf, and we’d found our favourite Moroccan surf town.
However, that’s not to say that Tamraght doesn’t win in some departments. While Taghazout is bursting at the seams, Tamraght is a breath of fresh air. You don’t feel like you’re living on top of people, there’s better value in accommodation, there are more surf camps to choose from, and the food and coffee scene is miles ahead.
Overall, Tamraght is the perfect place for surfers, yogis, and digital nomads sticking around for the long term, but on a short stay, I’d day trip from Taghazout, where the holiday atmosphere is unmatched.
…But Avoid June – Don’t Make Our Mistake!
Our first visit to Tamraght was in June, which, in hindsight, was a mistake. And this is actually the main month (along with May) that we’d avoid next time!
Why?
May and June make up the low season, which sits in no man’s land between the tail end of the surf season and the start of the summer holidays. So, along with feeling like a ghost town, we found that some cafes and restaurants, including our beloved Hey Yallah, had closed for a break before the busier summer season started.
Instead, we thought September (our second visit) had a much better atmosphere with more people milling around, and Hey Yallah was back open, serving the best coffee on the Atlantic coast! Therefore, we’d recommend the shoulder months (September-October and March-April) as the best time to visit!
However, if you’re serious about surfing, December and January see the biggest swells and are the busiest months for the surfing community!
Our Favourite Things To Do In Tamraght
Take A Beginner Surf Lesson
As soon as we arrived, it was clear from all the surf shops, schools, and boards that the main draw to Tamraght is the surf. In particular, it’s a popular spot for beginner lessons as the waves at Plage Tamraght (Devil’s Rock surf break) aren’t as ferocious as some other nearby breaks.
There are also beginner-friendly waves not too far away at Panormas to the north and in Anza to the south. So, even if you book a lesson in Tamraght, it might actually take place at a different spot, depending on the conditions that day.
We found this out when we (well, Lucy as I was injured) took a lesson in Taghazout, but were actually taken along the coast to Anza instead.
There are plenty of surf schools in town that you can speak to and organise a lesson with directly, but the easiest way to book a lesson is online through Get Your Guide. This way, you can read previous reviews as well as book in advance for the specific day you want.
I’d recommend a highly rated lesson like this one, which also includes free surfboard hire for the rest of the day to practice your new skills!
> Click To Book Your Surf Lesson In Tamraght!
Enjoy The Beaches
While we did give surfing a try a couple of times when at the coast, we definitely spent more time on the sand than in the water! And we found that Tamraght is just as popular with sunbathers as it is with surfers, especially in the summer.
There are three main beaches adjacent to each other that are walkable from the town centre, which are:
- Plage Tamraght (where we saw many beginner surfers practising).
- KM14 Beach (a small yet picturesque bay which all but disappears at high tide).
- Plage Imourane (a vast beach that stretches north long along Taghazout Bay).
Each beach has the same golden sand and shallow water, but Plage Imourane was our favourite for a beach day, as there was more space and not as many surfers in the water.
There is plenty of space to pitch beach towels for free, but we decided to rent a couple of sun beds and a parasol one sunny afternoon, which cost 60 MAD for the two of us.
We also enjoyed long beach walks along Imourane Beach’s firm sand, although we didn’t make it all the way to Panorama Beach at the other end!
It’s worth mentioning that the difference in low and high tide at Tamraght’s beaches is more drastic than we were expecting, and there’s just a thin strip of soft sand left when the tide’s in.
Related Post: Best Beaches in Taghazout
Climb Devil’s Rock
From the beaches in Tamraght, you can’t miss Devil’s Rock – the big rock formation that separates Tamraght Beach and KM14 Beach.
We even saw it from the start of the Corniche, five kilometres away in Taghazout.
So when we arrived in Tamraght, we knew we had to climb to the top at some point to see how good the view was! And we were’t disappointed as we discovered some of the best coastal views in the whole area! On one side, we had a majestic view all the way back along Taghazout Bay with its mountain backdrop, and on the other was a great vantage point for watching the surfers on Plage Tamraght.
Getting to the top really isn’t much of a hike, and it just took us a couple of minutes, which is all the more reason to do it!
Take A Yoga Class At Ocean Tribe
As well as surfing, a strong yoga presence has developed over the years in this part of the coast.
The original hub was in Taghazout but the scene has emerged in Tamraght too. There are several studios in the town with Vinyasa and Yin classes being the most common.
We’ve been leaning more into yoga recently so we were very keen to take in a session while in Tamraght.
We enjoyed a great Vinyasa class with Lauranne at Ocean Tribe which I can definitely recommend. Not only was she a great and welcoming teacher but the studio has an epic outdoor decking directly above KM14 Beach looking out over the bay and the ocean!
It’s the perfect place for some morning yoga while listening to the waves in the morning sun. Or a post-surf stretch if you’re catching the morning waves.
Wander Along The Boardwalk (Taghazout Corniche)
We loved our beach walks to the north, along Plage Imrouane, but sometimes we just wanted some hard ground to pace out on! Well, Lucy would probably disagree with the pace out part.
Anyway, that’s where the new boardwalk comes in, which runs slightly above and parallel to Tagahazout Bay.
Known as the Taghazout Corniche, this coastal path stretches 5km from Plage Imourane in Tamraght all the way along to Panorama Beach in Taghazout.
With Taghazout Bay on one side, we loved having a nosey at the fancy resorts, like the Fairmont and Hilton, beach clubs, and even a golf course on the other side.
We didn’t manage the whole 5km but were happy to find a couple of aesthetic coffee shops about 40 minutes in. So we jumped into Espresso Lab for a quick caffeine fix before turning around and heading back to Tamraght.
We also saw people cycling and skateboarding along the wide boardwalk too, if that’s more your style.
Sip On A Tasty Coffee In Hey Yallah
One of the great delights that Tamraght presented us with was a great coffee scene. It’s the best we’ve found outside of Marrakech during all of our Morocco trips.
And our favourite spot to sit and savour our flat whites was Hey Yallah cafe. We were delighted to find it open on our second visit after it had been closed the first time (for the summer), and boy, was it a treat!
The perfectly crafted espresso coffee and modern interior design combine to make a paradise for coffee snobs like us, so if you also appreciate good coffee, definitely check it out!
If there were ocean views that would have completed the experience, alas, we can’t have everything!
Take In A Sunset At Banana Point
We enjoyed a few burner sunsets during our couple of weeks staying in Taghazout and Tamraght, and Banana Point is a fantastic golden hour spot. Due to the angle here, there was a better view of the sun dropping below the ocean compared to on the beach, where it went behind the northern coastline.
Located in the southern corner of Tamraght, it was an easy 10-minute walk from KM14 Beach and then took us about 25 minutes to walk back into town.
There are no facilities here though; it’s just a rustic spot on the cliff behind Plage Tamraght.
But don’t make our mistake! For some unknown reason (probably laziness) we left it until our last night to come for sunset and it was a really cloudy and disappointing one. So make sure you visit at the start of your trip!
For inspiration, I’ll include some of my favourite sunset snaps from our time in Tamraght and Taghazout instead.
Day Trip To Taghazout
If there’s only one day trip you can make from Tamraght, make sure it’s to Taghazout, just a short distance along the coast.
With its own selection of beaches, cafes, restaurants, and surf shops Tamraght’s bustling sister town is definitely worth spending some time in.
We loved the lively heart of the town, Taghazout Beach, and the energy it had. With beach football, camels, sunbathers, and local sellers with mint tea and doughnuts, it’s a place not to be missed if you’re in the area!
I also recommend wandering through the alleys looking out for street art, browse the surf shops or have a coffee overlooking the beach. And if you stay for sunset, definitely head up to Taghazout Skatepark to join the crowd watching the unbelievable skaters and rollerbladers!
Or you can grab a cocktail at the Bohemian Berber Bar instead!
As I mentioned, you can actually walk all the way to Taghazout via the boardwalk, but if 1 hour+ each way is a bit much (which I’d understand), you can easily catch a grand taxi or an L32/L33 bus for less than 10 MAD each. All pass through Tamraght on the way to Taghazout from Agadir. We also conveniently found the bus stop locations and schedules on Google Maps.
Take Other Day Trips From Tamraght
If you have the time for more than just one day trip, there are a few other places we recommend visiting from Tamraght. Some are half-day tours, while others are other coastal towns that you can spend the whole day in, but (after Taghazout), these are four places I believe are most worthwhile visiting.
Agadir
Agadir is the largest city in this region and it definitely has more of a big city feel. As well as a stroll along the long crescent beach and promenade, we also really enjoyed visiting the Oufella Kasbah, Agadir Medina, Souk El Had, and Crocoparc.
You can easily visit for the day by taking the L32 or L33 bus or a grand taxi.
Imsouane
In the opposite direction, almost 80km north of Tamraght, Imsouane is another great day trip. It’s also a very relaxed surf village but with a vast mountain backdrop and long rolling waves in the famous Magic Bay (one of the longest waves in Africa).
During our first time in Tamraght, we had arranged a day trip and surf lesson with Barefoot Trips Morocco, which is definitely the easiest way to visit if you don’t have a car. However, poor conditions cancelled this trip, but we still visited for the day by taking the L33 bus to Tamri and then a taxi from there.
Paradise Valley
One of the most popular day trips in this region is to Paradise Valley.
Located an hour inland, this scenic valley within a large mountain canyon is like an oasis filled with towering palm trees and natural pools of water.
While it was less impressive when we visited in September, as most of the pools had dried up, we still really enjoyed the relaxing setting and were glad we visited! If, like us, you don’t have a car, I’d recommend booking this tour that we did.
Read The Full Guide: Is Paradise Valley Worth Visiting?
Sandboarding At Timlalin Dunes
I have to say, sandboarding was one of the best activities we did!
The Timlalin sand dunes are an hour north of Tamraght, and the best way to do this is by booking this popular tour via Get Your Guide, which is what we did. We chose the later sunset tour and would definitely recommend it as it’s amazing to be on the dunes for golden hour!
How To Get Around Town
We found everything to be walkable within Tamraght with accommodations, cafes, restaurants, and mini markets are all easily accessible on foot. We were also able to reach the beaches and local surf breaks from the town centre in 15-20 minutes by following the road opposite the Surf One Hotel.
Just remember that the steep downhill on the way means a steep uphill to climb on the way back!
Travel tip: Look out for the hidden staircases in the middle of town which are more direct and help avoid having to go all the way around.
If you do have a car, just be aware that there are some parts of town, especially in the southern end, with major potholes. We found this out when a kind soul offered to give us a lift from the main road up to the apartment we were checking into, and we ended up feeling bad that his wheels had taken a real beating.
There are a lot of popular surf breaks that aren’t in Tamraght itself so if you’re looking to hit up some of these then it’s best to have a car to reach them independently or stay at a surf camp which provides transport.
Where To stay
We spent a week in a spacious apartment, but we wouldn’t actually recommend it because the location at the back of town wasn’t very convenient. Instead, try to find somewhere close to Rue Ait Soual street as this is a great central location near the main restaurants and the beach.
Tamraght doesn’t have as many boutique-style hotels that have transformed Taghazout into a boujee getaway, but instead, the accommodation choices are mostly surf houses, hostels, and apartments, as well as the resorts on the beachfront.
Check out a few of our top picks for all budgets below:
- Atlantic Vibes Surf Hostel ($): Centrally located, clean, and modern hostel with an epic rooftop with uninterrupted Atlantic views.
- Surf One Hotel ($$): A recently renovated hotel with ensuite rooms, balconies, and as good a location as you can get.
- Riad Dar Haven ($$$): Enjoy a luxury stay in authentic Moroccan style with traditional decor, handcrafted ornaments and even an on-site hammam spa.
- Pickalbatros White Beach Taghazout Bay (Beach Resort Choice): With everything you need for a relaxing beach escape, this adults-only all-inclusive resort is one of the few in Tamraght with a beachfront location.
> Browse More Tamraght Hotels On Booking.com!
Surf Camps In Tamraght
One of the main reasons people find themselves in Tamraght is to join a surf camp. Not only do they help you make a lot of progress in a short space of time with daily lessons, but surf camps fully immerse you in the surf culture while being surrounded by like-minded people.
We’d love to commit to a full surf camp in the future, and we’d definitely consider coming back to Tamraght to do it!
The camps in Tamraght have options to join for a few days up to a few weeks and most include transfers from Agadir Airport, private or shared accommodation, meals, boards and wetsuits, transport to daily surf lessons, and excursions. Some also offer daily yoga classes too.
While Taghazout is undoubtedly the more well-known of the two, there are actually a lot more surf camps based in Tamraght as it’s less compact with more space for new surf houses and hostels.
But the location isn’t important in terms of the actual surfing itself as one of the advantages of a surf camp is that they transport you to appropriate surf breaks depending on your level and the conditions of the day.
An overall great choice is Easy Surf Maroc for a week-long package, but I’ll include my top choice for different durations below.
- Paddle Out Surf Morocco (4 Days / 3 Nights): Great if short on time with lessons every morning and day trips in the afternoon. Modernity meets tradition in this surf house which also features fantastic views from the rooftop.
- Let Us Surf (5 Days / 4 Nights): Feel at home at this surf house that provides two daily surf lessons to improve your skills and is excellent value for money for those wanting to learn to surf. Small groups allow you to connect on a deeper level while feeling like you’ve joined a local family.
- Easy Surf Maroc (8 Days / 7 Nights): Located in a peaceful location in the south of Tamraght, you can join skilled and passionate instructors at this 8-day yoga and surf retreat. With the perfect balance of learning new skills and going on daytrips, all meals and the airport transfer are included.
Restaurants We Recommend Trying
Considering its size, we were very impressed with the food scene in Tamraght as there is a variety of local, international and even poke bowl options. And with an ever-increasing demand from surfers, yogis, and other travellers spilling across from Taghazout, there are more cafes and restaurants opening all the time.
A few that we recommend are Le Petit Kawa for Moroccan dishes, Machi Mouchkil for restaurant-style Moroccan street food, Let’s Be Healing and Green Point for healthy choices, and Timam Du Chef for fast food (try the French Tacos!).
Top Coffee Spots
As I mentioned, we found some significantly better coffee options compared to Taghazout and even Agadir.
And of course, Hey Yallah is our top recommendation!
But we also have to give a shout-out to Daydream cafe, which is part of a boutique store, and excelled at satisfying our coffee cravings when Hey Yallah was closed.
There are several other cafes to try too, but these two are easily our favourites!
How to get to Tamraght
After finding a place to stay and getting excited at the prospect of spending a week soaking up Tamraght’s peaceful vibe, drinking good coffee and eating good food, the next task was working out how we were actually going to get there.
From Taghazout And Agadir
We’ve travelled to Tamraght from both Taghazout and Agadir on our two trips, and can safely say it’s a quick, easy, and affordable journey from either by bus, grand taxi, or private taxi.
For the 10-minute trip from Taghazout, we caught one of the grand taxis (yellow and white shared taxi) that congregate outside Cafe Yoba. The price was 10 MAD each (15 MAD at night), or you can catch one of the L32/L33 buses from the bus stop on the opposite side of the street. Conveniently, bus times are on Google Maps and the ALSA Bus website.
Coming from Agadir, we did the same but in the opposite direction (prices are the same as from Taghazout). We caught a grand taxi from Place Salam in the city centre but the L32 and L33 buses leave from here too. The bus might be the cheapest option but they were always packed whenever they went past, so we’d recommend a grand taxi if you have large luggage!
You can also take a private taxi, but this is a lot more expensive and depends on your negotiation skills, expect 100+ MAD. The taxi drivers at the CTM bus terminal were quoting us as much as 180-200 MAD. I say quoting, but that would imply that we were asking; it was more persistently telling us as we kept reiterating ‘la chukran’.
> Avoid the hassle and book a private car from Agadir online
From Other Cities
If you’re travelling to Tamraght from one of the towns further north, like Essaouira, Imsouane, or from Marrakech, the best direct option is to book the Souk to Surf shuttle bus. We used this on our most recent trip to travel from Essaouira to Imsouane and then onwards to Taghazout, and it’s a great solution since the CTM and Supratours coaches don’t stop in Tamraght.
From other cities like Fes, Casablanca, and Rabat, you’ll first need to make your way to Marrakech or Essaouira and then book a Souk To Surf from there.
From The Airport
The closest airport to Tamraght is Agadir Al-Massira International Airport, 45 minutes away. And to get to Tamraght from here, you can either book a private airport transfer online, negotiate a taxi at the terminal, or take the AE Aerobus into the city and transfer onto a grand taxi or L32/L33 bus from there.
Tamraght FAQs
Can You Swim In Tamraght Beach?
Yes, Tamraght’s beaches are suitable for swimming with shallow water and tame waves. However, it’s a busy beginner surf spot, so Plage Imourane is the best beach for swimming.
Can You Drink Alcohol In Tamraght?
You cannot buy alcohol in any of the restaurants or mini-markets in Tamraght. The closest places to buy alcohol are in nearby Taghazout and Agadir.
Are There ATMs In Tamraght?
Yes, there are three ATMs in Tamraght. One at the Afriquia service station, one outside Nosh restaurant (50 MAD withdrawal fee), and one on the main road outside Camping Atlantica, which has the lowest withdrawal fee of 35 MAD.
To Finish
Tamraght is somewhere on the border between hidden and developed, and the construction sites are a clear hint of a desire to rise up and become the next major stop on Morocco’s Atlantic Coast.
We love this sleepy little surf town, and whether you decide to stay for a while or just take a day trip, we hope you enjoy Tamraght just as much!
Pin It For Later!
Our Other Morocco Guides
Heading elsewhere in Morocco? Find more detailed travel guides filled with helpful information and inspiration for your trip below.
- Best Beaches in Taghazout
- Ultimate Taghazout Travel Guide
- Best Agadir Tours And Day Trips
- Ultimate Guide To Taroudant: Morocco’s ‘Little Marrakech’
- How To Visit Taroudant From Agadir
- How To Get From Marrakech To Agadir
- Crocoparc Agadir: Everything You Need To Know For Visiting
- Best Beaches in Essaouira
Sam, My son is planning to move to Tamracht in August. I’m thinking of visiting but have been afraid due to my dietary needs from having reactive hypoglycemia from a total gastrectomy (stomach cancer).
I need a lot of protein but not from beans which are high in carbs. Can you get meat there?
Three cheers for you travelling so much with type1!
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
There are not too many options in Tamraght as it’s a small town, however, there are a few good restaurants (including Le Petit Kawa, Timam Du Chef, Adam’s Cafe, and Ohana Poke) which serve meat dishes such as tagines, burgers, and more. There’s also a couple of small local butchers in town too.
Hope that helps!
Sam
Hi Sam,
I enjoyed reading your article- it’s so detailed and useful, thank you!
We are thinking of staying in an apartment on Hay Sahel, but wondered if walking to the main restaurant area will be a pain (given our 8 year old is not a fan of walking in general) and if we can drive there ok because you mention potholes on the southern part of the town? We have found another apartment that looks more central (near Pueblo Social Club) but it doesn’t look quite as nice, although wondering if it’s worth it for convenience.
Thanks,
Roz
Hi Roz,
Happy to hear you found it helpful! The roads around Hay Sahel weren’t as bad as I remember (further inland was worse) and it’s not too far to walk down to he restaurant area – around 10 minutes, but it is uphill on the way back which isn’t obvious on Google Maps! Near Pueblo Social Club is an ideal central location with most amenities on its doorstep and a shorter walk to the beach. I would go with the nicer apartment as Hay Sahel is still fairly central and close to the main street going through town, unless the 10-15 minute walk would be too big a problem.
Hope that helps.
Sam
Thank you Sam!