Morocco's Silver Town: The Essential Travel Guide to Tiznit
- Malika
- May 27, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
Located just inland from the coast in Morocco's southern Souss-Massa region, Tiznit is an atmospheric town that remains well off the beaten tourist track. It was founded in 1881 by Sultan Hassan I and has garnered a reputation for its high-quality gold and silver handicrafts. For my husband and I, Tiznit holds special significance as it was here that we bought our engagement rings!
Tiznit is historically significant as the birthplace of the Almoravid dynasty, which ruled Morocco during the 11th and 12th centuries. During its early years, it served as a military stronghold during campaigns trying to control the Amazigh inhabitants of the Souss River region. After its medina was established in the late 19th century, Jewish silversmiths settled in the area, establishing its modern-day reputation for jewellery crafts.
Ringed by fortified walls, Tiznit now serves as a bustling market town, with farmers and pastoralists selling their goods in the local souks. The iron deposits in the surrounding mountains have enabled Tiznit’s artisan industries to flourish, with everything from jewellery to inlaid daggers crafted here.
In this Essential Travel Guide to Tiznit, discover everything you need to know about visiting the town, including the best things to do in Tiznit, how to get there and highly rated places to stay.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission when you make a purchase. Affiliate links cost you nothing and ensure my content stays free!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best things to do in Tiznit
Explore the medina and jewellery souk
Begin your visit by strolling through the medina, which is ringed by a wall containing five significant gates: Bab Aglou, Bab el Khemis, Bab Targa, Bab el Maader and Bab Oulad Jerrar. Influenced by the Alawite tradition, these gates bear a striking resemblance to those found in Essaouira.
As you explore the narrow streets, be sure to visit the jewellery souk to watch its skilled silversmiths in action. This is where we bought our engagement rings! As you wander between its columns and courtyards, be sure to stop in and visit any workshops that capture your attention.
Visit the “Blue Spring” of Aïn Zerka
One of Tiznit’s most famous landmarks is the “Blue Spring”, a water source that played an important role in Tiznit’s settlement. Also known as Aïn Zerka, it attracted nomadic tribes in the late 19th century, prior to the town’s founding. Today, a garden surrounds the basin, reminiscent of the numerous gardens that flourished here in the early 20th century.
The “Blue Spring” is associated with the story of "Lalla Zninia", a fisherwoman who found strength and redemption at the site. In response, Allah made a crystalline water source spring up at her feet. The tomb of Lalla Zninia can be found near the spring, within the city's oldest mosque.
Best things to do in Tiznit
Admire the Kasbah of Aghanaj
Overlooking the “Blue Spring” is the impressive Kasbah of Aghanaj, named after Caid Mohammed Aghanaj El Hahi (1792 – 1822). Engaged in military activities around Oued Massa, the Caid strategically positioned his troops near Tiznit’s main water source to ensure easy access.
The Kasbah of Aghanaj served various purposes throughout history, including as an administrative prison, a training centre and a municipal park. Enclosed by a large wall with five towers, it remains a central part of Tiznit's community life and has undergone extensive restoration efforts in recent years.
Gaze up at the minaret of the Great Mosque
While the Great Mosque of Tiznit isn’t accessible to non-Muslims, its unusual minaret can be admired from the outside. It features protruding wooden sticks reminiscent of mosques found in the Sahel, such as the Djinguereber Mosque in Timbuktu.
According to local legend, this is where the souls of the deceased gather. That being said, it’s more likely that the masons who constructed the minaret left the sticks there to aid in climbing and re-plastering the tower.
Outside the Great Mosque is signage in French, Arabic and Tifinagh (a script used to write Amazigh languages) detailing the site’s history.
Best things to do in Tiznit
Relax on Aglou Beach
A 15-kilometre-drive west of Tiznit will take you to Aglou, a charming fishing village surrounded by sandy beaches and impressive dunes. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a day on Morocco's Atlantic coast, with a scenic corniche that’s perfect for leisurely strolls.
In the summer months, you can rent an umbrella and sun loungers to enjoy the seaside atmosphere, with more local families than tourists frequenting the area. Aside from being a desirable beach location, Aglou is a popular surfing destination throughout the year.
Birdwatch in the Oued Massa Nature Reserve
Tiznit makes an ideal base for visiting the Oued Massa Nature Reserve, an ecologically diverse protected area around 40 kilometres away. The main attraction of the reserve is the Oued Massa lagoon, which is protected due to its abundant plant life and diverse bird species.
One of the notable species found in this area is the northern bald ibis, which has a breeding colony within the reserve.
Aside from exploring the Oued Massa Nature Reserve with the help of a local guide, you can visit the nearby Souss Massa National Park. It provides a habitat for dama gazelle, scimitar oryx and white antelopes, as well as the recently reintroduced North African ostrich.
Best things to do in Tiznit
Best tours to Tiznit
Tiznit is a popular day trip destination from Agadir, with several private guided tours available. Most combine Tiznit with other destinations in the Souss Massa region, such as Tafraoute and Legzira Beach, renowned for its photogenic rock formation. It's also possible to visit Tiznit as part of a desert experience exploring the sand dunes to the south of Agadir.
Both Viator and GetYourGuide are good resources for finding guided tours to Tiznit, complete with reviews from previous travellers.
This full-day guided tour from Agadir includes an exploration of the sand dunes south of the city, with the option for a camel ride. Aside from birdwatching along the banks of the Oued Massa, it includes visits to a pottery workshop, traditional fishermen's houses and the walled town of Tiznit.
This full-day private tour from Agadir focuses on the Anti-Atlas Mountains, including the Amazigh settlement of Tafraoute and the fortified granaries at Imchiguegueln and Tizerkine. There's also time to wander through Tiznit and explore its silver souks.
Including round-trip transfers from your Agadir hotel and a delicious lunch, this full-day tour stops in Tiznit where you have around one hour to explore at your leisure. It continues on to Legzira Beach, famed for its spectacular rock formation, for a stroll or swim.
How to get to Tiznit
By car
Tiznit is just under 100 kilometres (1.5 hours' drive) from Agadir Al-Massira International Airport, which receives flights from destinations across Morocco and Europe. Renting a car is one of the most convenient way of reaching Tiznit, particularly if you want to combine it with other destinations in the area, such as Tafraoute or Legzira Beach. By renting a car, you'll have the ultimate freedom to explore at your leisure and the driving is relatively straightforward once you're outside of Agadir.
If you’re looking to rent a car in Morocco, I recommend Discover Cars, which compares deals from over 500 suppliers. They have everything from compact automatics to manual vans, ensuring there’s something for all travel groups and driving styles.
By bus
CTM buses travel to Tiznit from both Agadir and Marrakech, offering a comfortable experience accompanied by magnificent views across the Moroccan countryside. The journey to Tiznit from Agadir is two hours while Marrakech is just over five hours by bus.
By grand taxi
Grand taxis also make the journey from Agadir to Tiznit and leave once full. They depart from the taxi parking area near the Gare Routiere.
How to get to Tiznit
Best places to stay in Tiznit
While most people visit Tiznit as a day trip from Agadir, there are lots of wonderful places to stay the night if you want to spend more time in this market town. Aside from traditional riads catering to all budgets, there are several affordable guesthouses with incredible hospitality.
Below are few of my top recommended places to stay in Tiznit. You'll find more information in my detailed article here.
Best Tiznit hotel for families
Located just a stone’s throw from the souk, this mid-range Tiznit hotel is a great choice for families with its triple and quadruple rooms. Each room at Maison du Soleil showcases traditional design elements and soothing colour schemes, not to mention wrought-iron beds. While some have private bathrooms, the more affordable rooms have shared facilities.
"The place is absolutely amazing, especially with a wonderful staff that makes it even more amazing.” - Abdelkebir (read more reviews here)
Best hotels in Tiznit
Best Tiznit hotel with pool
Situated within the city's historic walls, this beautiful Tiznit riad features a charming garden with a courtyard terrace. Guests can unwind on the sunbeds by the outdoor pool or admire the medina views from the rooftop sun terrace. Each of the air-conditioned rooms is adorned with traditional Moroccan decor and comes complete with an ensuite bathroom.
"Beautiful accommodation within walking distance of the centre. Very friendly staff. Beautiful and comfortable rooms. Great pool.” - Jiri (read more reviews here)
Best hotels in Tiznit
Best budget riad in Tiznit
Situated only a short distance from Place El Mechouar, this budget-friendly Tiznit riad offers double and triple rooms (some equipped with ensuites while others have shared bathroom facilities). Additionally, there is a one-bedroom apartment with a kitchen available for guests who wish to prepare their own meals. Moroccan dishes are also available onsite.
“Great price for a lovely quiet getaway.” - Emma (read more reviews here)
Travel guide to Tiznit
Best time to visit Tiznit
Tiznit is most enjoyable to visit in the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the weather is pleasant and mild. While the summer months can be extremely hot across southern Morocco, the winter months can be quite chilly, especially at night.
