Still little known but with a history that made it famous, the city of Tiznit, in Morocco’s Souss-Massa region, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Agadir, is one of the destinations that has been trending in recent years.
Tiznit is called the city of silver because local artisans made beautiful silver jewelry and objects there. The city, founded in the 1700s, is famous for its crafts, always one of the most widespread trades in Morocco, still the heart of Moroccan commerce today and a driver of sustainability for the country. Tiznit’s merchants sell the work of local artisans as well as Berber artisans, thanks to the strong Berber tradition in Tiznit, with goods bought from the Berber communities of the surrounding mountains.
That alone was reason enough to include Tiznit among the places to visit in Morocco on my tours, but the many sights and the town’s cultural and natural richness give me plenty more. I’ll be happy to introduce you to Tiznit below, until I can show you around in person on your next vacation in the country I’m in love with, Morocco.
Visiting Tiznit, an up-and-coming destination in Morocco
Tiznit is an up-and-coming destination in Morocco, so it’s the ideal choice if you’re keen to discover a less touristy destination, far from the chaos and, above all, very authentic and evocative.
Surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, first and foremost Souss-Massa National Park, about 40 km (25 miles) from Tiznit, where you can admire many species of migratory birds like the famous pink flamingos, along with many other wild and protected animals, there’s no shortage of things to do in Tiznit.
You definitely need to see one of its main attractions, the old medina of Tiznit, surrounded by 7 km (4 miles) of rammed-earth walls dating from 1882, built to protect the city from outside invasions. In this maze of narrow streets, silver jewelry is made using traditional techniques, but you can also go wild with your Moroccan shopping and pick up many other handcrafted souvenirs like textiles, cushions and rugs.
Another of Tiznit’s main attractions is its fortress, built in the 17th century and now a historic landmark thanks to its ramparts and its walls of local red stone. Or the mausoleum of Sidi Ahmed Ou Moussa, a 17th-century Islamic shrine with magnificent architecture, mosaics and arabesques, dedicated to the city’s patron saint of the same name.
And if your wish list includes (and I’m sure it does) exploring the Sahara Desert, even better with the chance to spend a night among the dunes, Tiznit is a convenient starting point for desert excursions.
Tiznit also hosts many festivals and cultural events throughout the year, so you’ll find something to enjoy whenever you go, and above all you’ll get to appreciate the local culture and Tiznit’s rich heritage with your own eyes.
If you love surfing, about 150 km (93 miles) from Tiznit you can visit Legzira beach, popular with surfers. So if you’re planning your trip to discover Morocco, keep reading and you’ll find information that will certainly come in handy.
Morocco: what to know before heading to Tiznit
One question every traveler interested in my tours asks is: what’s the best time to visit this or that place? So let me answer in advance: if you want to vacation in Tiznit and can be a little flexible with dates, I recommend the months from September to May, when temperatures are cooler and the sun isn’t too harsh. But if you want to relax by the sea, summer is obviously better.
Being in the Souss-Massa region, the mountains near Tiznit are very cold in winter, so if you want to go trekking in the mountains, go between March and May and take advantage of the longer days and milder temperatures.
As for getting there, you can reach Tiznit by flying into Agadir International Airport, perhaps on a low-cost airline that serves it. From there, my tours always include a private driver to take you to your accommodation.
If you’re wondering what kind of traveler Tiznit suits, my answer is everyone: from couples looking for a romantic getaway to families who want to take their kids to the region’s nature parks and beaches or on organized excursions, to young people on a group tour who want to explore the city and its surroundings through trekking, mountain biking and surfing. If you’re after nightlife, you’d better pop over to nearby Agadir, as Tiznit doesn’t have many options for going out.
With the practical matters sorted, all that’s left is to enjoy the specialties of Tiznit’s traditional cuisine, a tasty mix of African flavors, spices and aromas, including lamb tagine with prunes and almonds or chicken tagine with olives and lemon, vegetable couscous, harira and date makroud, to name a few.
Lisa
