Aourir, Morocco: A Guide to Banana Village

Last Updated on 31st January 2026 by Jessie

A visitor’s guide to the village of Aourir – including recommendations on all things food, surf and lodging.

Aourir (Awrir) is Tamraght’s smaller, less tourist-centric neighbour. Known familiarly as Banana Village, the main street is lined with butchers, fishmongers and fresh produce stalls with – as the name suggests – an abundance of banana clusters hanging from their eaves.

On the west side of the highway, surf camps and holiday villas take precedence – sitting just back from Banana Beach. If you’re not a fan of long treks to the beach, these are the most beachfront accommodation options you can find in the Tamraght area (bar the huge chain hotels).

Located just 3km south, accommodation in Aourir often falls under the bracket of Tamraght on booking websites. So it’s entirely possible to accidentally book a hostel in Banana Village and rock up wondering where all the supposed swanky coffee shops are. 

Whether you’re staying in Banana Village by choice or by happenstance, or just dropping in for a peruse, here’s everything you need to know about Aourir.

I use affiliate links throughout my posts. This means that if you make a purchase through any of the links, I’ll get paid a small percentage – with no additional cost to you. I appreciate any and all support to keep me afloat so I can continue bringing honest, accurate travel tips to you.

What is Aourir Like?

There are two sides of Aourir. The main village on the east side of the highway which is predominantly for locals. Then on the other side, you’ve got a scattering of hotels, holiday rentals and surf camps maximising on the oceanfront views at Banana Beach.

Whilst there are a few western-oriented cafes and restaurants, Aourir doesn’t have a particularly social atmosphere. If you’d rather be around fellow travellers, with proper coffee, coworking spaces and community events, you’re probably better off staying in Tamraght or Taghazout.

With that said, Aourir is just a 30-minute walk from Tamraght. So with a rental car, cheap taxis or your foot falcons, you can easily hop between the two. Or if the quieter, more secluded atmosphere is exactly what you’re seeking, you’ll be right at home in Aourir.

The main street of Aourir is a refreshing reminder that you are, in fact, a visitor in this region. Unlike Tamraght and Taghazout, where the majority of shops and restaurants are catered to our foreign predilections, Aourir is first and foremost for locals. 

It’s the main business hub for the surrounding villages, where you’ll find a post office, a medical centre, a notary’s office and a dentist. Plus all the everyday things that a tourist village doesn’t cater for, like mechanics and white goods stores. If you’re sticking around in Tamraght or Taghazout long-term, you’ll be due for a visit to Aourir at some point. 

See How to Stay in Morocco Long-Term.

Shopping in Aourir

For fish lovers, Aourir is the best place around Tamraght to buy fresh seafood. There’s a whole strip of open-air fishmongers, as well as the cult-favourite Hakim Fish. This quality seafood store has a barbecue restaurant nextdoor ready to grill up your selection of fish.

Similarly, there’s a whole section of pink-and-white checkered butcher shops. Think lamb carcasses hung from the roof and cages of clucking live chickens. Not for the faint-hearted, but as fresh as you could hope to get.

And of course, you’ve got the bounty of fresh fruit and veg stores, bananas included. Unless you’re shopping at Tamraght’s Tuesday community souk, you’ll find a far greater selection of herbs and vegetables in Aourir. Pop by one of the sidewalk bread wagons, and you’ve got your grocery shopping sorted.

Aourir has a small second-hand clothing souk down one of the side alleys. It’s got nothing on Anza, but you can find a few vintage pieces alongside all sorts of salvaged trinkets and homewares.

For more treasured items, there are a couple of artisan stores selling beautiful pottery, rattan furniture and tagines. Check out Said Pottery – you’ll find all sorts of Moroccan keepsakes for a fraction of what you’d pay in more tourist-heavy areas.

Where to Eat in Aourir

Predictably, Aourir has loads of great, cheap, authentic Moroccan restaurants. No frills, and a fraction of the price you’d pay in nicer eateries in Tamraght. Here are a few of the best places to eat in Aourir:

• Dru Dis Café – Shady little tourist spot. Great for breaky, with smoothie bowls, avocado toast or the full Moroccan spread.
• CoolS – Fresher alternatives to the standard Moroccan enus – tasty salad bowls, tacos and burgers.
• U Wood Love – Best woodfired pizza in the whole region
• Restaurant Al Maouze – Local Moroccan restaurant with really tasty, cheap tagines. 
• Restaurant Saada – Same as above.
• Tangya – Specialty dish of slow-cooked meat stew in a clay pot (similar but different to tagine).
• Hakim Fish – Two for one fishmonger and barbecue seafood restaurant.
• La Maison Bakery – Best spot for avocado, date and almond smoothies (sounds rank, but you’ve gotta try it).

Where to Stay in Aourir

Aourir is a great alternative to Tamraght if you’re after a quieter, more authentic Moroccan village. Or if you’d prefer to be right on the beach. There are quite a few new hostels and surf camps popping up – often they tend to be cheaper than their Tamraght counterparts. Here are a few of my top picks:

Surf Camps in Aourir

• Desert Surf Camp – Super popular. Oceanfront views. Great for solo travellers. 
• Zen Surf Morocco – Best location, right on Banana Beach.
• Click Surf Camp – Small group and quality surf instructors. 
• Ohana Surf Morocco – Good vibes with a family atmosphere. 
• Kosa Surf Camp – Authentic experience, with solid surf + yoga packages.

Hostels in Aourir

• Epic Swell House – Super chill vibe with warm, welcoming hospitality. 
• Aourir Waves Surf House – Short walk to the beach, stocked with surfboards and wetsuits for hire.

Surfing in Aourir

Banana Point: Point break with long, clean righthanders. On small-mid sized swells it’s a popular spot for beginners and longboarders.

Staying in Aourir puts you in prime position to surf Banana Point. It’s a far shorter trek to the beach than anywhere in Tamraght, and you’ll be best poised for a sunrise/sunset surf to beat the crowds. 

K11: Delivers reliable lefts and rights on a mixed reef-sand bottom, with an easier inside section that suits less experienced surfers on smaller days.

K12: Underrated reef break with defined peaks that works best on a mid to high tide. Good spot for bodyboarders.

Aourir is also the closest village to K11 and K12 surf breaks. These are a good 45-minute walk from Tamraght, thus they tend to attract fewer crowds than Tamraght’s main surf spots. 

Beyond those three, you’re in a central location to access all the best surf spots in the Tamraght/Taghazout region. If you have a car, you’re sorted. Though taxis are just as accessible.

For a full breakdown of the ideal conditions for each spot, check out my guide to Tamraght and Taghazout Surf Spots.

If you’re booking a surf camp and having trouble choosing between Aourir, Tamraght or Taghazout – don’t stress. The surf coaches will transport you to the best spot for the day, depending on the swell/weather conditions. This could be anywhere from Anza to Tamri – and often even a day trip to Imsouane. 

Things to Do in Aourir

The main reason people choose to visit Aourir is for the surf (as with the surrounding coastal villages). The other half come there seeking a taste of life in an authentic Moroccan village. Beyond that, here are a few other things on offer in Aourir:

• Yoga – Tamraght’s most loved and established yoga studio is a 15-minute walk from the centre of Aourir. Check out Kalananda Yoga Studio to see their class timetable.
• Hammam – If you’re willing to brave a proper, authentic local hammam (not the tourist spa experience), then Aourir is the place. At Hammam Aourir, it costs 96dh for a scrub, massage, black soap and kessa glove.
• Quad Bike Riding – I’m not a particular fan of the ATVs tearing up the beach, but each to their own. There are a few companies offering tours along Banana Beach.
• Horse Riding – Likewise, I’m a bit iffy about the ethics of horse and camel riding in Morocco. But alas, many enjoy a sunset trot along the beach.

How to Get to Aourir

From Agadir:

Aourir is a 20-minute drive north of Agadir. You can get a taxi directly from the airport for 300dh (€30). Or from the city centre, you can catch a collective taxi from Batoire Taxi Station for 10dh (€1) per person.

The local bus L31 runs between Aourir and Agadir about every 20 minutes and takes 40 minutes. Tickets cost 55dh (€0.55).

For more detailed transport options, see my guide on How to Get to Tamraght.

From Tamraght:

There is a newly paved footpath that runs all the way from Tamraght to Aourir; the walk takes about 30 minutes. A private taxi would cost between 50dh-100dh (€5-€10). A collective taxi costs 5dh (€0.50).

See my guide on Catching Taxis.

For more tips and tricks on Morocco’s surf coast, check out these village guides:

• Tamraght Travel Guide
• Taghazout Travel Guide
• Imsouane Travel Guide
• Mirleft Travel Guide
• Essaouira Travel Guide

For more Maroc info and a little less of my own opinions, I’ve created a travel wisdom-sharing hub over on Reddit. Join the group here.