Tamraght or Taghazout: Which is The Superior Surf Village?

Last Updated on 4th July 2025 by Jessie

So, you’re struggling to decide between Tamraght or Taghazout. Tossing up which idyllic little seaside village to base your trip in. Well, I’m here to help.

Whilst it’s no secret that my heart lies in Tamraght, each town has its own allure. There are great reasons to situate yourself in either village. It just depends on the activities, the lifestyle, and the vibe that most aligns with you.

I have put my most objective hat on and outlined the perks of each so you can decide whether Tamraght or Taghazout is right for you.

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Taghazout

See my complete Taghazout travel guide.

1. Beach Access

This is the main selling point for most travellers. Whilst both Tamraght and Taghazout are coastal towns, Taghazout is more accurately ‘on the beach’.

There are a huge number of surf camps, hostels and white shanty apartments situated just above Taghazout Beach. The main strip is a hop, skip and a jump from the beach, so wherever you stay in Taghazout you’ll never be more than a 10-minute walk from the water.

On the other hand, the homes in Tamraght are scattered up a hill, requiring a trek down to the main road before walking another kilometre past the hotels to the beach.

I suppose if you’re staying at one of the big beach-front hotels, this point is null and void. But that’s not a fun Moroccan holiday, so don’t do that.

If you plan on carting a surfboard down to the beach, this can be a bit of a deal breaker. Or if you’re travelling with kids, or just not a huge fan of walking. But if you’re renting a car, or staying at a surf camp, or don’t mind a stroll – it doesn’t matter either way.

Check out my top picks for surf camps in Taghazout.

2. Bars

Another major decisive factor for travellers is the availability of alcohol in Taghazout. There are a handful of bars along the beachfront – real nice for watching the sunset over the ocean. And some that host regular barbecues and events. See the full list of bars in Taghazout here.

As a Muslim country, drinking’s not huge in Morocco – but you can find a bit of nightlife in Taghazout.

Whereas Tamraght is a dry village. None of the cafes or restaurants sell booze. So, if you’re looking for a place to get dinner and a drink, Taghazout is your answer.

There are no liquor stores in either Tamraght or Taghazout. You can buy alcohol at Carrefour in Agadir, as well as a few bottle shops. Just a 20-minute drive from Tamraght – I’ve written about the bus and taxi routes to Agadir here.

3. Livelier Energy

If you’re looking to make friends with fellow travellers, there’s probably more opportunity to do so in Taghazout.

Because of its location, nestled in Taghazout Bay, the village of Taghazout is more compact – more finite. All of the shops and restaurants are situated on one small main street or along the beachfront. This means that everyone hangs around this main hub, creating more of a social atmosphere.

All of the cafes and businesses in Taghazout are centred around surf tourism. It’s the reason travellers started flocking to the village in the 1960s. The hippie surf origins in Taghazout remain; reminiscent of a desert-based Bali. And just as we’re seeing in Bali, the prospect of cultural erosion in favour of chain hotels and mass tourism looms.

Tamraght is more spread out. There’s one strip where you can find a handful of cafes and restaurants bunched together, but you’ll find many more dotted throughout the mazes of little streets. The village of Tamraght sprawls up a hill, and you’ll find surf camps spread from the main road to the base of the mountain. I like this about Tamraght because it means there are always new neighbourhood nooks to explore.

But if you like to be amongst it all, Taghazout is probably for you.

If you’re sold already, see my suggested 5-day Taghazout travel itinerary.

4. Taghazout Skatepark

This is probably my favourite thing about Taghazout. And the reason for most of my visits to the neighbouring village. Whether you skate or not, the skatepark is worth visiting for the view alone.

Perched up on the hill above Taghazout, you can gaze out at the vast expanse of Atlantic Ocean from Desert Point to Anza. You can spot the surfers bopping around at Panorama and watch the right handers roll in at Anchor Point.

The skatepark itself is beautiful, with input from local artists and travellers. Most nights it attracts a large crowd who gather for the epic sunset opportunity. And to skate, I suppose.

From the top end of Taghazout’s main street, you’ll find a sign directing you up the hill to the skatepark. It’s a bit of a scramble up the goat track, but only a short walk. Don’t fret though, whether you choose to stay in Tamraght or Taghazout, I’ve provided directions in this post.

Check out this post for more recommendations on the top things to do in Taghazout.

Tamraght

See my full Tamraght travel guide.

1. The Mountain

Or hills? I don’t know where the line is drawn. Anywho, the village of Tamraght is backdropped by these big cactus-dotted hills. It makes the landscape extra special. It’s a constant reminder that you’re on African land, walking alongside all the history, wisdom and culture that’s bound up with it. And to be able to see that from the beach – that’s something else.

The hike up the mountain is super pleasant, and the views from the top are incredible. You can see the village of Aourir sprawling behind, and the winding road leading to Paradise Valley. It’s nice to sit up there and gain some perspective. Not surprisingly, it tops my list of the best sunset spots in Tamraght.

2. Slow Paced

You can pretty much take everything I’ve written above about Taghazout’s lively energy, and flip it, so it reads as one of Tamraght’s greatest perks. I suppose it comes down to the kind of person you are, and the type of places that attract you.

I like that Tamraght feels slower, calmer, quieter. It gives you the illusion of anonymity. (Which is false by the way; the Moroccan people are always watching. But it’s nice to pretend.)

Maybe the layout of the village slows things down. Most people walk everywhere and it usually takes 15–20-minutes to wander across town. I read recently that the speed at which you move influences the cadence of your thoughts. So, when you’re walking, the pace of your thinking slows down. Slower thoughts, slower movement, slower energy? Maybe.

People are happy doing their own thing in Tamraght. There’s less of a set grid for travellers, so you’re free to map out your days as you please. This means that everyone will have their own experience of Tamraght, aligning with the lifestyle that suits them best. Quite a few expats opt for Tamraght over Taghazout for longer-term stays, and I guess that’s why.

4. Authentic Local Community

Tamraght is still undoubtedly a tourist town, but it feels less obviously so than Taghazout. Whereas Taghazout seems to cater purely to tourists, in Tamraght you maintain the awareness that you’re an outsider. That this place does not belong to you. And I mean that in the most positive way.

You feel outnumbered by the locals in Tamraght (as you should). And I think that encourages travellers to be more mindful of the local culture. More respectful. Taghazout seems to create a little bubble for tourists. And when they can’t see the community that exists outside of the bubble, I think it’s easier for travellers to disregard the local customs in favour of their own freedoms.

In Tamraght, you’re more likely to align with the local way of living. You shop where the locals do – where you guess the spices by scent because all the names are written in Arabic. And ultimately you find yourself eating like the locals do – because you’re limited to the same local and seasonal produce. You learn a little Darija – so you can greet the shopkeepers properly and experience a warm sense of connection in exchange for your efforts.

It seems almost paradoxical, but the more you acknowledge and honour the differences in culture, the greater the sense of belonging you experience.

I must reiterate that Tamraght is still a tourist hotspot. And of course, I am a Western tourist. Thus, the level of authenticity within the community could never match its pre-tourism era. However, if we’re comparing Tamraght or Taghazout – Tamraght still retains the local authenticity best.

Check out the top things to do in Tamraght.

4. Epic Views

Whether in Tamraght or Taghazout, you’ll be hard-pressed not to find accommodation that comes with a sweet rooftop terrace. But I’m going to go on record to say that the views from Tamraght rooftops are better.

From Taghazout, you can sit on your terrace in the evenings and watch the sunset over the bay. Which is dreamy, don’t get me wrong. But in Tamraght, the views are so much more diverse.

From a higher vantage point, you can see all the way down the coast to Agadir. You can check the surf at Banana Point and watch the sunset over Devil’s Rock. You can watch kids playing soccer on the local pitch, or spy on neighbouring terraces below (that look uncannily like Sims houses from above). And if you’re on the upper end of town you might even be privy to a fiery sunrise over the mountain.

For the most gorgeous rooftop views, check out the best surf camps in Tamraght.

So, Tamraght or Taghazout?

Don’t fret too much over your decision. Both towns have great surf, great food, an abundance of surf camps and yoga classes, and lovely beaches.

At the end of the day, the two surf villages are only 10 minutes apart. So, whether you decide to stay in Tamraght or Taghazout, it’s easy enough to split your time between the two. And either way, you’re still on vacation on Morocco’s surf coast. L’humdulilah.

See all the transport options for travelling between Tamraght and Taghazout.

For further planning, I’ve written posts on how to get to Tamraght, how to get to Taghazout, and the best time of the year to visit. As I said, I’m pretty biased.

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