Taounate: A hill town at the foot of the southern Rif

Taounate is a town situated on a hill at the foot of the southern Rif, overlooking the Oued Sra River. Its elevation, location on the southern Rif, and views of the river give the townscape a clear connection to its landscape. Taounate has its own distinctive townscape; other historic sites, natural sites, and craft traditions are associated with various places in Taounate Province. This distinction is useful when planning a trip. If you are planning a hotel stay for a trip to Taounate, you can distinguish between the townscape and the cultural or nature-focused themes found elsewhere in the province. This lets you choose a focus that suits the kind of stay you want.

Historic sites

A protected zone has been established around the ruins of the Almoravid Kasbah of Jebel Amargu. The protected area is therefore as much a part of the site’s description as the ruins themselves. Od Ahmed Fortress is located in Tissa, in Taounate Province. Those interested in historic fortifications can find two distinct points of interest here: a ruin site with a protected zone and a fortress in Tissa. This comparison helps link the two place names to their respective historic landmarks. It provides a concrete point of reference for planning a cultural and historical trip.

Craft traditions

The province’s craft traditions connect four place names with specific activities. Weaving is a tradition in Oulad Azam, basketry in Moulay Bouchta, woodworking in Bni Oulid, and pottery in Aslas. These associations make the region’s crafts more tangible than a general reference to culture: the activities represent different fields and point to different places. Weaving and basketry differ from woodworking and pottery; those interested in crafts can therefore explore the province through specific themes rather than as a single craft destination. Unlike the fortifications, this topic is not focused on two historic structures, but connects four activities to their respective places. Crafts thus add another perspective on the province to its cultural and historical appeal.

Natural sites and activities

The natural sites offer a range of thematic highlights. Kahf Maktoub is a natural site near Oued Jemaâ in Taounate Province. Bouadel is considered a natural site suited to swimming and hiking. At the Almoravid fortress of Amergou, visitors can enjoy views over the lake after the climb. The climb makes the view at Amergou an experience that brings physical activity and landscape together. When planning a trip, it is useful to distinguish between activities and views: Bouadel offers swimming and hiking, while at Amergou the climb comes before the lake view. Kahf Maktoub adds another natural site to the selection. You can consider whether to make activities, a climb with a view of the lake, or a natural site in its own right a focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Taounate, Sraghna, Taza.

For the wider travel overview: Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate.