Is it worth visiting if I have been to Marrakech?

The six kilometres of red-earth Saadian ramparts encircling Taroudant at sunset

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Ramparts of Taroudant

Hours

Always open

Entry

Free (calèche ~80 MAD for full circuit)

Duration

90 minutes

Location

Ramparts circuit, Taroudant, Souss-Massa

Seven kilometres of 16th-century Saadian pisé walls with 130 towers — the most complete earthen fortifications in Morocco. Best seen by calèche at sunset when the Anti-Atlas catches the last light.

The Walled Town

Taroudant's ramparts are the best-preserved circuit of city walls in Morocco — 7 km of red-ochre pisé enclosing a small, quiet town in the Souss Valley. The walls date to the Saadian dynasty (16th century). Taroudant was a Saadian capital before they moved to Marrakech. The town is sometimes called 'little Marrakech' but is far less touristic.

The Walls

Continuous red-ochre rammed-earth walls with towers at intervals and five main gates. The walls are complete — you can trace the full circuit, which takes about an hour by foot. The horse-drawn calèches that circle the walls are the standard tourist experience.

Visiting

Taroudant is 80 km east of Agadir. The walls are the main attraction — walk or calèche the circuit. The two souks (Arab souk and Amazigh souk) inside the walls are less touristic than Marrakech's and more negotiable.

Best Time to Visit

Morning for the souk. Evening for a calèche ride around the walls.

Getting There

80 km east of Agadir. About 1.5 hours by road.

Local Tip

Complete circuit of Saadian-era mud-brick ramparts — 7.5km, punctuated by 130 towers and 9 gates. Best walked in late afternoon when the ochre walls glow. A calèche ride takes 45 minutes. Bab el-Kasbah is the most impressive gate. The walls date to the 16th century when Taroudant was briefly a Saadian capital before Marrakech.