Taroudant

About

One of the oldest cities in Morocco, Taroudant enjoyed a golden age during the Saadi Dynasty in the 16th century when Mohammed ash-Sheikh erected the city walls, as well as the great mosque and its minaret. The Saadians used Taroudant as a base to attack the Portuguese in Agadir. Today, these fortifications still stand, and the 5 gates mark the entrances to the city. The crenelated, red brick walls backed by the soaring, snow capped Anti-Atlas mountains makes for a jaw-dropping first impression. Taroudant’s two main markets, the Berber market and the larger Arab souk, are much less aggressive than those in Marrakech. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Palais Claudio Bravo Camus, the former home of Spanish hyperrealist artist Claudio Bravo, where you’ll see his work and pieces by friends like Picasso on a guided tour of the interior (and the beautiful garden and grounds are free to visit).