Whether you’re waiting for swell, you’re travelling with a non-surfer, or you simply want to explore what’s beyond the shoreline, Taghazout and the surrounding region have more than enough to fill your days. Here’s our insider guide to the best things to do in Taghazout when you step away from the water.
1. Rooftop Yoga and Morning Meditation
If you’re already staying at a surf and yoga retreat, you’ll know that rooftop yoga with an Atlantic view is one of the best experiences Taghazout offers. The combination of sea air and the sound of breaking waves creates a setting that feels completely restorative.
At DFrost Almugar, our yoga sessions in Taghazout run on our rooftop terrace and are open to all levels, from complete beginners to advanced yogis. If you’re looking for a complete experience, our Yoga & Meditation retreat at Villa Surya in the quieter bay of Imi Ouaddar offers a deeper immersion and is just ten minutes north of the village.
2. Wander the Village Streets
Exploring Taghazout village is something many guests don’t do until their last day and then wish they’d done it sooner.
The village is compact and easy to cover on foot with narrow lanes that open to boutique shops selling handmade souvenirs and locally sourced products.
A coffee at one of the rooftop cafés along the main strip offers a front-row seat to the whole setting of our laid-back seaside town. Stay for a while and take it all in.
3. Hike to Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley is the most popular day trip from Taghazout; it’s about 20 km north of Agadir, and it earns the name. The valley is carved by the Tamraght River, and its emerald-coloured rock pools and small waterfalls are spectacular.
It’s a great spot for swimming, sunbathing on the rocks, hiking further up the valley, or simply sitting quietly somewhere beautiful.
Our day trips to Paradise Valley stop en route at a traditional Berber community where you can learn more about argan oil and have the opportunity to purchase small souvenirs for yourself or your loved ones back at home.
Visit on a weekday if possible and go earlier in the day. The valley is popular with both international visitors and Moroccan families, and the experience is considerably more peaceful when it’s quieter.
4. Take a Moroccan Cooking Class
The food in Taghazout ranges from fresh-caught fish and slow-cooked tagines to filo pastilla; it’s one of the great, underrated pleasures of Morocco.
A cooking class turns the cuisine into a hands-on experience. It’s a rainy-day activity that’s also one of the most memorable things guests take home.
Our Kitchen Club Restaurant & Bar is a great spot to start exploring the flavours of the region, and the team can point you toward the best local experiences.
5. Visit Souk El Had in Agadir
Souk El Had is one of the best traditional markets located about 30 minutes from Taghazout in Agadir.
With hundreds of stalls spread across the marketplace selling spices, olives, dates, honey, argan products, leather goods, ceramics, fresh produce, fabrics and everything in between.
Go with time to spare and wander through, smelling the saffron and dried rose petals as you go and grabbing lunch at one of the stalls inside. Bargaining is expected; give a good-natured smile and enjoy the process.
6. Camel Ride at Sunset
A camel ride along the beach as the sun drops behind the Atlantic is one of those experiences that are a Taghazout rite of passage.
Guided rides typically depart from Banana Beach and head along the coastline toward Taghazout with the Atlas Mountains visible inland. It’s great for couples, flat-swell days, or guests who want a cinematic memory from their trip.
7. Explore the Skate Park
The skate park here is worth checking out. It sits right on the edge of the coast with a wide-open view of the ocean. There’s a natural kinship between surf and skate culture, and watching local kids session the park against a backdrop of breaking waves is a simple pleasure of Taghazout.
8. Day Trip to Essaouira
For those who want to see more of Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Essaouira makes for an exceptional day trip at around two and a half hours from Taghazout.Â
The old medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a blue-and-white walled city of ramparts, fish stalls and one of the most concentrated creative communities in North Africa.
It’s easy to visit independently with a hired car or by booking one of our day trips to Essaouira.
9. Hammam and Traditional Massage
After a week of paddling out through Atlantic swell, your shoulders will thank you for a hammam experience. This traditional Moroccan steam bath, followed by an exfoliation scrub and soap massage, is one of the most restorative experiences, and it’s perfect for a surf-tired body.
Most towns have a local hammam that is reasonably priced and provides the full traditional experience. Several retreats and spas in the Taghazout Bay area, including the spa at Paradis Plage near our Villa Surya, offer more refined versions using local ingredients such as argan oil. Book out a couple of hours and enjoy it.
10. Watch the Swell at Anchor Point
When a proper swell arrives at Anchor Point, usually between October and March, it creates one of the most impressive scenes on the Atlantic Coast.
Walk up past the rock pools north of the village to the clifftop viewpoint and watch the sets roll in. Waves of this quality are rare anywhere in the world, and you can appreciate them even if you don’t surf. Check the forecast the night before and get there early.
Making the Most of Your Time in Taghazout
The best trips to Taghazout tend to mix time in the water with time away from it. The activities above are easy to organise either independently or through your accommodation at DFrost Almugar; we’re always happy to recommend excursions depending on the time of year.
If you’re planning a trip and want to combine surf sessions with yoga, exceptional food, and genuine exploration of the region, our Surf and Yoga packages and Surf & Stay packages are a great starting point.