Taghazout

 

Taghazout became kind of a second home for me in the last years. I try to visit this wonderful place at least once or twice a year.

Somehow this little fisher's village has something special, which makes me breathe again when I feel stressed or sad.

Taghazout is placed between Agadir and Essaouira on the atlantic cost. It's very small but well known in the surfer's world because there are some really good surfspots (Hashpoint, in the village, Anker's Point 10-15 min walking, Killer's a little more far but is it worth a journey, at noon you can see orcas there, that's why it is named "killer's", panorama's for the beginners, 5 min walking and banana beach, 2 bus stations).

If you want to surf, you can bring your own board or borrow one in one of the surfshops in Taghazout (around 10 € for Wetsuit and Board/whole day).

Another oppurtunity is a surfcamp (I advise the first one, which is owned by a friend of mine, he is a great surfer and spending time with him means always, you'll have a great time and a lot of fun!:) )

http://www.hashpointsurfcamp.com/

http://surfberbere.com/home

http://www.surfcamptaghazout.com/

The village became more touristic during the last years but untill today it is still a very likable place with very good and cheap restaurants, great appartments which you can rent on location (between 2,50 to 20 e per night: 2,50 if you know someone, stay a long time and are use to bargaining, 20 if you behave like a real tourist and/or if you want some more extravagance.

If you want to book before, there is also a youth hostel which is quite cool but comparing to the appartments it is expensive. 

http://www.surfmaroc.co.uk/auberge.php

The locals are very helpful and friendly, of course you should always have in mind that most of them want to sell something. BUT not everyone and if you are open minded, you can find real friends down here.

For the sunset you definetly should go to Anker's point, I think I can say there is no better place to watch sunsets (and I have been to lots of nice sunset places!).

For breakfast or dinner the Aftas is quite nice. It is a little cafe/restaurant at the beachside of the village and the owner's also can help you to find the most beautiful appartments - not the cheapest but always clean, not too expensive and very beautiful. They also are really good in solving any kind of problems and they're really friendly and honest! 

Furthermore there is the café Sonya's also on the beachside direction Anker's which is also very friendly, not too crowded and very delicious for coffee or dinner/breakfast.

Just two last tips: alcohol is not allowed in restaurants and also not on the street, you can drink but you have to be careful. Better inside the house! Same for kissing your girlfriend. In Taghazout most of the people are used to tourists but there are still some who don't like occidental behaviour and if someone calls the police you'll get in trouble. Just keep in mind that Morocco (and every country you travel to) has another culture which should be respected by every traveller!! Always!!!

If you can make it: spend some time in Morocco. Travel around and stay close to the locals (not always to the tourists...) it is a very great country with a lovely nature and supernice people!

Mirleft / Sidi Idni

Mirleft, is really NOT my fav city.. pretty calm, good waves but you need your own surfboard (expensive...) and in the evening, there is nothing to do, shops close early and almost no one is round... But if you want a calm place where you have no (or less) tourists and can make your own meals: there are busses every day from Agadir.

Sidi Ifni though is a great city. It was quite calm, when I was there (March) but still the locals were up to do some jamming, cooking and surfing. The waves are absolutely nice and you're not surrounded by other travellers.

How to get there?

I took a taxi from Mirleft with 5 or 6 strangers next to me (and of course the driver...) let's say: don't be afraid of small cars with many people in it.. it might smell of sweat but it's always cheaper ;) The ride was something about 1,5-2 hours and it costed more or less nothing: 15 dh (1,50€) but I have to admit that it was a local taxi. Next to me 2 older English women (they looked very touristic) were waiting and they didn't get a taxi and later, when they got one, they had a higher (touristic) price. I had my marrocain trousers on and a scarf over my hair so they gave me the last "free" place in a local taxi (I think, the women wouldn't have take it anyway.. :D)

Sidi Ifni has some influence by Spain and you can see this in every house, it is a mixed style, I've never seen before! In Sidi Ifni and around are some pretty nice places. You can surf, walk around or just sit in one of the cafes and restaurants and look over the sea. Another plus is, that the city is not that touristic (compares to Agadir or Marrakesh). There is a camping ground next to the main city and in the season, someone told me, it's getting fuller of tourist (probably november-february) 

Very important fact: near the ocean you can get Pizza with Tuna and Olives which was the best one I've ever had in my whole life!! So, in the end: Sidi Ifni is something special and I'll definitely come back!

Souk in Sidi Ifni