Things to see and do in Tafraout
Taking a walk around the town is a good way of seeing a little bit of the local culture, and although it's only a small place it's well worth setting aside a few hours to browse around the Souq and the infamous carpet shops. Try to seek out the following...
The Souq
This busy market is the very heart of Tafraoute, selling everything from traditional Berber slippers (Babouche) to wide ranges of herbs and spices. There are many bargains to be had amongst the dozens of shops, so it's a perfect place to head if you're looking for gifts to take home.
Maison d'Arganino
Located just off the Place de la Marche Verte at the top of the Souq, this unusual little business is worth a visit both for novelty value and to pick up Argan products at local prices. The Argan is big business in this part of Morocco, and the Berbers have found more ways to use these expensive nuts than you would think possible. Argan oil is a profitable export for Morocco, but at Maison d'Arganino you'll find Argan products for cooking and cosmetics at the same price that the locals would expect to pay for them. They'll also explain everything you could ever need to know about Argan oils and you can witness the time-consuming production processes first-hand.
The shop is extremely difficult to locate, being hidden behind a somewhat un-marked door, set back from the main street at the top of the square near Cafe Atlas. There is usually a small cart on the street where they sell there wares, but if asked the vendor will happily take you inside for a tour and a glass of mint tea.
Production of Argan Oil at Maison d'Arganino, Tafraoute
Maison Troc
One of Tafraoute's greatest adventures... A visit to Maison Troc should be on every visitor's itinerary, and for many people it's an unavoidable experience. The carpets here are incredibly fine items, matched only by the unrivalled selling skills of the ever-keen carpet sellers. Our advice would be to sit down with a glass of the ever-present mint tea and learn all about the origins of these exquisite pieces of craft... if you leave with a carpet at the end of the day you won't regret it! See also the shopping page.
Mohammed and Lahcen, proprietors of Maison Troc
An Evening Walk
The marvellous Alpenglow that illuminates Jebel Mqorn provides a spectacular backdrop to Tafraoute in the evening, and there's no finer place to view this scene than from the backcountry just outside the north side of town. Head out of town behind the campsite for a delightful evening stroll and unmissable views of Tafraoute.
Jebel Mqorn towers above the Hotel Les Amandiers, Tafraoute
