Navigate Tiznit Like a Local
From medina maze to modern boulevards - your complete guide to finding everything in Morocco's silver city.
Understanding Tiznit's Layout
City Structure
Tiznit is organized in concentric zones, each with distinct character:
The Three Zones
- Historic Medina (Center): Enclosed by 5km ramparts, traditional layout with narrow streets radiating from Place Al Mechouar
- Colonial Quarter (Inner Ring): 1920s-1960s development with wider streets, administrative buildings
- Modern Extensions (Outer Ring): Post-1970s growth including industrial zone, new residential areas
Orientation Points
City Center: 29.6974° N, 9.7316° W
Elevation: 250 meters above sea level
Total Area: Approximately 6.5 km²
Medina Area: 0.8 km²
Essential Locations & GPS Coordinates
Historic Monuments
Grand Mosque
Central medina, magnificent minaret visible throughout city
Source Bleue
Sacred spring, birthplace of Tiznit legend
Place Al Mechouar
Historic palace square, heart of old city
Souk des Bijoutiers
Silver market, active workshops
The Five Gates
Bab Aglou (West)
Main entrance, faces the ocean
Bab El Khemis (North)
Thursday market access
Bab Targua (East)
Caravan route gate
Bab Oulad Jarrar (South)
Agricultural gate
Bab Jdid (Southeast)
"New" gate (1920s)
Practical Services
Grand Taxi Station
Regional transport hub
CTM Bus Station
National bus services
Thursday Market
Weekly regional market
Hospital
Main medical facility
Post Office (PTT)
Postal and banking services
Accommodations
Hotel Tiznit
Historic hotel, near Bab Aglou
Riad Janoub
Traditional riad in medina
Hotel Municipal
Budget option, new town
Camping Aglou
Beach camping, 14km northwest
Dining
Restaurant Bab Aglou
Traditional cuisine, terrace views
Café Tafraoute
Local breakfast spot
Chez Brahim
Hidden gem, no sign
Fish Market Grills
Fresh seafood, new town
Shopping Areas
Medina Souks
Traditional crafts, silver, leather
Avenue Hassan II
Modern shops, cafes
Marjane Supermarket
Western-style shopping
Ensemble Artisanal
Fixed-price crafts cooperative
Recommended Walking Routes
Route 1: Medina Heritage Walk
Start: Bab Aglou → End: Source Bleue
Route Details:
- Enter through Bab Aglou (morning light best for photos)
- Turn right to Place Al Mechouar (5 min)
- Visit Grand Mosque exterior (10 min)
- Navigate to Souk des Bijoutiers (15 min exploring)
- Exit via narrow passage to Source Bleue (10 min)
- Rest at spring gardens (5 min)
Highlights: Silver workshops, mint tea at Place Al Mechouar, fountain architecture
Best Time: 9-11 AM or 4-6 PM (avoid midday heat)
Route 2: Ramparts Circuit
Start/End: Bab El Khemis (circular route)
Route Details:
- Start Bab El Khemis, walk counterclockwise
- Follow exterior wall to Bab Aglou (20 min)
- Continue to Bab Oulad Jarrar (25 min)
- Curve to Bab Jdid (20 min)
- Complete circuit to Bab Targua (15 min)
- Return to start (10 min)
Highlights: Complete fortification views, sunset from southwest corner, local neighborhoods
Tip: Bring water, limited shade
Route 3: Market to Medina
Start: Thursday Market → End: Medina Center
Route Details:
- Exit market main entrance heading south
- Follow Avenue Mohammed V (10 min)
- Enter medina through Bab El Khemis (5 min)
- Navigate to central square (15 min)
Thursday Special: Follow locals carrying purchases, natural navigation aid
Navigation Tips & Tricks
Medina Navigation
The Minaret Method
The Grand Mosque minaret is visible from most medina points. Keep it to your right = heading toward Bab Aglou (west). Keep it to your left = heading toward Bab Targua (east).
Follow the Water
Historic water channels run downhill from Source Bleue. Following water flow leads to the spring, against flow leads to gates.
Color Codes
Blue doors = residential. Green = religious/community. Brown = commercial. Helps identify your location by zone.
Modern City Navigation
- Avenue Hassan II: Main artery, runs north-south
- Avenue Mohammed V: Connect old to new, east-west
- Roundabouts: Five major ones, each with distinct landmark
- Petit taxi zones: Blue taxis only within city limits
Distance & Time Reference
From Tiznit Center To:
| Destination | Distance | By Car | By Grand Taxi | Cost (MAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aglou Beach | 14 km | 15 min | 20 min | 15-20 |
| Mirleft | 40 km | 35 min | 45 min | 30-40 |
| Sidi Ifni | 75 km | 1h 10min | 1h 30min | 50-60 |
| Agadir | 90 km | 1h 15min | 1h 30min | 60-70 |
| Tafraoute | 107 km | 2h | 2h 30min | 70-80 |
| Guelmin | 120 km | 1h 45min | 2h | 80-90 |
| Taroudant | 145 km | 2h 15min | 3h | 90-100 |
Offline Navigation Solutions
When GPS Fails
Download Before You Go:
- Maps.me: Full offline maps, includes Tiznit medina paths
- Google Maps Offline: Download Tiznit area (uses ~50MB)
- OsmAnd: Most detailed for hiking trails around city
Physical Maps Available:
- Tourist Office: Free basic map (when open)
- Hotel Reception: Most hotels have photocopied maps
- Librairie Atlas: Detailed city maps for 30 MAD
- Cyber Cafes: Will print Google Maps for 5 MAD
Pro Tip: Screenshot your route before entering the medina. Cell signal is weak within the walls, but screenshots work offline.
Emergency & Essential Services
Medical
Regional Hospital
Emergency: 05 28 60 00 28
Pharmacie de Garde (24/7)
Rotating schedule posted at all pharmacies
Private Clinic Al Amal
Faster service, higher cost
Security & Admin
Police Station
Emergency: 19
Gendarmerie
Highway incidents: 177
Municipality
Permits, official documents
Banking
ATM Locations (24/7)
- Attijariwafa: Place Al Mechouar
- Banque Populaire: Avenue Hassan II
- BMCE: Near Bab Aglou
- Crédit Agricole: New Town center
Note: ATMs may run empty Thursday evening/Friday
Local Shortcuts & Secret Passages
Medina Shortcuts Only Locals Know
The Mosque Cut-Through
Between prayer times, you can cross through the mosque courtyard (remove shoes). Saves 10 minutes from Souk des Bijoutiers to Bab Targua.
The Carpenter's Passage
Through the furniture workshop near the fountain - connects main souk to residential quarter. Ask permission first.
The School Route
Follow students at 8 AM, noon, 2 PM, or 4 PM - they know every shortcut. Particularly useful for reaching Source Bleue quickly.
The Night Path
After shops close, metal shutters create a different geometry. The route behind the gold shops opens up, creating direct access to the ramparts.
Finding Your Way
Tiznit rewards those who get lost. The medina's apparent chaos follows ancient logic - water flow, wind direction, social hierarchies embedded in stone. Each wrong turn teaches the right way.
Modern Tiznit spreads logically from this historic core, but even the new neighborhoods maintain something of the medina's spirit. Streets curve when they should be straight, squares appear where roads should continue.
Use this map as a starting point, not a bible. The best discoveries in Tiznit come from following curiosity rather than coordinates. That said, knowing where you are helps you get wonderfully lost without getting desperately lost.
Final Navigation Tip: When truly lost in the medina, find children playing. They'll lead you to a main path for the price of a smile. If they ask for money, you're near a tourist area and almost out.