Aourir (Banana Village): The Local Town Between Agadir and Taghazout

Aourir doesn’t get a guide in most Taghazout travel write-ups. It’s not a surf destination in the Taghazout sense, it doesn’t have a stack of yoga retreats, and nobody is writing Instagram captions from their apartment terrace there. What it has is cheaper food than anywhere else on this stretch of coast, an excellent market, the best fresh produce in the area, and the kind of authentic Moroccan town atmosphere that Taghazout increasingly lacks as it develops.

It’s 5km south of Taghazout. We went there for the market and stayed for a coffee that cost a third of what the same cup costs overlooking Hash Point.

What Aourir Is Like

Aourir — also widely known as Banana Village, after the banana plantations that line the coast road at this point — is a functional Moroccan market town that exists largely for the people who live in and around it rather than for visitors. The main street has butchers, bakeries, a pharmacy, phone shops, hardware stores, and a handful of basic cafes. There’s a regular souk (market) that draws vendors from the surrounding area.

The banana plantations flanking the N1 highway here are one of the distinctive visual markers of this stretch of coast — palm-sized, sweet Moroccan bananas sold from roadside stalls for next to nothing.

The Market

Aourir’s weekly market is one of the best reasons to visit. It operates on Wednesdays and draws produce vendors, clothing sellers, and household goods traders from across the region. For self-catering travellers based in Taghazout or Tamraght, a weekly trip to Aourir market is the best food shopping option on the coast — far better value than the minimarkets in Taghazout.

Look for: fresh vegetables and fruit (tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, olives, argan oil), fresh fish from local boats, cheap spices, and the ubiquitous cheap Moroccan bread. Budget 50–100 MAD for a week’s worth of fresh produce for one person (confirmed accurate at current local souk prices).

Banana Point Surf

Banana Point is accessible from Aourir — the break sits just off the coast road here and is an underrated option when Taghazout breaks are crowded. See the Banana Point surf guide for conditions and access.

Getting to Aourir

Grand taxi from Taghazout: ~10–15 MAD per person, 10-minute journey. Ask for Aourir or Banana Village — any driver will know it. It’s also a 30–40 minute walk south along the coast road from Taghazout, or reachable from Tamraght in 20 minutes on foot.

Eating and Drinking in Aourir

Basic local cafes serving mint tea, coffee, Moroccan omelette, and bread. This is where you eat if you want a proper Moroccan breakfast for 20–30 MAD rather than 60–80 MAD on a Taghazout rooftop. No tourist-oriented restaurants and no single named cafe stands out — the draw to Aourir is the Wednesday souk and Banana Point surf break, not the dining. The local cafes near the souk serve the working population well at honest prices.

FAQ

Is Aourir worth visiting from Taghazout?

Yes — particularly on market day, and as a regular shopping stop for fresh produce if you’re self-catering. It’s also worth a visit just to experience the contrast with the more tourist-heavy Taghazout.

Why is it called Banana Village?

The banana plantations along the N1 coast road near Aourir give it the name. Moroccan bananas — smaller and sweeter than the imported variety — are sold at roadside stalls. Worth buying.

Can I walk to Aourir from Taghazout?

Yes — 30–40 minutes along the coast road south. More pleasant than it sounds, with sea views most of the way.

Last updated: March 2026

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