Tiznit at a glance
Tiznit is a walled town in south-west Morocco, in the Souss-Massa region and the capital of Tiznit Province. It sits on the N1 road about 90 km south of Agadir, around 15 km inland from the Atlantic coast at Aglou, where the plains of the Souss meet the first ridges of the Anti-Atlas mountains.
The town is best known for its silver jewellery, its roughly 5 km of earthen ramparts built after Sultan Moulay Hassan I founded the walled town in 1882, and the Source Bleue spring at its heart. It is a working regional centre of around 75,000 people (2014 census), not a resort — which is much of its appeal.
If you are trying to place Tiznit on a map: find Agadir on Morocco's south-west coast, then follow the coast road south for about an hour and a quarter. Beyond Tiznit the road continues to Guelmim, the traditional gateway to the Moroccan Sahara.
How far is Tiznit from…?
| Destination | Road distance | Typical drive | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aglou beach | ~15 km | 20 min | Nearest beach, north-west |
| Mirleft | ~40 km | 40 min | Coastal town, surf and coves |
| Sidi Ifni | ~75 km | 1h 15 | Former Spanish town, via Mirleft |
| Inezgane (grand-taxi hub) | ~80 km | 1h | Change here for Agadir and the north |
| Agadir / Agadir Al Massira Airport | ~85–90 km | 1h 15 | Nearest international airport |
| Tafraoute | ~107 km | 2–2.5 h | Anti-Atlas mountain road |
| Guelmim | ~120 km | 1h 30 | Gateway to the Sahara provinces |
| Taroudant | ~165 km | 2.5 h | Via Agadir |
| Essaouira | ~265 km | 3.5–4 h | Via Agadir |
| Marrakech | ~340 km | 4.5–5 h | A7 motorway via Agadir |
| Casablanca | ~580 km | 6–7 h | A7 motorway via Marrakech |
Approximate road distances from central Tiznit. Times assume normal traffic and daylight driving.
Where Tiznit sits in Morocco
Between the Souss and the Sahara
Tiznit lies on the southern edge of the Souss plain, the fertile lowland around Agadir. To the east rise the granite and sandstone ridges of the Anti-Atlas; to the south the land becomes drier toward Guelmim and the Sahara. The climate is semi-arid but softened by the Atlantic, so the town is rarely as hot as Morocco's interior. See Tiznit weather by month.On the road south
The N1 national road — Morocco's main north–south route along the Atlantic side of the country — passes Tiznit. South of the town, the Tiznit–Dakhla expressway has been built in stages toward Guelmim, Laâyoune and Dakhla, making Tiznit the starting point of the long road into the Moroccan Sahara.Close to the coast
Although Tiznit is an inland town, the ocean is only about 15 km away at Aglou. From there a wild coastline runs south-west past Mirleft and the cliffs of Legzira to Sidi Ifni. Most visitors combine the town with at least one day on the coast.Tiznit Province
Tiznit is the administrative capital of Tiznit Province, home to roughly 200,000 people at the 2014 census, much of it rural Amazigh (Berber) villages in the foothills. Sidi Ifni, once part of the same province, became its own province in 2009.What is Tiznit known for?
Silver jewellery
The town's Souk des Bijoutiers is one of Morocco's best-known silver markets, specialising in Amazigh jewellery — fibulae, bracelets, necklaces and enamelled pieces. See the silver craft and our buying guide.Ramparts and gates
Ochre rammed-earth walls of about 5 km enclose the medina, entered through gates such as Bab Aglou and Bab el Khemis. More in Ramparts & Gates.Source Bleue and the Grand Mosque
The spring linked to the legend of Lalla Tiznit sits near the Grand Mosque, whose minaret bristles with wooden poles in a style seen in the Sahel. Read the Source Bleue story.History
In 1912, as the French protectorate was imposed, Ahmed al-Hiba was proclaimed sultan in Tiznit and led a short-lived resistance movement north to Marrakech. Explore Tiznit then and now.The Thursday souk
Tiznit's big weekly market draws villagers from across the province every Thursday. Our souk guide explains how it works.Amazigh culture
Tachelhit is the everyday language for many residents, and Amazigh music, symbols and crafts are part of daily life. See Amazigh heritage.Tiznit, Tiznite, تيزنيت: names and spellings
Official and local names
The standard spelling is Tiznit. Older French maps and documents often write Tiznite. In Arabic the name is written تيزنيت, and in the Tifinagh script used for Tamazight it is ⵜⵉⵣⵏⵉⵜ, which you will see on official signs.Common misspellings
Travellers search for the town as Tisnit, Tizint, Tiznet or Tiznitt — they all mean the same place. In French, "Tiznit, Maroc"; in Spanish, "Tiznit, Marruecos"; in German, "Tiznit, Marokko". The postcode for the town is 85000.Find Tiznit on a map
Use our interactive map of Tiznit for the medina, gates and souks, or open the town in OpenStreetMap or Google Maps. For the journey, see how to get to Tiznit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tiznit in Morocco?
Yes. Tiznit is a town in south-west Morocco, in the Souss-Massa region, about 90 km south of Agadir.
Which region and province is Tiznit in?
Tiznit is the capital of Tiznit Province in the Souss-Massa region of Morocco.
How far is Tiznit from Agadir?
About 90 km by road on the N1, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car. Agadir Al Massira Airport is about 85–90 km away.
Is Tiznit in the Sahara?
No. Tiznit is on the semi-arid edge of the Souss plain and the Anti-Atlas, close to the Atlantic. The Sahara proper begins further south, beyond Guelmim.
What is Tiznit's postcode?
The postcode for Tiznit is 85000.
Is Tiznit worth visiting?
Yes, if you enjoy small, authentic towns: it is known for its silver souk, earthen ramparts, Thursday market and easy access to Aglou beach, Mirleft, Sidi Ifni and the Anti-Atlas. See 48 Hours in Tiznit.
Plan Your Visit
Now you know where Tiznit is — here's how to get there and what to do.
Last reviewed on 3 October 2026. Distances and travel times are approximate; prices and schedules change — please confirm locally.