Tamegroute at a glance
| Where | Draa valley, Draa-Tafilalet region, south-east of Zagora |
| From Marrakech | About 370 km, 7 to 8 hours by road (estimate, stops not included) |
| What to see | Naciria zawiya and its library, green pottery workshops, mud-brick alleys |
| Time on the spot | 2 to 3 hours |
| Best season | March-April and October-November; summer is very hot |
Why stop here
Tamegroute is one of the few places in Morocco where religious learning, a living craft and an inhabited earthen village come together. It is not set up for coach parties: the alleys are narrow, the walls are rammed earth and the visit stays simple. Travellers who go on to Zagora or M'Hamid find here a counterpoint to the dunes: the interest is human rather than scenic. For the road south and the other stops in the valley, see our Zagora page and our comparison of the desert from Marrakech.
The Naciria zawiya and its library
The zawiya is a religious centre of the Naciria Sufi brotherhood, founded by Sidi Mohammed ben Nasser (1603-1674), who took over teaching at Tamegroute in the 1640s. His son Ahmed ben Nasser brought back from his pilgrimages texts on medicine, Quranic sciences, astrology, mathematics and other subjects. The library once held about 50,000 volumes, making it one of the richest in North Africa; according to travel sources, a little over 4,000 remain today, the rest having been entrusted to other Moroccan institutions. A 13th-century Quran written on gazelle skin is among the items mentioned.
What to know before you go:
- Opening hours: we could not confirm them at the source. The library sometimes closes in the middle of the day and on the prayer day; come in the morning and ask your hotel or driver the day before for the opening time.
- Entry: a custodian opens the manuscript room. Bring a small donation or tip in dirhams; do not accept an imposed amount without understanding it.
- Photos: photography is forbidden inside the library. Respect the rule, and do not photograph worshippers at the mosque or the zawiya.
- Dress: shoulders and knees covered, see what to wear in Marrakech (the rules apply across the country).
- Non-Muslims: the zawiya is a place of worship; the mosque is reserved for Muslims, while the library room can be visited.
Tamegroute's green pottery
The village is known for its green-glazed pottery: bowls, dishes, tagines, plates, vases. Green is Tamegroute's signature, and what sets it apart from the colourful ceramics of Safi or the blue and white of Fez. The potters work in small workshops and cooperatives, fire their pieces in earthen kilns, and sell on the spot in shops that are sometimes half underground. It is free to walk in and look.
A few tips for buying:
- Compare pieces and prices in two or three workshops before choosing; bargain with a smile, as in the souks of Marrakech.
- A decorative tagine, glazed and painted, is not made for cooking. Ask the potter whether the piece can go on the fire, or choose one in earthenware with a simple glaze; see our guide what to bring back from Marrakech.
- Pack carefully: ask for paper, cardboard or a basket, since the journey back is long and the roads winding. Fragile pieces travel better in the cabin than in the hold.
The village alleys
Around the zawiya, the alleys lined with rammed-earth walls and covered passages form a small ksar that is still inhabited. Walk through unhurriedly, say hello, and do not photograph residents without asking. Children and adults sometimes offer to guide you or sell you something; a polite "no, thank you" is enough.
Getting there from Marrakech
On a tour. This is the simplest option. Two- and three-day tours to Zagora usually include a stop in Tamegroute, sometimes with a visit to the library and a potter's workshop; check the itinerary, as some leave it out. The first day goes to Zagora via the Tizi n'Tichka and Aït Benhaddou, as described in our desert comparison. We did not find a specific GetYourGuide offer for Tamegroute, so we do not suggest one here.
By coach. CTM coaches link Marrakech and Zagora in about 7.5 to 8 hours, with a ticket around 220 to 240 DH (price seen in October 2026). From Zagora, a taxi or shared grand taxi makes the round trip to Tamegroute; agree the price before leaving.
By car or with a driver. Allow 350 km to Zagora via Ouarzazate and Agdz, then about twenty kilometres. Set off early: the climb over the Tizi n'Tichka is slow. See car rental in Marrakech for the conditions.
How long, and which season
Allow half a day on the spot if you sleep in Zagora, and at least one night in the valley: a return trip from Marrakech in a single day means nearly 15 hours on the road. The best months are March-April and October-November: summer often exceeds 40 °C, and winter nights are cold. Come in the morning for the library and the workshops.
Pitfalls and good practice
- Fake guides: people who approach you at the village entrance are not licensed guides; before accepting, fix the price and the duration.
- Commissions: a guide or driver may take you to a workshop that pays them a commission; this does not always change the price, but compare.
- Cash: few shops accept cards. Bring dirhams in small notes; see scams to avoid in Marrakech.
- Water and a hat: there is little shade in the alleys, especially in the afternoon.
Going further
To decide whether the south suits you, read our comparison of the desert from Marrakech and the Zagora page. For a shorter outing, a day in the Atlas remains more realistic.
