Tata
POP 40,000
Situated on the Saharan plain at the foot of Jebel Bani, Tata was an oasis settlement along the
trade route from Zagora to Tan Tan. Close to the Algerian border, the small modern town has a
garrison feel, with four types of police and military stationed here, and you may be questioned
on your way into town. With new infrastructure and less hassle than other Saharan spots, Tata
is poised to become more of a destination for travellers.
The palmeraie is well worth exploring. You can drive a 7km circuit of it, or catch a local bus
(Dh5). Above the village at the far end of the palmeraie is a white hilltop marabout (saint’s
tomb) , which you can see from Tata.
Tata is best as a base for off-the-beaten-track excursions, such as desert camping, Akka
oasis, kasbah and agadir, and the rock engravings at Oum el-Alek, Tircht and Aït Herbil, among
the finest in Morocco. Multilingual Berber guide Isam, based at the unimpressive souvenir shop
Maison du Patrimoine ( 0613 24 13 12; [email protected]; Ave Mohammed V) ,
charges about Dh350 per day for one or two people, including lunch and 4WD.
The basic hotels above the cafes on Ave Mohammed V typically charge Dh30 to Dh100 per
room. The municipal camp site near Maison du Patrimoine, which was being renovated when
we visited, charges Dh40 per person. Dar Infiane ( 0528 80 24 08, 0661 61 01 70;
[http://www.darinfiane.com, in French; r incl breakfast €63-103; ](http://www.darinfiane.com, in French; r incl breakfast €63-103; ) ) , Tata’s old kasbah, perched
above the palmeraie, has been turned into a Clef Verte guesthouse. Off a carpet-strewn
central courtyard lie nine rooms, in which the original eccentricities such as low beams are
intact, and an outdoor Jacuzzi with mountain views. The French owners arrange visits aimed at
facilitating cultural contact between tourists and the local population, such as trekking in the
palmeraie and agadir visits. Dinners (€19) are delicious, and evenings on the rooftop terrace
are magical in the still of the Sahara night. Undergoing a renovation when we visited, central
stalwart Hôtel La Renaissance ( 0528 80 22 25; [email protected]; Ave des
FAR; s/d Dh170/210; ) has restful rooms adorned with blue and maroon tiles. There are
palmeraie views from the terrace and the helpful staff speak a little English. The only
downsides are the cramped bathrooms, although there’s plenty of hot water, and the
occasional unsavoury character in the bar. Hotel Les Relais des Sables ( 0528 80 23 01;
Ave des FAR; s/d/tr Dh219/268/389; ) is among the most comfortable accommodation
options in town, and hence is popular with tour groups and overlanders. It has a large bar and
restaurant, and rooms are arranged around flowery courtyards.
There are cafes on the main street near Maison du Patrimoine.
On Ave Mohammed V you’ll find a post office, internet cafe, Banque Populaire and
Attijariwafa Bank, which has money-changing facilities and ATMs, and the Délégation de
Tourisme (Tourist Office; 0528 80 20 76, 0676 00 26 99; http://crt-guelmim.com/prevince-
tata-en.html; 9am-4.30pm Mon-Fri) .
Getting There & Away
Bus
Tata’s new bus station is in the centre near Hotel Les Relais des Sables.
Agadir (Dh80, eight hours, three daily)