The small town of Tissint is located 70 km northeast of Tata, in southern Morocco, along the Foum-Zguid route. Prized for its salt water cascades, which offer a refreshing dip, it is equally renowned for the scenic beauty of its oasis.

History

Tissint is an oasis situated near the Sahara. Positioned on the route that once led to Sijilmassa, one of Morocco's greatest medieval cities, and blessed with fertile land conducive to agriculture, it served as an essential waystation for merchants and migrants traversing the Moroccan Sahara from east to west.

Tissint has long been celebrated for its medicinal plants. Herbalists from diverse regions—Algeria, Niger, Senegal, Egypt, Libya, and beyond—journeyed here to purchase these plants of miraculous properties in large quantities. Today, many families still depend on their cultivation for their livelihood. Among the hundreds of plant species cultivated here are thyme, used as a remedy for all ailments; "tiouraghine," for joint problems; and wormwood, for stomach pain.

Tissint had a population of 9,927 in 2004. On July 18, 2011, a meteorite crashed near the town. The largest fragments—weighing up to 987 grams—were recovered on the El Ga'ïdat plateau, while smaller pieces—just a few grams—were located closer to the El Aglâb mountains.

Visiting Tissint

Tissint owes its name to its salt water cascades. Indeed, the town's name means "salt" in the Amazigh language. These small waterfalls constitute its principal attraction. They plunge into a wide basin that beckons swimmers in summer, and their beauty is most striking when water flow is at its fullest. The location is also ideal for picnicking. The surrounding landscape is magnificent, featuring palm trees and rocky hills rising dramatically in the background.

Two other natural wonders await discovery near Tissint: Lake Bani and Mount Djebel Bani, a plateau-shaped mountain that forms a natural boundary between the Sahara Desert and the High Atlas.

During your visit to Tissint, take time to see the house where French geographer and explorer Charles de Foucauld once stayed. He famously disguised himself as a Jew while conducting his research and gathering intelligence across Morocco. Following the publication of his work "Reconnaissance au Maroc" in 1888, he received the gold medal from the Société de géographie.

You can reach Tissint from Agadir. First, take the N10 toward Taroudant and Taliouine. Then, follow route P1743 toward Akka Ighane. Continue on this road until you meet the N12. At the intersection with N12, turn left to arrive at Tissint.