Mirleft
Understand
Mirleft is a very small village that has been visited by hippies since the 1970s. Nowadays, most income is generated by tourism. In peak season, the city is run over by tourists, and finding affordable accommodation can be challenging. Peak seasons are from Christmas until mid-January for European tourists and July/August for Moroccans.
Two positive side effects for tourists:
- in almost every hotel, restaurant and cafes, at least basic English is spoken
- prices in low season (around November and May) are very low
Get in
By bus
Two local lines connect Tiznit and Sidi Ifni once every hour, with several stops in Mirleft: One on the coastal route through Aglou, the other on the mountain route.
National lines: Mirleft is on the bus route from Agadir south to Western Sahara but buses don't stop there unless you ask the driver to be let off there. Make sure you ask before your luggage is stowed away so they can place it in a way that retrieving it does not require unloading more luggage. Also be present when stowing, so you know where it is exactly and point the driver to it.
By car
Get around
It takes about 30 min to walk from one end to the other along the main road and about 20 minutes from beach to kasbah. You can also rent a scooter (single gear, kickstarters) for 60 to 100 dirham per day.
See
- 🌍 the old Kasbah.
- any of the beaches
- 🌍 Imi Ntarga Beach.
- 🌍 Tabograichte Beach.
- 🌍 Aftas Beach. A small beach with five buildings, mostly small basic guest houses and little restaurants, popular with locals and European expats
- 🌍 Talmrsat.
- 🌍 Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Beach ( Marabout - chikh ).
- 🌍 Tamhrouchte Beach.
- 🌍 Sidi Lwafi Beach.
- 🌍 Ftaissa Beach.
- 🌍 Lagzira Beach.
Do
- Surf or fish at the beaches (surf lessons offered by various schools)
- Paragliding, ask at Hotel Abertih for contacts
- Visit the souk on Monday
- Stroll from one beach to the next on the cliff-top path
- Ride a horse through the mountains or along the beach at sunset (Ranch "Les Deux Gazelles", about 15 km north, on the road to Aglou; they will arrange transportation. 300 dirham for 2 hr.)
Buy
Eat
The market street (one block parallel to the main road that goes from Tiznit to Sidi Ifni) is lined with restaurants, and on most beaches, you can find restaurants with a sea view.
After 19:00, a few stalls near the fish market offer grilled sardines for 10-20 dirham per portion.
Drink
The only place in town with a license for selling alcohol is Hotel Abertih, though other places serve wine or beer, but which is changing all the time.
Sleep
Mirleft has much more beds for tourists than inhabitants, so finding something is really easy. If you arrive by bus, just look lost for a minute and someone will approach you with offers (they expect a small fee of 20-30 dirham - just agree on a price upfront).
In summer peak season, since most Moroccans arrive with their own car, at the entrance of the village lots of guys wait, waving with keys. The keys say "we have rooms/apartments" for rent.
- Mirleft Soul Hostel (Mirleft Centre), ☎ +212528719149, e-mail: Mirleft.soul.hostel@gmail.com. Mirleft's first hostel, with a homely atmosphere, a Berber tent to relax in and great views overlooking the valley. Breakfast, WiFi, sheets and towels included with free mint tea all day. Dorms for 10, 8, or 6 people. 60 dirham per night.
Connect
There are at least 2 internet cafes and most hotels, cafes and restaurants offer free WiFi. Maroc Telecom has a store that sells prepaid SIM cards on the market road, 50 m north of the fish market.
Go next
- south to Sidi Ifni (30-min drive) or Guelmim (1½-hr drive)
- north to Aglou, Tiznit or Agadir
- south to the stunning rock arches in Legzira