Summary
Where the western ridge of the High Atlas Mountains descends to the Atlantic, Agadir serves as a port and beach resort, basking in year-round sunshine.
Even during January, temperatures can exceed 20°C, attracting numerous Europeans seeking warmth and sunlight.
Agadir is Morocco’s preferred retreat, characterized by its lengthy sandy bay lined with an unending promenade and continuous row of hotels and dining establishments.
In view along the waterfront stands a 300-meter mountain topped with the remnants of Agadir’s historical citadel (Oufella). The resort is undergoing constant development, featuring new attractions such as a Ferris wheel, an upscale marina, and a contemporary zoo housing crocodiles that have recently been introduced in Agadir.
Let us examine the most notable activities to engage in while visiting Agadir:
1. Souk El Had
Agadir’s central market is remarkably expansive, encompassing over 13 hectares and employing approximately 10,000 individuals, rendering it one of the largest in Morocco.
Constructed in a fortress-like style following the city’s devastating earthquake in 1960, it has undergone updates in recent decades, now featuring a roof and improved flooring.
Souk El Had operates daily except for Mondays, with its name stemming from the Arabic term for Sunday (Ahad), which relates to its origins as a one-day market.
Prepare to negotiate, as haggling can be a lengthy endeavor, while you search for fresh produce, olives, spices, honey, dates, textiles, leather goods, furnishings, cedar carvings, clay tagines, Moroccan teapots, argan oil, and much more.
Souk El Had remains vibrant, even without tourists, as evidenced by its lively livestock section, where chickens are purchased and processed on-site.
2. Agadir Beach
Agadir’s expansive sandy beach stretches indefinitely from the marina, accompanied for its entire length of five kilometers by a promenade (corniche). Being situated on the Atlantic, the water can be brisk, with significant waves, and there are several surf schools catering to novices.
For families with younger children and inexperienced swimmers, Agadir Beach is relatively shallow, and the waves break far from the shoreline, minimizing the risk of accidents.
This beach stands as one of the resort’s major attractions and is regularly patrolled by authorities and maintained, although the northern section, adjacent to the city’s fishing and commercial ports, may prompt a preference for swimming further south.
3. Agadir Oufella
The remnants of Agadir’s citadel, or kasbah, dating back to 1572, rise significantly above the ocean, situated on the steep slopes of a 300-meter hill.
On the hillside, visible to all, are the words “God, Country, King,” inscribed in Arabic and illuminated at night.
At the summit, only the restored outer walls remain intact, following a catastrophic earthquake that devastated the city in 1960. Many visitors continue to ascend via bus or on foot, encountering numerous hawkers, snake charmers, and vendors offering camel rides at the top.
The view from the walls all the way down to the Bay of Agadir is captivating.
4. Museum of Amazigh Culture
This small yet well-curated municipal museum offers insights into Berber traditions and craftsmanship from the surrounding Soussa-Massa region.
The Museum of Amazigh Culture is located on Passage Aït Souss, a pedestrian street connecting to Avenue Mohammed V.
Exhibits include Berber architectural elements, examples of wood carving, boucherouite rugs, historical manuscripts, and pottery.
Notably, the museum features exquisite silverwork in its jewelry collection, including bracelets, brooches, and intricately designed necklaces and earrings.
Visitors can also view tools employed by these craftsmen, and the museum frequently hosts temporary exhibitions showcasing contemporary Berber arts.
5. Corniche La Côte
This immaculate paved promenade extends five kilometers along the beach, reaching as far as the Royal Palace at the mouth of the Souss River.
Life flourishes along the Corniche La Côte, marked by an unending array of hotels, spas, nightclubs, restaurants, fast food outlets, cafés, ice cream shops, and surf schools.
On the beach-side, the promenade features gently curving walls that gracefully contour above the beach.
Visitors can pause under the shade of palm trees to observe the sun setting and gaze north toward the distant cranes of the commercial port and the imposing Oufella with its Arabic inscription.
Evenings can be bustling, serving as prime time for leisurely family walks.
6. Vallée des Oiseaux
Situated just inland from the Corniche, in the narrow channel of a dry riverbed, lies a small botanical garden and animal sanctuary.
Vallée des Oiseaux offers free entry and serves as a beneficial alternative to the beach for families with younger children.
The highlight of this attraction is the walk-through aviary and habitats for various bird species including parrots, ibises, flamingos, peacocks, and many others from as far afield as Asia and South America.
Additionally, Vallée des Oiseaux houses small herds of goats and Barbary sheep.
Along the pathways, banana trees, magnolias, bougainvillea, and oleanders are planted, complemented by a small ornamental waterfall that provides respite from summer’s heat.
7. Crocoparc
This specialized zoo, dedicated exclusively to Nile crocodiles, was inaugurated on the outskirts of Agadir in 2015. Crocoparc is home to over 300 of this species, residing in water-rich environments across a closed system of three pools fed by cascading water.
Visitors can safely observe the crocodiles from elevated platforms and even up close through specially designed glass structures within one of the enclosures.
While Nile crocodiles can exceed five meters in length, they have not been seen in Morocco since the 1960s.
In 2016, Crocoparc launched a laboratory and nursery, providing opportunities to witness baby crocodiles hatching.
This facility is also integrated into a four-hectare botanical garden, showcasing various species including succulents, water lilies, cacti, and unique plants like two ombú trees and a 50-year-old ficus.
8. La Grande Roue d’Agadir
As you stroll along the Corniche, you are likely to notice this 50-meter Ferris wheel, which was opened shortly after Crocoparc in 2015. La Grande Roue d’Agadir is recognized as the largest of its type in Africa, featuring 27 gondolas, each capable of accommodating six individuals.
This attraction is controlled by a computer system and equipped with wind sensors to ensure stability during gusty Atlantic conditions.
Generally, the wheel completes five rotations, offering exceptional views of the Oufella, the Medina, the marina, and the Atlantic Ocean.
For the finest experience, it is advisable to ride at sunset.
9. Agadir Marina
The marina represents another recent development, offering a luxurious buffer between the fishing port and the beach at the western end of the Corniche.
Palmed-lined quays and Moorish-style whitewashed buildings encircle a rectangular harbor, which is shielded to the south by an extensive mole from the Atlantic’s currents.
The entire area is photogenic, especially when viewed from the east side, looking back towards the Oufella.
Well-known brands such as Lacoste, Zara, Stadivarius, and MAC Cosmetics share the waterfront with cafés, ice cream shops, and a diverse selection of international restaurants, featuring cuisines from Thai to Tacos.
10. Memoire d’Agadir
The rapid transformation of Agadir necessitates a visit to this museum located at the eastern edge of the Jardin d’Olhão, where you can gain insight into the city’s history.
The exhibition effectively conveys the sheer devastation inflicted by the earthquake of 29 February 1960, which nearly obliterated Agadir.
As many as 15,000 lives were lost in this calamity, leaving approximately 35,000 individuals displaced.
This unfortunate event represents the deadliest and most destructive earthquake recorded in the nation’s history.
The museum displays newspaper articles, details of rescue efforts, striking before-and-after photographs, and narratives regarding the city’s reconstruction.
Following your visit, consider taking a reflective stroll through the palm-lined paths and cacti in Jardin d’Olhão, named after Agadir’s twin city in Portugal.
11. Paradise Valley
Situated in the High Atlas Mountains, approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Agadir, the Tamraght River gracefully weaves through a layered rocky gorge as deep as 180 meters.
Within this stunning landscape, the river fills crystalline pools distinguished by their remarkable light green hue, bordered by towering stone ledges.
On a warm day, it is all but impossible to resist the allure of a refreshing plunge into the glistening waters.
Near the parking area, the river supports palm trees and orange trees, and a café is available serving freshly squeezed orange juice beside the pool.
Visiting in spring is ideal, as the pools tend to dry up by late summer.
12. Desert Day Trip and Lunch with Moroccan Tea
This excursion encompasses a variety of experiences in just a single day.
You will travel south to witness the impressive Youssef Ibn Tachfine Dam on the Massa River, followed by exploration of the desert dunes of Rsmouka, with the opportunity to partake in a camel ride if desired.
During lunch, you will be welcomed into a traditional Berber household for a delectable tagine, accompanied by local fruit for dessert and a glass of mint tea.
The afternoon will be devoted to exploring the walled town of Tiznit, renowned for its silver craftsmanship, a skill refined by Jewish silversmiths from the late 19th century.
Subsequently, you will traverse the Massa Valley within Souss-Massa National Park, a Ramsar wetland that provides rare breeding habitats for marbled ducks and glossy ibises.
13. La Médina
Located in Ben Sergao, a few kilometers from Agadir’s center, visitors can explore a replica of a traditional Berber medina.
This open-air museum occupies more than five hectares and was constructed in the early 1990s using locally sourced materials and traditional techniques by Italian artist Coco Polizzi.
The site includes workshops for handicrafts, residential structures, a museum, a small hotel, and a restaurant.
A nominal fee (40 MAD) is charged at the entry, although admission is complimentary for diners.
14. Agadir City Discovery Half-Day Trip
For a succinct introduction to the highlights of Agadir, consider participating in this three-hour tour.
This excursion includes all the essential sights on a rapid visit to the Marina, the Oufella, and Souk El Had, in addition to points of interest not covered elsewhere, such as the Mohammed V Mosque, the Beth el Synagogue, and the Catholic Church of Sainte-Anne, which is set amidst a vibrant garden filled with bougainvillea.
The tour concludes at an argan oil cooperative that is entirely operated by women.
Argan oil, traditionally used in culinary and medicinal applications, has become increasingly popular in the West for its cosmetic benefits.
15. Golf
Agadir’s distinction as Morocco’s golf capital is reinforced by the esteemed Hassan II Golf Trophy and the Lalla Meryem Cup, both held on the European Tour and Ladies European Tour, respectively.
These prestigious events take place at the exclusive Golf du Palais Royal.
Fortunately, there are four public golf courses situated within ten kilometers of Agadir.
These include Golf de l’Ocean (27 holes), Golf Club les Dunes (9,9,9), Golf Club Le Soleil (18,9,9), and Royal Golf Club Agadir (9), while the splendid oceanfront Golf Tazegzout (18) is approximately 20 minutes up the coast.
For those wishing to refine their skills before hitting the courses, the Golf Training Center near Golf Club les Dunes boasts a driving range with 51 carpet bays and greens for putting, chipping, and pitching.
