AGADIR

The premier seaside resort of Morocco, Agadir is a modern city rebuilt from scratch after a major earthquake in 1960. It boasts an excellent climate all year round as well as a fantastic long sandy beach and a vast range of resort facilities. For those wanting to have a more authentic experience, its modern airport serves as a convenient entry point for the traditional walled town of Taroudant (1 hour inland) or a variety of other places on the Atlantic Coast and in the High and Anti Atlas Mountains.

The City

The modern city lies immediately south of the High Atlas Mountains where the wide and fertile Souss valley, the major horticultural and orange growing region of Morocco, meets the sea. The 9 km long sandy bay, considered to be one of the best in Morocco, offers a good range of beach and water based activities.

The city is a transport hub: you may choose to travel to/from Marrakech by excellent inexpensive coaches (4 hours) and to arrive via Agadir's attractive modern airport, which lies about 30 minutes drive south of the city, receives a large number of chartered and scheduled flights daily from many parts of Europe.
Note that there is very little likelihood of earthquake damage in the modern city because it is built on safe foundations using carefully regulated building methods in an area well away from the fault that led to the 1960 disaster.

Things to do or see

In the City

• There are numerous large hotels, a huge variety of restaurants, especially recommended for fresh fish, many spread along the attractive newly remodelled promenade at the north end of the bay and nightclubs
• On the northern end of the beach is the modern marina enlivened annually in November when the Transat Classique sailing race’s visit is celebrated by a carnival
• Further north is the busy authentic fishing port, the biggest sardine port in the world, but note that this is far from the only catch - over 270 other species are landed here
• Land based activities such as camel and horse treks near to the Souss estuary
• Water based activities including fishing and – best between June and September- whale and dolphin watching
• Children’s attractions such as a miniature train, bouncy castle and a small zoo in the ‘Valley of the Birds’
• Swimming- in the sea, weather permitting, or there are many pools
• Shopping in the bustling walled souk, the Marche Centrale or the boutiques in town

Outside of the City

• Visit to the ‘Medina of Agadir’, an exceptionally attractive walled craft village, some 7 km south of town near the Souss estuary. Cocco Polizzi,  an Italian architect intent on preserving and promoting Moroccan craftsmanship,  has used the best artisans in Morocco to create the beautiful buildings. It is a perfect  place to watch craftsmen at work, with a chance to buy direct from the producers
• Visit the hilltop Kasbah, where the ruins from the earthquake as well as a superb panoramic view of the bay and port and environs may be seen
• The Souss Massa National Park Not far from the edge of the city is the Souss estuary, where many birds may be seen including flamingoes and a rare species of nightjar.  Further south is the most renowned bird watching site – the Massa lagoon.
• Water sports especially surfing for which the most famous spots are around Taghazoute, about 20 minutes’ drive north of the city

Weather

Agadir enjoys a very temperate climate including 300 days sunshine per annum, hence it is an ideal all year round destination, although it can be breezy and misty for part of the day in summer months. Average air temperatures and rainfall in the region are shown below.

ACCOMMODATION QUICKLINKS

Atlas Kasbah

Riad Villa Blanche