In the city of Agadir on the southern coast of Morocco attractions less than expected from a city with such a long history. The main reason for this is the devastating earthquake that occurred in 1960, due to which old Agadir with all its historical monuments was completely wiped off the face of the earth.
Map of Agadir with attractions (click to enlarge)
Beaches
Agadir beach- This is a wide, long strip of sand along the entire city, partially protected from the wind from the ocean. Here you can go water skiing, horse riding or camel riding. The main disadvantage of the beach is strong undercurrents, so children are not allowed to swim. Along the entire beach there is a beautifully equipped modern pomenade.
18 km north of the city there is an eight-kilometer Taghazout beach– one of the most famous in the country (there is excellent surfing here).
Port
Another attraction of Agadir is port– a beautiful and very “European” place with many cafes and restaurants, where you can sit and watch the boats and yachts coming and going. Here you can also find expensive cars of local rich people parked.
Fish market
Fish market Due to the lack of other attractions in Agadir, it is quickly gaining popularity among tourists. Early in the morning you can watch fish auctions here, buy fish or other seafood and cook them in a nearby restaurant.
Ufella Fortress
Old fortress() was the center of the city until Agadir was destroyed by an earthquake in 1960. Only part of the walls have survived from the fortress.
Mini-zoo Vallee des Oiseaux
It is close to the port and the beach (30.418586,-9.603178). Interesting, clean zoo with birds and other animals. Entry is free, so it gets crowded on weekends.
Tiznit
Tiznit is a small town 30 kilometers south of Agadir, which is famous for its silver jewelry, knives and sabers. Every Thursday there is a fair here.
Medina
Medina of Agadir- this is not a medina in the classical sense (the old city center), but a specially built small quarter in the southern suburbs (30.377651, -9.573117, http://www.medina-agadir.com/). It's just a beautiful place with lots of shops selling local handicrafts.
Museums
Total Agadir has five museums and the most famous of them are the Bert Flint Museum (aka,) and. Handicrafts from all over Southern Morocco are housed in the Municipal Museum of Agadir. There are also two open-air museums in the city - the Kasbah (French: Musee de Talborjt, see information about the Oufella fortress above) and Le Sicilien Coco Polizzi - a large area with whitewashed buildings and cobbled streets (see information about the medina above).
Famous beach resort located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Its name can be translated as “City of White”, due to the large number of snow-white beaches. Agadir is an ideal holiday destination for lovers of sports and active entertainment. There are golf courses, tennis courts, and excellent conditions for surfing on the beaches.
Perhaps this is the most “European” of Moroccan cities, women here do not wear hijab, many locals dress in European style. The city will amaze you with its beautiful and clean streets, spacious alleys and well-kept parks. At every step here you can find cozy restaurants, cafes and shops, there are a lot of places for walking. The main entertainment for vacationers remains yacht cruises, fishing, and horseback riding or camel riding. On the territory of any hotel you can find rental points for sports equipment; there is everything you need for spearfishing, diving and fishing.
Despite the fact that the city has established itself primarily as a beach resort, there are also several ancient buildings that deserve the attention of guests. One of the oldest buildings is the Essaouira fortress, located on the coast. This area of the city is very windy, there are always big waves on the coast, so the beach near the fortress has long been chosen by surfers. Nature lovers should head to the Immouser area, where you can see a beautiful waterfall and walk around the reserve. The Tassila region is famous for its dance festivals and enchanting carnivals, which are held literally every month. Those who want to stroll through historical places and see ancient buildings should go to the settlements of Tiznit and Tafraout. Copyright www.site
One of Agadir's busiest tourist spots is Boulevard Mohammed the Fifth. This street is ideal for walking; it is framed by incredibly beautiful buildings in the national style. There are many interesting shops concentrated on the boulevard, and fresh fruits are sold right on the open counters. While walking along the boulevard, you can buy interesting souvenirs, look into popular shoe shops, and also buy very beautiful national clothes.
Another attractive place for walking is the fishing port of Agadir. This is a real open-air museum where you can see a variety of sea vessels. Some fishermen go to sea every morning on boats on which their distant ancestors sailed; next to such “rarities” you can also see incredibly beautiful modern yachts. The port area is always bustling with life, and at noon you can always buy fresh seafood here.
Travelers who plan to visit Agadir with children should definitely check out the Valley of Birds Zoo. It contains the most exotic breeds of birds, including graceful pink flamingos, for which there is a beautiful artificial pond. In addition to birds, in this large and beautiful zoo you can see typical representatives of the local fauna, including mountain goats and llamas, which are not at all afraid of people. This zoo is well equipped for recreation, with many playgrounds and attractions for children.
Agadir also has a unique Old Town - a very colorful national quarter. Its construction was completed quite recently, in 1992, all the houses here were built in accordance with ancient traditions and using traditional materials. This area is also a real open-air museum. Each of the beautiful ancient buildings here houses interesting souvenir shops, as well as craft workshops, where you can watch local craftsmen at work and buy unique souvenirs. There are also several excellent national restaurants in the Old Town area, and bakeries attract many tourists to these places. Agadir has excellent conditions for excursion recreation and active entertainment.
The beautiful white sand that covers the shores of the beaches in this part of the Atlantic Ocean and the special microclimate make Agadir in Morocco the most popular resort. Protected by the Atlas Mountains and warmed by the winds of the Sahara Desert, the area in the Agadir region has special climatic conditions: 340 sunny days a year, moderately high temperatures in summer, unusually warm winters without wind and the ability to swim all year round.
The famous beaches of Agadir in Morocco are one of the most wonderful creations of nature. Numerous European tourists come here all year round just for them. The stretching 10-kilometer embankment is considered one of the best in the world. At this modern resort, everything is created for a comfortable and varied holiday. With its modern hotels, whitewashed buildings, European cafés and wide flower-filled boulevards, Agadir does not resemble the typical towns of traditional Morocco. It is a modern, dynamic, cosmopolitan city looking to the future.
General information
Situated on the Atlantic coast at the very foot of the Atlas Mountains, Agadir is located north of where the Sousse River flows into the ocean. The city is located 250 kilometers southwest of Marrakech and 508 kilometers south of Casablanca. The common Berber noun "agadir" in Morocco means "wall, enclosure, fortified building, citadel". There are several other cities in the country with this name. The full name of the modern resort sounded like Agadir-n-Yigir, literally “the fortress of the cape,” which referred to the nearby Cape Rear.
Agadir and Marrakech are the most important tourist centers in Morocco, and for the seaside resort this is one of the main sources of income. The city is also the most important commercial and sardine fishing port in the country. The main city business also includes the export of vegetables, fruits, and citrus fruits produced in the fertile Sousse Valley.
City `s history
There are practically no historical and architectural sights of Morocco in Agadir. All buildings were erected since 1960, after the city was completely destroyed by an earthquake. Of the antiquities, only one wall has survived. But this does not mean that the city does not have its own history.
The oldest cartographic name for Porto Mezeghina, a settlement on the site of modern Agadir, can be found on a map from 1325. But among the Berber tribes this inhabited place has been mentioned since the 12th century under the name Mesgina or Xima. In 1572, here, on the top of a hill, at the behest of the second Saad Sultan of Morocco, Moulay Abdallah al-Ghalib, the Kasbah fortress was built. The city outside its walls is named Agadir N'Igir.
In the 17th century the city was an important harbor in trade relations with Europe. However, there was no port or pier. In Agadir they mainly sold sugar, wax, copper, leather and hides. Europeans brought goods, particularly weapons and textiles. During the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail (1645-1727) and his successors, trade with France flourished. In 1731, the city was completely destroyed by an earthquake, and then the harbor of Agadir was closed, since another port of Essaouira operated successfully to the north.
In 1746, the Dutch established a trading post at the foot of the Kasbah and, under the leadership of the Sultan, helped rebuild the city. Above the fortress gates of the Kasbah there is still a Dutch inscription dating back to 1746: “The fear of God and the honor of the king.” The city's prosperity did not last long. In 1760, Alawite Sultan Mohammed bin Abdullah ordered the harbor to be closed. Agadir turned into a ghost town with only a few houses. In 1881, Sultan Moulay Hassan reopened Agadir harbor for trade and to support naval expeditions in the south (1882-1886) against Spanish and English ships.
After France (1905-1911) acquired most of the Moroccan territory in 1916, the first pier was built near Founti, and after 1920, a port was built in the Talbort area under French protectorate. Two years later, near Talbort, along the fault of the Tildi River, the construction of the popular Yakhchech district began. By 1930, Agadir had become the most important point for the French airmail service Aéropostale, which was once visited by the famous aviators Saint-Exupéry and Mermoz.
In the 1930s, the center of Agadir began to be developed. The city continued to grow, and from 1950, with the opening of a new commercial port, fishing, canning, farming and mining developed. Agadir, thanks to its unique climate and modern hotels, began to gain fame as a popular resort. By 1960, the city had more than 40,000 inhabitants when an earthquake destroyed the city at midnight on February 29, burying more than a third of the population in ruins.
Reviews from tourists about Agadir
Morocco annually attracts many tourists with its resorts, culture, special oriental atmosphere, originality of old cities and unique cuisine. Agadir does not have the traditional Moroccan environment, and yet it remains the country's best resort. And this is the merit of not only the famous beaches. The city is beautiful and well-kept in a modern way, with many excellent golf clubs, bars, restaurants, entertainment and sports facilities. This is a good place for yachtsmen and boat trips along the coast. Resort hotels and tourist centers organize interesting excursions into the city's surroundings and longer day trips from Agadir to Morocco.
Judging by the opinions of tourists who visited this resort, the trip leaves an amazing impression and a desire to return here again. Despite the fact that Agadir is a modern city, there is a lot to see and do. This is a real paradise for fans of extreme sports, in particular surfing and water skiing. In addition to spending time on the beach at the Moroccan resort, you can visit spa therapy salons and thalassotherapy centers, ride horses and camels, indulge in shopping or go on trips around the surrounding area.
Hotels
All tourist establishments in the city are decorated either in accordance with the latest innovations in modern design, or are stylized with ethnic elements common in Morocco. Hotels in Agadir are no exception, ranging from the most luxurious to budget options.
The gradation of hotel prices here is designed for tourists with pockets of any size. Among the hotels located near the beaches, we can recommend the following options:
- luxury beach resort Robinson Club with sea views, tennis courts, multiple pools, spa and full service;
- 4-star ClubHotel Riu Tikida Dunas with lovely family rooms, beautiful swimming pools and karaoke bar;
- Hotel Timoulay & Spa Agadir is a mid-range hotel with a short walk to the beach but a palm-lined pool and spa;
- Hotel Sindibad is a budget hotel with friendly staff, a small pool, clean rooms and air conditioning.
Attractions
The long wall with the Kasbah gate is the only historical heritage of Agadir. The remains of the ramparts remind us that once behind the walls of the fortress there was a noisy and bustling city with narrow, crooked streets. Against the backdrop of a bright blue sky, the old walls make a picturesque photograph, and the remains of the Kasbah's walls, located along the hillside, provide superb panoramic views of Agadir and the Atlantic coast. Towards the end of the day, before sunset, the lighting provides the best conditions for spectacular photographs.
The city center has several interesting monuments. The Grand Mosque is an Art Nouveau structure, quite unique among Moroccan religious buildings. In Agadir, according to reviews from vacationers, the collection of ethnic objects of traditional Berber culture, located in three halls of the Amazigh Museum (Passage Ait Souss), is quite interesting. Here you can see a collection of weapons, textiles, ceramics, talismans, manuscripts, and precious jewelry of the indigenous population of the coast.
Remote excursions
Crocopark Wildlife Sanctuary is located 14 km east of Agadir. This is the home of the Nile crocodiles, which were common in Morocco until the beginning of the 20th century, but were completely exterminated by hunters. In this park you can see these terrible animals in close proximity and in an almost natural environment for them. The park gardens display a wide variety of exotic and local flora.
While on holiday in Agadir, Morocco, you cannot miss a trip to the town of Tiznit, which is located 97 km south of the resort. Tinsit is one of the best places in the country to buy authentic Berber jewelry. Situated near the Anti-Atlas mountain range, the city is surrounded by impressive fortifications. Within the walls of the old city is a maze of alleys and bazaars where traditional jewelry and other handicrafts of Tiznit are sold. Thursday is the weekly market day, when you can experience the truly exotic local life.
65 km south of Agadir is the Souss-Massa National Park, a unique bird habitat with an area of 330 square kilometers. People especially come here to observe pink flamingos, ibises, rare species of ducks, herons, cormorants, sandpipers and many other birds in natural conditions among the sand dunes, beaches and wetlands of the Atlantic coast.
Those tourists who are not afraid of long distances will be interested in a trip to one of the most beautiful coastal cities of Morocco - Essaouira, which is 173 km north of Agadir. Or to the almost equally remote Moroccan mountain village of Tafraoute - a peaceful haven among orange rocks, next to the Ait Mansour gorge, where prehistoric artful images have been preserved.
Sports activities
The city provides excellent conditions for sports. Golf du Soleil is a prestigious club with the best golf course in Agadir. Most of the best golf courses and clubs are located in the suburbs, such as Med Les Dunes, where each of the three courses is designed individually. The city also has excellent tennis courts and a riding studio.
Tourists who dream of mastering surfing are recommended to join Ecole de Kite-surf surfing, a school located on the central beach. Experienced athletes will be interested in visiting Taghazout, a small town 10 km from Agadir with some of the best surfing on the coast.
Nightlife
Fans of nightlife will find plenty of entertainment. One of the most popular places is the Le Central club with its daily variety of cultural programs. Gamblers will be interested in Le Mirage, a casino that offers a wide range of gaming tables and modern slots. For tourists who want a more moderate holiday, the Papagayo and Atlas Club clubs are recommended. Thematic parties are often organized here, complemented by exclusive snacks and cocktails. Fans of dance music until dawn will certainly enjoy the bright disco called Flamingo.
Shopping
The most picturesque, largest and colorful city market is Souq el-Had, where you can buy almost everything. There are long rows of various products with all kinds of olives, traditional sweets, fresh and candied fruits, vegetables, spices and God knows what else. The market offers beautiful textiles, leather, ceramics and other locally produced items, as well as bags, belts, shoes and various accessories.
Unipriks is the largest of Agadir's most exciting and affordable shopping malls in Morocco. The prices of popular products here are designed for budget buyers. In the large supermarket of the shopping center, a decent selection of Moroccan wines and canned fish at the lowest prices in the city is in particular demand. The Marzhan hypermarket is another popular shopping place that offers a wide selection of local delicacies, spices and other goods, the cost of which is lower than in the market.
The most unusual large store is L'Echappee Belle Etape Berbere with its richest variety of original things: clothes, shoes, many different items, works of art, even furniture, and everything is done in ethnic style. The prices are quite high, but the goods are extremely exclusive.
Women should definitely visit the Argan store, where the souvenirs and cosmetics presented are made using argan oil: handmade soaps, creams, hair and body products, and much more. The Ensemble Artisanal store is no less interesting for its exclusive ceramic, wooden and leather items, luxurious fabrics, and handmade carpets. The design of the store resembles a true national art museum.
Among other attractions in Agadir, we can recommend the healing atmosphere of the present with traditional spa rituals. Another interesting entertainment is traveling to the desert and riding a camel.
AND . Reviews from tourists about the weather and holidays in Agadir.
Agadir is a sunny, cheerful and crowded city located in the southwestern part of Morocco. The city is divided into several quarters: City Center, Coast, New Talborzt, Residential Quarters, Ports, Old Town, Old Talborzt and Fortress.
This is by far the best resort in all of Morocco. Under the sun of Agadir, tourists from all over the world come to enjoy the resort's sandy beaches, eucalyptus greenery and the hospitality of the locals.
Agadir is located in the UTC 0 time zone, the time here is 4 hours behind the time in Moscow. In summer the difference is three hours.
How to get to Agadir?
There is an international airport in Agadir, where a plane from Moscow arrives in 6-7 hours. However, there are few such flights now: they are launched only at the very peak of the tourist season and only by specialized tourism operators. Agadir airport is located 28 kilometers from the city and it is not very convenient to get there by bus, only with a transfer.
The easiest way to get to the city is through neighboring Casablanca: there are regular flights from Royal Air Maroc. Well, then local airlines or a bus will take you directly to Agadir. In addition to Casablanca, buses to Agadir run from Marrakech, Essaouira and Rabat.
Climate
Average monthly temperature in Agadir
Sights of Agadir
Agadir's famous boulevards are located in the very center of the city. This is Boulevard Mohammed V and Hassan II. There are also popular avenues that you can also walk along and admire. This is the avenue of Mohammed VI, Mokhtar Soussi, Moulei Abdellah and General Kettani. In addition to the streets, squares are also worthy of attention: Hope Square and Salam Square, as well as the Lebanon Mosque.
There is another fascinating place in Agadir that will amaze people of any age with its beauty: the “Valley of Birds”.
Visit the unique Earthquake Museum, which will tell you about the terrible natural disaster that occurred here in 1690. The museum demonstrates what happened to the city after the earthquake, and how Agadir was reborn literally before our eyes. There is also another museum that houses a collection of objects collected by the Berbers.
Climb the Kasbah hill - it survived the great earthquake and you will see amazing views of the city from its top.
Entertainment in Agadir
Agadir has everything that a good resort should have: almost all sports flourish here, surfing is especially popular among holidaymakers. There are several interesting places for surfing: Devil's Rock, bay, Cro-Cro, lighthouse, etc. Here you will find a surf shop and even a special surf school. The best time to surf the waves is from November to March, but beginners who don't need big waves can surf all year round. The golden beaches of Agadir stretch along the entire city.
You can also play golf here: for this there are three famous high-quality courses; shark fishing, horseback riding and camel rides. The hotels have the best nightclubs.
In Agadir you can enjoy a large selection of different seafood: shrimp, squid, crayfish, lobster, sardines and many other marine life. Any local restaurant will serve you them fried with tangerine or lemon.
Agadir is first and foremost a wonderful resort, and as such there are no special attractions here. In this regard, the most interesting cities in Morocco are Marrakech, Fez and Rabat. Well, the main charm of Agadir is the long, gently sloping fine sandy beach and excellent surfing spots. Of course, to diversify your beach holiday, you can come up with something here too.
For example, go to the El Ahad market, which is located in the southeastern part of the city. In fact, this is a real oriental bazaar, which is also the largest in this region. You can also go to the Bert Flint Museum - this is a branch of the museum of the same name, located in Marrakech. It is located on Avenue Mohamed V. Here you can get acquainted with items from the collection of the Dutch traveler, which are inextricably linked with Berber culture, as well as art - carpets, furniture, costumes and jewelry.
A visit to the Berber Museum will undoubtedly be interesting, where you can get acquainted with approximately 200 exhibits - carpets, ceramics and traditional jewelry from the 18th - 19th centuries. Agadir also has the Earthquake History Museum, which is located on President Kennedy Avenue. But his exhibitions present exclusively photographic materials. The Medina Coco Polizi is worth a visit - a beautiful modern building in a traditional style, with many shops selling artwork and handicrafts. 
After the terrible earthquake of 1960, there were practically no ancient buildings left in Agadir. The only exception is the Kasbah, located on the top of a hill. Today, only one wall remains of it, which has been restored, which is an impressive sight. Apart from exploring this wall, there seems to be nothing else to do here, except to admire the magnificent views of the city and the ocean.
Also check out the city port of Agadir, it is considered one of the largest in this part of the country. At the market near Porta Avenue you can buy freshly caught fish, which can be fried for you right there if you wish. If you are very tired of the heat, you can visit the small Bird Valley Zoo. And even if there are not too many animals and birds here, you can still have a lot of fun among the lush greenery.
If you are interested in the surrounding area, you can visit the Souss-Massa River National Park. It is located approximately 40 kilometers from Agadir. To get there, you will need to take bus number 97 (stop on Avenue Mohamed V) and get to the final stop - Inezgan, and then change to bus number 42 and go to Massa. Well, from there you will have to walk 4 kilometers to the very entrance to the park. 
About 60 kilometers northeast of Agadir is the village of Imuzzer with its famous cascades. In essence, this is a traditional, very colorful mountain Berber village, which can be reached after crossing steep hills through the oasis of the Paradise Valley.
Take your time and go to Legzira Beach, this is a very unusual sight. It is located south of Agadir - in the town of Ifni, approximately 150 kilometers, that is, 2.5 hours by car. Legzira is a stunning smooth and shiny beach with bizarre sandstone cliffs, grottoes and arches of a striking red-red color. At sunset and at dawn, you can also take amazing photos here. 
And another stunning place that you can visit from Agadir is the magnificent town of Essaouira, which has a rich history and culture. You can get here by bus departing from the central station or from the Supraturs bus station. Essaouira is located 170 kilometers north of Agadir, so the travel time will take you approximately 3 hours.
Stroll along the ancient city streets and fully enjoy the elegance and beauty of the white houses with traditional blue shutters, made in the Moorish style. Climb the fortress wall surrounding the city and admire the magnificent views of Essaouira. 
Get to know the historical and architectural monuments of the city - the Sidi Mohammed bin Abdullah Museum, the Main Mosque, the Sea Gate, the Bastion and others. The greatest interest, of course, is the Medina - the old part of the city, included in the list of sites of the World Organization UNESCO. Essaouira will undoubtedly delight you with its numerous shops, souvenir shops and markets.