Agadir - Morocco Top Ten

The old city of Agadir in Morocco was destroyed in a terrible earthquake in February 29, 1960. Fifteen thousand people were killed and fifty thousand were left homeless. From the ashes a phoenix arose in the shape of a beautiful white town with wide boulevards, fine shops and hotels, lush parks and gardens. It looks more like the French Riviera than the North African coast.  

Agadir is a laid back sort of place with a fantastic beach, good restaurants and a reasonable nightlife. It is a good base for both a relaxing holiday and exploration of other areas of southern Morocco. We countdown our top ten things to do in Agadir, Morocco. 

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1.Take a taxi to the Kasbah

Address: Agadir, Morocco
Built in 1540, the Kasbah is just about all that is left of the old town. It is on a hill overlooking Agadir and is no more than an outline of ancient walls and an entrance arch.  But a trip to the top - take a taxi, it’s 8km from the town centre and gives a splendid view of Agadir and the coast.

2.Shop in the Souk

Address: Rue Chai-al Hamna  Mohammedben Ben Brahim, Agadir, Morocco
Visit the souk al Had in a massive walled enclosure on Rue Chai-al Hamna  Mohammedben Ben Brahim. There are a few tourist stalls but this is a real market for Moroccans.  Piles of spices, vegetables and fruits, clothing pots and pans – a wonderful collection of the necessities of daily life. Well worth a visit, but allow plenty of time.

3.Explore the Valley of the Birds

Address: Agadir, Morocco
If you have children with you they might enjoy this little zoo situated on a narrow strip of parkland in Agadir. There’s a children’s playground, lush vegetation, and aviaries full of birds from around the world. The entry charge is as little as 40 pence!

4.Visit the Folk Art Museum

Address: Passage Ait-souss, Agadir, Morocco
The sign on outside wall says, ‘Musée  Municipal’. Admission: around 50p. The collection, which was donated by a Dutch anthropologist, is fairly small but the Berber jewellery, southern Moroccan arts and crafts and Saharan nomadic are quite superb.

5.Take a day trip to Essaouira

Address: Essaouira, Morocco
A pretty port with characteristic white buildings and blue shutters.  Known for its waterside fish stalls where the freshly caught catch is cooked for you as you wait.  The long sandy beach is a big draw for windsurfers.

6.Relax on the beach

Address: Agadir, Morocco
Agadir is definitely a beach destination, popular with windsurfers. It has a huge arc of fine, clean sand, with almost ho hustlers - perhaps because of patrols by policemen on dune buggies. It has some fine hotels, especially those around the beach. The builders of the new city did not make any Costa-style mistakes by putting up rows of high-rises. The architecture is tasteful and few hotels are more than five or six storeys.

7.Get the catch of the day at the Fishing Port

Address: Agadir, Morocco 
Fishermen gather here each day to bring in their daily catch and trade with local restaurants. You never know you may see some of it on your plate for an evening meal!

8.Experience the real Morocco at Tiznit Market

Address: near Agadir, Morocco
Take a drive to Tiznit on a Thursday for souk day. This is the real Morocco where you’ll find everyday Moroccan’s trade their ways away from the traditional tourist souks of Agadir.

9.Venture into the desert in a 4x4

Address: Agadir, Morocco 
Another trip usually arranged by your tour company you’ll usually be taken off road in a 4 x 4 into old Berber villages and over huge sand dunes!

10.Dine like a Berber

Address: Agadir, Morocco
Often arranged by your tour company, you’ll be treated to a traditional Berber feast accompanied with typical Moroccan folk dancing and music. Typical dishes on offer include a tagine of fish and sweet cous-cous.

Photographs courtesty of Moroccan Tourist Board