Agadir Travel Guide: Beach, Sun and Day Trips on Morocco’s Atlantic Coast

Agadir is Morocco’s main beach resort: a modern city on a wide Atlantic bay, with a long sandy beach and sunshine most of the year. It has little old architecture, because the city was almost entirely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1960, but it is an easy, comfortable base with excellent day trips. This Agadir travel guide covers what to do in the city and around it.

Agadir at a Glance

• Best for: beach holidays, families, winter sun and surfing nearby.
• How long: three to seven days, depending on how much you want to explore.
• Best time: all year; the climate is mild in winter and tempered by the ocean in summer.
• Getting around: orange petits taxis in town; a rental car or tours for excursions.

The Beach and Promenade

The bay of Agadir has several kilometers of fine sand, sheltered enough for swimming on most days. A broad promenade runs behind it, lined with cafés and restaurants, and comes alive in the early evening when the whole city seems to be out walking. At the northern end, the marina has shops, restaurants and boat trips.

Agadir Oufella

On the hill above the port stand the walls of the old kasbah, almost all that remained of the original town after the 1960 earthquake. The site has been restored as a memorial, and the view over the bay, the port and the city is the best in Agadir, especially at sunset. You can go up by taxi or by cable car.

Souk El Had

Agadir’s large walled market has thousands of stalls selling spices, fruit, argan oil, leather, clothes and household goods. It is where locals shop, so prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is authentic. The souk is traditionally closed on Mondays.

More to Do in Town

• The fishing port: one of the busiest in Morocco, with simple stalls grilling the day’s catch.
• The Medina of Agadir: a recreated traditional medina built by a local craftsman south of the city, with artisans’ workshops.
• Crocoparc: a landscaped park with crocodiles and botanical gardens, popular with children.
• Hammam and argan treatments: the region produces argan oil, and many spas use it.

Day Trips from Agadir

Taghazout and the Surf Coast

About 20 kilometers north, Taghazout is a former fishing village that has become Morocco’s surf capital, with breaks for every level and a relaxed café scene.

Paradise Valley

Inland from the coast road, a palm-lined gorge in the foothills of the High Atlas holds a string of natural rock pools. It takes about an hour to reach, followed by a short walk. Water levels vary a great deal with the season and the year’s rainfall; spring is usually best.

Taroudant

Sometimes called “little Marrakech”, Taroudant is a market town enclosed by ochre ramparts, about an hour and a half east. It has lively souks and far fewer tourists.

Souss-Massa National Park

South of the city, this coastal park of dunes, cliffs and river estuary is known for its birdlife, including one of the last wild populations of the northern bald ibis.

Longer excursions run to Essaouira, about three hours up the coast, and to Marrakech, about three hours by motorway.

Where to Stay

Most hotels and resorts stand along the beachfront or a few streets behind it, many with pools and all-inclusive options. Apartments around the marina suit longer stays. For a quieter, more local feel, look at the surf villages to the north.

Getting There and Around

Agadir Al Massira Airport, about 25 kilometers inland, has direct flights from many European cities. There is no railway; long-distance buses link Agadir with Marrakech, Essaouira and the south.

In town, orange petits taxis are cheap and metered. For excursions, rent a car, hire a grand taxi for the day or join an organized tour.

Practical Tips

• Mornings can be misty on the coast, particularly in summer; the sun usually breaks through by midday.
• The ocean is cool even in August. Watch the flags on the beach and swim in supervised areas.
• Agadir is more liberal in dress than inland towns, but cover up away from the beach and in the souk.
• Compare prices for excursions; the same trip is often sold at very different rates.