Agadir
Temperature
14°
Time
4:32 AM
Agadir
With approximately 340 days of sunshine a year and six kilometres of soft white-sand beaches, Agadir is Morocco’s premiere beach resort. Nestled among the verdant valleys of the Great Souss and with the majestic range of the Anti-Atlas rearing up behind it, this modern, cosmopolitan city has all the attendant pleasures, thrills and luxuries you could ask for.Find your trip
Agadir’s top attraction is the six-mile crescent shaped beach. There are many places in Agadir that are well suited for surfing, like Devil's Rock, Imesouane Bay and Ankhor Point. If you are interested in learning to surf, there are a number of schools and camps to help you get started.
Built in 1540, all that remains of the old Kasbah are the fortified walls, however, the trip up the hill to this historic site is worth it for the view alone. Engraved into the hill in Arabic are the words God, King and Country; Moroccans are forbidden from speaking ill of any of the three. If you are interested in history you can easily find a professional guide to take you on a tour.
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Agadir’s walled souk and get ready to haggle for souvenirs. A "souk" is a local market selling spices, textiles and jewellery. If you take a taxi to the Souk al-Had do specify it by name, since some taxi drivers might instead take you to a different souk. You'll recognise the real souk by its ochre wall and the numbered gates.
If you’re looking for a taste of the hustle and bustle of a typically Moroccan fish market, complete with old fishing boats, nets and raucous fishermen, then head for the fishing port. It is a great place to wander around, take pictures and maybe buy some of the city's freshest fish to cook at home if you're so inclined – otherwise, stop by one of the seafood restaurants in the vicinity.
Agadir Medina (La Médina d'Agadir) is a fascinating reconstruction of a typical Moroccan Berber village. It was built using traditional building techniques and local materials. Today, visitors can stroll the alleys and shop in the many small boutiques, all while taking in the colours, aromas and bustle of the market.
Museum of Amazigh Culture (Musee Municipal du Patrimoine Amazigh) offers a fascinating insight into the culture and art of the Berbers, the original inhabitants of Morocco. You can see a collection of old Berber musical instruments, carpets, architecture, pottery, jewellery and traditional clothing from the 18th and 19th century.
Don’t miss this beautiful marina located south of the commercial port, surrounded by shopping and new condos. This marina was constructed in 2008 and has supermarkets as well as fresh produce markets close by, and it is perfect for a stroll in the afternoon sun.
In the area of Agadir, there are three different golf clubs. The Agadir Royal Golf Club, with 9 holes, is the oldest one, founded in 1951, while the other two, Les Dunes Golf Club and Le Soleil Golf Club, opened in the 1990's. The climate here is perfect for golfing year-round.
Agadir’s top attraction is the six-mile crescent shaped beach. There are many places in Agadir that are well suited for surfing, like Devil's Rock, Imesouane Bay and Ankhor Point. If you are interested in learning to surf, there are a number of schools and camps to help you get started.
Built in 1540, all that remains of the old Kasbah are the fortified walls, however, the trip up the hill to this historic site is worth it for the view alone. Engraved into the hill in Arabic are the words God, King and Country; Moroccans are forbidden from speaking ill of any of the three. If you are interested in history you can easily find a professional guide to take you on a tour.
Located directly on the promenade, this café and restaurant is the perfect place for breakfast before a day on the beach or lunch in the sun. They are famous for their seafood dishes and are also open for dinner.
At Le Jardin d'Eau you can enjoy your meal either on the outside terrace or inside the stunning dining room. They serve traditional Moroccan and French food, made from organic and locally produced ingredients supplied by a collective farm south of the city. It's one of the city's best dining addresses; live music shows are hosted every night.
Boasting the best location in the city, right on the beach next to the Agadir Marina, Les Blancs serves top-notch Spanish cuisine. Visitors can enjoy their meal, usually paella or tapas, but also fish a meat dishes, with their toes dipped in the warm sand.
For that authentic Moroccan dining experience, head down to the port where there are a number of stalls selling excellent fresh fish dishes at low prices. One of the most popular dishes in Agadir is the fish tagine and this is the best place to try it.
Little Norway is known for serving food of very high quality in hearty portions. The name is a bit misleading, since this restaurant serves primarily French specialities, their signature dish being the fillet steak.
If you are looking for fine dining in a romantic atmosphere, head to Riad Villa Blanche. The professional waiters serve beautiful and impeccable Moroccan dishes in a quiet and exquisite setting.
This hidden gem serves delicious Moroccan cuisine at reasonable prices. The tagine is especially popular. The restaurant is located close to a mosque and alcoholic beverages are not served here.
This stylish restaurant is adjacent to the Royal Tennis Club. It is well-visited by regulars, but tourists have also started to find their way here. They serve a mix of traditional Moroccan cuisine and international dishes.
Located directly on the promenade, this café and restaurant is the perfect place for breakfast before a day on the beach or lunch in the sun. They are famous for their seafood dishes and are also open for dinner.
At Le Jardin d'Eau you can enjoy your meal either on the outside terrace or inside the stunning dining room. They serve traditional Moroccan and French food, made from organic and locally produced ingredients supplied by a collective farm south of the city. It's one of the city's best dining addresses; live music shows are hosted every night.
One of the main shopping areas is situated around Boulevard Hassan II and Avenue du Prince Moulay Abdullah. You will find numerous boutiques and department stores selling a range of fashion items, as well as souvenir shops selling all manner of Moroccan trinkets and hand-crafted pieces.
For the authentic Moroccan shopping experience, head for the walled Souk al-Had and wander around the winding alleys, breathe in the sights, sounds and smells of this lively marketplace. Here, you will find farmers selling their freshly grown produce, spices that fill the air and that are finely sculpted into pyramids and metalwork that has been skilfully manipulated into the most ornate lanterns. All this and a myriad of other curiosities and oddities are waiting to be discovered in the secret alleys of the souk.
Souk Berbere Artisanal specialises in locally-designed jewellery, but the offer goes well beyond, including lavish rugs and carpets, ornate furniture, such as chests and bureaus, beautifully decorated vases and tea sets, and even bags and tajines, among many others.
L'Echappee Belle Etape Berbere is an elegant and modern boutique that showcases contemporary Moroccan design items, ranging from clothing and shoes to accessories, homeware and even some confectionery, jams and oils. Their products are on the cutting edge of design but manage to keep an authentic Moroccan feel.
Argan oil is a locally produced oil extracted from the argan tree, native only to Morocco. It is used for many purposes, including for dipping bread and spraying on couscous and other dishes. It is also used in many cosmetic products and is said to have numerous benefits. Agadir Argan Shop offers a huge array of such products, and the staff is always happy to explain each one.
The Ensemble Artisanal Agadir consists of a multitude of merchant stalls and small shops offering items including traditional Moroccan crafts such as pottery, baskets, ironwork and many others. The market was established in the center of the new city of Agadir after 1960, because the old souk craft was destroyed entirely during an earthquake that shook the city.
Marché Central is a relatively compact covered market with everything from local produce and fresh fruit to leather and crafts on offer. It's significantly smaller and more tranquil than the city's main souk.
If you're in need of some good reading material while visiting Agadir, head to Librairie Al Mouggar. They have a wide selection of French titles, as well as English-language novels and guide books.
One of the main shopping areas is situated around Boulevard Hassan II and Avenue du Prince Moulay Abdullah. You will find numerous boutiques and department stores selling a range of fashion items, as well as souvenir shops selling all manner of Moroccan trinkets and hand-crafted pieces.
For the authentic Moroccan shopping experience, head for the walled Souk al-Had and wander around the winding alleys, breathe in the sights, sounds and smells of this lively marketplace. Here, you will find farmers selling their freshly grown produce, spices that fill the air and that are finely sculpted into pyramids and metalwork that has been skilfully manipulated into the most ornate lanterns. All this and a myriad of other curiosities and oddities are waiting to be discovered in the secret alleys of the souk.
Al-Massira Airport is located 28 km from the city centre. To get to and from the airport you can take bus or taxi. Local bus number 22 goes from the airport to Inezgane, a suburb to Agadir, The last bus leaves at 20.30. From Inezgane to Agadir city centre you can take bus number 20, 24 or 28. If you would rather take a shared taxi it will cost you about the same. A taxi from the airport to Agadir takes about 20 minutes. It is also possible to hire a vehicle from any of the car rental agencies at the airport.
Citizens of the European Union, as well as the Untied States, Australia, and dozens of world countries can enter and remain in Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. Look up individual prerequisites prior to travel in order to possibly apply for visa in time.
The best time to visit Agadir depends largely on how much heat you can take: June through August are peak tourist season, and that's when temperatures are at their highest, but weather generally reamains warm and pleasant all through the rest of the year (even though chances of rain and clouds are higher then).
The central parts of Agadir are walkable, but if you get tired, there are plenty of local buses to take you to nearby beaches or suburbs of the city. Remember to have coins to pay for the ticket since the driver doesn't carry a lot of change. The main local bus station is located next to the main grand taxi rank at the south end of Rue de Fes, approx. 20 minutes drive from the city centre. It is very usual to arrive at Inezgane though, which is the bus hub of the region.
By far the easiest and quickest way to get around town is by the cream-coloured Grand taxi or the orange Petit taxi. You can find them either at the taxi rank at the South end of Rue de Fes or Rue Yacoub el-Mansour in New Talborjt or by hailing one off the street. The Petit taxis are only allowed to drive inside the city. The Grand taxis only take a minimum of 6 passengers, but you can also pay extra and hire the whole taxi. Fares are charged on the meter or discussed in advance.
Stamps can be bought at souvenir shops, hotels and at post offices around town. The larger outlets are open Monday to Friday 8am to 4:15pm and Saturday 8am to 11:45am. The main post office can be found at:
There are several pharmacies in the city, many of them found along Boulevard Hassan II and avenue Prince Moulay Abdellah. Most of them are open Monday to Saturday 9am-11:30am, 3:30pm-8pm and 9pm-12:30am. For information on pharmacies that are open after-hours, see the list on the front door window. Pharmacie Founty:
Country code: +212 Area code: 028
Al-Massira Airport is located 28 km from the city centre. To get to and from the airport you can take bus or taxi. Local bus number 22 goes from the airport to Inezgane, a suburb to Agadir, The last bus leaves at 20.30. From Inezgane to Agadir city centre you can take bus number 20, 24 or 28. If you would rather take a shared taxi it will cost you about the same. A taxi from the airport to Agadir takes about 20 minutes. It is also possible to hire a vehicle from any of the car rental agencies at the airport.
Citizens of the European Union, as well as the Untied States, Australia, and dozens of world countries can enter and remain in Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. Look up individual prerequisites prior to travel in order to possibly apply for visa in time.
