Sightseeing Agadir, Morocco – a beautiful sandy beach awaits you
I’ve wanted to visit Morocco for years so you can imagine my reaction when I got an invitation from Morocco’s Tourism Board (I’ll give you a hint, it was a little something like this: ๐ ๐ ). I accepted immediately andย was pretty excited to see Morocco and visit one of those traditional souks for the first time.
I flew to Agadir, which isย aย seaside city withย a population of some 421,000 and an average ofย 300 sunshine days a year. Needless to say, Agadir has earned itsย popularity because of the year round mild climate.ย I wentย in mid-November (around 20 degrees C)ย and although the ocean wasn’t warm enough for a swim, I could still wear t-shirts and I even got a tan.
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UNDERSTANDING AGADIR, MOROCCO
A local guide showed us around Agadir and told us about the city and its history. He vividly explained how the entire city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1960 that killed 12.000 people (about 1/3 of the city’s population at the time) and injured 12.000 with at least 35,000 people left homeless. The earthquake was the worst to ever hit Morocco.
Agadir was left in ruins and had to be rebuilt. So everything is new there, including multistorey beachfront hotels and a brand new beach and harbour promenade. In that way, Agadir is unlike the Morocco you’ll find anywhere else in the country. The architecture is more modern, there is no old town medina, and hotel resorts lie side by side, which makes the city seem less authentic compared to traditional cities like Marrakech, Chefchaouen or Fez.
But what Agadir lacks in that department, it makes up for with its beaches and busy nightlife. Agadir is nicknamed “the Miami of Morocco” and is a hotspot for surfers, beach-lovers and water enthusiasts. The city has an evocative identity, which is very much its own.
SIGHTSEEING AGADIR, MOROCCO
Agadir, Morocco is compact and easily navigated on foot although taxis are really cheap (if you don’t feel like walking). One of the city highlights is the Marina dโAgadir, which is lined with apartments, restaurants and rows of yachts glinting in the sunlight.
We had lunch at one of the seafood restaurants there called Pure Passion and they sure did pick a fitting name. Sitting by the sea, feeling the light breeze while having delicious Moroccan food was the perfect way to spend a few hours.
Agadir is a proud, Islamic city, and at the end of the marina is a hillside engraved with the words: โAllah, King, Countryโ in Arabic. If you look closely, you might glimpse it to the left on the image above.
Agadirโs 10 kilometres of golden coastline makes it perfect for beach and water activities, including sailing, jet-skiing, surfing and paragliding. As we walked along the promenade, I couldn’t help notice the joggers, families with picnic baskets and local games at the beach. People were out and about, enjoying the ocean views and being with family.
SHOPPING AT THE SOUK EL HAD D’AGADIR
There is more to Agadir, Morocco than beach, though. This is the capital of the indigenous Berber people, and one place to meet them is at the local souk.
The souk is a bazaar market where you can buy everything from a camel to a commode. Agadirโs Souk El Had is where many of the cityโs residents do their shopping. Even if youโre not one for souvenir buying, the atmosphere there alone makes the trip worthwhile. It’s divided into several sections such as vegetables, spices, leather and ceramics, and the whole place felt so authentic!
I visited Morocco in the mandarin and orange season, so I had fresh mandarins several times a day. Another local treat I was introduced to was the famous Moroccan mint tea. It was SO delicious and so sweet. I love tea and drink loads of it at home, but only Oolong and Green teas so I was a bit sceptical to begin with.
The mint tea…. well, it was everything this tea snob expected and more!
Aside from mint tea, spices and the occasional souvenir, you can barely take a step in the markets of Agadir without tripping over Argan oil. Remember mud masks? Remember hair oil? Argan is so now. If I didn’t already have a full stock at home I would have bought a lot here.
MOHAMMED V MOSQUE
Although it doesn’t look like it from the outside, Mohammed V Mosque can host 5,000 worshippers, and it has 8 shops, 2 prayer rooms and a parking, just to name a few. The mosque was recently renovated for some 70 million dirhams funded by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.
The mosque was, unfortunately, closed when we got there, and I would have loved to see it from the inside. Next time, maybe.
KASBAH HILL
The best view of the city is from the Kasbah hill in the north end of the bay. The Kasbah was built in the 16th century and it’s the only historic monument left in town. Today it’s mostly a wall with some ruins inside, but I liked going there for the view and the history. It’s free to enter.
Outside the Kasbah there are souvenir stalls, eager salesmen and camels to ride. Just be aware that the camel owners will charge you for photos, and that there’s a flock of undecorated camels walking around nearby. That setting is much more natural and won’t cost you a thing.
MOROCCAN STYLE EXTRAVAGANCE
If there’s one thing the Moroccans know well, it’s style and decor. I absolutely loved the Arabic architectural style, the colours and extravagant decorations that made my hotel look like Aladdin’s palace.
Morocco has some of the most distinctive architecture in the world, and many of the traditional buildings have a unique and majestic atmosphere. They feature large archways and beautiful domes that complete them; enchanting courtyards and sprawling gardens.
When I return to Morocco I would love to stay in a traditional riad. They’re known for their rich decorations, their courtyard and great food.
POPULAR DAY TRIPS FROM AGADIR
Agadir, Morocco is a modern city so if you’re looking for the traditional Moroccan experience, you can take a day trip to one of these nearby cities / places:
- Marrakech (2 hours). Probably the most popular destination in Morocco, Marrakech is packed with culture, souks, snake charmers and traditional riads.
- Essaouria (1,45 hours) is a seaside town, much more relaxed compared to Marrakech. The walled 17th-century Portuguese village is famous for its fisheries.
- Atlas Mountains (1,5 hours) are nearby, and during a day trip you can visit a traditional Berber village, Paradise Valley and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.
- Taroudant (1,5 hours), also called “Little Marrakech”, is over 1000 years old. Here you’ll find impressive city walls, myriad streets, a souk and the busy square of Place Assarag in the heart of the city.
A thousand thanks to Moroccan National Tourist Office and Marokko Eksperten for hosting me. I was a guest on this press trip, but all opinions are my own as always.
Morocco has always been a dream destination of mine – it’s so beautiful, and I love that all those places are within a couple hours of each other.
I LOVED Morocco and really, really encourage you to visit, Leigh! I’m already plotting my return.
I loved your comments and will visit Agadir in September
That’s great! ๐ Have an amazing trip.
I love your idea of the day trips. I would also recommend tafraoute and Tizinit. Awesome pictures
Thanks so much for the recommendations, Omar! I will keep them in mind for when I return.
You truly captured the beauty of Morocoo in your pictures. So awesome and thanks for sharing
Thanks so much, Archer! What a nice comment ๐
Awesome blog and beautiful Morocco.
Thanks, James! Morocco is so gorgeous.
Wow, I have read several of your posts and you take such amazing pictures. I have recently did research on Morocco as I’m trying to figure out my next adventure. Morocco was already one of the finalists, and now after reading this it might edge up higher. I love the fresh fruit markets, and beaches. The palace pictures were amazing.
Thanks, Jeff and welcome to my blog! ๐ I highly recommend Morocco – it has so much to offer (beach, culture, desert, architecture, food, etc.) and still feels very authentic.
Nice article interesting to read, great pictures, welcome to my city, hope u had a great time!
Thanks, Jamal. I had a really good time in Agadir!
OMG Morocco is so gorgeous! HEAVEN!!
It is! It seems to have a bit of everything – beaches, culture, desert and great food.
H Miriam, thanks for the great travel tips, the reviews, and the hints, including “the Miami of Morocco”,
Pictures are really excellent also.
It certainly helps when we can read a blog such as yours, and be guided by it. Many adventures to be had by all.
Cheers Sharon…
Thank you, Sharon! Such a lovely comment, it made me smile ๐
welcome next time on my lovely City Agadir.
Thanks, Rachid! I’ll definitely come back to Morocco – love your country!
I visited Agadir for the first time in January and I was so positively surprised,the friendly people the good food,the extremely cheap prices,wonderful climat,beatiful beachesโฆ..I could go on and on.This is why I only yesterday booked another vacation to Agadir.
That’s great! I hope your next trip will be just as amazing ๐
I loved Morocco that much I married a morrcan. Lady now my wife of 18 months been there many times and love it every time
Congratulations on your wedding ๐ Morocco is beautiful, I’d definitely like to go back, too!
Morocco has a special magic that brings me back time and time again. I go regularly to the farms to source pure Argan Oil.
I love their Argan oil as well. It’s so good for the hair!
Hi Miriam! Thanks for your insights on Agadir, Morocco. I actual just came back from my Moroccan tour. Had I known about this town, I could have extended my trip there for a day or two. I guess I will have to do this next time .Thanks again.
Great idea! I also have several more places I’d love to visit in Morocco. Like you, I’m definitely not done with this country.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
You’re welcome.
Thank you so much! I hope you have a pleasing and trouble-free tour to Morocco ๐
Thanks, Sarah! I had a wonderful trip ๐
Morocco is definitely a country you love or hate lots of beautiful cities in this beautiful country I visit Morocco 2or 3 times a Yr I’m about to go over again in a few days time. I reccomend for a culture trip and the biggest souk in the world to go to fez another beautiful city
Thanks for pitching in! Like yourself, I love Morocco, too. Would love to visit Fez and Chefchaouen next time.
Morocco is wonderful city to travel for family holidays and many more places to go there and also see the nature of Morocco which is fabulous.
Definitely! Morocco is beautiful!
Off to Agadir on Thursday our first canโt wait
Sounds great! Have an amazing trip.
I’m an Aussie these days but was born in Agadir and lived through the earthquake and its aftermath. I’ve read dozens of so called reviews about my home town, but NONE do it justice like you just did. I can only congratulate you on such a well informed and well articulated piece. Shookran Bzaf Bzaf…
Thank you, Driss. That means the world to me!