Agadir Travel Guide
Introduction
Well known in European travel circles as Morocco’s best window on the Mediterranean Sea, Agadir is where you’ll want to go if you are looking to slot in a beach component to your Moroccan holiday.
While people don’t come here for the culture, there are some uniquely Moroccan cultural elements that can be found in Agadir. They might not be readily visible as you would see in Marrakesh or Fez, but there are opportunities to experience Morocco in Agadir if you are looking for more than a hedonistic holiday.
Cultural Attractions
Begin your cultural explorations in Agadir by wandering from stall to stall in Souk El Had d’Agadir. At its busiest on Sundays (El Had means Sunday in Arabic), this market contains everything from spices to leather goods, making it a great place to shop as well as take pictures.
Watch out for anyone who offers their services as a guide, though, as they are almost certainly working with stall owners to get you to pay a price four times as high as what a local would pay. Practice some basic haggling skills, and you will likely get a better result going it alone.
Many historic structures in Agadir crumbled in the 1960 earthquake that devastated the entire city. However, significant portions of the Kasbah of Agadir managed to survive the shaking. Looming over the area’s top beaches, it is a worthy destination both for its historic value and the panoramic views that can be had from this vantage point.
You might be tempted to walk up from the city below, but the heat of the day makes this inadvisable. Instead, get a taxi to take you to the top, then walk down if you are so inclined.
The old Medina of Agadir was one of the greatest casualties of the aforementioned tremor, but in recent times, Moroccan-born Italian architect Coco Polizzi sought to rebuild what had been lost.
The end result is the new Medina of Agadir. Some purists may scoff at it for its lack of ‘authenticity’, but it has attracted many vendors within its walls, which were built using centuries-old techniques.
While it has a living history museum vibe to it, its dedication to matching the setup of the old medina and its variety of shops, market stalls, and restaurants makes it well worth a visit.
Other Attractions
Adventure travelers will want to break away from the beach crowds for a day to hike up Paradise Valley. Located 20 miles away from Agadir, this deep valley follows the course of the Ankrim River as it flows to the Mediterranean.
As you go inland, you will begin to encounter effervescent pools of clear blue water and waterfalls, which you can pitch your tent if you wish to remain overnight. Be sure to visit shortly after the conclusion of the rainy season, as much of the valley’s water can evaporate completely during the dry season.
Chances are you came to Agadir to laze around on one of its famous beaches. The appropriately-named Agadir Beach is the best place to begin, as this broad crescent of golden sand gives the sun lounger crowd and towel sitters plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy Morocco’s copious sunshine.
While you can spend your days here working on your tan and finishing up that gripping novel you have been reading, active travelers have plenty of options as well. This beach is home to plenty of local sand football players, and jetskis can be rented if you want to go out for a rip on the water.
When the sun gets low in the sky, the Corniche of Agadir fills up with locals from all walks of life. As such, it is the perfect place to go people watching during your time here. Many choose to eat while taking in the sunset here as well, making it a fitting place to end your day in Agadir.