Agadir is a beautiful coastal city located about 250 km southwest of Marrakech. It is an authentic city that tourists absolutely love. This blog post will explore some aspects of that authenticity.
In 1960, Agadir was unfortunately partially destroyed by the most violent earthquake in the history of Morocco. Despite this sad event in the country’s history, the city of Agadir has been rebuilt and even though you can still see traces of the tragedy, this beautiful region of Morocco is nowadays vibrant with life.
If you’re planning to visit Agadir, here are some transportation and accommodation tips we’re sure will help you. We’ve also picked some of Agadir’s best attractions for you to visit.
Let’s get started!
How To Get To Agadir
Agadir has an international airport (Al Massira), so you can go there by plane. Many airlines offer flights to the city, including Air France and Royal Air Maroc and also Transavia, which is a rather low-cost airline company.
You can also drive to Agadir from Marrakech for example. You can rent a car or book a private van for the trip. It takes at least 3 hours to cover the distance between the two cities.
Where To Stay In Agadir
If you’re looking for a hotel that is not too expensive, has everything you could need as far as amenities are concerned, and is conveniently located near the city’s major attractions, we recommend the Timoulay Hotel and Spa. It is located in the bay of palm trees just a few steps from the city’s beach and offers excellent fitness services including access to a gym, a massage parlor, a hammam, and a spa.
If you’re looking for an even more traditional and authentic place to stay, we recommend you try one of the riads in Agadir. One of our favorites is the Villa Blanche which is also located in the bay of palm trees.
It has a beautiful pool and an amazing interior Berber-style architecture. It’s a nice place that we’re sure you will love! 🙂
Now, let’s explore together the best places to visit in Agadir.
Souk Al Ahad
The Al Ahad souk (market) is one of the biggest markets in Morocco and it is also one of the liveliest places in Agadir. It was built just after the 1960 earthquake and has grown bigger every year to finally reach its current size.
It has all kinds of local products available for sale at low prices. There are seasonal fruits and vegetables of course, but you can also find great spices and artisanal products such as babouches (slippers), bags, djellabas, etc.
Souk Al Ahad is a colorful place and a must-visit attraction if you’re traveling to Agadir! 🙂
The Kasbah Oufella
This kasbah is an old fortress built by King Mohammed Ech-Sheikh in 1540 to protect the city from a potential Portuguese attack. The Kasbah was built at the top of the hill that you see in the picture above to make it difficult for any invaders to reach.
If you’re wondering what the words on the hills mean, they designate the three pillars of the kingdom of Morocco: God, the Nation, and the King.
The kasbah was damaged during an earthquake in 1960 then was restored to its original state. Make sure to go there and enjoy the view of the whole city.
The Garden of Olhao
The garden of Olhao is not very far from the Kasbah so make sure to check it out! This place is also called the Garden of Portugal because it was built to symbolize the friendship between the city of Agadir and that of Olhao in Portugal. There’s a small museum there where you can learn more about the history of the city and look at several photos of the 1960 earthquake tragedy.
The Medina
Your trip to Agadir would not be complete without a visit to the beautiful Medina of the city. Surprisingly, it is not as famous as the Medinas of Essaouira, Fes or Marrakech. Nonetheless, it is amazing. But it is a different kind of medina as it does not correspond to the old city of Agadir and is rather a more recent one.
Its construction started in 1992 but traditional construction methods and materials were used. Who said modern times and tradition couldn’t get along? 🙂 The Medina’s beautiful ocher colors stretch over more than 4 hectares and are waiting to be admired! An absolute must!
The Museum of Amazigh Culture
In this museum, you will learn about Agadir’s rich Amazigh cultural heritage. The terms “Amazigh” and “Berber” are synonyms and refer to the ethnic group that had settled in North Africa for millennia. This museum will get you to better understand the history of Morocco and the Maghreb in general.
Taghazout Beach
One of the most popular beaches in the area is Taghazout Beach, which is about 20 kilometers north of Agadir’s city center. You can swim there and enjoy the freshness of the Atlantic Ocean. Taghazout is also popular among surfers who come to enjoy its beautiful waves.
Visit An Argan Oil Cooperative
As you may know, Morocco is known for producing high-quality argan oil. This oil is particularly known for its moisturizing and rejuvenating effects on the skin. If you are interested, you can visit an argan oil cooperative in Agadir to see the traditional way this rejuvenating oil is made.
You can, of course, buy argan oil directly from the cooperative for cheaper prices.
Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley is located north of Agadir and is a beautiful natural setting where you can swim in crystal clear water. Set aside at least half a day to get the most out of Paradise Valley! Book your tour here.
Our trip to the beautiful city of Agadir, Morocco is over, friends! If you’re already in Agadir and want to visit other cities, you can visit Essaouira or Marrakech in one day with the following tours:
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See you around,
MF