Agadir is one of the most attractive Moroccan cities, thanks to its laid back lifestyle and its location in the southern part of Morocco, taking its visitors closer to discover the Sahara, all while being surrounded by the Anti Atlas, the Sahara Desert on the Atlantic coast with many national parks to discover.
Visitors also get to explore this city’s diverse beaches, all while being welcomed by the locals wherever they go. Agadir is a very tolerant city, and its residents are proud of their Amazigh culture and heritage, thus never hesitate to introduce visitors to it.
Whilst tourism plays a vital role in the city’s economy it remains a major port with a thriving fishing industry, exporting produce and natural resources. With a busy port and beach resort sprawling beneath its kasbah, Agadir was completely rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1960. It is now the country’s premier destination for sun, sand, pubs, and pizza. Agadir city hits its stride on the beachfront promenade, where Moroccan street life comes with a refreshing sense of space. Arching south of the shiny white marina, the sandy beach offers clean water and 300 sunny days a year.
A few miles out from the city center is La Médina d’Agadir, a life-size, open-air recreation of Agadir’s former medina, which was wrecked by the earthquake. Constructed in 1992 using traditional techniques, this place is half museum, half work of art.
The city’s most modern attraction is a billion-dirham Dubai-esque pleasure port between the beach and commercial port. As well as a mooring for your floating gin palace, the complex of white neo-kasbahs has holiday apartments, cafes, restaurants, and boat trips for groups (including a faux pirate ship called the Jack Sparrow). Don’t forget to take some bread with you to feed the fish – simple and fun! There are plenty of boat rides on offer too.
The Amazigh granaries or Igoudar are an important part of the history and culture of Morocco as its the first Banking system was created by Amazighs– the original inhabitants of North-West Africa. Every tribe would have its own granary, and each family had its own ‘safety deposit boxes’ to store not just their grains but all their valuables and important documents in chambers.
Souks are an integral aspect of Moroccan culture. Agadir’s Souk El Had is where many of the city’s residents do their shopping. Even if you’re not into buying souvenirs, the atmosphere here alone makes the trip worthwhile. It’s a total sensory immersion and a wonderful place you can let yourself get charmed by and feel completely lost in its beauty.
Visitors are greeted at the entrance by a huge crocodile mouth in which they must enter to access the reception area. They then discover a beautiful jungle setting before coming face to crocodiles in the botanical garden. Visitors can admire, all along the circuit, original plantations such as the Sanseveria Cylindrica and also smell divine fragrances distilled by jasmines, gardenias and other fragrant plants. The garden has been designed so that flowering is present throughout the year and in a shimmer of colors, even in winter. Currently, the collection has more than 300 species and varieties of plants. At night, a magical atmosphere decorates CROCOPARC with a thousand and one lights!
Train d’Agadir The ‘Petit Train’ is a road train that traverses some of the tourist spots in Agadir. It takes approximately 50 minutes to complete its trajectory and is a good way to get your bearing and decide what you would like to visit later in your stay in Agadir. It runs in daylight hours only and starts from its own kiosk at the bottom of the zoo just north of Place Al Wahda on Boulevard du 20 Aout.
Paradise Valley is one of the most famous natural attractions in Morocco. This picturesque corner is located at an altitude of 1600 meters near the High Atlas Mountain, 30 kilometers from the city of Agadir. The huge and deep valley is surrounded by the greenery of palm groves and orchards. The river flowing through the Paradise Valley originates high in the mountains. In the very center of the picturesque valley, there is a small Moroccan town called Immuser. Located in a palm grove, Immuser appeals to all lovers of nature and calm. Since ancient times, these lands have been inhabited by Amazighs, who are engaged in terraced farming on the slopes of the mountains. In the 70s, the territory of the Paradise Valley was commonly the hippies’ favorite destination, thanks to its pristine nature that allows them to enjoy their solitude.
Since 1980, the Fantasia Chez Ali in Marrakech has offered its guests a folklore show every evening combining traditional songs and dances, fantasia, and equestrian aerobatics. In a setting worthy of the tales of a Thousand and One Nights, between the imperial palace and caidal tents. Chez Ali Marrakech offers a traditional dinner.
