Agadir is a must-see city of Morocco to visit, still too little known but yet full of many centers of interest, between modernity, tradition and natural sites. Agadir is the perfect holiday destination for Moroccans, in search of freshness during the summer, thanks to its beautiful beaches.
For some time now, the city has favoured its cultural and tourist development. Some places are under construction like the Valley of the Birds but you can already enjoy many activities. In 2024, will open a large tourist office on the corniche of Agadir where you will find a complete offer and useful information for your stay.
Here is a list of the best places to visit in and around Agadir:
Top places to see in Agadir:
Kasbah Oufella
Overlooking the city of Agadir with a panoramic view of the bay, the kasbah of Agadir Oufella is an interesting historical site to visit to understand the history of the city. This ancient fortress is located on the highest point of the city, overlooking the port. Destroyed by the earthquake of 1960, the city has been the subject of a recent and ongoing restoration project to make it one of the unmissable cultural sites of Agadir.
You can visit the inner site of the kasbah with a paid entrance (90DH full adult rate) or you can walk freely at the foot of the ramparts.
The inner tour will allow you to discover the remains of the city before the earthquake with a route punctuated with information that traces the history of the place. Allow about 30 minutes to 1 hour for the visit.
To access the site: you can take advantage of the trip to climb thanks to the cable car that will allow you to have a spectacular view of the bay of Agadir (120DH the round trip). It is also possible to walk up the hiking trail or by bus or taxi. Cars are not allowed to park at the top, you will have to leave your vehicle at the bottom.
Crocoparc in Agadir
Looking for an original and exotic place? The park of Crocoparc in Agadir is ideal for a good time with family. The star of the park is of course the crocodile, but not only. You will find other animals adapted to this environment such as iguanas, turtles, snakes and monkeys. The visit will take place in a beautiful green setting, in the middle of the botanical garden and the cactus collection.
You can easily plan to spend the day there and eat there.
The entrance for an adult is 85dh.
El Had souk in Agadir
The largest city market in Africa is located in Agadir, it is the souk El Had, the "Sunday souk". Spread over more than 13 hectares, there is absolutely everything! Surrounded by a high enclosure and 13 large access doors, the souk El Had of Agadir has a modern and neat look, in the traditional architectural model. The shops are arranged by sectors, the fruit and vegetable district, that of butchers, that of clothing sellers etc. You will find yourself immersed in an authentic atmosphere, in the heart of Moroccan life. Wander freely in these alleys, taste local specialties, leave with some souvenirs of local crafts.
Open from Tuesday to Sunday.
Access by bus, city taxi
The Kasbah Souss of Agadir
This recent kasbah is a collective of artisans gathered in a place in the colors of traditional local architecture. At the kasbah souss you will find no less than 60 artisan shops.
Here we highlight the 100% local crafts with a direct sales circuit from the artisan to the customer. You will therefore find interesting and fair rates. Among the crafts represented are leather goods, basketry, pottery, herbalism, jewelry, tapestry, cabinetmaking, cosmetics and many others.
You can even participate in a workshop of your choice with some craftsmen to share their know-how.
Located in the district of Bensergao, you can reach it by bus or taxi. At 300m you can also visit the Coco Polizzi Medina. A beautiful combination for a day away from the bustle of the city and on the theme of local know-how.
On site you will find a restaurant offering Moroccan dishes in a beautiful decor of painted and carved wood.
The entrance is free.
Agadir's medina
It is also known as the medina Coco Polizzi, the name of its Italian architect, but in Agadir the locals simply call it the Medina.
The old medina was destroyed during the earthquake of 1960. But in the 1990s, Coco Polizzi wanted to rebuild a complete medina in the local architectural style. So in this majestic site, you can walk in peace in small shaded alleys while admiring every detail carefully thought out: woodwork and painted ceilings, mosaics, decorative stone walls, Stucs etc. You will find some artisan shops and a restaurant where it is good to sit in the shade to enjoy a mint tea or a Moroccan dish.
The adult entrance is 40DH.
You can access it by car, taxi or shuttle. The bus line that serves the Bensergao district will drop you a few hundred meters from the medina
The corniche and the beaches of Agadir
Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Agadir enjoys large sandy beaches. Over a length of 7km, you can walk along the beach on this promenade completely redesigned for the comfort of all and for an atmosphere of relaxation and modernity. You will find shaded corners where you can sit to admire the ocean, full of restaurants serving local or international cuisine.
On the beach, you will find supervised swimming areas, deckchairs for rent and you will come across some mobile beach vendors. The corniche of Agadir and its beaches are a pleasant place of scenes of local life where Moroccan families, from Agadir and elsewhere, like to spend time with family.
If you extend the walk, you will arrive to the Marina of Agadir, the small marina surrounded by residence and shops of high standing, the chic place of the city.
The Olhao garden of Agadir
If you want to walk in less known places of Agadir, discover the life of the neighborhoods, you can enjoy visiting the many parks and gardens designed to bring places of freshness and relaxation to the inhabitants. Among these we recommend a tour through the Olhao Garden (or Portuguese garden) which offers a beautiful architecture typical of the Souss Massa region from its entrance, a small lake, a restaurant and beautiful flowery paths well maintained. Nearby, take the opportunity to make a detour and see the great mosque of Talborjt with impressive architecture. Extend your visit right next to the mosque to enjoy a delicious tanjia at Sweety Hamid.
Things to visit around Agadir
Souss massa National Park: Rokein Reserve and Massa Reserve
The Souss Massa National Park is a protected natural area that stretches along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean on a strip of 65km long, which begins south of Agadir with the mouth of the Souss.
Rokein Wildlife Reserve
North of the National Park, there is an animal reserve covering more than 3000 hectares: the Rokein reserve. It brings together Saharan animal species with a rehabilitation plan for several threatened species. So you can make on foot or by car, a safari circuit and see closely these animals: the Addax with large spiral horns, the oryx, the gazelles dorcas or the ostrich with red neck. The 3km walking circuit is 70Dh per adult. To make the 11km road, it takes 150DH.
At the entrance of the site you will find sworn local guides who can offer you a very interesting and more complete guided tour with the possibility of leaving for the day and also visit the surroundings with your guide. It will also allow you to easily find the accesses and tracks to borrow because the signage is not the strong point of this site. You can also use the services of Rachid Amazigh Immersion
The ornithological reserve of Massa
A little further south, at the mouth of the Oued Massa, this wetland is the place of migration of birds between Europe and Africa and offers an exceptional ornithological observation circuit. Several guided tours will allow you to observe rare species such as the endangered bald ibis and other species such as flamingos, white spoonbills, mottled teals, large cormorants, cranes, ducks.
To book your guided tour and choose the formula that suits you, you can approach the Cooperative of Sustainable Tourism in Morocco - Tel.: 06 71 44 18 60
The paradise valley.
Located about 45km from Agadir in the direction of Imouzzer, the valley of paradise is nestled in the foothills of the Atlas. You will find a corner of greenery and relaxation very appreciable, but sometimes very busy depending on the periods, know it. Go on foot on the trails and let yourself be carried away by the discovery of this fascinating nature. There, the water shaped the rock, creating canyons and natural pools of incredible transparency. You will be surrounded by a very varied and abundant vegetation, contrasting with the rocks with ocher hues.
You will find some small restaurants that serve local cuisine. What to relax after walking and extend the day in this natural site.
You can choose to go on an excursion with a guide but it is also possible to hike alone on these trails.
Taroudant
1 hour from Agadir, do not miss the visit of Taroudant.
Nicknamed little Marrakech, it is surrounded by ramparts of several centuries with the advantage of remaining on a human scale unlike Marrakech. You can easily go on an adventure in the old town and easily fall back on the central points of the city. Take the time for a mint tea to admire the spectacle of street life where Moroccans meet in the squares around various and varied attractions of street vendors or musicians.
You can browse the 2 souks where you can find everything. Let yourself be tempted by some local pastry shops to buy on the street.
The tour of the ramparts consisting of 9 large gates will bring you an unusual walk, to discover the small secrets of the city. Bab El Kasbah offers a beautiful view of the kasbah and the gardens of Taroudant. If you do not want to walk, offer yourself a caleche tour that will allow you to have the important information of the city, go around the ramparts, a little away from the bustle of the city.
Enjoy a night in Taroudant where you will easily find a small charming riad overlooking the city from the rooftops terraces like Dar Randigaba where you will be pampered.
Taghazout
How not to succumb to the charm of Taghazout, hanging by the water! Here life unfolds peacefully, one comes to flank in the narrow alleys with white and blue walls, to stop eating at the edge of the water, to observe the comings and goings of small boats of sinners.
Taghazout is also a place known for its surf spots. You will find many schools to learn surfing and other activities on the water such as paddle or canoe. Also enjoy a yoga retreat offered by the hotels, to stay in the summer spirit of the resort. It is 2 points of interest attract a young and relaxed tourism in a decor where artists express themselves freely in a colorful way on the walls.
In summer, Taghazout is very popular for its Atlantic freshness, draining a stream of important tourists but off season it is very nice to spend a day or two to relax.
From Agadir, it will take only 30 minutes by car. You can also easily find a taxi or go there by bus, the connections are regular.
Anza
Anza is a small village in Agadir, north of it.
Its sandy beaches are appreciated by locals and travelers alike. They are best known for harboring an archaeological treasure: dinosaur footprints left on the ground and discovered at low tide. Dating back 85 million years, these beaches are one of the few sites in the world to record such remains.
In Anza you can also take the time for some surf lessons or other board sports.
Imi ouaddar
Continuing the road from Agadir to Taghazout further north, you will pass by Imi Ouaddar. A small fishing village where you can take the time to stop for lunch the delicious grilled fish and sardines. Arrived directly from the fishing port, you just have to choose the fish on the stall and it will be cooked before your eyes for an unparalleled freshness.
The wide sandy beaches are also the ideal place to swim and sunbathe.
From Agadir to the desert
Enjoy your trip to Morocco to experience the amazing contrast between ocean and desert! In a few hours you will pass from landscapes to others in totally different atmospheres and you can discover the unavoidable Sahara desert.
How much time to spend in the desert from Agadir?
The desert is worth it and it will take a few hours drive to get there. But the good news is that the desert closest to Agadir is also the most beautiful and wildest in Morocco: the Iriki desert and the dunes of Chegaga.
It takes about 5 hours to reach Foum Zguid, the gateway to the desert. From there, we will drive you to the dunes of the Sahara in 4x4 by the track of the Iriki National Park. About 1h30 to reach the dunes of Erg El Mhazil and 2h to the dunes of Chegaga.
That is why we advise you to spend at least 2 nights.
3 days 2 nights tour from Agadir to the desert
From Agadir to the desert of Foum Zguid, you can take the main axis that connects Agadir to Ouarzazate via Taliouine and Taroudant.
First, you will cross the great plains after Agadir, connecting Taroudant. In these great panoramas, you can admire the Atlas mountains in imposing backdrop and on each side of the road the varied cultures and mainly the fields of orange and almond trees.
Gradually, the road rises in altitude, the scenery is more rocky, until arriving at Taliouine, in the hollow of the mountains.
Then the mountain suddenly gives way to high plateaus with landscapes worthy of Mars. The plain stretches as far as the eye can see until reaching Tazenakht.
Tazenakht is the crossroads, either we choose to leave on the left in the direction of Ouarzazate and Marrakech or we continue to the right further to the south, following the call of the desert. Another 1h30 drive will allow you to reach Foum Zguid, hidden at the end of the Zguid valley and its date palms.
In Foum Zguid, the desert adventure begins! We take you aboard our 4x4 to cross the landscapes of the Iriki National Park. The stony paths of the Paris Dakar, succeed the expanses of the former dry lake of Iriki. A cool break by the oasis of Laarjimia leads you directly into a wild-west setting whose mountains are reminiscent of American colorado.
Then it is the arrival of the fascinating dunes of the Sahara. There the silence is imposed, the spirit is released, the warm air becomes a caress. In the middle of the dunes, on a flat bottom dug by the winds, the bivouac and its large tents stand. In all simplicity and so exotic.
You can choose to spend 2 nights in the dunes. We also offer you the opportunity to discover the desert differently and nomadic culture thanks to our guest house "La Petite maison du lac Iriki" located in the heart of Iriki National Park:
Visit the village and the oasis, hike to see the engravings and cave paintings, meet the inhabitants. Here are great opportunities to soak up the cultural richness of this region. Find all possible tours with Desert Foum Zguid.
To visit between Agadir and the desert:
The road between Agadir and the desert allows to see fascinating and so varied places.
It is possible to imagine several circuits depending on the time you have, here are the most beautiful steps to plan:
Taroudant and its ramparts
Taliouine, the capital of saffron. This red gold, cultivated and harvested only in this region that gathers all the necessary conditions for the growth of these delicate crocus flowers. You can visit the women’s cooperative and get a few grams of this precious spice.
Taliouine is also a good starting point for many hikes in the Atlas Mountains.
Tazenakht, the capital of the Berber carpet. On the roadside you will discover many cooperatives exhibiting the warm colors of all these wool carpets woven in an ancestral way. In the center, a cooperative of the state was inaugurated, you can visit it freely.
If you take the southern route, another route is even more fascinating:
Tiznit: the city of silver and traditional Berber jewelry. You will find many jewelry shops and small shops pleasant to visit
Tafraoute: nestled in the heart of the pink and ocher mountains, this city is a small jewel of serenity. You will discover an authentic village, far from the tourist bustle, except early March which marks the festival of almond trees.
Tata: you can visit this quiet town in the heart of an oasis and the many workshops of basketry and pottery. One feels the peaceful life of the south. Near Tata, you will also find the caves of Messalit
Tissint: this small village is known for being surrounded by several large saltwater pools. The water gushes here as if by miracle, creating oases of freshness and unusual decorations of turquoise water with shores bleached by salt.
Need advice to build your stay?
Contact us and consult our tours from the largest cities of Morocco to the most beautiful Moroccan desert.