Eight Exciting experiences in Agadir
The Miami of Morocco is a treasure chest for visitors.
Agadir is sometimes called the Miami of Morocco, and while there are some big differences, it is easy to see why. After an earthquake destroyed much of the city in 1960, the young nation built up a modern, international city that soon became a sophisticated destination for European visitors.
And still today, it’s easy to see its charm. With its location along the Moroccan coast – on a latitude between Madeira and the Canary Islands – Agadir has a near-perfect climate all year round. It is a true city with almost a million inhabitants in the wider borough, so it has everything a visitor might need, from night-life and hotels to tourist attractions and traditional restaurants. Agadir and the local coast are also ideal for surfing, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. For golfers, there are several courses to choose from, and Agadir is also a popular starting-point for hiking in the mountains.
Fort with Atlantic views
Kasbah Agadir Oufella
Doing something touristy is the perfect way to kick off a stay in a new place, and a visit up to the old Kasbah of Agadir Oufella is a great choice. The fort was severely damaged in the earthquake of 1960, but is now being restored. It offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding coast. A great tip is to visit in the evening as the sun sets over the Atlantic. There are buses from the foot of the mountain every 20 minutes – but it’s also possible to make the trip an adventurous hike.
Moroccan cuisine
Le Mauresque
Agadir is packed with restaurants, some European, some traditional. For an experience that combines local taste sensations with top-class cuisine, we recommend Le Mauresque, a restaurant that also serves as a lounge bar. There’s live music and singing from 8 pm every evening, featuring Moroccan styles such as tarab, raï and chaabi. Order a leg of lamb with twelve spices or a tagine with dried fruit – this classic North African dish gets its name from the vessel it’s cooked in – and let the music lift your mood.
Birdwatching in a national park
Souss-Massa National Park
Sidi Binzarne
South of Agadir is one of Morocco’s best national parks: Souss-Massa. Created in 1991, it includes dramatic coastline, lagoons, steppe landscape, dunes and hidden beaches. Just 10 kilometers south of Agadir lies the Souss Delta, where you can see the black-winged stilt and pink flamingo, depending on season. Continue along the coast to the Massa River delta and see if you can spot the endangered northern bald ibis – an unforgettable experience.
Dance with Agadir’s party crowd
Le Papagayo
Agadir has a vibrant night-life, and the city’s best-known club, Le Papagayo at the Hotel Tikida Beach, is a great place to kick things off. Famous DJs and bands perform on stage for trendy young locals and tourists alike. For a touch of luxury you can order a bottle and a table, but remember these are big-city prices.
A round among the argan trees
Tazegzout Golf
Tee off against the blue Atlantic on this magical golf course planned by Kyle Phillips, a golf course architect renowned as one of the best in the business. The Tazegzout course, 15 minutes from Agadir, confirms that. Play 18 holes on a plateau 80 meters above sea level, in a layout perfectly enmeshed among the landscape and argan trees.
Award-winning eco-hotel
Atlas Kasbah Ecolodge
Agadir
Experience a calmer – and more chic – side of Agadir at this eco-hotel 20 minutes from the big city bustle. The Atlas Kasbah is in the middle of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve established in 1998 to protect the region’s argan trees, offering views across the green valley and Berber villages. Holding a World Responsible Tourism Award, the hotel is run by Helene and Hasan Aboutayeb, both trained in sustainable tourism – as is evident from the way they work with and support the local Berber community.
Africa’s biggest spa
Fairmont Spa
Half an hour north of Agadir is the luxury hotel Fairmount Taghazout Bay and its wonderful spa, also the biggest in Africa. Treat yourself to a facial, sound healing, and their signature treatment “Argan Journey” – a bath in argan seeds, an argan oil scrub, and a massage with argan oil.
A surfer’s paradise
Taghazout
The coast around Agadir offers world-class surfing waves, with plenty of spots good for beginners. The village of Taghazout, half an hour north of Agadir, was originally a destination for hippies, but the great swell soon attracted surfers. Anchor Point, which features the most legendary waves in Morocco, is just outside the village. Today, the place has grown into one of the best-loved resorts in the country, but the village itself retains its authentic feel and is a great starting-point for surfing lessons.
Text by Daniel Björk