Is Agadir Worth Visiting? 8 Reasons to Add Agadir to Your Morocco Itinerary
- Malika
- Oct 28, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 10
Wondering if Agadir is worth visiting or if you should add it to your Morocco itinerary? Read on to discover 8 reasons why I love Agadir and who this beach resort city is ideal for.
Agadir is a bustling seaside city that lies where the Atlas Mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean. It's also where my husband's family lives, so I've spent a lot of time here! In recent years, Agadir has garnered a reputation as one of the premier beach resorts in the country, with long sweeps of golden sand and some fantastic oceanside resorts.
More than that, it’s a hub for Amazigh culture, with more than half the population speaking Tamazight (my husband and his family included). I also love that Agadir is a resilient city - it has risen from the rubble following a devastating earthquake in 1960 that levelled its old medina.
While Agadir is best known amongst tourists as a destination for lazy, sun-soaked days at the beach, it’s also home to a sprawling market and some fascinating museums that are well worth a day away from the water. Not only that, but you’re on the doorstep of incredible surf and a paradisiacal valley - there really is a lot about Agadir to love.
That being said, the answer to the question “Is Agadir worth visiting?” might not be the same for everyone, depending on their interests. To help you determine whether to add this beachside city to your Morocco itinerary, I’ve put together this article detailing 8 reasons why I think Agadir is worth visiting and what it offers as a tourist destination.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
8 reasons why Agadir is worth visiting
It offers a quintessential beach vacation experience
With its long stretch of golden sand and restaurant-lined promenade, Agadir is a classic beach resort destination. While some travellers feel the city lacks an authentic Moroccan charm due to the absence of a centuries-old medina, others are drawn to its modern energy and the lure of sun, surf and sand.
Agadir is a place where you can spend endless hours lazing in the sun and participating in water sports, alongside a tourist clientele that is mainly European.
Many love the fact that Agadir boasts an incredible choice of beachfront hotels and resorts, some of which offer all-inclusive stays. Aside from being just steps from the sand, you can take advantage of onsite swimming pools, cultural classes and live entertainment, as well as all-you-can-eat experiences at the property's globally-inspired restaurants.
If your idea of a Moroccan vacation is a hassle-free week of fun in the sun, then Agadir is definitely worth visiting!
Best all-inclusive hotels and resorts in Agadir
Best all-inclusive hotel in Agadir for families
Best 5-star all-inclusive hotel in Agadir
Best adults-only all-inclusive resort near Agadir
For more inspiration, check out my article detailing 5 of the best all-inclusive hotels in Agadir.
Is Agadir worth visiting?
The outdoor pools at the all-inclusive Hotel Riu Palace Tikida Agadir (photo courtesy of Expedia)
It’s a great place to learn about Amazigh culture
As Morocco’s "capital of Amazigh culture," Agadir is one of the few places in the country where the Tamazight language is spoken by more than half the local population. Throughout the year, this city celebrates its Amazigh traditions with a lively calendar of cultural festivals and music celebrations, the most prominent being the Amazigh New Year festivities on January 13th.
Even if your visit doesn't coincide with one of these events, you can still learn about Morocco’s Indigenous cultures at the Agadir Amazigh Heritage Museum. Here you can admire handcrafted jewellery, textiles and pottery, along with objects that provide insight into the everyday lives of the local Amazigh community.
Interested in Agadir's cultural offerings? You can learn more about Agadir’s best museums here.
Is Agadir worth visiting?
It’s home to a huuuuuugee market
Souk El Had is the largest market in Agadir and let me tell you, it’s big!! There are around 6,000 stalls within its walls. Trust me when I say this is the place for locals to come and shop for everything from fresh produce to homewares and ready-to-eat meals.
What I love about Souk El Had is that it feels really authentic, particularly when compared to the tourist-focused markets of Fes and Marrakech.
While we don’t do our weekly shopping here (we have a produce market closer to home), Souk El Had is somewhere we’ll visit occasionally when we’re visiting Agadir. It's a one-stop destination for picking up groceries and having lunch - I love the fish tagines here!
Visiting Souk El had can be overwhelming - there' so much choice it's hard to know where to start. Don't miss the food court area, which does amazing tagines and grilled fish, all at affordable, local prices.
Top tip: When you enter Souk El Had, take note of the gate number you’ve come through so you can find your way out at the end.
Is Agadir worth visiting?
Its modern cityscape was shaped by an earthquake
In 1960, Agadir was impacted by a devastating earthquake that left much of the old city in ruin. More than 12,000 people died and many locals still remember the terror of the experience. That being said, it has most definitely shaped the city into the modern resort seen today.
If you want to learn more, you can visit the Memoire d’Agadir, which explores the city’s history before and after the event. Located within Jardin de Olhão, it features an engaging collection of photographs and newspaper articles that capture the essence of Agadir in the early 20th century.
Alternatively, head to La Medina d’Agadir, an open-air museum that recreates the Agadir Medina as it appeared before the earthquake. As you stroll through the atmospheric streets, you can admire the distinctly Amazigh architecture and see traditional artisans crafting goods in period workshops. While La Medina d'Agadir doesn't have the "pulse" of the Fes or Marrakech medinas, it is a wonderful place to admire traditional architecture in a relaxed setting.
It’s on the doorstep of Morocco's best surf
If you’re interested in surfing in Morocco, then chances are you’ve heard of Taghazout. Located just 25 kilometres north of Agadir, this once tiny Amazigh village is surrounded by some of the best surf breaks in Morocco.
While you can stay in one of the boutique guesthouses or hostels that cluster in Taghazout, it’s also possible to access the surf from a hotel or resort in Agadir. If you opt for the latter, you'll have more of a big city experience, including easy access to the restaurants and bars on Agadir's beachfront promenade.
Most famous of Taghazout’s waves is Anchor Point with its steep takeoffs and powerful barrels testing even the most skilled surfers. Close by, you'll find Boilers and Hash Point, as well as La Source - perfect for intermediate surfers.
At the southern end of Taghazout, Panoramas presents a beautiful point break that's accessible on foot from the village. Closer to Agadir is Cro-Cro, a friendly beach break that’s ideal for beginners and popular with the local surf schools.
To learn more about staying and surfing in Taghazout, check out my detailed article here.
What is Agadir really like?
It’s within easy reach of Paradise Valley
Fed by the crystal-clear waters of the Tamraght River, this serene gorge is just an hour’s drive from Agadir and makes for a wonderful day trip. It can easily be accessed with a rental vehicle (there's no public transport) or several tour companies offer guided trips that take care of all the logistics for you.
After arriving at the parking area of Paradise Valley, a trail leads you on an easy hike through its picturesque terrain. Here, you'll be greeted by cascading waterfalls and inviting pools - perfect for swimming and splashing on a hot day.
Throughout the gorge, you'll find eateries offering glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice and slow-cooked tagines where you can refuel in between swims.
Top tip: If you're visiting Paradise Valley over lunchtime, my advise would be to order a tagine on the way in so that it’s ready when you’re hungry in an hour or so.
Reasons to visit Agadi
It’s home to Africa's only museum dedicated solely to meteorites
Is Agadir worth visiting? If you’re interested in meteorites, then the answer is a firm “yes”! as it’s home to an outstanding museum dedicated to rocks originating in outer space.
The team at the University Museum of Meteorites is led by Professor Abderahmane Ibhi, who possesses extensive expertise in these cosmic artefacts. He's also the man to ask about the recently discovered Imilchil-Agoudal impact crater in the High Atlas mountains.
Run by the Ibn Zohr University's astronomy club, the University Museum of Meteorites boasts an impressive collection of meteorites, tektites and other impactites sourced from across North Africa. It features engaging documentaries and hands-on exhibits, as well as being a great place to have suspected meteoritic materials examined by experts in the field.
It’s the gateway to birdwatching in Souss-Massa National Park
Located a short drive south of Agadir, Souss-Massa National Park spans over 80,000 acres of wetlands, woodlands and dunes. It offers the closest thing you'll get to a safari in Morocco, with 4x4 trips giving you the chance to spot oryx, gazelles and North African ostriches, which have recently been reintroduced.
The park’s crown jewel is undoubtedly the Oued Massa, a river delta that attracts hundreds of species of rare and exotic birds, making it one of the best places to visit in Morocco for twitchers. Bird watchers flock here to catch a glimpse of flamingos, cormorants and elusive sandgrouse as they gather along the river's edge. If you're really lucky, you might also see an endangered northern bald ibis.
Guided trips to Souss-Massa National Park allow you to make the most of the experience with the help of a knowledgeable local and come highly recommended.
Is Agadir worth visiting?
Is Agadir worth visiting?
If you’re looking for fun in the sun with a dash of culture and nature experiences nearby, then I think Agadir is definitely worth visiting. While the city doesn’t have a historic medina like Fes or Marrakech, there’s a modern pulse that feels refreshingly authentic.
In my opinion, Agadir is an energised place to experience Morocco through a contemporary lens and discover that Moroccans love spending time at the beach, just as much as everyone else! It doesn't have the intensity of Marrakech or Fes - people here are just more laid-back.
I also think Agadir does all-inclusive Moroccan vacations better than any other city in the country. You can stay within the peaceful grounds of a beachfront resort and have all the hustle and bustle of the city right outside. If you're someone who likes hassle-free vacations, Agadir could be exactly what you're looking for!
When you want a break from lounging poolside or underneath a beach umbrella, you can immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of Souk El Had, delve into the local culture at an Agadir museum or embark on a safari through Souss-Massa National Park. Plus, the little-visited towns and beaches of southern Morocco are right on your doorstep, including Mirleft, Sidi Ifni and the silver city of Tiznit.
If you're someone who doesn't like the beach and you're more interested in historic architecture, then Agadir might not be for you. A lot of the city's appeal lies in its oceanfront setting and all of the watersports activities that facilitates.
Due to the 1960 earthquake, Agadir is architecturally quite modern - the recreated medina of Coco Polizzi is the closest you can get to experiencing what it was like centuries ago. This also means the city doesn't have the beautifully restored riads of Fes and Marrakech. Instead, you'll find modern hotels and resorts overflowing with luxury amenities.
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About the author
I'm Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I've developed an intense love for Morocco, its majestic landscapes, storied cities and the incredibly warm hospitality of its people. As the owner and content creator of Malika in Morocco, I share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. I am passionate about helping others plan their Moroccan travel adventures to ensure they get the most out of their North African experience.
