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Everything you need to know about visiting Agadir, including the best things to do, day trips, how to get there, where to stay, the best time to visit, and more!
As a large coastal city dominated by a long crescent of soft golden sand, people normally find themselves in Agadir for one of two reasons.
Either they’re seeking a beach holiday that offers a taste of Moroccan culture, or travelling onwards to one of Morocco’s popular surf towns along the coast.
We fell into the latter during our first couple of trips to Morocco, our crammed itineraries not allowing Agadir to be anything more than just a transport hub.
However, that changed on our most recent visit, when we actually spent a whole month in Agadir, working remotely while getting a real sense of what the large beach city is like.
And while Agadir may not offer the same intense and immersive insight to Moroccan history and heritage as the hectic medinas in the north, you can still find cultural experiences to savour and traditional dishes to sample.
During our month-long stay, we found there are plenty of epic activities and things to do in Agadir, which complemented our treasured beach time perfectly. And I’ve put together our favourites in this carefully crafted list, followed by all the practical information you need to enjoy a trip to the city!
Where Is Agadir?
Before diving into all the awesome things to do, it’s helpful to get a real grasp of where exactly Agadir is located.
Sitting on the coast in the southwest of Morocco, Agadir is about 30 minutes south of the popular surf towns of Taghazout and Tamraght, while it’s a longer trek of around 3-4 hours to other tourist hotspots like Marrakech and Essaouira.
I’ve pinned Agadir on the map below, which shows how far down the Moroccan coast it is.
17 Best Things To Do In Agadir
For us, Agadir was a mix of relaxation, thrilling experiences, and fulfilling day trips with some history and culture thrown in too. So, whether you’re visiting as a couple, family, group, or solo, we found activities for every type of traveller to enjoy.
Even if beach and pool time are the priorities, I definitely recommend pulling yourself away to make the most of what Agadir (and the surrounding area) has to offer!
And below I’ve detailed the things that are not only what we enjoyed the most, but what I believe are most worthwhile during any trip to Agadir!
1. Hit The Beach
Top of the list is, of course, to spend some time sunbathing on Agadir Beach!
The long, wide, and crescent-shaped sandy bay is the main feature of the city, and it’s what draws in the majority of Agadir’s visitors.
And I mean it when I say it’s long, 29 entrances lead down to the soft golden sand from the 4km-long promenade that runs along behind the beach!
Much of Agadir Beach is public, where you can pitch up with your beach towel and other beachday essentials, but there are also private sections where you can rent loungers and umbrellas for the day if you fancy a bit more comfort.
Although there are no hotels directly on the beach, as the promenade separates the hotel zone from the sand, some hotels occupy parts of the beach with private sunbed areas reserved for their guests only.
But the one thing you don’t need to worry about on Agadir Beach is space – it’s wide, it’s long, and there is plenty for everyone! And this includes full-scale football matches which we found to be pretty common all along the Moroccan coast!
There are also lifeguard towers stationed periodically along the bay, but the best place for swimming is in the northern end, as it’s more sheltered and the waves aren’t as big. The southern half is still suitable for beachgoers, but you’ll have to share the water with the surfers.
2. Wander Along The Promenade
The first thing we did after we arrived and had settled into our accommodation was take a stroll along the Agadir Promenade to get a feel for the beachfront.
The promenade (Corniche de la plage d’Agadir) is wide, paved and raised above the beach below, making it perfect for walking without getting your feet sandy! Like the beach, it’s also pretty long though, and runs for 4km all the way from the Marina down to the Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort!
The most lively section is the northern part between the Marina and the ‘I Love Agadir’ sign, which is where most of the bars and restaurants are. There is also a great vibe here during sunset.
The further south we walked, the quieter the promenade became, with more holiday resorts lining the walkway than restaurants.
The only thing we felt it was really missing was cafes. We were expecting to find places to sit with a nice coffee and people watch, one of our favourite activities in a new city, but there weren’t any proper coffee shops. This was surprising as cafes aren’t normally a struggle to find in Morocco!
Next Read: Best Day Trips And Tours From Agadir
3. Ride The Cable Car Up To The Kasbah Of Agadir Oufella
If there’s only one thing you pull yourself away from the pool or beach for, make sure it’s a visit to the Agadir Kasbah!
Sitting at the top of the hill in the north of the city (which you can see from the beach), the kasbah is Agadir’s only historical landmark that remains from before the 1960 earthquake that devastated the city.
Although it was largely destroyed like the rest of the city during the earthquake, a restoration project of the kasbah began in 2020. The majestic outer wall of the fortress has been successfully restored, and a wooden walkway and information signs have been added to the interior, which allows visitors to now explore the ruins inside the kasbah.
Even if historic ruins aren’t your cup of tea, it’s still worth making the trip up to the kasbah for the epic views over the city, beach, and marina below! The views alone are unmissable!
There are a few ways to get up to the kasbah, which include joining a tour, taking a taxi, or jumping on the L24 bus, but the best way is to ride the Agadir Cable Car from the Station Téléphérique – Cable Car Station!
The views get better and better during the slow ascent of the cable car ride and you can either do it independently or as part of a tour of the Agadir highlights.
Read Our Full Guide: Visiting The Kasbah of Agadir Oufella
4. Explore The Agadir Medina (Polizzi Medina)
- Opening Times: 9am – 6pm (closed on Tuesdays)
- Entrance Fee: 40 MAD per adult and 20 MAD for under 12-year-olds
The original Medina of Agadir was also tragically destroyed during the 1960 earthquake, but a miniature reconstruction was designed and built by Coco Polizzi in 1992.
And this stunning exhibition of traditional Amazigh design and architecture has to be on your Agadir itinerary!
Located in the south of the city (different to the medina’s original location), our visit to the Agadir Medina might not have been close to the overwhelming sensory overload and chaotic streets we experienced in the likes of the Marrakech, Fes, and Essaouira medinas, but that’s not what it’s about.
Instead, the Agadir Medina acts as a small exhibition of pre-earthquake heritage and traditional architecture, where the narrow alleys are peaceful to wander and filled with local craft shops.
What it lacks in historical character, it makes up for in exquisite style and pristine details!
We visited as part of this tour of Agadir’s highlights with Bob, and we absolutely loved exploring picturesque alleys, taking photos of the detailed archways, and only wished we’d had more time to sit and enjoy a coffee in Cafe Maure!
Get All The Details: Our Ultimate Agadir Medina Guide
5. Haggle For A Deal In Souk El Had
- Opening Times: 9am – 9pm (closed on Mondays)
- Entrance Fee: Free
In the heart of Agadir, Souk El Had is one of the largest traditional marketplaces in Africa, not just Morocco, and you can find everything from fruit, vegetables, and spices, to clothes, tech, jewellery, homeware and more!
As we wandered around the maze-like passages, with market stalls brimming with all kinds of goods, we realised one thing – there’s not much that you can’t get your hands on here!
You need to be prepared to haggle though, as it’s a big part of the culture and even expected in traditional souks like this. It can be difficult, daunting, and confusing if you’re not used to it, and we found that market sellers do drive a hard bargain, but the fact is, if you accept the first price offered, you’re guaranteed to be paying over the odds!
The best thing to do is to try and listen out for prices in other people’s negotiations or join a Souk El Had guided tour, where the tour guide will make things much easier!
6. Quadbike Along The Beach
One of the most popular activities in Agadir is a quadbiking tour, and we knew we had to fit this into our plans!
So we hopped onto the Get Your Guide app and booked onto this popular quadbiking tour to the beaches south of the city through the Souss Massa National Park.
And we have absolutely no regrets!
We were picked up from our accommodation and transported an hour south of Agadir to where our tour began. And after getting set up with helmets, goggles and quads, as well as a quick safety briefing and test drive, we were on our way.
We started along the smooth tarmac before turning off onto the bumpy arid landscape, when finally, the ocean came into view, and we made our way down to the hard sand on the beach.
And this is when it got really good!
As we raced along the beach, with the Atlantic on one side and the magnificent Tifnit Sand Dunes on the other, the views were incredible! It felt like such a unique experience, as we’ve done quadbiking tours before, but never in such an epic location!
For those who wanted an extra thrill (including me), we could also jump on the back with our tour guide, who took us for a hair-raising spin up and down the dunes!
This was easily one of the best things we did in Agadir!
7. Sandboard Down Timlalin Dunes
Fresh from our incredible quadbiking tour, we continued the adventure theme and booked a trip to the Timlalin Dunes, which are an hour north of Agadir, for some sunset sandboarding fun!
After trying sandboarding for the first time in Siwa Oasis during a trip to Egypt, we knew we would love it. But gliding down the sand while the sun was setting over the Atlantic horizon was extra special!
I say gliding, but the reality was much less graceful as we just did our best not to fall – which we managed!
Regardless of our sandboarding skills, the vibe was just amazing. The sky was glowing orange, and several groups had gathered on top of the dunes for golden hour, which created a fantastic feel-good atmosphere.
If you choose the same tour as us, there’s the option to go in the morning or late afternoon and, as you might have guessed, I definitely recommend the afternoon tour so you can be on the dunes for sunset!
8. Take A Beginner Surf Lesson
Agadir might be well-known as a beach holiday destination, but it’s also part of Morocco’s Atlantic surf scene.
Therefore, a trip to Agadir is a great time to try a beginner surf lesson – even if you’ve never tried it before!
Generally, surfing in Agadir happens in the southern part of the beach, as this is where the better waves are, but Agadir is also within 30 minutes of many other surf breaks around the towns of Taghazout, Tamraght, and Anza to the north of the city.
It was actually in Anza where Lucy’s surf lesson took place (I was injured at the time) during our time at Teddy Pirate Surf Camp in Taghazout, and while she was ready to relax after, she absolutely loved it!
There are plenty of beginner surf lessons in Agadir, and the best way to give it a try is to book a 2-hour top-rated lesson like this one via Get Your Guide.
9. Join A Tour To Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley is a place that, as soon as we heard about it, we were sceptical but intrigued to see it for ourselves.
As we didn’t have a car, we joined this Paradise Valley tour and can definitely recommend it (and our brilliant guide Omar) as the best way to visit!
Located an hour inland of the city, the valley is a large canyon in which natural pools are formed by a river that flows (or trickles) through. This creates an oasis-like setting which is only emphasised by the surrounding palm trees that tower above in clusters!
There are also some rustic restaurants around the two main pools closest to the entrance, where you can sit with your feet in the water and let the small fish come for a nibble. Otherwise known as the fish spa!
But the million-dollar question: is it really a paradise?
Well, this is completely dependent on recent rainfall, time of year, and expectations.
We visited in September, when the previous months had been particularly hot and dry, which had left all but the two main pools completely dried up! But we’d been anticipating this, just like we were only expecting basic facilities that were a bit rough around the edges.
So we were still able to enjoy Paradise Valley for what it is really about. And this is the exceptional scenery and laid-back atmosphere!
I don’t think Paradise Valley pools are as serene as they once were, but they’re normally at their best around March, which offers the best balance between weather and rainfall.
10. Spot The Crocodiles At Crocoparc
- Opening Times: 10am – 6pm daily (closes at 5.30pm during Ramadan)
- Entrance Fee: 95 MAD for adults, 65 for children up to 12 years old
- Skip-the-line tickets available here
When we arrived at Crocparc and saw the entrance, which was a huge crocodile head statue like you’d expect at Disneyland, I thought we’d made a mistake!
I suddenly thought this was going to be somewhere only for young families and not a millennial couple like us!
But our experience at Crocoparc was actually one of the highlights of our time in Agadir!
The zoological park and botanical garden is home to animals like giant tortoises, green iguanas, marmoset monkeys, pythons, and anacondas, as well as over 300 plant species, but there is no doubt that the 325 Nile crocodiles steal the show!
As we wandered around the park’s trail, we couldn’t take our eyes away from crocodiles in the ponds below, which was both fascinating and slightly unnerving at the same time!
The crocodiles can go months without eating in the winter, but are fed up to five times a day in the summer, and I recommend sticking around for feeding time! This was when the crocodiles, which had been pretty dormant so far, suddenly gained a new lease of life! Stomping over to the chunks of meat being thrown in, they viciously tore into them and reminded us exactly why the safety barriers are there!
A trip to Crocoparc is definitely worth a morning or afternoon!
> Get Transfers Included With This Guided Crocoparc Tour!
11. Relax In A Traditional Hammam
You’ll usually see ‘try a hammam’ mentioned somewhere in the things to do list for any destination in Morocco.
And after trying the traditional body scrub, cleansing, and exfoliation experience a few times on our visits to Morocco, I definitely recommend giving it a go!
But there are generally two types of hammams in touristy cities like Agadir, and the one for you depends on your comfort level (we’ve tried both).
The first type is a local hammam, which is a more cultural experience. However, you can expect to be semi (or sometimes even fully) naked with strangers in a communal steam room. We also found the wash and scrub to be on the rougher side!
The other type is a tourist hammam which, as the name suggests, is catered to tourists who would like to experience the traditional techniques of a Moroccan hammam in a more private and relaxing environment. Tourist hammams are more aligned with a traditional spa experience and normally include a massage too.
Although I’ll admit that we didn’t feel entirely comfortable during our local hammam, and we definitely had a more relaxing time at the tourist hammam, we’re still glad we experienced it!
I’d completely get it if you’d rather opt for the tourist version though, and I’d recommend the tourist hammam we went to in Agadir, which we booked online and included a private massage at the end and hotel pickup and drop off.
> Click To Reserve Your Own Relaxing And Refreshing Hammam Experience!
12. Check Out The Marina
One of the most beautiful parts of the city, and definitely worth visiting, is the Agadir Marina.
At the north of Agadir Beach and promenade, the harbour is lined with palm trees and surrounded by a horseshoe of luxury apartments as well as fancy cafes, restaurants, and designer stores (such as MAC and Zara). The architecture is pristine and in a modern style of white buildings with orange-tiled roofs.
If fine dining is on the cards for your trip, the restaurants in the marina are worth considering.
However, we were more interested in Espresso Lab – a cafe in the marina where we found our favourite coffee in Agadir. This coffee shop is an absolute vibe, and if you also appreciate a stylish cafe or a good flat white, then definitely check it out!
13. Ride A Jet Ski
Yet another exhilarating activity we decided to do while in Agadir was to ride jet skis for the first time!
And it was just as epic as we had hoped!
We booked this 30-minute jet ski session on Get Your Guide, which was the easiest way to organise it and included hotel pickup.
After a safety briefing, we jumped on our jet skis and headed out with an instructor each and, once confident we had a good grasp of the jet ski, he hopped off and let us spend the majority of the time zooming around ourselves!
As well as satisfying our need for speed, it was amazing to have a unique view of the promenade and city from out on the water!
> Book Your Own Thrilling Jet Ski Ride Here!
14. Visit The Amazigh Art Museum
- Opening Times: 10am – 6pm (closed on Tuesdays)
- Entrance Fee: 40 MAD
A short visit to the Amazigh Art Museum, which aims to preserve and exhibit the heritage of the Amazigh people from the Souss Massa region, is well worth it for a unique cultural insight.
The Amazigh (also referred to as Berber) are a big part of Moroccan heritage, as they are the indigenous people of Morocco and were here, along with their native language Tamazight, long before the Arab settlers.
There are a large number of Moroccans who identify as Amazigh, especially in Agadir, and there has been a greater effort in recent times to recognise and preserve their culture, and this is why you’ll now see signs in Tamazight, alongside Arabic and French, around the city.
Across two floors, the museum showcases paintings of traditional culture and modern art mixed with displays of Amazigh jewellery, patterned rugs, tattoo designs, tools, and other handcrafted pieces.
We only needed 30 minutes to wander through the exhibitions, and the paintings of traditional scenes in the first gallery were our favourite.
15. Admire The Grand Mosque
The Grand Mosque of Agadir (Mohamed V Mosque) may not be in the same league as the spectacular Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca or the mighty Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, but it’s still a beautiful religious building to admire!
It’s yet another fine example of the Andalusian style of mosque, which is so prominent in Morocco, with a towering square minaret, ornate archway entrances, and intricate details and symmetry. Although non-muslims are not permitted to go inside (the Hassan II Mosque is the only one in Morocco that allows this), it’s still worth admiring and photographing from the outside.
The mosque wasn’t initially on our itinerary for Agadir, but it was a stop on our Agadir city tour with Bob, and we’re glad we didn’t miss it!
> Tour The Highlights Of Agadir With Bob – Our Favourite Guide!
16. Chill Out In Jardin Olhao
- Opening Times: 8am – 10pm daily
- Entrance Fee: Free
Another thing that hadn’t been on our radar, until our host recommended it, was a visit to one of the many parks and green spaces around Agadir.
It surprised us how many parks there are, but after trawling through Google Maps and visiting a couple, we’re confident that Jardin Olhao is, although not the biggest, the nicest park in Agadir!
Filled with palm trees, greenery, and paths to follow, the manicured Jardin Olhao is the perfect place for a peaceful stroll or to read a book on one of the shaded benches scattered around the park.
There’s also a bridge over the pond, informational signs about the various plants, a small cafe, toilets, a kids’ play park, and an amphitheatre.
17. Day Trip To Other Cities
If you’re staying in Agadir for more than a few days, then it can also serve as a base for day trips to other cities.
And the combination of Morocco being jam-packed with truly epic places, with the convenience of Get Your Guide tours makes day trips from Agadir easier than ever!
But with lots of places to choose from, I’ll include the best and most realistic day trips to consider below.
Taghazout: The popular surf town that’s just up the road and easily reached by bus or taxi from Agadir has an infectious laid-back vibe. As well as soaking up the atmosphere, I’d recommend checking out the skate park at sunset and heading to Dfrost Almugar Bohemian Berber Bar for cocktails!
Taroudant: The walled city of Taroudant is known as ‘Little Marrakech’ due to its resemblance, and it was one of our favourite day trips! One day in Taroudant from Agadir was plenty to see all the main sights and take a walk around the epic ramparts. Book a day trip here!
Marrakech: As the pinnacle of Moroccan tourism, the long day trip to the ancient Marrakech Medina is tiring but completely fulfilling and rewarding! Filled with narrow alleys, majestic city walls, and some of the most beautiful architecture we’ve ever seen, the Marrakech experience is rich with history, culture, and a one-of-a-kind vibe! Arrange your trip here!
Sahara Desert: Seeing the towering dunes of the Sahara Desert in real life is the top experience we’ve had across all of our trips to Morocco! While many take a 3-day tour from Marrakech, you can do the same from Agadir, which you can book online here. (I know it’s longer than a day trip but it’s worth it!)
Essaouira: A must for any Game of Thrones fan, the fortified coastal city of Essaouira is three hours north of Agadir. It’s yet another Moroccan medina that’s steeped in history but with a spectacular Atlantic Ocean backdrop! Reserve your tour here!
How To Get To Agadir
Agadir has both a decent bus station and an international airport, making it a well-connected city internationally (especially from Europe) and domestically.
From Abroad
The most convenient way to get to Agadir from abroad is to fly to Agadir Al Massa International Airport, located around 30 minutes southeast of the city centre. And this is even easier these days with direct flights under five hours from several European countries (including the UK, France, and Germany).
Once you’ve landed, there are three ways to get to Agadir from the airport if you don’t have an airport transfer included with your hotel.
The cheapest is to take the airport bus (AE Aerobus) from outside the airport for 50 MAD or 80 MAD for a return ticket valid for two weeks. The bus journey takes 50 minutes and you can see the exact route and departure times on Google Maps and the ALSA website.
Another option is to take a taxi from outside the terminal, which costs around 200 MAD depending on where your hotel is.
Or, to avoid any hassle, you can pre-book a private transfer for a reasonable price with a reputable company online – my favourite is Welcome Pickups, as you can include your flight number in case of a delay.
> Book Here: Avoid Hassle And Organise A Taxi In Advance With Welcome Pickups
From Other Cities In Morocco
There are currently no trains in southern Morocco, but there are plans to extend the train line to Agadir before the 2030 World Cup.
Instead, there are plenty of coaches which travel to Agadir directly from cities like Marrakech, Essaouira, Casablanca, and Rabat. Our favourite bus companies are CTM and Supratours, and we’ve used them both to travel around the country. They’re both comfortable and good value, but if I had to choose one, I prefer CTM – but there really isn’t much difference apart from the specific cities they serve and the departure times.
We also always book our CTM and Supratours tickets online in advance via Bookaway, as this gives us peace of mind without an extra trip to the station for tickets!
If you don’t fancy a long bus ride, there are also more comfortable and convenient private transfer options, and again I’d recommend booking online via Bookaway!
From nearby surf towns like Taghazout and Tamraght, we travelled on both the local bus (Numbers L32/L33) and shared taxis, while from Imsouane, you would need to either book the Souk to Surf Shuttle or a private transfer.
Related Post: How To Get From Marrakech To Agadir
Where To Stay
When searching for accommodation in Agadir, we were initially overwhelmed when trying to figure out the best area and found ourselves filtering through the endless hotel reviews.
But we now have a good grasp of the city, and for a short holiday, we’d recommend staying somewhere between the beachfront promenade and the main road (N10) that runs through the city.
This is made up of three main areas: Secteur Touristique, Founty, and Agadir Bay.
Secteur Touristique is where you can find more affordable hotels, while in the southern end, the Founty area contains the most luxurious resorts, and Agadir Bay offers lots of luxury holiday apartments.
However, it’s important to note that, while some hotels and resorts are considered beachfront, they aren’t connected directly to the beach as the paved promenade separates them. Some hotels do have private sections on Agadir Beach though, which are for their guests only to enjoy.
On the other side of the N10 road, the city centre and residential areas are more suited to longer-term travellers and those who prefer apartments over hotels. Specifically, we’d recommend Talborjt, which is a touristy yet quiet neighbourhood filled with plenty of cafe and restaurant options.
Find our top Agadir hotels for each budget below.
- Hotel Lynx ($): Offering great value and a central location in Talborjt, Hotel Lynx is basic but clean with incredible sunset views from the rooftop terrace!
- Hotel Argana Agadir ($$): With a private pool and its own private section on Agadir Beach, Hotel Argana has a convenient central location and is a fantastic choice for families and couples alike.
- Pickalbatros Palais Des Roses ($$$): Enjoy the epitome of beachfront 5-star service in this elegant all-inclusive luxury resort. With a prime location in Founty, this resort features five restaurants, four pools, and even padel courts!
> Browse Agadir Hotels On Booking.com
Where To Eat
You can find restaurants in Agadir serving dishes from various cuisines but I definitely recommend trying some local Moroccan food during your trip! Moroccan tagine is the most well-known and a must-try, but msemen (generally eaten in the morning or afternoon) is also one of our favourites!
We were surprised at how many restaurants, especially in the lively Secteur Touristique area, looked as if they’d been plucked from the streets of the Costa Del Sol in Spain, with European flags hanging and the beers being served alongside western dishes. But they didn’t seem to be struggling for customers.
The Marina and Founty areas are where to go for high-end dining and fancier restaurants, while Agadir Bay is the best brunch spot!
A few of our restaurant recommendations:
- Restaurant Le Nil Blu: A popular place on the promenade with local dishes. It’s a bit pricier, but to be expected with its prime spot.
- Jade Fusion: Where you can enjoy Asian cuisine on the promenade.
- Restaurant Le 20, La Table Berber, Restaurant Rafiq: For Moroccan cuisine.
- Vanisca: A restaurant in Agadir Bay serving Moroccan dishes with a modern twist.
- Latte Latte: one of, if not the best, places for brunch in Agadir.
Coffee In Agadir
Finding a good espresso in Agadir isn’t difficult as there are cafes dotted all over the city. And we realised very quickly during our first visit to Morocco that sipping on a short espresso is a very common part of the culture.
However, finding good speciality coffee or decent milk-based brews like cappuccinos and flat whites proved to be more difficult, but we did find a few quality coffee shops.
These include:
- Espresso Lab: Great tasting coffee in the Marina and just an all-around vibe. We enjoyed our favourite flat whites in Agadir here!
- Latte Latte Brunch: Another stylish cafe that is as much about the brunch dishes as it is about the coffee.
- Boulangerie My Fleur: Fancying a coffee and cake? This is the cafe and bakery combo we recommend! We ended up going back multiple times to try more of their cakes!
- Grams: In the southeastern outskirts of the city, Grams is a stylish speciality coffee shop and is a great spot for digital nomads looking for a cafe to work from.
How To Get Around
To get to most Agadir attractions, which are spread across the city, or travel between areas, you’ll need some form of transport as it’s not a walkable city.
And the best ways to get around are by taxi, bus, or on a tour.
Taxi is the easiest way to get around, and the small orange petit taxis can be hailed on the street to take you anywhere in Agadir.
We were advised to use the taxi meter rather than haggling for a set price, but we actually used the ride-hailing app InDrive instead, as we found it to be cheaper and less hassle. InDrive isn’t officially recognised in Morocco, so drivers weren’t keen to pick us up or drop us off close to any of the official taxis, but we had no issues using it.
The cheaper option, which we used a couple of times, is the ALSA public bus network which has numerous lines operating across the city. More information about the different bus routes and schedules is available on the ALSA website, but we used Google Maps for bus numbers and schedules and found it very accurate.
Best Time To Visit
The weather in Agadir is relatively consistent year-round, and generally, it stays cooler than the inland cities in the summer and warmer in the winter. High temperatures average around 30°C in the summer and 20°C in the winter, so it’s become a place to escape from Europe for some winter sun.
However, I’d bring a jumper or jacket for winter evenings.
The best time to visit Agadir is either side of the peak summer months – so in April to May or September to October. This offers the best balance between ideal sunbathing weather and fewer crowds, as you’ll avoid the busy school summer holidays when the beach is packed with Moroccan holidaymakers.
The difference in crowds we experienced in late August compared to early September was crazy!
There are also fewer overcast and hazy days, which can plague the summer mornings and come from the big temperature difference between the air and water. Although in recent years, hazy mornings have started to become more common in May-June and September-October than in the past.
SIM Cards And Mobile Data In Agadir
For our most recent trip to Morocco and Agadir, we installed a Saily eSIM and were very impressed with the coverage and internet speeds not only in Agadir, but also in Marrakech, Essaouira, Imsouane, and Taghazout too!
And I have to admit, we’ve been loving the convenience of connecting as soon as we land without any hassle! So this is definitely the easiest way to get mobile data as you can have it installed and prepared up to a month before you even head to Morocco!
However, even though Saily is one of the more affordable eSIM providers we’ve used, it’s still cheaper to get a SIM card with a local provider once you’re on the ground in Morocco. We’ve used both of the big providers (Inwi and Maroc Telecom) in the past and both were great. To get set up, just head into one of their stores with your passport and the staff will get you set up.
ATMs, Cash, And Tipping
As a larger city, there are a lot more places accepting card payment in Agadir compared to the smaller towns along the coast. However, we found this to be limited to fancier restaurants and supermarkets, and we still needed cash for taxis and buses, some restaurants and cafes, and small souvenir shops and mini markets.
The best way to get your hands on Moroccan dirhams is to withdraw cash from an ATM once you’ve arrived, as you’ll get a much better exchange rate than exchanging cash. Just make sure to have an account with a bank that doesn’t charge foreign transaction or ATM fees – some of my favourites are Revolut, Monzo, and Chase.
And, like in all my Morocco travel guides, I recommend withdrawing from an Al Barid Bank ATM as it’s the only one in Morocco that won’t charge you an ATM fee.
Is Agadir Worth Visiting?
So, is Agadir actually worth visiting and does it deserve a place on your Moroccan travel itinerary?
Agadir is a fantastic coastal city, but I’ll be completely honest and say that it isn’t my favourite city in Morocco. It doesn’t match the cultural immersion we experienced in the likes of Marrakech and Fes, and we generally prefer smaller beach towns so Taghazout and Imsouane were more our style.
However, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t like Agadir. We really enjoyed our time in the city and I do still think it’s worth visiting! We can also understand why over one million people visit each year!
What Agadir is fantastic for is providing a balance between a chilled beach holiday and the opportunity to get a taste of Morocco in a more relaxing environment than the crazy medinas. Not to mention the day trips, activities, and surf that are at your fingertips.
FAQs
Is Agadir Better Than Marrakech?
In my opinion no, Marrakech offers a deeper cultural and historical experience, but Agadir does have the benefits of a coastal town, which include sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and watersport activities.
Does Agadir Have An Old Town?
No, the old town of Agadir was destroyed in the 1960 earthquake but you can visit the ruins inside the historic Kasbah of Agadir Oufella and the new Agadir Medina reconstruction.
Is Agadir Safe For A Holiday?
Yes, we felt very safe in Agadir and the city has a relatively low crime rate, but you should still always take general safety precautions like not walking alone at night and not flashing belongings of high value.
What Can You Do In Agadir For Free?
Free things in Agadir include Souk El Had, the kasbah viewpoint, the beach, parks, and walking along the promenade.
Do You Need Air Conditioning In Agadir?
We managed without air conditioning in August, but it was on the limit, so I’d recommend it during July and August for a more comfortable stay.
To Finish
Relaxing at the beach and by the hotel pool might be the main attractions of a holiday to Agadir, but there are also so many other things to do that make visiting Agadir worthwhile!
And I hope this guide makes planning your trip to the coastal city a breeze, but if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll get back to you!
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