Agadir

Agadir is a city in Morocco’s southern region. It is noteworthy for its position, since it is bordered by the Anti Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert, several natural parks, and quiet beaches, all of which are readily accessible from Agadir.

Agadir is predominantly a tourist destination, particularly popular with European vacationers. It has a beach with all the necessary beach-tourism amenities. The city is particularly beautiful since it is clean and organized, with really pleasant people.

To the north of Agadir are some of the most magnificent beaches in Morocco. Areas around Taghazout town and Cap Ghir are also well-known for their outstanding surfing. This shore is home to several tiny, pristine beaches. Several of them are located between Agadir and Essaouira: Agadir Beach, Tamaounza (12 kilometers), Aitswal Beach, Imouran (17 kilometers), Taghazout (19 kilometers), Bouyirdn (20 kilometers), Timzguida (22 kilometers), Aghroud (30 kilometers), and Imiouadar (30 kilometers) (27 km).

Agadir’s climate is classified as subtropical-semiarid, with warm summers and moderate winters. Agadir, which is located on the Atlantic Ocean, has a relatively moderate temperature. The daytime temperature normally remains in the 20s °C (70s °F) throughout the year, with winter highs reaching 20.4 °C (70 °F) in December–January.

The yearly temperatures are quite comparable to those in Nairobi, Kenya, but with far less rainfall -about 10 inches annually – and less frigid mid-year evenings.

Occasionally, however, the area encounters Chergui winds from the Sahara, which may elevate the temperature to 40 °C for a few days (2–5).

Agadir is a major city in Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean coast near the foot of the Atlas Mountains, just north of the point at which the Sous River empties into the ocean, approximately 508 kilometers south of Casablanca, 173 kilometers south of Essaouira, and 235 kilometers southwest of Marrakech.

Agadir’s economy relies mainly on tourism and fisheries. Agricultural activities are based around the city.

Agadir has one of the biggest Souks in Morocco (Souk Al Ahad)

The city has a cement company called Ciments du Maroc (CIMAR), a subsidiary of the Italian group Italcementi which is in process of being transferred to a new plant 40 kilometres from the city. There is also a shipyard in the port and the only Merchant Marine school in Morocco.

Agadir-Al Massira Airport is located in Agadir, Morocco. Agadir has an international airport with direct scheduled flights from major European cities as well as many charter flights from all over the world. You’ll have to change flights in Casablanca if you’re travelling from the United States, Canada, Asia, or elsewhere.

AIRPORT TO CITY CENTRE

Airport-taxi During the day, 200 Dh is charged, while at night, 300 Dh is charged (if you arrive during the evening, the change is about 8PM). There is a firm that can deliver a taxi to your hotel at any time of day or night for the same price as a street cab. They are able to communicate in Arabic, French, English, and German.

Alternatively, bus number 22 departs from the major road intersection immediately outside the airport every 40 minutes or so towards Innezgane (4 Dh). You may go to Agadir immediately from there (see below). Grand cabs are also waiting at the intersection, and for 200 Dh, they would gladly drive you to Agadir.

There is no rail service to Agadir; the main mode of public transportation is the bus.

The bus terminal in Agadir is located in the parking lot of the Sahara hotel, and magnificent taxis may be taken there. Inezgane, the region’s bus hub, is around 10 kilometers distant. It is fairly common to come there rather than at Agadir. A luxury cab to Agadir costs 4 Dh per passenger, whereas conventional buses cost 3–4 Dh per person.

Go to Inezgene from the airport since it is closer and quicker to board a bus to Marrakech (3 hours, 100 Dh), Ouarzazate, Taroudannt, and other destinations from there. Not as touristy as Agadir nowadays!

The majority of Agadir’s petit taxis are legitimate and utilize the taximeter (you can ask the driver to do it without any problems). If you go around the center, they will usually ask you for between 10 and 20 Dh.
There are also few buses, however they are often overcrowded, sluggish, and infrequent. The touristy city is tiny enough that strolling is preferable than taking the bus.

Since 2011, there has been a new bus service that has proven to be fairly dependable. Maps are available at the Tourist Office, which is located near the Miramar Hotel on Boulevard Mohammad V. The average fare is less than 10dh.

Agadir’s present conurbation is really made up of four communes:

• the former town of Agadir city
• the urban commune of Anza
• the rural town of Ben Sergao and
• the rural town of Tikiwine

NEW TALBORJT

Talborjt is the name of the historic Talborjt district (meaning “small fort” in local Berber, in remembrance of the water tower which was first built on the plateau in the former Talborjt). The Boulevard Mohammed Sheikh Saadi, named after the victor over the Portuguese in 1541, runs through the lively New Talborjt, which has been constructed away from the Old Talborjt. The Avenue President Kennedy and the Avenue February 29 are two more prominent avenues. There’s also the Mohammed V mosque, the Olho garden and its memorial museum (Olho is a seaside city in southern Portugal that is linked with Agadir), and the Ibn Zaydoun garden. On the major thoroughfares, several excellent hotels and restaurants have been constructed.

RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

• Swiss Village: is Egypt’s oldest area of villas, bounded by the Royal Armed Forces Avenue, Avenue Mokhtar Soussi, Cairo Avenue, and the United Nations Avenue.
• Mixed Sector District: This area is home to the French and Spanish consulates.
• Founty or “Bay of palm trees”: a beachfront neighborhood comprising private villas, major hotels, vacation houses, and the royal palace
• High Founty: Between the new Court of Appeal and the Marjane supermarket is a new neighborhood of buildings and residential villas in the new city center.
• Illigh: A residential enclave of magnificent villas, housing the “new bourgeoisie,” is located to the east of the Hassan II hospital.
• Charaf: This is where the Hassan II hospital is located.
• Les Amicales: The “city of bureaucrats” is another name for it.
• Dakhla: It is near to the Ibnou Zohr university and has an eclectic mix of new structures, traditional villas, and studio flats.
• Hay Mohammadi: a new urbanization zone in Agadir consisting of a villa zone and a zone for big groupings of buildings that would frame the Avenue des FAR’s northwest expansion.
• Adrar City: a new neighborhood next to the Metro hypermarket.
• Other neighborhoods: Lakhyam, Erac Bouargane, Massira, Alhouda, Tilila, Tassila, Ben Sergao, Riad Assalam, Islane, Ihchach (Yachech) Nahda, Anza,Assaka, Bir Anzarane, Tikouine, Zaitoune and Tadart

PORTS

Agadir has had various ports throughout the years: two fishing ports, a large commerce port, and most recently, a port for pleasure vessels with a marina.

Avenue du Port, the district’s major thoroughfare, is flanked by canneries and is home to a slew of popular little eateries near to the fish market.

The fishing port is one of the world’s finest sardine ports. Additionally, the commercial port is well-known for its cobalt, manganese, zinc, and citrus goods exports.

THE CASBAH OR AGADIR OUFELLA

The Casbah (Agadir Oufella, Agadir le haut, Agadir N’Ighir, or Agadir de la colline) was Agadir’s oldest district, together with Founti near the sea. The Casbah was erected in 1572 by Moulay Abdallah al-Ghalib and is an actual castle with meandering alleyways and a bustling atmosphere. The original Arabic and Dutch inscription above the entrance door reads: “Fear God and reverence the King.”

After the earthquake on February 29, 1960, a repaired long high wall that surrounds unbuildable terrain remains of this fortress. The view of Agadir’s harbor and ports, on the other hand, is breathtaking. The legendary “Moorish café” in the Casbah and its panoramic outlook are remembered by Agadir’s elders.

The hill carries the Arabic inscription “God, Country, King,” which is lighted at night, much like the walls.

OLD TALBORJT

With its large square where there was a weekly market, hotels, schools, and mosque, this old district (whose name is sometimes spelled Talbordjt) was once a shopping area and very lively with its large square where there was a weekly market, hotels, schools, and mosque, this old district (whose name is sometimes spelled Talbordjt) was once a shopping area and very lively with its large square where there was a weekly market, hotels, schools, and mosque, this old district ( The earthquake in 1960 destroyed or seriously damaged 90 percent of the structures in Old Talborjt. It is classed as a non-buildable area since it was razed to the ground during the earthquake and is now overgrown. The Avenue El Moun, the city’s major road, extends for two kilometers and is solely used by driving schools to educate their pupils how to drive.

THE ABATTOIR (INDUSTRIAL AREA)

It is noted for its Square for taxis and buses, making it one of the most popular neighborhoods. It is a crossroads that connects the city’s core with its environs. The earthquake of 1960 had the least impact on this neighborhood.

SOUK EL HAD

This is the region’s major market. There are around 6,000 small stores in the area. It has many entrances and is enclosed by walls. It is divided into many categories, such as furniture, crafts, apparel, vegetables, meat, spices, and so on. Handicrafts and traditional decorations may be found in abundance.

The interior design is being completed, and the walls have been repaired.

LA MÉDINA

La Médina is a handicrafts space in Ben Sergao, a suburb near Agadir 4.5 kilometres from the city center, founded in 1992 by the Italian artist Coco Polizzi. It’s a tiny open-air museum on five hectares, including artisan workshops, a museum, private dwellings, a small hotel, and an exotic garden built utilizing traditional Berber building methods.

Tourist (Backpacker) – 42 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:meals in cheap restaurant, public transport, cheap hotel.

Tourist (regular) – 120 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:mid-range meals and drinks,transportation, hotel.

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT

PERSONAL CARE

CLOTHES / SHOES

TRANSPORTATION

Museum Municipal du Patrimoine Amazigh

The museum has a modest collection of 18th and 19th century Berber artifacts such as antique Berber musical instruments, Berber jewelry, traditional attire, and old manuscripts.

Museum

Another museum may be found on the intersection of Avenue des F.A.R. and Avenue President Kennedy; the sign is removed, but you can enter via the iron gates on the corner. The majority of the exhibitions are photographic and focus on the Agadir earthquake of February 29, 1960. The cost is 20/30dh per person, and there is an Arabic, French, and English-speaking guide. After you’ve finished browsing, take a stroll around the fantastic Jardin Olhao, which has a café, restrooms, and a children’s playground.

Ensemble Artisanal

is located at the intersection of Yacoub Al Mansour Street and Avenue du 29. Fevrier has a store below that sells all of the co-items, operative’s and up a few steps you can witness artisan’s at work, painting furniture, ironwork, needlework, and pottery, among other things.

Coco Polizzi’s Medina

Coco Polizzi has been re-creating a typical Moroccan Medina on the N1 in Bensergao as a labor of love. You’ll need to take an orange Petit cab out of town and schedule a time for the taxi to return to get you up, but the architecture alone is worth the effort. Take a stroll through the cobblestone streets, past craftsmen and talkative shopkeepers, and pick up a classic memento or two.

Fortress

Part of the old fortification may be seen above the big artwork at the top of the hill beside the city. You may get there via taxi, bus, or even tiny mopeds that are available for hire near the Hotel Kenzi (they are expensive, more than 100 Dh an hour).

Agadir is largely a vacation town with a small selection of attractions.

Beach

The beach is the primary draw, since it is large, wind-free, and relatively uncrowded. At least in February, the beach is quite windy.

Surfing

Imesouane, Devils rock (between Tamragh and the settlements of Aourir and Taghazout), Anchor point, Cro-Cro, and several more. There are several surf schools, surf camps, and surf shops in the area. The best surfing season is from November to March, although if you are a novice, you may surf any day of the year.

Zoo

A tiny zoo named “Vallée des Oiseaux” (‘Birds Valley’) is located here. Recently, the admission has become completely free. You may stroll inside a really lovely cage that houses several birds from throughout the globe, some goat-like creatures from the Atlas Mountains, and even strange beasts. Agadir’s youngsters congregate there to play in a tiny, packed playground. To locate it, go to the Uniprix and turn right. The main gate will be on the other side of the street on the right (Av. Hassan II).

Golf

With three world-class golf courses, Agadir can compete with the best golf facilities in the world. Inquire at any big hotel about the bus service that picks up tourists numerous times daily.

Visit Souk El Had

Mondays are closed. The Souk, with over 3000 booths, is a must-see. Everything from tourist trinkets to clothing, leather products, and home goods, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. If you arrive as a visitor via Gates 9 or 10 (the major gates), you should anticipate being contacted by someone offering to assist you. Which, of course, implies he’ll take you to the booths of all his friends. To circumvent this and explore alone, enter via one of the lower-numbered gates reserved for Moroccans. Strike a hard bargain and keep in mind that some businesses claim Fixed Prices. It’s worth checking there first to get a sense of the ‘appropriate’ amount to pay before attempting negotiating. Favorite booths include those selling olives and spices. In general, stallholders are glad to be photographed, but please be courteous and get permission beforehand.

In Agadir, there are four distinct dining zones:

• New Talbourjt: The most affordable eateries are located here. There are 35 Dh meals available. It is one of the most affordable tourism zones in Morocco.
• The beach: Numerous eateries are located next to the beach. You’ll find everything from international fast food to Indian cuisine and superb seafood eateries. It is the priciest and most touristy zone.
• Around the Uniprix: This is the mid-price range. There are eateries geared toward tourists and others geared toward locals.

If you’re searching for a fast bite, seek for pastry sellers who wander the beach with large plastic trays offering sweet fried bread (a kind of African variant on the donut).

However, be aware that these charming hawkers will often approach you on the beach, engage up a discussion, and then force a pastry into your palm regardless of whether you requested one. Which, of course, you will be required to pay for (Dh 5 or Dh 10 is a fair price). If you do not want to purchase, politely decline the offer with a grin. They are, nevertheless, delectable.

Agadir is perhaps the least charming place in which to purchase traditional Moroccan handicrafts. The whole souk is centered on a large area behind the Uniprix (Blvd. Hassan II with Ave. Sidi Mohammed). Marché centrale is a concrete structure that houses several stores. It is also possible to enter through Ave. Prince Moulay Abdallah. All of the items are manufactured outside of the Agadir area, and finding them at a reasonable price is challenging.

The advantage of shopping in Agadir is the abundance of fixed-price stores, which is advantageous if you lack the ability to negotiate effectively. Indeed, you may discover that the inexpensive items you purchased in Marrakech were not that inexpensive!

It is possible to purchase tiny traditional items at the Uniprix store, which is maybe the least genuine shop in Morocco, but the prices are reasonable and there is no pressure to buy.