What to do in Agadir? Our guide to days out, in town and nearby.

Agadir is best visited without a tight schedule. The city was entirely rebuilt after the 1960 earthquake: you don’t come here for an old medina, but for a great sandy bay, soft light for much of the year and, less than an hour’s drive away, very different landscapes. Here is what we recommend to families staying with us in Hay Adrar.

The beach and the seafront promenade

This is the heart of the city: a long sandy bay, sheltered from the wind, lined by the seafront promenade, with its palm trees, gardens, cafés and ice-cream parlours. In the morning, you walk with your feet in the water; in the evening, the whole city comes out for a stroll. For swimming with children, stay in front of the lifeguard posts and follow the flags: our article on the beaches of Agadir and Taghazout explains where to swim and at what time of year.

The Marina

At the northern end of the seafront promenade, the marina lines up its sailing boats, shops, restaurants and terraces. It is the most elegant stroll in Agadir, pleasant at the end of the day, when the heat eases. Boat trips and tips in our article on the Marina.

The Agadir Oufella Kasbah and the cable car

On the hill overlooking the port, the kasbah founded around 1540 has been restored and reopened to the public. You go up by cable car, the first in Morocco, from the Tildi bridge: a few minutes above the rooftops, then the whole bay before your eyes. History, opening hours and tips for children: read our article Agadir Oufella Kasbah and cable car.

Souk El Had and the Agadir medina

Souk El Had is the city’s large covered market: spices, fruit and vegetables, crafts, clothes, thousands of stalls to explore. It is usually closed on Mondays; come in the morning, while it is still cool. Further south, in the Ben Sergao district, the Agadir medina is a recent reconstruction, begun in 1992 by the architect Coco Polizzi, with its alleyways, ramparts and craft workshops. For the atmosphere of local markets, see the Thursday souk in Tikiouine, two minutes from our apartments, the great souk of Inezgane and our guide to authentic Agadir, which goes as far as Taroudant.

With children: Crocoparc, Lion Park and Parkids

A few minutes from Hay Adrar, Crocoparc is home to hundreds of Nile crocodiles in an exotic garden, Lion Park shows big cats, and Parkids welcomes children in a large indoor play centre, perfect when it is too hot. It is all explained in our article on family outings. The Vallée des Oiseaux, the small park in the city centre, is being redeveloped: check that it has reopened before you go.

Paradise Valley, pools among the palm trees

About an hour’s drive away, on the Imouzzer road, the Tamraght wadi valley hides pools of clear water among the palm trees and rocks. It is the most beautiful nature excursion around Agadir, one to do early in the morning. The road, parking, the walk and taking care with children: it is all in our article on Paradise Valley.

Taghazout and surfing

Some twenty kilometres to the north, Taghazout is a former fishing village that has become a major surfing spot. The best-known waves are for experienced surfers, but the neighbouring beaches, such as Tamraght or Imourane, welcome beginners and surf schools. Winter is the main wave season.

Taroudant, a day in “little Marrakech”

About 80 kilometres to the east, Taroudant is surrounded by red earth ramparts some 7 kilometres long. You wander through its souks, sit down on Place Assarag, and head back for dinner. For a proper day in Marrakech, allow more like two and a half to three hours’ drive each way: our article Agadir or Marrakech will help you choose.

Souss-Massa National Park and its birds

South of the city lies Souss-Massa National Park, created in 1991 to protect the northern bald ibis, a bird threatened worldwide. The mouth of the Oued Souss, a few kilometres from Agadir, is a good viewing spot for families who love nature.

In the evening: a match at the Stade Adrar

The Grand Stade d’Agadir is around ten minutes from the Cocons. A Hassania d’Agadir match is an outing children remember: tickets, times and tips in our article on the Stade Adrar.

Golf and hammam

Agadir has several golf courses, most of them in the Ben Sergao district, to the south, and another at Taghazout Bay. To round off a day at the beach, nothing beats a hammam: black soap, a glove scrub and mint tea, in a neighbourhood hammam or a hotel one.

Planning your stay

• When to come? Our article Agadir weather, month by month covers temperatures, the sea and the wind, season by season.
• How to get here? Bus, taxi, transfer or car: it is all in our guide to Agadir Al Massira airport.
• How to get around? Most of these outings are easier by car. Our Dacia Sandero Stepway is hired with no security deposit and delivered to the airport.
• Check opening hours and prices before each visit: they change with the season and are not always published.

Header photo: Agadir beach seen from the Dunes d’Or hotel, by Ideophagous, public domain (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.

To get around on your own schedule: our apartment and car rental in Agadir, a single price for both, from €63.50 a night. Every period is on our prices page.