Give Agadir three days. Ride the cable car up to Agadir Oufella for the view over the bay, spend a morning in Souk El Had and eat grilled sardines at the fishing port for lunch. Keep a day for the coast north, where Taghazout's point breaks made this Morocco's surf capital, and half a day for the rock pools of Paradise Valley.
Agadir is the Moroccan city that had to start again. The earthquake of 29 February 1960 killed between 12,000 and 15,000 people and flattened the old town, so what stands today is modern, low and laid out around a wide, sheltered Atlantic bay. Come for sun, surf and fish.
The hilltop kasbah the Saadians raised over the bay after taking the Portuguese fort in 1541, ruined by the 1960 earthquake and reopened in 2024 after restoration. Climb it for the one view that explains the whole city.
Agadir's great walled market, with around 6,000 stalls of spices, argan oil, olives, babouches and fresh produce. It is where the city does its shopping, and prices start well below any hotel boutique.
The long crescent of sand that made Agadir a resort, sheltered by the bay and backed by a promenade from the marina to the hotel strip. The water is calmer here than on the open coast to the north.
One of Morocco's busiest fishing ports, and the best cheap lunch in town: stalls by the port gate grill the morning's sardines, squid and sea bream and serve them with bread, salad and harissa.
The yacht basin between the fishing port and the beach, ringed with terraces and the town's smartest restaurants. Come for an evening drink over the boats, then start the beach walk south.
A medina built from scratch by the Italian designer Coco Polizzi with Moroccan craftsmen, in earth, stone and cedar. It is a set piece, but it is the closest Agadir comes to the walled town it lost in 1960.
Around 300 Nile crocodiles in four hectares of themed gardens at Drarga, on the city's eastern edge. It opened in 2015 and is the best half day in Agadir with children.
The fishing village north of the city that became Morocco's surf capital, with Anchor Point, Killer Point and Hash Point a short walk apart. Beginners learn on the beach; the points belong to the experienced.
A gorge of palms and turquoise rock pools in the foothills of the High Atlas, on the road up to Immouzer. Walk down from the road, swim in the pools and stay for lunch under the palms.
A coastal park running south from the Souss estuary, and home to three of Morocco's four colonies of the northern bald ibis, a critically endangered bird. Flamingos, dunes and an empty shore fill the rest.
A long right-hand point break, best on a northwest swell from September to March. Experienced surfers only.
A fast right north of Anchor Point, named for the orcas once seen off it. Intermediate and up.
The gentlest of the Taghazout points, a mellow right for improvers stepping up from the beach.
Theropod and pterosaur tracks around 85 million years old in the rock shelf. Go at low tide.
The marina's fine-dining room, with harbour views and a three-course format. Book ahead.
French and Moroccan cooking on the seafront boulevard, with tagines the regulars order.
Grills inside the market serving sardines and fish tagine at local prices.
Jewellery, carpets and tools of the Souss Amazigh, in a municipal museum open since 2000.
Photographs of the city from the 1920s, then of what the 1960 earthquake left. Small and sobering.
Kyle Phillips designed it on the slopes above Taghazout Bay, with the Atlantic in view.
Seafront hotels and apartments on ground the 1960 earthquake levelled, close to the marina.
The mountain village at the head of the Paradise Valley road, known for its waterfalls and honey.
The lagoon at the heart of the national park, and the classic place to look for bald ibis.
The Amazigh New Year, a national holiday since 2024 and kept closely in the Souss with tagoulla porridge.
The fasting month moves each year, and in 2027 it spans February and March. The city eats after sunset.
The feast of the sacrifice, eleven days earlier each year. Expect closures and full coaches.
Agadir's international documentary festival at Cinéma Sahara; the 2026 edition ran 19 to 24 June.
Amazigh and world music at Place Al Amal and the Théâtre de Verdure; 2026 ran 23 to 25 July.
The king's accession day, a national holiday marked with flags and official ceremonies.
A national holiday for the 1955 return of Mohammed V from exile, a step before independence.
Films on migration and exile, with an international competition; 2025 ran 8 to 13 December.
About 20 km southeast of the centre, with flights from across Europe and domestic links via Casablanca. Taxis and car hire wait at arrivals; fix the fare first.
Agadir has no railway. CTM and Supratours coaches reach Marrakech in about three and a half hours; book a day ahead in high season.
Agadir's first bus rapid transit line opened in May 2026: 15.5 km from the fishing port and marina to Tikiouine, every five minutes at peak.
Orange petits taxis work inside the city; ask for the meter. Shared grands taxis run the coast road to Tamraght and Taghazout.
Agadir's lunch: sardines straight off the boats and onto charcoal at the port.
Fish slow-cooked with tomato, peppers and preserved lemon in a clay pot.
Roasted almonds, honey and argan oil ground to a paste and eaten with bread.
Barley porridge with argan oil and honey, the Souss dish of Yennayer.
The Friday lunch, served after midday prayers at home and in local cafés.
Tomato, lentil and chickpea soup that breaks the fast each evening of Ramadan.
Square, flaky griddle bread, best warm with honey or amlou.
Green tea with fresh mint and plenty of sugar, poured from a height.
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