Beautiful white sand covering the shores of beaches in this part of the Atlantic Ocean, and a special microclimate make Agadir in Morocco the most popular resort. The area protected by the Atlas Mountains and warmed by the winds of the Sahara desert in the region of Agadir has special climatic conditions: 340 sunny days a year, moderately high temperatures in summer, unusually warm winters without wind and the ability to swim all year round.
The famous beaches of Agadir in Morocco - one of the most wonderful creations of nature. Only for their sake, numerous European tourists come here all year round. The stretched 10-kilometer promenade is considered one of the best in the world. At this modern resort, everything is created for a comfortable and varied vacation. Thanks to modern hotels, snow-white buildings, European cafes and wide flowering boulevards, Agadir is not like the typical cities of traditional Morocco. It is a modern, dynamic, cosmopolitan city, looking to the future.
General information
Situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the very foot of the Atlas Mountains, Agadir is located north of the place where the Sousse flows into the ocean. The city is located 250 kilometers southwest of Marrakech and 508 kilometers south of Casablanca. The common Berber noun “agadir” in Morocco means “wall, fence, fortified building, citadel”. There are several more cities with this name in the country. The full name of the modern resort sounded like Agadir n-Yigir, literally - "the cape fortress", which refers to the closest cape Cape Reer.
Agadir and Marrakech are the most important tourist centers of Morocco, and for the seaside resort it is one of the main sources of income. The city is also the most important commercial and fishing port for catching sardines in the country. The main city business should also include the export of vegetables, fruits, citrus fruits produced in the fertile Sousse Valley.
History of the city
There are practically no historical and architectural sights of Morocco in Agadir. All buildings were erected since 1960, after the city was completely destroyed by an earthquake. From antiquities, only one wall has been preserved. But this does not mean that the city does not have its own history.
The oldest cartographic name of Porto Mesegin, a settlement on the site of modern Agadir, can be found on a 1325 map. But among the Berber tribes, this habitable place was mentioned as early as the 12th century under the name Mesgina or Xima. In 1572, here, on the top of the hill, at the behest of the second Saad Sultan of Morocco, Moulay Abdallah al-Ghalib, the Casbah fortress was built. The city beyond its walls is called Agadir N'Igir.
In the 17th century, the city was an important harbor in trade relations with Europe. However, there was neither a port nor a marina. Agadir mainly sold sugar, wax, copper, leather and hides. Europeans brought goods, in particular, weapons and textiles. During the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail (1645-1727) and his successors, trade with France flourished. In 1731, the city was completely destroyed by an earthquake, and then the harbor of Agadir was closed, since another port of Essaouira successfully functioned to the north.
In 1746, the Dutch created a trading post at the foot of the Kasbah and, under the direction of the Sultan, helped rebuild the city. Over the fortress gates of Kasba, the Dutch inscription dating back to 1746: "Fear of God and the honor of the king." The prosperity of the city did not last long. In 1760, Sultan Alavit Muhammad bin Abdullah ordered the harbor to be closed. Agadir has become a ghost town with several houses. In 1881, the Sultan Moulay Hassan reopened the agadir harbor to trade and provide marine expeditions in the south (1882–1886) against the Spanish and English ships.
After France acquired (1905–1911) most of Moroccan territory, the first pier near Funti was built in 1916, and after 1920 a port was built under the French protectorate in the Talbort area. Two years later, next to Talbort, along the Tildi River Fault, the construction of the popular Yakhchech region began. By 1930, Agadir became the most important point of the French airmail Aéropostale, which at one time was visited by the famous pilots of Saint Exupery and Mermos.
In the 1930s, the center of Agadir began to be built up. The city continued to grow, and since 1950, after the opening of a new commercial port, the fishing industry, canning, agriculture and mining developed. Thanks to its unique climate and modern hotels, Agadir has become famous as a popular resort. By 1960, the city had over 40,000 inhabitants when an earthquake destroyed the city at midnight on February 29, burying more than a third of the population under ruins.
Reviews about Agadir
Morocco annually attracts many tourists with its resorts, culture, special oriental atmosphere, the originality of old cities and unique cuisine. Agadir is not distinguished by the traditional Moroccan environment, and yet it remains the best resort in the country. And this is a merit not only of the famous beaches. The city is modernly beautiful and well-groomed, with many excellent golf clubs, bars, restaurants, entertainment and sports facilities. It is a good place for sailors and boat trips along the coast. The resort hotels and tourist centers organize interesting excursions to the urban area and longer day trips from Agadir to Morocco.
Judging by the opinions of tourists who visited this resort, the trip leaves a stunning impression and a desire to return here again. Despite the fact that Agadir is a modern city, it has something to see and where to visit. This is a real paradise for lovers of extreme sports, in particular, surfing and water skiing. In addition to spending time on the beach in the Moroccan resort, you can visit the spa therapy salons and thalassotherapy centers, ride horses and camels, indulge in shopping or go on a trip to the surroundings.
Hotels
All tourist establishments of the city are decorated either in accordance with the latest innovations of modern design, or stylized with ethnic elements common in Morocco. Hotels in Agadir are no exception, starting with the most luxurious and ending with budget options.
The gradation of hotel prices here is designed for tourists with pockets of any size. Of the hotels located near the beaches, the following options can be recommended:
- luxurious Robinson Club beachfront resort with sea views, tennis courts, several pools, a spa and a full range of services;
- The 4-star ClubHotel Riu Tikida Dunas offers beautiful family rooms, beautiful pools and a karaoke bar;
- Hotel Timoulay & Spa Agadir is a mid-range hotel where you need a short walk to the beach, but there is a palm-lined pool and spa;
- Hotel Sindibad is a budget hotel with friendly staff, a plunge pool, clean rooms and air conditioning.
sights
The long wall with the gates of Kasbah is the only historical legacy of Agadir. The remains of the ramparts remind us that once behind the walls of the fortress was a noisy and bustling city with narrow, curved streets. Against the bright blue sky, the old walls look picturesquely picturesque, and the remains of the Kasbah walls, located on the hillside, provide excellent panoramic views of Agadir and the Atlantic coast. By the end of the day before sunset, lighting provides the best conditions for spectacular photographs.
The city center has several interesting monuments. The Grand Mosque is an Art Nouveau structure, very unique among religious buildings in Morocco. According to holidaymakers, in Agadir, a collection of ethnic objects of the traditional Berber culture, located in three halls of the Amazigov Museum (Passage Ait Souss), is quite interesting. Here you can see a collection of weapons, textiles, ceramics, talismans, manuscripts, precious jewelry of the indigenous people of the coast.
Remote tours
Crocopark Wildlife Sanctuary is 14 km east of Agadir. This is the home of Nile crocodiles, which until the beginning of the 20th century were common in Morocco, but completely exterminated by hunters. In this park you can see these terrible animals in the immediate vicinity and in almost natural surroundings. In the park gardens a diverse exotic and local flora is represented.
While relaxing in Agadir in Morocco, you should not miss a trip to the city of Tiznit, which is 97 km south of the resort. Tinsit is one of the best places in the country to buy real Berber jewelry. Located at the Anti-Atlas ridge, the city is surrounded by impressive fortifications. Within the walls of the old city is a labyrinth of alleys and bazaars where traditional Tiznit jewelry and other handicrafts are sold. Thursday is a weekly market day when you can experience the true exotic of local life.
65 km south of Agadir is the Souss-Massa National Park, a unique abode of birds covering an area of 330 square kilometers. They come here specially to among pink sand dunes, beaches and wetlands of the Atlantic coast to observe in natural conditions pink flamingos, ibises, rare species of ducks, herons, cormorants, sandboxes and many other birds.
Those tourists who are not afraid of long distances will be interested in a trip to one of the most beautiful coastal cities of Morocco - Essaouira, which is 173 km north of Agadir. Or almost to the same distant Moroccan mountain village of Tafraute - a peaceful haven among the orange rocks, next to the Ait Mansur gorge, where prehistoric artful images have been preserved.
Sports activities
The city has excellent sports facilities. Golf du Soleil is the most prestigious club with the best golf course in Agadir. Most of the best golf courses and clubs are located in the suburbs, such as Med Les Dunes, where each of the three courses is individually designed. The city also has excellent tennis courts and a horse riding studio.
Tourists dreaming of mastering surfing are advised to join Ecole de Kite-surf surfing, a school located on the central beach. Experienced athletes will be interested in visiting Tagazut, a small town 10 km from Agadir with the best surfing spot on the coast.
Nightlife
Fans of nightlife will find plenty of entertainment. One of the most popular destinations is Le Central Club, with its daily cultural diversity. Fans of gambling will be interested in Le Mirage - a casino, which presents a wide range of gaming tables and modern slots. Papagayo and Atlas Club are recommended for travelers looking for a more moderate stay. It often hosts exciting theme parties, in addition to which guests will find exclusive snacks and cocktails. Fans of dance music until dawn will surely enjoy the vibrant disco called Flamingo.
Shopping
The most picturesque, large and colorful city market is Suk El Had, where you can buy almost everything. There are long rows of various products with all kinds of olives, traditional sweets, fresh and candied fruits, vegetables, spices, and God knows what else. On the market are beautiful textile, leather, ceramic and other things of local production, as well as bags, belts, shoes and various accessories.
Unipriks is the largest of the most fascinating and affordable shopping centers of Agadir in Morocco. The price of popular products here is designed for budget buyers. In the large supermarket of the shopping center, a decent selection of Moroccan wines and canned fish at the lowest prices in the city is in special demand. Hypermarket “Marzhan” is another popular place for shopping, where a rich selection of local delicacies, spices and other goods is presented, the cost of which is lower than in the market.
The most unusual large store is L'Echappee Belle Etape Berbere with its rich variety of original items: clothes, shoes, many different items, works of art, even furniture, and everything is made in ethnic style. Prices are quite high, but the goods are exclusively exclusive.
Women must definitely visit the Argan store, where the presented souvenirs and cosmetics are made using argan oil: handmade soaps, creams, hair and body products, and much more. Ensemble Artisanal is no less interesting for its exclusive ceramic, wood and leather items, luxurious fabrics, handmade carpets. By design, the store looks like a true national art museum.
Among other activities of Agadir, you can recommend the healing atmosphere of real Turkish baths (hammam) with traditional spa rituals. Another interesting attraction is desert travel and camel riding.