What to See in Agadir

last edited Dec 11, 2019

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Location Map of Agadir

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Overview

Agadir is primarily—if not exclusively—a relaxation and holiday destination. The sights to discover here are extremely limited; an earthquake indeed leveled almost the entire city in 1960. That said, you can spend days in Agadir if you enjoy beach resorts and the lively atmosphere that comes with them. Otherwise, visiting the city will only take half a day, though it offers nothing "transcendent" compared to many other Moroccan cities.

Neighborhoods

Remains of the old city

Almost nothing remains of the old city destroyed in 1960. You can only see the long restored wall of the kasbah (fortress). It sits on a hill offering a beautiful view of the port, the new city, and the Atlantic.

The new city

After the earthquake, a new Agadir was built further south, along with a memorial museum commemorating the disaster. The city center is a bustling hive of shops and services, with pedestrian streets, parks, and the Bird Valley (a large aviary) providing a welcome calm. Beyond the business district, urban planners created industrial and residential zones. The best locations, parallel to the bay, were reserved for hotel complexes. The tourist area stretches as far as the eye can see, for kilometers, much like the magnificent beach.

The seafront

This is usually the reason people come to Agadir. The city boasts a gently sloping, sun-drenched beach over 10 kilometers long, perfect for swimming. The seafront is lined with numerous bars and restaurants of all kinds.

Sites, monuments, and architectural ensembles

Agadir Kasbah
Built to the north of the city by the Saadians in the 16th century, it was destroyed by an earthquake. Only the restored walls remain, perched on a hill offering a fine view of the port, the new town, and the Atlantic.

Agadir Craft Market
On 29 February Avenue, it's a large complex of vendors and small shops offering Moroccan handicrafts. Worth visiting for shopping or just a stroll.

Agadir Medina
A few kilometres from the city centre, this is actually a "craft and cultural village" created in 1992 by Italian artist Coco Polizzi, based on traditional Berber architecture. It houses artisan workshops, a museum, accommodation, and an exotic garden. You can get there by taxi or shuttle bus from the centre.

Agadir Fishing Port
On the outskirts of the city, on the road to Essaouira, with a few popular fish restaurants near the market.

Museums

Memorial Museum
Located in the Olhao Garden, this site houses photographs, written documents, and various testimonies as a tribute to the victims of the 1960 earthquake.

Municipal Amazigh Heritage Museum
Jewellery, carpets, pottery and other objects representing Berber culture through permanent and travelling exhibitions.

Parks and gardens

Ibn Zaydoun Garden
In the heart of the city, between Prince Moulay Abdellah Avenue and 18 November Avenue, this is a lush green space popular with walkers.

Olhao Garden
This pleasant green space along the Avenue des FAR is named after the Portuguese twin city of Agadir. Its design is reminiscent of the Alhambra gardens in Granada. It houses the Memory Museum, dedicated to the 1960 earthquake.

South Park
The site is at the entrance to the Royal Residence of the city of Agadir. You can stroll among a variety of plants, trees, and birds.

Bird Valley
It’s a wooded animal park in the centre of Agadir, between Boulevard Hassan II and Boulevard du 20 Août. You can see various birds from the Americas and Asia, as well as a few mammals.