Agadir is Morocco's premier coastal resort city, known for its long, crescent-shaped beach and over 300 days of sunshine a year. Unlike many other Moroccan cities, Agadir has a modern feel, largely due to a devastating earthquake in 1960 that necessitated a complete reconstruction.
Agadir has a history dating back to the 15th century, but a major turning point was the earthquake of 1960, which destroyed the city, including the historic Kasbah. The city was rebuilt according to modern, seismic-safe standards, giving it a unique architectural character compared to the ancient imperial cities. The only remaining part of the original city is the rebuilt wall of the Kasbah, which stands as a memorial.
Agadir is a major urban center in Morocco. The commune of Agadir recorded a population of 501,797 in the 2024 Moroccan census, making it a significant and growing city.
Agadir's attractions are a mix of modern resort amenities, natural beauty, and a few historical remnants. The sole historical remnant is the Kasbah of Agadir Oufella, a fort that was destroyed in the 1960 earthquake. The rebuilt wall offers a stunning panoramic view of the city, port, and beach. For a traditional market experience, the Souk El Had d'Agadir is one of the largest urban markets in Morocco, a vibrant place to shop for spices, produce, leather goods, and traditional crafts. The La Médina d'Agadir (Coco Polizzi) is a modern reconstruction of a traditional medina, built outside the city center by Italian artist Coco Polizzi, showcasing traditional Berber architecture and craftsmanship. The main natural and leisure attraction is the Plage d'Agadir (Agadir Beach), a long, beautiful, and well-maintained beach, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and various water sports. For family fun, Crocoparc is a large park dedicated to crocodiles. Finally, the Agadir Marina is a modern marina with luxury yachts, shops, and restaurants, offering a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Agadir is all about laid-back relaxation and beach-focused activities. Visitors can enjoy Beach Activities on the miles of golden beach, including sunbathing, swimming, camel riding, and renting beach buggies. Agadir and the nearby Taghazout area are famous for world-class surfing spots, making it a prime destination for Surfing and Water Sports. Tourists can Shop at the Souk El Had for a traditional market experience, or the modern shops at the Agadir Marina. For the best views of the city, especially at sunset, one can take a cable car or a taxi up to the Kasbah to View the City.
Agadir boasts a consistently warm climate with over 300 days of sun per year, making it an accessible year-round destination. The city has a relaxed, resort-like atmosphere, which is different from the historical intensity of the imperial cities. Due to the high number of tourists, English, French, and German are commonly spoken in the tourist areas, in addition to Arabic and Berber.
