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MOROCCO Morocco
230 km
© TUI 2005
Average daily maximum temperature
Morocco
Great entertainment, atmospheric souks and top sands. Fringing Morocco's sunny Atlantic coast, Agadir presses all those beach holiday buttons.
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Desperate for a sun-drenched beach and a dose of culture? Then give Agadir a whirl. This Moroccan resort has the perfect formula for a memorable holiday. The softest sands your feet could ever wish to step on. Enough sunshine to lightly bronze you even in deepest, darkest January. Oh, and enough adventure and nightlife to keep you in that elusive comfort zone - plenty to keep you happy, but not enough to invade your space. Sounds good? Thousands of others think so. It's Morocco's most popular resort and a magnet for tourists all year round. The main reason has to be the stupendous beach. Looping around a wide bay on the Atlantic coast, its ticks all the right boxes if you're set on some serious sun-time. Then there's the town. Okay, it's modern, but it's still packed with holiday interest. The original was destroyed in an earthquake in 1960 and the new version sprang from the rubble. The result? Tree-lined boulevards perfect for strolling. Lush parks and gardens. And along the beachfront, modern hotels a mere flip-flop from the sands. Not to mention loads of restaurants and bars to keep you entertained come nightfall. But there's much more to Agadir. Look closer and you'll find souks steeped in spice. Open-air food stalls selling super-fresh fish. Belly dancing and Berber drum shows. And beyond, a secretive world of deserts, medinas and palm groves shadowed by the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. So, while its roots are unquestionably North African, Morocco also exudes a distinct European air mixing Arabic charm with just a soupçon of French colonialism and cosmopolitan allure. This dual personality is also reflected in the country's diverse landscape. Glittering sandy beaches give way to rocky coasts while the dunes and lush oases of the Sahara Desert stand in the brooding shadow of the snow peaked Atlas Mountains. From its ancient fortified cities to its wide beaches, Morocco has much to offer and makes for an unforgettable holiday destination. Things to See and Do Atlas Mountains Away from the clamour of the souks and bazaars, experience the peace and serenity of the mighty Atlas Mountains. Not only is the mountain range the highest in North Africa, it stretches down through Morocco like an impregnable barrier for some 800km. Punctuated by soaring peaks, steep valleys, narrow canyons and rocky plains, it affords breathtaking views and awe-inspiring panoramas. Berber tribes thrive in the mountains. Still residing in their kasbahs - old houses made from sun-baked earth adorned with elaborately carved merlons and ramparts - they tend every last plot of land to grow crops and raise their livestock. A trip up into the Atlas Mountains will reveal a completely different way of life and some of Mother Nature's most impressive handiwork. Marrakech/Essaouira (2 days, 1 night)
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Highlights
Immouzer (full day)
Reached via a winding road, through gorges, Immouzer is set upon a hilltop in the foothills of the High Atlas. Despite many people leaving the rural areas for the cities, here you can still see the local women dressed in their brightly coloured robes working the land.
Agadir Location 26km from Agadir airport Transfer Time About 45 minutes
Over half a century ago the old town of Agadir was totally flattened by one of the most devastating earthquakes ever to hit the Moroccan coastline. But instead of rebuilding the port in the image of itself, the authorities decided on a different approach. They started from scratch with new plans for a new kind of town. So the Agadir that welcomes you today is a resort with wide, open streets. Avenues which encourage slow walks in the late evening sunshine. There are palm trees, gardens and rows of elegantly simple houses with cool, white-washed walls. And a line of swish hotels stand overlooking one of the country's most favoured beaches. That beach is perhaps the main reason to visit Agadir. It's truly excellent; wide and long with soft sand. Make sure you take a high factor protective lotion; you will change colour quickly here, without realising the true strength of the sun's rays. Agadir is also a great hub. It's easy to fly into and brilliantly placed for excursions to the fabulous old, walled city of Taroudannt, the aptly named Paradise Valley and the unmissable Massa Lagoon. Perfect for when you feel like mixing a little sight-seeing with your sand-time.
A combined trip which allows the visitor to discover two of the most important cities in the region; Marrakech and Essaouria. Overnight in Marrakech, with its backdrop of the Atlas mountains, its famous Jemaa El Fna square, Bahia Palace and Medina. Returning to Agadir via the coast route and through the strikingly white town of Essaouria, said to be one of Morocco's most enchanting towns.
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