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Thomson Destinations
Great entertainment, atmospheric souks and top sands. Fringing Morocco's sunny Atlantic coast, Agadir presses all those beach holiday buttons.
Morocco
reviews Video tour & customer on.co.uk thoms
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. 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. Things to see and do Agadir Fish Market For a glimpse into authentic Agadir, head to the fish market. Located in the port area, it's one of Morocco's biggest. After watching the boats unload their catch, head indoors for the daily auction when traders barter glittering piles of sardines, conga eels, mackerel and shrimp. And once you've seen it, sample it. Park yourself at a nearby open-air restaurant to try the catch-of-the-day for yourself. Simply delicious. Massa Lagoon Twitchers will be itching to get to this bird reserve south of Agadir. Part coastal lagoon, part river, its calm waters and sand banks are home to colonies of pink flamingoes, spoonbills, osprey and the ever-so rare bald ibis. Bill Oddie eat your heart out. Agadir Kasbah Built by the Berbers to drive out occupying Portuguese and Dutch forces, Agadir's rose-hued Medieval fortress sits pretty at the top of a hill. Stroll along its ramparts and you'll be rewarded with panoramic views over the resort and beach far below. Time your visit for sunset and it's all the more beautiful. Agadir Municipal Museum This tiny museum traces the history of the Berber people of the Souss Valley and Western Sahara. Crammed with spangly tribal costumes, ornate jewellery, ancient tools and delicate musical instruments, it's an enthralling peep into the culture, art and hardiness of Morocco's original desert tribes. Vallée de Oiseaux, Agadir Kids need entertaining? Then head for the Valley of the Birds zoo-park in the town centre. It's excellent for filling up a spare hour or two. Young children will love the colourful birds, llamas, wallabies and little motorboats chugging around the pond at this charming attraction. Golf Keen golfers will adore Agadir. The resort is home to no less than three world-class golf courses, all with fairways and greens dotted with palms, cacti and cypress trees. Ranging from 27 to 9 holes, they're perfect for passing the sun-drenched days pitching, putting and polishing your swing. Paradise Valley Follow the 1960s hippie trail to Paradise Valley - an idyllic region of steep gorges, lush hills and Berber villages in the High Atlas foothills. Famously named Paradise' by Jimi Hendrix, here you can swim in natural pools. Lie on sun-heated rocks. And wonder at the spectacular Ida Outanane waterfall above the ancient village of Imouzzer. Taroudant Travel back in time with an excursion to this surreal city beneath the Atlas peaks. An hour's drive from Agadir, its sun-blushed walls house tiny souks, pomegranate groves and graceful minarets. Ride a caleche around the narrow streets, bargain for limestone trinkets in its markets and pinch yourself that you're still in the 21st century.
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Essaouira
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Agadir
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Tarfaya
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MOROCCO Morocco
230 km
© TUI 2005
Beaches Agadir is hot stuff when it comes to sand and sea. Its beach is one of the biggest and best you'll ever clap eyes on. And better still, it unravels for an incredible six miles, providing acres of space. The waters are something else, too. Because they're fairly well sheltered from ocean winds, they're warm for the Atlantic - although the fairly strong undercurrents mean you'll need to take a little extra care when swimming. And there are plenty of ways to fill your time, too. All along the sands are friendly cafes and beach bars perfect for lazy refreshment stops. Watersports like jet-skis and windsurfing. And even dune buggies and quadbikes if you fancy hightailing it off to the quieter ends of the sands. When you want to cast your net wider, just 15 minutes out of town is the beach at Taghazout. Here, a long expanse of pristine sands are prized by surfers,
swimmers and sunbathers, enjoying the laid-back vibe. And if you want to explore, just head along the coast. You'll come to spectacular beaches and coves that are simply beautiful. If you're lucky, you may even get one all to yourself. Pure gold.
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Sky digital 647 Visit your travel agent up to Call 0871 230 2555 Calls costMobile 10p/min plus 6p set up fee from a BT landline. and other providers' charges may vary.
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