Making the most of Agadir
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Agadir’s cruise terminal sits at the north-west end of the city’s main attraction: a clean, crescent-shaped beach stretching 8 km (5 mile). The best central section is a 10-minute taxi ride or a 30-45-minute walk along the coast road.
The town and souk are behind the central beach.
Most cruise lines run town shuttles for about 6-8 Euros, recommended on hot days. About 300 operate each year.
The dock has no facilities.
Agadir is a common Berber noun, agadir, meaning “wall, enclosure, fortified building, citadel”.
Agadir is more about relaxation than sightseeing: enjoy the sun or take a camel ride along the beach.
Built in 1540 by Mohamed ech-Sheik, the kasbah is a 20-minute walk uphill. The 1960 earthquake and tidal wave reduced it to ashes in 15 seconds, causing several thousand deaths; the debris is all that remains of the once invincible kasbah. The summit rewards the effort with a broad view of city, beach and port. Follow Boulevard Mohammed V and the signs, taking the small hill road.
The small zoo, “Vallée des Oiseaux”, is very inexpensive to enter.
Getting around
Most Agadir petit taxis are legal and use a taximeter, which drivers can be asked to use without difficulty. Central journeys normally cost 10 to 20 Dh. Buses are crowded, slow and infrequent, as usual. The tourist city is compact enough to explore on foot rather than taking a bus.
Set between Morocco’s two main mountain ranges, the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains, Agadir is an excellent base for countryside excursions. Imposing snow-topped mountains, thundering waterfalls, tiny hamlets, expansive palm groves and Berber tribes in their home habitat are all among the sights.
Nearby places
Marrakech is both a remarkable city and a symbol of the Morocco that once was, and still survives there.
Taroudannt is about 80km east of Agadir and worth visiting if you do not plan to see Marrakech or other large historic cities.
Food and shopping
Arganoil is valued for cooking, healing and beauty. Argan trees grow only in Morocco and are famous for goats climbing into them; with luck, you may see a goat at the top of an Argan tree.
For local atmosphere and a wide choice of handicrafts, visit the walled souk on Rue Chair al Hamra Mohammed Ben Brahim. Remember which entrance you use: the souk has around 21 doors.
Excellent restaurants sit on the waterfront on Rue de la Plage, while just behind it, on Boulevard du 20 Aout, are attractive courtyard restaurants with fountains and cane chairs.
Money
The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is divided into 100 centimes.
Exporting Moroccan money is forbidden and it cannot be exchanged, so try to spend all local money before leaving.
There is no limit on imported foreign currency. Banknotes come in 10, 50, 100 and 200 DH. City banks have cash points and open 8–11,30 a.m. and 2–4,30 p.m.; in summer they may not close at lunchtime.
Most hotels, restaurants and antique shops accept credit cards for payment.
Staying connected
Arabic and Berber are spoken, though most people also speak French.
Cafés offering free Wi-Fi to customers are numerous and open late in cities and smaller towns with significant tourist traffic.
For emergencies, call Police 19 or Fire Service 15.
Opening Hours and
Ramadan is Morocco’s biggest calendar event. Muslims fast by day and feast at night, so most restaurants close at lunchtime, except those aimed at tourists, and life generally slows. Travel remains entirely possible and the restrictions do not apply to non-Muslims, but it is respectful not to eat, drink or smoke publicly during the fast.