Things To Do in Agadir and Taghazout

The mountain village of Argana, about an hours’ drive from Agadir, is the place to be for this festival. Apparently, this place has the biggest collective beehive in the world, so it gives you a really good insight into the tradition of beekeeping. The honey-based treats on sale are a big draw, too.

Golf is big news in Morocco. In fact, the country took top honours as Africa’s golf destination of the year in 2017. And Agadir is the place to be for proper fans. It’s got three world-class courses and the big daddy has to be the Dar El-Salam Royal Golf. It’s home to the annual Royal Moroccan Golf Federation, and players including Vijay Singh and Colin Montgomery have swung their clubs here.

Over 500,000 music fans flock to this annual music festival in Agadir, making it a bigwig on the African musical events scene. The line-up features more than 40 artists, covering off traditionanl Berber music, along with stuff like jazz and hip hop.

The hippy in you will love this one. Head north from Agadir, and Taghazout Beach is only around a 20-minute drive away. It’s a long, sandy stretch which is really popular with surfers, and it’s been a favourite hangout for locals since the Sixties. Lining up along the sands are yoga schools and watersports huts.

Drive north for 25 minutes from Agadir, and you’ll come to Tamraght Beach. This is one of the region’s more peaceful sweeps, and it boasts a wide chunk of ochre-coloured sand. There’s little to disturb the quiet, save for a sprinkling of surf schools and beach bars, where you can grab a cold beer or sandwich at lunchtime.

If you’ve got tiny travellers in tow, your first port of call should be the Valley of the Birds zoo-park in Agadir’s town centre. You’ll come face-to-face with birds, llamas, wallabies, monkeys and gazelles here. Plus, older children can enjoy regular feeding sessions with the animals. There’s a children’s playground to keep them entertained, too.

This is Morocco’s largest bird reserve. Part-coastal lagoon, part-river, it offers one of the most diverse collections of birds in Africa. Its calm waters and sand banks are home to pink flamingos, spoonbills, osprey and the rare bald ibis. The reserve is about 40 kilometres from Agadir, so it’s within easy day-tripping distance.

Originally built by the Berbers to drive out Portuguese and Dutch troops, Agadir’s Medieval hilltop fortress dates back to 1540. Today, all that remains of the rose-hued castle is its surrounding walls and sturdy entrance. But one thing that certainly hasn’t diminished over time is the view. Stroll along the fortress’ ramparts and you’ll be rewarded with a grandstand vista of the city.

This beach, 25 kilometres from Agadir, is where local families come at the weekends. They head here to paddle with their children in the calm shallows and relax on the spotless, biscuity sands. The small restaurant here is a big draw – it’s known for its simple but fresh seafood dishes and tasty Moroccan specialities.

For a glimpse into authentic Agadir life, head to the city’s fish market in the port area – it’s one of Morocco’s biggest and most impressive. The best time to visit is in the evening when you can watch the fishermen unloading their catch. Step inside for the daily auction where traders barter over sardines, eels, mackerel and shrimp. Then sample the goods at one of the open-air restaurants.

A camel or a 4x4 – they’re both seriously fun ways to explore Morocco’s sweeping sand dunes and sleepy oases. And whether you’ve got your heart set on a Lawrence of Arabia moment, or you’re after a Top Gear-style adventure, both options will get your adrenaline pumping.

There are no shortage of ways to experience Agadir’s dramatic desert during a day trip from Agadir. Jump on a quad bike to speed along deserted beaches and through sleepy palm groves. Clamber into a 4x4 to tumble up and down shape-shifting dunes. Or climb onto a horse or camel and cross the sands Lawrence of Arabia-style.

Keen golfers will love Agadir. The resort is home to no less than three world-class courses, which range from nine to 27 holes. One of the best is the Golf Du Soleil, which hosts the Moroccan Open every year. Set in acres of parkland, it mixes fairways and greens with palms, cacti and cypress trees.

Surfers are drawn to this beach – 20 minutes’ drive up the coast from Agadir – for its even breaks and long, wide sweep of sand. In fact, Taghazout Beach has been popular since the Sixties, when the hippies came to town. It hasn’t changed a great deal since, except to make room for a crop of surf and yoga schools.

It’s nigh on impossible to miss Agadir’s Kasbah. This giant Medieval fortress crowns a hill overlooking the city. Just below it, you’ll see three Arabic words – translated as God, king and country – etched into the hillside. If you’re feeling energetic, hike to the top – you can do it in just under an hour. Or if you don’t fancy the legwork, take a taxi and then hop on a camel for a tour of the ruins.

It’s around a 3-hour drive from Agadir, but it’d be criminal to visit Morocco and not see Marrakech. Set beneath the Atlas mountain range, the city is a mishmash of rainbow-coloured sights, sounds and smells. Get lost in the stall-stuffed alleyways and souks, and sip mint tea in one of the vine-wrapped courtyards. The centrepiece is the legendary Jemaa el-Fna square, which heaves with snake charmers, fortune-tellers and dancers.

The milky sands of Agadir’s Blue Flag beach unravel for more than 9 kilometres, and they’re lapped by gentle, clear waves. You’ll find hubs for wind surfing and jet skiing all along the stretch, plus you can hire snorkelling equipment to check out the marine life. Restaurants and cafés line up on the promenade behind the sands.

Stepping into this walled market town in the middle of the Souss Valley is like taking a ride in Dr Who’s time-travelling Tardis. Taroudant is just like a Berber town of old, with stalls at the weekly market weighed down with spices, and a ramshackle souk filled with jewellery and carpets. Plus, it’s easy to get here – it’s about an hour’s drive from Agadir.

A couple of kilometres south of popular Taghazout you’ll find rugged Tamraght Beach. Things are pretty laid-back here. There’s a long stretch of sand, a cluster of surf schools and a few relaxed cafés and bars.

There’s more to Berber culture than Lawrence of Arabia-style headscarves and a nomadic lifestyle. And this little museum in downtown Agadir gives you the back story on Morocco’s desert tribes. In terms of exhibits, you’ll find 200-year-old carpets, as well as pottery, jewellery and fragile old manuscripts. You might even hear a live Berber music session while you’re here.

Three hours’ drive from Agadir is Morocco’s most exciting city, Marrakech. Its showpiece is Jemaa el-Fna, the main square where you’ll cross paths with acrobats, fire-swallowers and soothsayers. Other biggies include the Koutoubia Mosque’s soaring minaret, the Saadian Tombs’ mosaics, and the late Yves Saint Laurent’s Majorelle Gardens.

It’s not the most original of names, but Kilometre 25 Beach is 25 kilometres from Agadir. It’s an off-radar stretch that’s perfect if you only want to share your sand with the gulls.