Agadir’s beach is the central focus of outdoor activities in this town. There are plenty of water sports to enjoy during the long tourist season, and the beach is ideal for lounging or playing. Swimming, unfortunately, is rather dangerous in the sea so many people use the hotel pools for a dip. There are also camel rides along the beach, yacht cruises and some excellent surfing at nearby Taghazout.

Beaches
The main reason people come to Agadir is to enjoy its beach. Agadir is blessed with a huge sandy beach right in town that is wonderfully sheltered from the winds that batter other regions of North Africa. The local authorities do a great job keeping the beach clean and safe while on patrol. The police also help keep the touts and hustlers to a minimum. Just be careful of the undertow off Agadir Bay, which is quite strong. There are also beaches to the south and north of Agadir that are undeveloped and great for exploration.

Camel Rides
There aren’t too many places in the world where you can ride a camel, but Morocco is certainly one of them. A camel ride along the beach is a popular activity in Agadir and provides a lasting memory, especially for kids. MTS Travel is the best operator arranging the two-hour jaunts at a very cheap price. 
Phone: +212 28 827429 (MTS Travel)

Hotel Swimming Pools
The sandy beach at Agadir is a real treat for kids to run around and play, but the waters off Agadir have a strong and dangerous undertow. Swimming in the sea is not a great idea so many families make use of the hotel pools. Even if you aren’t a guest, most hotels offer day use of their pools for a small fee.

Spas
The spa scene is still in its infancy here in Agadir, but there are a few centres that have opened recently providing a full range of pampering services. The thalassotherapy centre in the Hotel Riu Tikida Beach is perhaps the best spa at which to enjoy some relaxation. They offer everything from massage to body wraps and beauty treatments, but you’ll need a reservation. 
Phone: +212 28 842120

Surfing
Morocco has some really good surf, and one of the best breaks is 21 kilometres north of Agadir in the town of Taghazout. The waves here break really nicely and have a reliable swell that attracts surfers from all over the world. There are equipment rental shops in both Agadir and Taghazout so you don’t even need to bring your own board.

Water Sports
The main beaches in Agadir offer the usual array of water-sport activities if you feel the need some add some movement to your day of lounging on the sand. From jet-skis to surfing and windsurfing, there are lots of choices in Agadir Bay. In the off season, however, many operators close up for a break.

Yacht Cruises
It’s one thing to enjoy the seaside scenery of Agadir from the beach along the bay. But for an altogether different perspective on this Moroccan town, consider a yacht cruise. It’s a full day outing, including lunch, but you’ll get to see some parts of the coastline that are inaccessible by any other means. Again, MTS Travel is the best agency for this fun outing. 
Phone: +212 28 827429 (MTS Travel)

Even though the beach is the main attraction in Agadir, there are still a few remnants of its traditional life before it was transformed into a popular tourist destination. The 1960 earthquake that practically destroyed the town can be learned about at the Earthquake Museum, and Ancient Talborjt and the Kasbah offer a frozen look at the city’s medina before the disaster. There are a few traditional Moroccan villages nearby that are well worth driving out to, and for a special experience try to join a Berber diffa meal.

Ancient Talborjt
Directly below the Kasbah is the site of Agadir’s ancient medina. A massive earthquake buried around 15,000 residents alive in 1960 so the site has been turned into a memorial park. Ancient Talborjt, as it’s known, is open to public exploration, and an excellent place to glimpse what traditional Agadir life once looked like.

Diffas
A diffa is a traditional Berber meal accompanied by a traditional Berber dance performance. The banquets are lengthy affairs involving endless plates of local food and some real specialties. The dancing adds something really special to an already wonderful and unique experience. Your hotel can suggest where you can join in an organised diffa meal.

Earthquake Museum
In 1960 an earthquake literally devastated Agadir, burying some 15,000 people alive in the old medina at the foot of the hill under the Kasbah. This small but interesting museum at the corner of the Jardim de Olhao provides background into the event and displays great old photos of Agadir before it transformed into a tourist destination. 
Phone: +212 28 821632

La Medina d'Agadir
This amazing project is a mix of artist community, museum and cultural village. The medina is a sprawling traditional complex made entirely of brick, stone and hand-hewn wood. It’s as traditional as it comes and completely populated by talented craftspeople and artisans. Most of the traditional Moroccan crafts are being done here by at least one person, and visitors can both watch the process and buy the goods. 
Phone: +212 28 280253; www.medinapolizzi.com  

Tiznit
Agadir is undeniably a tourist-oriented destination, so if you want to see a more traditional Moroccan town at work, head to Tiznit. This charming town is laidback and historically famous for its silversmiths. Its medina is the highlight here. It is easy to navigate, and not quite as hectic as other markets. But it still offers wonderful shops in an authentic environment. The Jewellers’ Souk is especially recommended.

There are basically two ways to dine out in Agadir. You can enjoy the convenience of the restaurants located within your resort that are often quite good, or you can venture into the centre of town and explore the many local joints that usually specialise in traditional Moroccan fare. Local specialties include couscous, kebabs, tagine (spicy stews with meat, fruit and almonds), mechoui (roasted lamb), and tanjia (slowly simmered beef).

The centre of Agadir is the best place to find these traditional dishes at great prices and without much tourist-focused atmosphere. The beach promenade is another good place to dine. There are lots of seafood restaurants, fast-food joints and international food here. South of Agadir’s downtown near the beachfront is another hub of restaurants featuring a little bit of everything.

The cuisine selection in Agadir tends towards either Moroccan or European. There is very little Asian cuisine available, but fortunately the food that is offered is usually quite tasty. The beach promenade is a great place to finish off the evening with a stroll and a cup of mint tea or ice cream at one of the dozens of cafés along its length.

Unlike the dining scene in Agadir, shopping here is nothing special. Almost every shop imports their goods from other regions of Morocco, so unless you don’t plan to visit any other city in the country you’ll find the selection of goods quite bland. The one exception for traditional arts and crafts is at La Médina d'Agadir. This artisan community not only lives and works here, but you can watch the craftspeople creating the very things you can buy right from their shops.

Agadir also has two daily markets, the Marche Municipal and the Souk, which sell a huge range of goods from fresh produce to trinkets from around Morocco. The markets are at least similar to traditional Moroccan souks and you can find some decent buys like Berber-style jewellery, leather slippers (babouches), and wool tunics (djellabas).

In the markets and souk, the shopkeepers will state a fixed price but expect you to try and haggle them down. For more basic goods try the Uniprix supermarket, which even stocks a section of Moroccan handicrafts. The Marjane Hypermarket on the outskirts of Agadir is where you can find more utilitarian items in an air-conditioned, distinctly Western atmosphere.