Agadir: The Beach Pearl of Souss and its Golden Beaches

Agadir, rebuilt from scratch after the devastating 1960 earthquake, is Morocco's leading beach resort. With 300 days of sunshine a year, a 10 km beach of fine sand and an incomparable mild climate, it is also the gateway to the Souss, the land of the argan tree and wild landscapes.

The 1960 earthquake and the rebirth of Agadir

On the night of 29 February 1960, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake destroyed 70% of Agadir in fifteen seconds, killing between 12,000 and 15,000 people — a third of the population. The ancient city (the old medina) was completely razed, leaving only the ruins of the Kasbah on the hill. King Mohammed V decided to rebuild the city a few kilometres from its original location.

The new Agadir was designed according to the modern urban planning principles of the 1960s, with wide avenues, low earthquake-resistant buildings and green spaces. Although the city lacks the authenticity of historic medinas, its reconstruction demonstrates remarkable resilience and its welcoming modernity makes it the number one tourist destination in Morocco for Europeans.

Agadir beach, one of the finest in Africa

Agadir beach stretches for 10 kilometres of fine golden sand, protected from northern winds by the natural bay. Its waters, slightly cooler than the Mediterranean, are ideal for swimming from June to October. The seafront promenade, lined with palm trees and cafés, is the main artery of tourist life.

For sports enthusiasts, Agadir Bay offers excellent conditions for surfing (particularly at Taghazout, 20 km to the north), kitesurfing, diving and big game fishing. Surf schools welcome beginners and experienced surfers for sessions at any time. Deep-sea fishing allows you to encounter dolphins and porpoises — an unforgettable experience.

The Souss region and the argan tree

The Souss-Massa region surrounding Agadir is the birthplace of the argan tree, a tree endemic to Morocco that grows nowhere else in the world at this scale. Its forest, classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, covers 800,000 hectares between Agadir and Essaouira. Argan oil, extracted from its fruit, is one of the most precious cosmetic and food products in the world.

The women's argan oil extraction cooperatives around Agadir have become a tourist attraction in themselves. One can visit these workshops to see the traditional process: women crack the kernels by hand, grind the almonds and press the oil artisanally. These visits directly contribute to the economic development of Berber women in the region.

Excursions from Agadir

Agadir is an excellent base for excursions into the hinterland. The Paradise Valley, 60 km away, offers green riverside landscapes in the heart of ochre mountains. Taroudant, the 'little Marrakech', is 90 km away and deserves a full day. The Souss-Massa National Park, 30 km to the south, is one of the last refuges of the bald ibis, a critically endangered species.

More ambitiously, the three-day circuit linking Agadir to Ouarzazate via the Drâa valley crosses breathtaking Saharan landscapes and lush oases. Tour Come Morocco offers private transfers from Agadir to Marrakech (2h30), allowing you to combine both resorts in a single circuit.