When we visited Morocco first time in 2019, we chose Rabat as our base and planned a trip to Casablanca. In the end we got cozy in Rabat and skipped Casablanca altogether. This time around, we chose Agadir for a sunny escape from Belgium and tentatively planned to spend a day in Marrakesh. Predictably, we got cozy in Agadir and never actually went to Marrakesh.
Unlike Rabat with its old town that gave us the chance to stay in a traditional Riad within the old city wall, Agadir is a resort town with kilometres of golden sandy beach. This time our goal was clear: to escape cold and rainy Belgium and spend a few days in sunny coastal resort city. We traveled with another family with one child - very good friend of our children, so it was double fun.
For a relaxing day, combine the beach with Agadir Kasbah and cable car rides. The station of the cable car ride was just 5-minute walk from our hotel, and easily reached by the normal small (petit) taxi if you don't feel like walking. The cable car alone is super fun, it brings you up hill in a modern transparent cabin for 8 persons, so you can enjoy panoramic view of the city and the ocean while climbing up and down. It's truly an incredible experience (and easier than hiking up hill). Tickets can be bought on the spot (around 9€ for adult or 6€ for a child roundtrip) and they take card payment which is handy. Once you reach the top of the mountain, you can either explore the Kasbah from outside the wall and enjoy the view of the city, or you could choose, like us, to explore the Kasbah's ruins. We bought our entrance ticket in advance through their website, but you can also get your tickets in the entrance. We timed our visit for late afternoon so by the end of our visit, we enjoyed the incredible sunset on the horizon while riding the cable car back down to the city. To end the day, try hammam.
For a fun day for the kids, combine Crocoparc and a long walk at the promenade. If you visit Agadir with kids like us, Crocoparc is a very fun way to spend a day out! The park hosts 300 Nile crocodile species native to Draa river of Morocco. Unfortunately this species no longer exist in Draa river due to human factor (hunting for profit or killing for cattle-protection reasons), so this park tries to sort of revive the life of these crocodiles. The educational boards and games for the kids are available in English so it's easy to follow the route and learn about the crocs. My favourite part of the park is the cactus garden, with green iguanas roam around freely. One could also get free henna, which our kids loved. Overall the space is well planned with different exciting paths, bridges, caves and waterfalls. You can have a nice lunch (although not traditional Moroccan) in a restaurant with a very nice terrace overlooking the whole park. A long walk at the promenade in the evening is a great and fun way to explore what this resort town has to offer. With the very wide walking area, kids are free to run and roam around.
For a little adventure, try surfing or sand boarding and check out the "Small Sahara". During a getaway to Agadir, chance is you don't have enough time to drive and visit the Sahara desert. There is a smaller desert a short drive away from Agadir that locals call the "Small Sahara", and as bonus, it overlooks the Ocean. You can do plenty around here, from sand boarding, camel riding (which our kids were very excited about) to quad bike rides. Obviously you'd need to hire a local driver with a proper 4x4 vehicle. Our driver showed off his skill a little and gave us the taste of some crazy rally drive on the dunes.
For a taste of traditional, eat local and shop local. We did visit one Berber village in Massa near the Sous Massa National Park, where we ate tajine and couscous in a traditional way and enjoyed their delicious mint tea. My younger one said this was her best meal. EVER. Souk El Had is Morocco's biggest bazaar and is located in Agadir, so you can spend half day shopping like locals if you wish. We found the bazaar pretty calm and easy to navigate, even with small kids. There are different tour options if you want to visit local crafters. We visited a ceramic workshop that makes those dazzling colourful plates and bowls (I have a thing for Moroccan hand painted plates and bowls). Agadir is home of argan oil, too. I actually only found out recently that the argan trees grow only around this area. You could also buy argan oil products, both edible or cosmetics, from local farmers and makers.
Or you can also just chill by the beach and relax by the pools under the sun. After all, Morocco is proud of Agadir's weather with all-year-long sunshine.
