Agadir, Morocco

Lying on the western coast of Morocco, near the foot of the Atlas Mountains and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Agadir is a modern, oriental city offering a variety of tourist attractions to cruise passengers coming to Agadir cruise port. Agadir is an industrial cruise port with no facilities on it, and the city center is located around 6 km (3.7 mi) from the cruise port. You get there by shuttle bus offered by the Port Authorities for a fee, or on foot which might be challenging due to high temperatures and a lot of sun.

The bus ride lasts 10 minutes, and the bus drops you off at the downtown area where you can find cafes, restaurants, shops, historical landmarks, and the beach.

Cruise lines normally offer shore excursions to Marrakesh (a 3-hour driving distance), and several other attractions that are located outside Agadir, such as Taroudant, a very picturesque Moroccan city enclosed by ramparts, located 88 km (54 mi) from the cruise port. These cities are amazing to visit, however, if you prefer to stay in Agadir, there are several things you can check out.

Plage Agadir or Agadir city beach is located right by the downtown area and is long over 8 km (5 mi). It is a beautiful stretch of golden sandy beach offering clean water and a variety of beach bars, restaurants, cafes, as well as several hotel resorts and a nice promenade.  For more adventurous ones, you can join a camel ride along the beach – one of the most unique things to do while in Agadir.

If you want to visit some historical landmarks, you can start with Kasbah, the remnants of the 16th century Agadir’s old fortified town ruined in a devastating earthquake that took place in the 20th century.  It takes a 20-minute walk uphill to get there from the cruise port, or a 10-minute drive. Besides an impressive history, Kasbah offers stunning panoramic views of the ocean, the city of Agadir, and its coastline.

The city center also offers a few landmarks to visit: the Grand Mosque, Lebanon Mosque, The Amazigh Museum (ethnographic museum), or Agadir Memorial Museum, commemorating the tragic earthquake and its impact on the city.
Last but not least, if you are into nature and ecology, you can visit Agadir Birds Valley, an animal park with a zoo, a large aviary, and fountains, or Agadir Crocopark, featuring reptiles park and exotic gardens,  located outside the city (a 30-minute drive).

Agadir is a mixture of traditional and modern, and the variety of its tourist offer makes it more and more attractive among cruisers and travelers.