Getaways in Agadir, Morocco  

Unlike most Moroccan towns, with their ancient souks and streets laid out along paths first trodden by donkeys carrying goods to market, Agadir is a modern city of 200,000 residents. Completely reconstructed after a devastating 15-minute earthquake in 1960, the city is one of Morocco’s best planned communities and a modern resort town.

Although that February 29 earthquake that took half the city’s population at the time and changed the face of modern Agadir, the city has historic roots. First a quiet fishing community, the town was named for Agadir-n-Irir, a granary which stood where the ruins of the Kasbah lie. As far back as the 15th century, however, the site drew traders from Portugal who came this far south in Morocco to avoid the costly middlemen of the souks of Morocco’s larger cities and to deal directly with the traders who arrived at the coastal community on caravans from the Sahara.

In 1505, one of those Portuguese traders established a trading post here; the fortified building became the castle of Santa Cruz de Capo Gere, eventually earning the title as the most profitable such Portuguese site in Morocco. Within a decade, however, inland Berber and Arab tribes attacked and eventually took over the castle as well as other Portuguese forts in the area. In 1541, the region’s Sultans of the area seized the port city and through the years it dwindled in importance.

In 1911, however, the attention of the world again turned to the city because of the Agadir Crisis. Years before, North Africa had been divided among France, Britain, Spain and Italy; Germany did not have a piece of the pie. In July of 1911, however, the German gunboat the Panther arrived on the shores of Agadir. Diplomacy stalled a war between the European powers, at least for a few years.

Top Attractions

After the 1911 incident, Agadir returned to its quiet status as a fishing and commercial port until the 1960 earthquake. Through the years, the reconstructed town was transformed into a top resort community. Its wide beaches are favored by surfers and windsurfers as well as sunbathers, all drawn to the 300 sunny days a year the city enjoys.

One historic site survived the earthquake: the ruins of the Kasbah. Located on a hilltop, this site was fortified in 1540 and eventually grew into a village of sorts with over 300 houses.  Today only the ramparts have been partially restored. Just below the ruins of the Kasbah lies the Ancienne Talborjt or the Tell; this site served as a mass grave following the earthquake.

Instead of the hilltop, however, more visitors opt for strolls along the beaches and downtown where a medina and souk were constructed and now serve as a busy marketplace for visitors and residents. Others stop at the Musée Municipal, a museum that features the folk art of Southern Morocco  with exhibits that range from rich carved doors to exquisite Berber jewelry.

In spite of its new options, one of Agadir’s busiest locations remains its oldest: the port itself. Along with a dynamic cruise business, this is the largest sardine port in the world and is home to a large fish market and numerous cafes.

Video Resource

Here's an excellent YouTube video from BoradbandTV showing the beautiful beaches of Agadir: