> City og Agadir

Between the balsamic greenery of the eucalyptus, pines, and tamarinds and the captivating blue sea which is limpid, calm, invigorating, charming - a crystalline blue, that's right, a colour slightly more intense than the sky where a bright sun shines everyday - extends a 10-kilometre sublime beach of fine golden sand, the beach of Agadir.

The most beautiful, appreciated and hospitable seaside resort in Morocco rises in this splendid natural setting.

Tennis, golf, sailing, horseback riding..nautical skiing, scuba diving or deep-sea fishing..taste the recently caught fish and typical dishes from the best Maghreb cuisine...dance until dawn... sleep in the welcoming luxury of a riad with first-class service..change air in the regions that move up to the High Atlas mountain area, meet the famous "men in blue", discover the souk of a medieval city or the borders of the Sahara...

Beneath the Agadir sun, holidays are magnificent.

Under the bewildered eyes of the pink flamingos a wind surfer glides over the surface of the water in a flash of bright colour that stands out against the blue of the sea and sky. Children build sand castles. People lie languidly under the sun, perfecting their tans while others stroll along the shore. Others play volleyball...

Rocked by the gentle lapping of the waves, your skin delightfully caressed by the warm sun, you settle comfortably on a chaise lounge with your hands buried in the warm sand and let yourself be swept away by the continuous activity on the beach and think, "How wonderful it is to stay here in peace while everyone else is busy!".

1505: the small village of Agadir makes its first mark on history. The Portuguese set up a trading post there, defended by Santa Cruz Fortress on Cap de Gué. A profitable but brief stay. In 1541 they were driven out by the founder of the Saadian dynasty, Mohamed Echeikh el Mehdi. A golden era for Agadir followed with ships arriving everyday to take on cargoes of sugarcane, dates, wax, skins, oils, spices and gold. But Agadir's destiny is marked and it is destroyed by an earthquake in 1960. "If it was Agadir's destiny to be destroyed, its rebirth will depend on our faith and determination," declared the late King of Morocco, Mohamed V.

So here is the new Agadir, the holiday capital! Rebuilt away from the "at risk" areas using earthquake-proof techniques, Agadir is a very welcoming city brightened by flower gardens contrasting against the white sculptured buildings. There is an ultra-modern airport, a post office, school and monumental courthouse.

Near the mosque, tourists enjoy the coolness, sit at coffee tables or stroll around the bazaars. Further on, the activity of the busy fishermen offers an animated spectacle of the most important fishing port in Morocco.

Take a deep breath, fill your lungs with the salty air, recharge your batteries and.....go! Head towards the horizon under full sail, mount a thoroughbred and gallop along the beach at full speed, cut the waves on a surfboard, climb into the sky with a parachute or sink into the deep sea to admire the fauna and flora.

Finish in style on one of the most beautiful golf courses in Morocco, with a birdie at the 18-hole, fish for tuna on a deep-sea fishing boat in the open-sea of Cap Ghir, win a tennis set on one of the 150 tennis courts before diving into the towns' many swimming pools... In the paradise of Agadir, sports lovers are in seventh heaven.

A succession of breathtaking landscapes. Dizzy waterfalls, a lavender sky at sunset, fields of blossoming almond trees, endless untamed beaches...Sublime cities, secluded, that seem to belong to another time. Different people, tribes with traditions rooted in history. From the High Atlas area to the plain of Souss and to the High Atlas, along the entire Atlantic coastline: pleasant, emotional, marvellous, unforgettable surroundings of Agadir.

The adventure begins 12 km North East of Agadir on the Imouzzer road. This is the entrance to the land of the Ou Tanane, Berber tribe. Suddenly, overlooking a luxuriant palm grove you come across a barren landscape furrowed by huge geological folds, and there appears Immouzzer, the city of white houses.

Follow a shady path that winds its way towards an impressive waterfall flowing from different levels. You pass fields of barley, olive trees and almond trees that act as a haven for turtledoves, and the arangier, which are only found in Morocco. Hungry goats climb up these trees to eat their leaves and fruits.

The fertile plain of Souss contains rows of orange, banana and olive trees. Then, 11 km from Agadir, there is Inezgnane where a souk is held every Tuesday which attracts all the inhabitants of Agadir.

After Wadi Souss and the village of Ait Melloul with its Ademine forest, the road branches out into three directions: towards Tiznit and the Deep South, towards Tafraoute via Biougra, towards Taoundannt and the High Atlas area.

A very different world. In Tiznit, the local people still wear the traditional costume. Protected by its pink bastions and battlements, the town has conserved much of its oasis atmosphere. The souks of jewellers is located in the heart of Tiznit, where master craftsmen create, in the typical lines of the Berber jewellery, magnificent necklaces, bracelets, head dresses, tiaras, belts, buckles, rings and brooches.

The land of Ammeln, Tafraoute is nestled among the pink granite mountains which create a natural amphitheatre. It is a unique place, strange and magnificent at sunset when the sky lights up and glows for a long time before turning mauve, when the rocks are tinged with red and the pale ochre coloured houses blend with the green of the almond and fig trees.

Taroudannt is called "the little Marrakech". And rightly so. It closely resembles the queen of the south. Its clay ramparts and perfumed gardens, which occupy more space than the houses..its picturesque souks shaded by cane rooftops, the tortuous paths where a feverish agitation reigns which intensifies under the arches of the Assarag square and in the tiny cafes, a favourite meeting place of the Roudanis, inhabitants of Taroudannt.

It is the most important port in the world for fishing sardines and bustles with activity. On the sounding of the sirens, the multicoloured fishing boasts dock, busy men repair the nets, fishermen unload cases of darting fish: sardines, codfish, sea bass, tuna, crayfish, and lobster...ready to end up in the plate, grilled, baked, with a slice of lemon or in tajines...the port is full of charming eateries where one can eat alongside the fishermen.

Under the moonlight at Taroudannt.
Taroudannt is surrounded by ramparts, thick embattled clay walls, mighty bulwarks surrounded by huge olive, eucalyptus and palm trees. Above all, don't miss the carriage ride: the ride in a horse drawn carriage is magnificent and unforgettable, especially under the moonlight. Very romantic.

The souk with the dromedaries of Guelmim.
The biggest camel market in Morocco is held every Saturday at daybreak. The absolute stars are the men in blue, so called because they wear an indigo coloured outfit.

Sous Massa, the bird paradise.
Open your eyes and ears. Here, the pink flamingos, ibis, ducks, turtledoves, and herons are only disturbed by the galloping of the gazelles. The natural reserve of Sous Massa is divinely calm and magical.