Sunday, June 22, 2008

Agadir


This modern city has everything you could want from a holiday - year-round sunshine, a huge beach, excellent luxury hotels, bars, discos, golf courses, tennis courts, restaurants, shops and markets. Look out for some fantastic deals, too - a bargain stay in a four- or five-star hotel is a real possibility.
However, it's probably not for those who want a taste of the real Morocco. The bustling fishing port is authentic enough, but if you want to experience the truly exotic side of Morocco, you'd be better off going to Marrakesh.


Beaches in Agadir
It's highly likely that your hotel will be right near the main beach, which is long, wide and very clean - it's swept every morning. The sand's fine and soft, the sea's calm and safe for swimming in and there are tons of watersports on offer. You can hire jet skis, pedalos and surfboards.
If you get bored of the same beach every day, there are other smaller beaches and they're all equally immaculate.


Sightseeing in Agadir
Agadir's not really the place to go for cultural attractions and most of your time will be spent at the beach. It's worth visiting the ruins of the kasbah (citadel), about nine kilometres out of town, for great views of the area.
It's also worth strolling around the fishing port, especially at dusk, when it's hustle-and-bustle time as the boats return with the day's catch.


Family attractions in Agadir
Away from the beach, you could try the Valley of the Birds - named because it's a popular resting spot for many species of migratory birds throughout the year. Set in a small stretch of parkland, it's also home to a zoo, a waterfall and a children's playground.Day trips from Agadir
It's worth taking a day of your holiday to visit the lovely, laid-back resort of Essaouira, just up the coast. It's a UNESCO World Heritage City, with narrow, winding streets and a long beach. It's a windsurfer's paradise and is also a great place to kick back and do nothing - Bob Marley and Jim Morrison both did just that in years gone by.


Eating in Agadir
Many of the hotels cater for all tastes and have lots of Western-style food. The city is dotted with fast-food outlets as well as international restaurants serving French, Italian, Chinese and Mexican food. You'll find plenty of recognisable names too, such as McDonald's and Pizza Hut.
If you fancy trying the local food, specialities include spicy sausages, beef patties, lamb cutlets and harissa, a fiery pepper sauce. Be sure to try a tagine too, a kind of casserole cooked in a heavy clay pot. Popular varieties include mqualli (chicken and lemon), kefta (meatballs and tomato) and mrouzia (lamb, plums and almonds).


Nightlife in Agadir
Most of the action is found along the seaside promenade, which is lined with bars, cafes and nightclubs that stay open until the early hours. There are sports bars, too, so you'll be able to catch up with some Premiership football action on the TV.
Hotels often put on evening entertainment where you can check out traditional Moroccan music and dancing.


Shopping in Agadir
A visit to the souk is a must as it's a bargain-hunter's dream. You'll find big clothing brands at knock-down prices as well as Moroccan souvenirs. It's a good idea to remember the number of the door you enter the market through, as there are 21 of them and if you leave by another door it's easy to get a bit lost.
The Medina d'Agadir Coco Polizzi is also a great place to buy souvenirs - you can watch the local craftsmen work before buying their products. These include leather shoes, clothes, wooden boxes and stone carvings. A bus going to the medina stops at many of the major hotels.

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