Agadir, Morocco: My Second Home

My first ever trip to Morocco was preceded by feelings of trepidation. Like most people coming this country for the first time, I had paid far too much attention to the media and negative press. But I needn't have worried as Morocco is full of amazing, and surprisingly tolerant people. The flight to Agadir from Manchester takes about four hours and I recommend taking a daytime flight if possible, as there are some amazing views! Among my favourites are the stunning Atlas mountains as the plane soars above the peaks!

This first trip I decided to stay all inclusive at a hotel called Al Moggar. It was situated just across the road from a large, sandy beach with plenty of loungers and parasols. Along the promenade are plenty of restaurants and shops. The north end of the beach is dominated by the huge hill of Oufella, with the ancient kasbah atop, and large Arabic writing that says "God, Country, King" which is lit up at night. 

 This spectacular feature dominates the marina below, where the more affluent spend their time shopping in the many boutique shops or dining in the higher end restaurants. 

 As the sun descends, Agadir's nightlife comes alive. Boulevard du 20 Aout is the main strip that features bars such as the chilled out Actors lounge bar, which is frequented mainly by locals and has the friendliest staff and clientele, English Pub, which is a karaoke bar and has a multi-national clientele, to the super cool clubs which cater for pretty much every taste.

People frequently ask me about dress code and harassment in Agadir. Personally I found very few issues as it's a very touristic resort. I dressed in a long skirt on an evening out but was fine in shorts through the day. There are a lot of street sellers etc who can be a little persistent but a polite "La chokran" (no thank you) usually does the trick, if not simply ignore them. 

 On the whole, Moroccans are amazing people and learning a few darija (Moroccan Arabic) words goes a long way. They are a very proud nation and very patriotic and get completely blown away if you speak to them in a little Darija. I made some lifelong friends there and ended up returning three times within six months! 

Even though Agadir has a very touristic vibe, it's still very rich in history and culture and the local cuisine is an absolute must-try, especially the tagine! There's plenty to do in Agadir itself such as crocopark and a beautiful little bird garden and numerous excursions including sunset camel rides, desert safaris and paradise valley. 

 During a couple of my trips, I spent a few days in a little village called Taghazout which is 17km north of Agadir . This beautiful little fishing village is a hot spot for surfers from all around the world. I stayed in an apartment overlooking a stunning little bay and sat on my balcony to watch the sun set. On the way back to Agadir I passed through a quaint little village with street stalls displaying hundreds of bananas! 

 So whatever you're into, culture, luxury all inclusive hotels, secluded beaches, clubbing, Agadir will absolutely have something for you.