Agadir
Agadir city of 600,000 inhabitants, is known to be the closest resort of Europe. The exceptional site of the city includes a beautiful bay, the sunniest of the world. Its 20 km of beach rejoice all year thousands of vacationers, even in winter. European city par excellence, Agadir has the largest retail park in Morocco.
Located between the peaks of the High Atlas, Souss is an extremely fertile area, called "orchard of Morocco". With fruit and vegetable crops out of sight, the Souss main outlet is to the international port of Agadir. No wonder the city has long been nicknamed "the port of Souss" and is now the largest port Morocco after Casablanca.
Destroyed almost entirely by an earthquake in February 1960, Agadir was rebuilt to a modern urbanization plan. You understand, do not go to Agadir to discover traditional Moroccan city, but to enjoy the beach and trips in the region, particularly in the Souss Massa National Park.
Probably founded by Berbers, Agadir immediately attracts sailors along its shores. Bay sheltered from the wind, fertile land and fresh water source (the "founty"), Agadir has it all. In 1505, the Portuguese established a trading post there and build a port.
In 1541, the Saadian Sultan Mohammed Sheikh, interested in the strategic position of Agadir to control the "gold route", captured the city. In the seventeenth century, Agadir is controlled by the Berbers. The port commerce is growing strongly, the prosperous city
In 1760, Sultan Sidi Mohammed Alawi bin Abdullah is jealous of that port trade with Europe. He built the port of Essaouira a hundred kilometers north to divert European trade. This is a blow to Agadir and the city gradually depopulated. In the early twentieth century, Agadir population of less than 1,000 inhabitants.
The first half of the twentieth century saw the return of Agadir on the economic scene. Agriculture and fisheries allow the city to develop a large port. Canneries are built and Agadir became the first sardine port in the world. This commercial activity has never ceased, Agadir is still the country's first fishing port.
Unfortunately, 29 February 1960 at 11:47 p.m., the city is ravaged by a terrible earthquake that will 15,000 deaths. Almost all the houses are destroyed in seconds. The whole country is very emotional and reconstruction of Agadir is a national challenge. Two years later, the city rose from the ashes ... in compliance with earthquake standards.
Today, Agadir is an important economic center thanks to its port. 2nd tourist city in Morocco after Marrakech, the city is known for its beautiful seaside resort.
What is the best time to travel to Agadir? What will he do now? All weather and climate information.
The airport of Agadir Al Massira (22 km south-east of the city) is served by a daily flight of Royal Air Morocco, from Paris.
Note that there is a flight between Lyon and Agadir proposed by the company "low cost" Atlas Blues.
Finally, Casablanca Airport, the largest in the country, provides 4 daily flights to Agadir.
Warning: There is no shuttle between the airport and the city of Agadir. Taxi is the only alternative. Fortunately prices are set and displayed at the exit of the airport. To get to downtown, count about 100 Dirhams or 10 euros.
One can also come to Morocco by car. Once through the Strait of Gibraltar, it will take you a day's drive to reach Agadir (Tangier - Agadir 900 km).
From Tangier to Casablanca, most of the journey is on the motorway (4-5 hours). Within 3 hours to cover the 225 km between Casablanca Marrakech. Finally, to reach Agadir from Marrakech, separated by 260 km, 3 hours drive are still needed, with easily crossing the western part of the High Atlas.
However, we can only advise you to do the steps on this route Tanger - Agadir. It would be a shame not to stop and admire the beauty of some cities!
The train is the best way to travel between major cities for a close price of the trip by bus. Indeed, the Moroccan railway network, managed by ONCF, is one of the best in Africa. Each train has two classes. Lower class tickets are not sold to tourists. Seats can not be reserved, simply buy your ticket at the station. Keep your tickets as they are monitored during the journey and recovered at the arrival station. Children aged under 4 travel free.
If you have decided to come by train from France, descend to you Algeciras in the extreme south of Spain. Once through the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry, you get to Tangier. Welcome to Morocco! Meet at Tanger station (at the entrance of the town, on the road to Tetuan). We recommend you to take the night sleeper train from Tangier to 23h and comes to Agadir at 13:30 the next day. Attention: travelers asleep sometimes wake up without their luggage ... Vigilance!
Coach travel can be considered as the extreme solution in Morocco. Avoid it for long trips because the limited space to stretch your legs and the heat that prevails in the summer make it uncomfortable trip. However, this solution is the cheapest, it will have the merit to see the country and will get to know the Moroccans.
We recommend the CTM (Moroccan Transport Company) and SATAS (private company) that offer faster service at set times. Do not be fooled by the many touts near bus stations which you boast the merits of this or that private companies. You could wait several hours for the bus to fill besides safety standards are rarely enforced it: uncomfortable seats, brakes in poor condition, absent suspension unconscious driver and hurry to get as quickly as possible .
Located between the peaks of the High Atlas, Souss is an extremely fertile area, called "orchard of Morocco". With fruit and vegetable crops out of sight, the Souss main outlet is to the international port of Agadir. No wonder the city has long been nicknamed "the port of Souss" and is now the largest port Morocco after Casablanca.
Destroyed almost entirely by an earthquake in February 1960, Agadir was rebuilt to a modern urbanization plan. You understand, do not go to Agadir to discover traditional Moroccan city, but to enjoy the beach and trips in the region, particularly in the Souss Massa National Park.
Probably founded by Berbers, Agadir immediately attracts sailors along its shores. Bay sheltered from the wind, fertile land and fresh water source (the "founty"), Agadir has it all. In 1505, the Portuguese established a trading post there and build a port.
In 1541, the Saadian Sultan Mohammed Sheikh, interested in the strategic position of Agadir to control the "gold route", captured the city. In the seventeenth century, Agadir is controlled by the Berbers. The port commerce is growing strongly, the prosperous city
In 1760, Sultan Sidi Mohammed Alawi bin Abdullah is jealous of that port trade with Europe. He built the port of Essaouira a hundred kilometers north to divert European trade. This is a blow to Agadir and the city gradually depopulated. In the early twentieth century, Agadir population of less than 1,000 inhabitants.
The first half of the twentieth century saw the return of Agadir on the economic scene. Agriculture and fisheries allow the city to develop a large port. Canneries are built and Agadir became the first sardine port in the world. This commercial activity has never ceased, Agadir is still the country's first fishing port.
Unfortunately, 29 February 1960 at 11:47 p.m., the city is ravaged by a terrible earthquake that will 15,000 deaths. Almost all the houses are destroyed in seconds. The whole country is very emotional and reconstruction of Agadir is a national challenge. Two years later, the city rose from the ashes ... in compliance with earthquake standards.
Today, Agadir is an important economic center thanks to its port. 2nd tourist city in Morocco after Marrakech, the city is known for its beautiful seaside resort.
What is the best time to travel to Agadir? What will he do now? All weather and climate information.
The airport of Agadir Al Massira (22 km south-east of the city) is served by a daily flight of Royal Air Morocco, from Paris.
Note that there is a flight between Lyon and Agadir proposed by the company "low cost" Atlas Blues.
Finally, Casablanca Airport, the largest in the country, provides 4 daily flights to Agadir.
Warning: There is no shuttle between the airport and the city of Agadir. Taxi is the only alternative. Fortunately prices are set and displayed at the exit of the airport. To get to downtown, count about 100 Dirhams or 10 euros.
One can also come to Morocco by car. Once through the Strait of Gibraltar, it will take you a day's drive to reach Agadir (Tangier - Agadir 900 km).
From Tangier to Casablanca, most of the journey is on the motorway (4-5 hours). Within 3 hours to cover the 225 km between Casablanca Marrakech. Finally, to reach Agadir from Marrakech, separated by 260 km, 3 hours drive are still needed, with easily crossing the western part of the High Atlas.
However, we can only advise you to do the steps on this route Tanger - Agadir. It would be a shame not to stop and admire the beauty of some cities!
The train is the best way to travel between major cities for a close price of the trip by bus. Indeed, the Moroccan railway network, managed by ONCF, is one of the best in Africa. Each train has two classes. Lower class tickets are not sold to tourists. Seats can not be reserved, simply buy your ticket at the station. Keep your tickets as they are monitored during the journey and recovered at the arrival station. Children aged under 4 travel free.
If you have decided to come by train from France, descend to you Algeciras in the extreme south of Spain. Once through the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry, you get to Tangier. Welcome to Morocco! Meet at Tanger station (at the entrance of the town, on the road to Tetuan). We recommend you to take the night sleeper train from Tangier to 23h and comes to Agadir at 13:30 the next day. Attention: travelers asleep sometimes wake up without their luggage ... Vigilance!
Coach travel can be considered as the extreme solution in Morocco. Avoid it for long trips because the limited space to stretch your legs and the heat that prevails in the summer make it uncomfortable trip. However, this solution is the cheapest, it will have the merit to see the country and will get to know the Moroccans.
We recommend the CTM (Moroccan Transport Company) and SATAS (private company) that offer faster service at set times. Do not be fooled by the many touts near bus stations which you boast the merits of this or that private companies. You could wait several hours for the bus to fill besides safety standards are rarely enforced it: uncomfortable seats, brakes in poor condition, absent suspension unconscious driver and hurry to get as quickly as possible .
