Running parallel to the beach, the Agadir Corniche also known as Marina Boulevard is the city's main promenade and one of the most pleasant places to visit in Agadir for a leisurely stroll. The wide, palm-lined boulevard is flanked by hotels, restaurants, ice cream parlours, cafés, and beach bars on one side and the beautiful beachfront on the other.

The corniche is lively both day and night, with street performers, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a wonderfully relaxed holiday atmosphere throughout. In the evenings, it transforms into one of the best spots in the city for an al fresco dinner as the sun sets over the Atlantic a sight that never gets old.

For an authentic taste of Moroccan market life, a visit to Souk El Had is absolutely essential. One of the largest souks in southern Morocco, this vibrant covered market is a wonderfully sensory experience where locals shop for everything from fresh fruit, vegetables, and spices to clothing, leather goods, pottery, argan oil products, and traditional Moroccan handicrafts.

The souk is enormous, with well over 6,000 stalls spread across its covered alleyways, but surprisingly easy to navigate compared to the medinas of Fes or Marrakech. It is open every day of the week and is one of the best places to visit in Agadir for anyone who loves markets, local produce, and finding a genuine bargain.

Travel Tip: Agadir is the heartland of Morocco's argan oil production. Look for stalls selling pure, cold-pressed argan oil and argan-based beauty products. The quality here is exceptional and far more affordable than back home.

With a long sandy beach and consistent Atlantic waves, Agadir is one of the best destinations in Morocco for watersports and beach activities and this is one of the most popular activities in Agadir for active holidaymakers of all ages.

Options available along and near the beach include:

• Surfing and bodyboarding — Agadir and the surrounding coastline offer excellent surf for all levels, from beginner-friendly beach breaks to more challenging waves for experienced surfers
• Quad biking — guided quad bike excursions through the sand dunes south of the city are hugely popular and great fun for groups and families
• Jet skiing and parasailing — available from several operators along the corniche throughout the summer season
• Horse riding on the beach — a magical experience, particularly at sunset along the shoreline
• Camel trekking — short camel rides along the beach or through the dunes are a classic and memorable Agadir activity, brilliant for families

Crystal Travel Tip: Book watersports and activity excursions through your hotel or a reputable local operator rather than directly on the beach for better pricing and guaranteed safety standards.

One of the most spectacular and popular activities in Agadir for those who want to venture beyond the city is a day trip to Paradise Valley, a breathtaking natural oasis hidden in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, just 60 kilometres north of Agadir.

The valley is a dramatic landscape of towering pink granite cliffs, crystal-clear natural swimming pools, cascading waterfalls, and lush palm groves. Walking through the valley floor alongside a rushing mountain stream, stopping to swim in the natural pools, and eating a packed lunch surrounded by the mountains is one of the most memorable things to do in Agadir, Morocco and a world away from the beach resort that many visitors never look beyond.

Travel Tip: Book a guided day trip from Agadir that includes transport, a local guide, and time for swimming. The drive through the mountains is stunning in its own right.

Agadir has one of the most accessible and varied food scenes in Morocco for British visitors, blending traditional Moroccan cooking with international cuisine and exceptional fresh seafood. Whether you are eating at a local neighbourhood restaurant or a smart marina bistro, the quality and value are consistently impressive.

Must-try dishes and experiences include:

• Fresh Atlantic seafood — grilled sardines, sea bass, prawns, and calamari cooked to order; the absolute best in Morocco, given Agadir's Atlantic fishing port
• Lamb or chicken tagine — slow-cooked with preserved lemon, olives, and fragrant spices; a Moroccan classic done brilliantly in Agadir's local restaurants
• Argan oil with fresh bread — a simple but extraordinary local breakfast staple; pure argan oil drizzled over fresh-baked Moroccan bread with honey
• Pastilla — the iconic Moroccan sweet and savoury pie; look for it in the more traditional restaurants around the souk area
• Moroccan mint tea — sweet, fragrant, and poured with ceremony from a considerable height; a ritual that bookends every meal and every conversation

Travel Tip: For the freshest and most affordable seafood, head to the local restaurants and small fish grills near the old port area rather than the more tourist-facing restaurants along the corniche.