TRAVEL TIPS
Agadir Travel Guide: What to Do and How to Reach the Sahara
Agadir in plain words: beach, Souk El Had, the Oufella kasbah, and how to get from Agadir to the Sahara dunes of Merzouga. By a Sahara-born local.
Quick answer: Agadir is Morocco’s big Atlantic beach city: a long sandy bay, a seaside promenade, a huge market (Souk El Had) and the hilltop kasbah of Agadir Oufella. It is a relaxed base, but the Sahara dunes are far away. To combine both, take a private route from Agadir to Merzouga and on to Marrakech. Our version takes 6 days, with 2 nights in the desert.
By Mohamed Karaoui, founder of Marvels of Morocco, who grew up in Merzouga
Agadir at a glance
| What it is | A modern beach city on the Atlantic, rebuilt after the 1960 earthquake |
| Best for | Beach days, sunshine, an easy start or end to a Morocco trip |
| Not for | Old medinas like Fes or Marrakech: Agadir is mostly modern |
| To the Sahara (Merzouga) | Too far for a day trip: plan a multi-day route |
| To Marrakech | About 3 hours by motorway, direct |
What to do in Agadir
- The beach and promenade: a long, wide bay with a seafront walk lined with cafés.
- Agadir Oufella: the ruins of the old kasbah on the hill above the city, with the best view over the bay, especially at sunset.
- Souk El Had: one of the largest markets in Morocco, for spices, argan oil, fruit and crafts.
- Taghazout: a surf village a short drive north of the city.
- Paradise Valley: palm-lined pools in the foothills of the Atlas, inland from Agadir.
From Agadir to the Sahara: the route
Agadir is on the coast; the big dunes of Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) are on the other side of the Atlas. The best way is a private route that crosses the south and ends in Marrakech. This is the route of our 6-day Agadir to Marrakech desert tour:
| Day | Route | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agadir → Taroudant (“Little Marrakech”, with its ramparts) → Taliouine (saffron region) → Ouarzazate | Ouarzazate |
| 2 | Ait Ben Haddou → Skoura palm groves → Valley of Roses → Dades Valley | Dades Valley |
| 3 | Todra Gorge → Merzouga, camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset | Desert camp |
| 4 | Sunrise over the dunes, a slow day around Merzouga | Merzouga |
| 5 | Merzouga → Alnif → Draa Valley → Ouarzazate → Tizi n’Tichka pass → Marrakech | Marrakech |
| 6 | Free time in Marrakech, then departure | — |
Included (from the tour page): private air-conditioned vehicle with driver, fuel, hotels/riads and desert camp, dinner and breakfast in the Dades Valley and both Merzouga nights, the camel trek, and pickup in Agadir with drop-off in Marrakech. Not included: flights, lunches and drinks, entrance fees, travel insurance, personal expenses and tips.
Every trip is private (just your party) and can be adapted: more or fewer days, or a different end point.
Agadir or Marrakech as your starting point?
- Start in Agadir if you are already on a beach holiday there, or if flights to Agadir suit you better.
- Start in Marrakech if you want the shortest way to the desert: see our desert tours from Marrakech.
- Want the coast and the desert from Marrakech? See the 8-day Marrakech, Sahara and Essaouira tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The big dunes at Merzouga are too far. Plan a multi-day route, like our 6-day tour with 2 desert nights.
For beach and sunshine, yes. For historic medinas, Marrakech and Fes are a better choice.
Yes, a 4×4 transfer to the desert camp can be arranged instead.
Yes. Every trip is private, so the route, length and end point can be changed. Tell us your plans.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Ready to Start Planning?
Starting your trip in Agadir? Tell us your dates and we’ll plan your route to the Sahara.