Agadir is surrounded by several beautiful and historic cities: Taroudant (the little sister of Marrakech), Essaouira or the blue city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage, Tiznit one of the very ancient southern Moroccan cities, Tafraout the Morocco's Berber heartland where you'll find ancient traditions and genuinely friendly people... Marrakech is located only about 235 Km to the East. To discover and visit these cities, 1 or 2 days excursions will be scheduled. A detailed program will be available soon including prices for each program. Below are some standard tours.
Circuit Agadir: half day on bus
Visit the old Kasbah (built in 1540 and restored in 1752) overlooking the green valleys of Souss, the majestic mountains of the Anti-Atlas, and the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the valley of the birds, the port, the weekly market and various shops.
Circuit Taroudant: 1 or half day on 4x4
Departure from Agadir at 09:00. We begin with the tour of the medina of Taroudant: Souks, Walls, Palais Salam ...
A short walk through the labyrinths of the old medina and its souks rich in food, vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs, handicrafts, antiques ...
Around 12:00 to 12:30, we leave to the Berber village Tiout at the foot of the Anti-Atlas located 30km from Taroudant. A magnificent palm grove lies between several villages in red ocher houses with stunning scenery. From the kasbah of Tiout, you can see a panorama of both green and desert. A ride on a donkey is the best way to discover the palm. After you will have lunch at the Kasbah with traditional Moroccan food (lemon chicken + couscous, ...).
Back to Agadir and arrival around 18:00.
The majestic Atlas mountains
The bleu of the region
The desert nearby
On the road to Taroudant we find argan trees that grow only in this region in the world. With a bit of luck, you can see an argan tree crawling with goats.
The argan tree is resistant to drought and hence a haven for wildlife. The Berber women collect the kernels of its fruit by hand, often from goat droppings, and they are crushed to make argan oil, used in cooking and cosmetics. The domestic goats climb into trees, feeding on its leaves and fruit.
Circuit Essaouira for 1 or 2 days on 4x4
Essaouira is one of the famous Moroccan cities located in the western part of Morocco, very known as a tourist resort and one of the top travel destinations in Morocco. Essaouira is known for it world sacred music festival, that takes place every year late June, Gnawa music festival and music of the world. Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed city, as an example of a late 18th century fortified town, as transferred to North Africa.
In the early fifties, the film director and actor Orson Welles stayed in Essaouira filming his classic version of Othello which contains several memorable scenes shot in the labyrinthine streets and alleys of the medina.
In 1952, the film Othello won the "Gold Palme" at the Cannes Film Festival. Orson Welles's bust is located in a small square just outside the medina walls close to the sea.
A scene from the movie
Many film directors, have discovered Essaouira's photogenic and atmospheric qualities. Billie August with "Jerusalem" (1996), Joe Wright with Hanna (2011) , Oliver Stone with Alexander (2004) ...
Essaouira is also renowned for its windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind blowing almost constantly onto the protected, almost waveless, bay Parasols tend to be used on the beach more as a protection against the wind and the blowing sand. Camel excursions are available on the beach and into the desert band in the interior.
Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador which means small fortress) is an exceptional example of a late-18th-century fortified town, built according to the principles of contemporary European military architecture in a North African context. Since its foundation, it has been a major international trading seaport, linking Morocco and its Saharan hinterland with Europe and the rest of the world.
Traditional door and window in Essaouira
Handmade wall and arcades sculpture
Painting of a street in Essaouira
Spices and colors at Essaouira traditional market
Crafts and pottery with a thousand colors
Circuit Tiznit: 1 day on 4x4
Tiznit, is one of the very ancient southren Moroccan cities. It was founded back in 1881 by Sultan Hassan I. Tiznit is very famous for its silver jewelry activity, and is one of the nice tourist destinations in the south of Morocco.
Orange seller
Circuit Tafraout: 1 day on 4x4
Tafraout is a small Berber town of the Anti-Atlas located 140 km south of Agadir in a very special valley surrounded by pink granite rocks. In spring, argan, almond and olive trees in the valley offer a beautiful sight when the almond trees are in bloom.
Circuit Marrakech: 2 days on 4x4
Marrakech the captivating city always evokes a sense of mystery, exotic and adventure. The Ochre City makes you succumbing to the charms of its very special atmosphere which combines authenticity and modernity. The hospital city is full of small shops reserving an unlimited number of surprises. Endless labyrinth of alleys, where it is pleasure to walk, you will at any time take you to sip a mint tea or a delicious orange juice. Marrakech rhythms will have you dreaming of a thousand and one nights.
Founded in 1070-1072 by the Almoravids (1056-1147), Marrakech has long been a major political, economic and cultural center of the western Muslim world, in North Africa and Andalusia. Grandiose monuments dating from that period: the Koutoubiya Mosque, the Kasbah, the battlements, monumental doors, gardens, etc. Later, the city will host other wonders such as the bandit Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs, several great residences. Jemaa El Fna, a veritable open-air theater, still amazes visitors. The tower of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh (1120) served as a model for the minaret of Giralda built in 1184 (from the Almohad period of Seville (1147-1269)) and its sister, the Hassan Tower in Rabat (1196).
The famous Place Jamaa El Fna inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is a veritable open-air theater and a huge restaurant.
Marrakech has plenty of things to see in the maze of the souks. You will end up at an interesting place anyway. Its main landmark is the minaret of the Koutoubia mosque. It dates from the 12th century but looks as if it was built yesterday. It never stops to draw our attention, from whichever side you approach it. A major sight, that could have gotten World Heritage status on its own merits. Marrakech is always worth a detour.
More information on tourism and traveling in Morocco can be found in the official website of Tourism Department: http://www.visitmorocco.com/index.php/eng/content/view/full/2.