Agadir

Agadir is the first balneal tourist center in Morocco. Its history began in the XVI th century when the Portuguese established their commerce and a fortress which they called “Santa Cruz de Gué cape” in 1505. This fortress was a maritime stop off for the Portuguese towards India. Mohamed Ech Cheikh, founder of the Saâdian dynasty, released the city of the Portuguese in 1541. Thirty years later his son built the Kasbah which still dominates the ocean in order to avoid the return of the Portuguese.

Agadir is located in the rich plain of Souss which has an enormous potential in agriculture what allows to the Saadian sultans to ensure the golden age of Agadir until the XVII th century. The city was known by the export of dates, waxes, spices and gold.

The city knows a normal life until 1911 when the Germans wanted to create a naval base, the French were opposed, which gave the signature of the convention of November 4, 1911 between France and Germany.

The town of Agadir was a step during the travel of Saint-Exupéry when crossing the Atlantic in 1930.

In February 29, 1960, an earthquake destroyed the city. After this drama the reconstitution of the city starts and the most famous architects were united to rebuild the city as one of most modern in Morocco.

Its Kasbah, which dominates the city, still testifies of the glorious past of the city. But in the present several buildings make the fame of the city particularly the port that was considered as the 1st exporting Sardine port in Morocco, a traditional art museum allows to the visitor to have an idea about Berber art and traditions of the South. The surroundings of the city are also steps to discover history and Berber traditions, particularly in Tiznit, Taroudant and Tafraout.

Agadir is today the 1st Moroccan balneal resort and one of the headlights destinations of international tourism.

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