Not Agadoo, Agadir dear...

[scottnsilky]

easyJet has persuaded me I need a winter holiday by offering an excellent price for their Manchester to Agadir flight in January, my question is, what is there for me? I'm told it's a good place for a family beach holiday, which is definitely not me. I'm a solo, vegetarian pensioner who likes wildlife, interesting architecture, relaxing in botanical gardens and a decent glass of beer.

Has anybody here been there who can suggest some things I might enjoy?

TIA

dp

[Slarti]

Doesn't appeal to me, but https://wikitravel.org/en/Agadir


HTH
Slarti

[TaurusTheBull]

Hi,

I spent a night in a filthy hotel in Agadir about 30 years ago, so I'm not the best person to ask, but I am going back to Morocco for a second time in January, this time en route to elsewhere, and so have started reading up on places of interest.

I would say that perhaps you will not much like Agadir, as it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1961 and so has no historic architecture, and these days caters mainly for sunseekers, with little else of interest except some insipid nightlife. If you want to stay near Agadir, try the village of Tagazhout 15km up the coast.

I am flying to Marrakech, and would recommend the city for it's culture and interesting medina, particularly the tanneries.

Maybe hire a car, or take a bus, and go up the coast, past the surfing beaches, to Essaouira, a nice stop for a few nights. Then inland to Marrakech, good for another few nights. Then down through the High Atlas, maybe stopping at Imlil, on the approaches to Mount Toubkal.

Another option is east to the old city of Taroudant, a lot more interesting than Agadir.

I have yet to be convinced that Agadir has any redeeming features, and plan to go straight through on my journey south.

Cheers
Taurus

[Nimrod103]

Called into Agadir on a cruise about 4 years ago. Got a taxi from the ugly port area into the ugly town area. There are big hotels which cater for the tourists who want sea, sand and sun, and don't venture outside the walls. Other parts of Morocco may be good (I have only been to Rabat on business), but what I have seen has that North African/Arab feel everywhere which just doesn't appeal to me.

[scottnsilky]

Thanks to all for your messages, I see now why the fares are cheap! I'll have to look again to see what's on offer. Last year Madeira was very cheap,but I just missed it.

Cheers,

dp

[poundcoin]

Also visited Agadir for one day whilst on a cheap Thomson's cruise many years ago .
Wish we had stayed on board !
Can't remember how much we paid for the organised coach excursion but it took us up a series of hills to see the "Old Town " destroyed by the earthquake .
There was nothing there but a few odd bits of rubble strewn about and a number of local vendors walking about , trying to flog us stuff .
Same in the souk , show the slightest interest at anything on one of the stalls and half a dozen surly blokes surround you trying to extract money .
Next was a sort of "performance" at a stadium . Horse riders charging about firing guns and local folk dancers etc.
A snake charmer eventually dragged an unwilling volunteer from out of the passengers to have a large snake draped around him . Then at the end had the cheek to ask the poor chap for 10 euros for the privilege !
I admit I'm not the bravest of souls but that day was the most frightening of any , of the few times I have been abroad . Sure was glad to get back on the ship.

[malkymoo]

Thanks to all for your messages, I see now why the fares are cheap! I'll have to look again to see what's on offer. Last year Madeira was very cheap,but I just missed it.

Cheers,

dp

Had you thought of Malta, some decent prices from Manchester in January. I have never been myself but it has been recommended to me.

[scottnsilky]

Also visited Agadir for one day whilst on a cheap Thomson's cruise many years ago .
Wish we had stayed on board !
Can't remember how much we paid for the organised coach excursion but it took us up a series of hills to see the "Old Town " destroyed by the earthquake .
There was nothing there but a few odd bits of rubble strewn about and a number of local vendors walking about , trying to flog us stuff .
Same in the souk , show the slightest interest at anything on one of the stalls and half a dozen surly blokes surround you trying to extract money .
Next was a sort of "performance" at a stadium . Horse riders charging about firing guns and local folk dancers etc.
A snake charmer eventually dragged an unwilling volunteer from out of the passengers to have a large snake draped around him . Then at the end had the cheek to ask the poor chap for 10 euros for the privilege !
I admit I'm not the bravest of souls but that day was the most frightening of any , of the few times I have been abroad . Sure was glad to get back on the ship.

Sorry to hear of your experience in Agadir, poundcoin, I'm just old enough to remember the earthquake, very violent.
Thanks for your reply.

dp

[scottnsilky]

Thanks to all for your messages, I see now why the fares are cheap! I'll have to look again to see what's on offer. Last year Madeira was very cheap,but I just missed it.

Cheers,

dp

Had you thought of Malta, some decent prices from Manchester in January. I have never been myself but it has been recommended to me.

Thanks for the suggestion, I've pencilled in Malta for the first week end in October, there's a classic car festival, I missed it this year, I was on holiday somewhere else. I was there nearly 40 years ago, we hired a clapped out Escort MK2, I ran out of petrol on a Sunday, girlfriend not amused!

[Slarti]

Thanks to all for your messages, I see now why the fares are cheap! I'll have to look again to see what's on offer. Last year Madeira was very cheap,but I just missed it.

Cheers,

dp

Had you thought of Malta, some decent prices from Manchester in January. I have never been myself but it has been recommended to me.

Thanks for the suggestion, I've pencilled in Malta for the first week end in October, there's a classic car festival, I missed it this year, I was on holiday somewhere else. I was there nearly 40 years ago, we hired a clapped out Escort MK2, I ran out of petrol on a Sunday, girlfriend not amused!

If you do go to Malta, make enquiries about the "En Retreat" or some name like that, held in the police barracks at the tip of Valletta on Sunday mornings outside of the main season. Medieval re-enactment type thing with swords and guns and small cannon. It was an enjoyable couple of hours.

Slarti