Agadir/Taghazout (Morocco) in January - tips, advice

[Guller Bull]

How much to tip and in what currency?
Where to go, what to see?
Any recommendations wlecome.

[Pickles]

I've been to Agadir, a few years ago. We had spent a few days in Marrakech and wanted a more slower placed, beach-y few days in Agadir. It gave us that. It felt a little like Morocco's effort to appeal to Brits, Germans, Russians. Still very lovely. I reckon there's more tranquil places in Morocco but if you want a nice stroll along the coast and a few nice restaurants and bars then it'll do you fine! Sorry I can't suggest certain places, was a while ago.

[Top Claret]

I was last in Agadir 34 years ago and I remember the beach and playing football every day with the locals.

Bartering wore us down a little and the food wasn't
anything special. We did a 2 night Marrakesh trip over the Atlas mountains and that was well worth a visit to see the difference in culture it was like going back in time. We also did a burbah evening out in the desert and that was a memorable night out.

Had a great holiday and still remember it like yesterday as it was different were as other holidays come and go and are forgotten

[turbo5]

Never been to Agadir but have worked in Morocco on regular basis 5-8 times a year for the past 10 years . Casablanca is a long way off Agadir so can't help on places to visit. I follow a Facebook page called Morocco Kingdom and its a wealth of knowledge photos, videos etc on Morocco, its an amazing country. However like any North African country it has it rough areas, plenty of very poor people living on the streets, children etc. Its not a major crime area or unsafe but vigilance needs to be observed.
Their currency is a closed currency Moroccan dirham you get about 12.5MAD to the £1 (rough calcs I use 100 MAD = £8, 50MAD =£4 1000 MAD =£80
In restaurants and bars etc I will normally leave 50-100 MAD depending on how long I have been there and the standard of restaurant . roughly 10%
for pricing I can pay as low as 12MAD for small beer in local bars to 100MAD in international hotels average is about 20-25MAD

[Tribesmen]

Always wanted to see Marrakesh and it really has some market like no other i have ever seen .

[Guller Bull]

Where is the best place to get change for tipping quickly (given that it is a closed currency?

[turbo5]

Where is the best place to get change for tipping quickly (given that it is a closed currency?

Banks are plentiful mainly French banks, I use my Revolut card and take it out of the ATM's . some of the notes are as low as 10MAD rarely get loose change

[Guller Bull]

Always wanted to see Marrakesh and it really has some market like no other i have ever seen .

Tempted but it is about 5 hours so will either be a bus ride or hire a car for a couple of days.

[Bosscat]

Always wanted to see Marrakesh and it really has some market like no other i have ever seen .

Would you go by train ...

https://youtu.be/0TYq9RjdYYU

[Claret Till I Die]

Always wanted to see Marrakesh and it really has some market like no other i have ever seen .

The market at Marrakesh is total madness on speed

[Tribesmen]

The market at Marrakesh is total madness on speed

It's just that it's huge and so many different sections , ie tea section , shoe section and so on , the list is endless .

The only other market that comes anywhere close to is Kashgar in China close to the Pakistan border .

If you are in the area really try to make it there you will not be disappointed trust me on that one .

[Claret Till I Die]

It's just that it's huge and so many different sections , ie tea section , shoe section and so on , the list is endless.

If you are in the area really try to make it there you will not be disappointed trust me on that one .

It all changes when the sun goes down and the smells of all the spices and food cooking are something that will live with me forever

[Pickles]

Can vouch for the market at Marrakech being absolutely manic. Takes a bit of a stamina but definitely glad I went.

[pompeyclaret]

Was in Morocco last year, did just outside Rabat for 4 nights and Marrakesh for 3 nights.

Very different experience. Did a camel ride in the dessert, and saw the Ozoud waterfalls, but quite a track from Agadir.

Would advise against driving, more so in Marrakesh. Signs in multiple languages and all sorts of people/ animals on the road.

Did a guided tour of Marrakesh, unfortunately due to covid it wasn't as busy as it would normally be.

Tipping- would suggest going to banks to get the smaller notes, or supermarkets, very accommodating.

Alcohol- difficult to obtain. Managed to buy a bottle of wine, then spent 10minutes opening without a corkscrew!

[sox8595]

Loved Agadir, the locals were brilliant, countless ad hoc football pitches with locals of all ages playing, we were always invited to take part. Couple of places we went to were the crocodile Park, not far out of Agadire, Marakesh, the journey both to and from was very eventful and a 4x4 trip up the mountain with the writing on(for the life in me I cannot remember it's name).
But the best few days we had was just doing absolutely nothing it's the first holiday that I have been able to actual not think about what to do next just full on relaxation, bloody amazing feeling.
Enjoy.

[Guller Bull]

I'm hoping now that by the time we go in January, "Anass Zaroury" will be the magic words that opens most doors and provides free drinks and the best service!

[bobinho]

Go and find Mr & Mrs Zaroury, and tell them thanks.