No trip to Agadir can be complete without a trip into the ancient Grand Souk El Had in Agadir.

The Grand Souk El Had is pretty easy to find, but rather than stress about it, just hail a Petite Taxi (the small orange ones), say a prayer and climb in. Don’t forget to haggle about the price before you get in though – from the beach front is should only be a few Dirhams for 2 of you.

The first view you will get is the pink colored walls of the old fort which houses the Souk – you will almost certainly be dropped off at gate 8 or 10, this is where there is a small car park. One thing to be aware of is the number of “guides” who will all tell you they are government approved etc – choose one if you want to as they will be very entertaining and informative, but beware, they will take you to several friends shops to show you some bargains, have tea etc – but it will cost you.

On our first visit to the Souk, we took a guide and paid the price at the spice seller friend….but lessons learnt!

The Souk has everything you can imagine. From ceramics, fruit and veg, livestock, fish, shoes , gold, leather….you name it or want it and you can find it. There are literally thousands of shops. If you have done your homework and want something specific, do work out a price before you go, as unfortunately they will try and increase the prices for tourists. Just be prepared to walk away and not show you want the goods you are after – they will sell it if they want to and make a profit.

Our big tip is to be friendly and speak to the shop keepers, whilst it takes longer to do a tour around, you will be less stressed and not look like a tourist!

On our last visit, we went with Layla, a friend from the village. Going with a local Berber speaking person changed everything and the prices seemed to tumble to unbelievable levels, so go with Hassan or ask him to sort out going with Layla for a girlie trip to the Souk.

Set aside a good few hours just to mill around – it does get quite crowded despite the size of it, but its all under cover and reasonably cool inside. You will really feel the culture and experience Moroccan life in here – so enjoy it.

For a holiday with a difference, go to Morocco and stay at Villa Ramalah, our beach front villa in Aourir near Agadir – contact us now for availability and prices.

Every time we go to Agadir, I am drawn back to Tifnit, a small unspoilt fishing village about 40Km South of Agadir. Why? well its simple – the place is just beautiful and very peaceful.

Earlier this year I was introduced to the village and some of the people  who live here – one who stands out is Baba (or Bob) who owns the most tiny restaurant on the far side of the village. If you did not know if was there, you would just walk past, so when you go just ask to be taken to Baba’s and you will be sure of a warm welcome.

This time, I took my wife with me. We had planned to take some friends, but as their trip was so short we just did not have time to go – we ran them around everywhere and with so much to see in Morocco, something had to give.

One thing you have to do is just chill. The beach in front of the restaurant is small and empty and the sea is cool and refreshing. Beach chairs are always available and Bob will look after all your stuff so its safe for all the family.

The food is picked straight off the boats and Bob will sort you out with a fantastic meal – just be open minded as the facilities are basic – but thats all part of the experience. One thing is everything is freshly cooked and just wonderful.

When we were there, a group of French people came to the restaurant looking a bit apprehensive, but after a chat, we re-assured them all was fine – they were soon tucking into octopus, sardines and crab!

As with all Moroccans, everybody is really friendly and want to engage with you – so just go with the flow and chat with them…you never know what will come out of it!

We are planning our next trip to Tifnit in April for Karen’s birthday – a great way to spend a day, fishing, lying on the beach, swimming and eating fabulous food!

For a beach front villa in Agadir, contact Holidays Morocco now for availability and prices.

One thing you must do when in Aourir or Agadir is visit the village market. Each week, traders appear in the make shift market place near the beach and set up stall selling everything you can imagine.

From fresh fruit and veg to clothes, pots and pans, food, honey, bric a brac …everything. The market in Aourir starts about 7am in the morning and continues all day, with locals travelling in from all over to buy produce for the week.

You can really nail a bargain or two, the language barrier, whilst difficult to overcome, should not stop you having a go at haggling for your purchase. We speak reasonable French, and some Arabic, but the locals speak Berber mostly – so much hand waving and gesturing goes down well and they always enjoy dealing with you as you are trying!

The market is a mere stones throw away from Villa Ramalah, so we urge all guests to go and experience the market and buy your produce here rather than at the supermarket – its tons cheaper and better quality anyhow.

Tomatoes, courgettes, potatoes, onions and peppers are so cheap – you will pay about 30 pence a kilo. Also, buy your spices here too – Ras el Hanout (a blend of all types of spices ideal for tagines) is 1/3 the price you will find in the souk in Agadir and cumin and turmeric also very cheap too.

It is a bit daunting as the hustle and bustle of this market is unbelievable – as well as the noise – but that’s all a part of it really and a true experience. One interesting incident that happened to me was that I haggled a price for some spices, paid the money over and had a good friendly exchange with the trader, paid him the money and walked off. A few minutes later, he came running down the market shouting at me…I really thought I was in trouble then … only to give me some change and a gift! Amazing – that would not happen in London or Birmingham!

Anyway, its a “must try” experience and one you will enjoy!

For a beach front villa in Agadir Morocco – Contact Holidays Morocco Now!

Video Rating: 5 / 5

Taghazout is a very nice village near Agadir for vacation and surfing.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

This year we wanted to make it even more authentic Moroccan design, so we asked our good friends Laurence and Michel to come up with some ideas to change the look and feel – adding that extra special touch. They are always so good at this, we leave them to just do it. The results are fantastic and we are so pleased.

Basically, Moroccan villas are typically tiled, so we decided to follow suit.

We wanted a feature wall in the lounge area to reflect local decor – each region does it differently, so we wanted to capture the flavour of Agadir. The bedrooms were not quite so important to be decorative, but we wanted cool and clean so this also matched perfectly.

The pictures are amazing, so we cannot wait to see it all in October when we are off on a tour with some other friends from Hollycow Surf Camps – Marek and crew – to do some exploring – will keep you posted on new venues and places to go once we have been there.

Enjoy the pictures – and don’t forget to contact us for that special beach front villa holiday you always promise yourself in Agadir, Morocco!

see more info at www.innaofficial.com

Pop sensations Black Lace with a new version of their 1980s hit Agadoo, specially rewritten to celebrate the launch of easyJet’s new service to Agadir in Morocco from London Gatwick.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

When I was last in Agadir, they were doing an amazing amount of work on the sea front, most had been complete especially the restaurant areas, but the shop fronts were still needing some work.

On arrival this week, they certainly have been very busy and all the roads were. Now completed, the pavement were finished and most of the shops had been renovated. Some have closed, but are being replaced with a large sea view gym, new shops, a couple of restaurants and a new nightclub.

The beach is still just beautiful, with plenty of space and activities always going on, and it is very clean and safe for the kids etc. I personally do not like this sort of beach, and in Aourir we do have some very quite and secluded beaches – away from crowds and people where we can swim and body board in peace – hence our decision not to buy in Agadir but in a smaller village 10 km up the road. Close enough to be in the thick of it, but far enough away as not to have the crowds – the best of both worlds for guests at Villa Ramalah.

I am always shocked at just how quickly things happen, the amount of new buildings going up around the town is incredible, most are offices and shops, but as you move more away from the city, lots of flats and houses are springing up everywhere.

Also, they have completely re-laid a 10km stretch of the N1 from Agadir to Aourir, put in central reservations, planted 100′s of palm trees and bushes and put in two new roundabouts… All in under 6 months! Now here is crazy tip for UK road constructors – why not work with all the service providers to get ducts and pipes in BEFORE you lay a new service – this is exactly what has been done on this stretch of road so it will not have to be dug up again..simples!

Deserted beach at Tamri

The north road, the N1 from Agadir towards Essaouira, offers some of the most stunning scenery in Morocco. The road closely follows the Atlantic coast for approximately 60km before going up a spectacular mountain pass, offering unsurpassed views from a few vantage points along the way. You are now in true Morocco, away from everything.

This Coastal road snakes it’s way along the coastline, going though villages like Taghazout, famous for it’s surfing community, Paradise Beach with the Altantique Restaurant, always serving the best and freshest seafood and fish available and some great little spots to stop off and watch the sea, fish or swim.

As you pass the lighthouse, the road and terrain changes to more desert like, then you go slightly inland to the small village of Tamri, a fertile valley which grows massive amounts of fruit and vegetables to supply the local population. This also has a fabulous hidden beach entrance which takes you down to a cove where the surf is excellent and you will be pretty much on your own. Just be careful to stick to the hard roads because you will get stuck in the sand and it’s a long walk back to get help.

I have also been told about a bird sanctuary near the village but could not find it, so another reason to come back again!

One place to visit along this road is Imsouane, a small self contained fishing village perched right on the edge of the Atlantic. Literally, this village is the first turning on the left from Agadir but it’s about 90km until you get to it!

The road to the village is basically a single track road, so you must be especially careful along here. As you drive along it, there is one spot you must stop and take in the view. It offers a panoramic view both up and down the coast from a height of about 400mt so don’t go too close to the edge!

As you approach the village, you will see this has been built up towards the rear of he village as this is a popular place for holiday homes, however the closer you get to the village centre, you will see the true village. On the day I visited, one of the famous winds was playing havoc with everything, so unfortunately most of the restaurants were closed, but I am told the seafood is excellent and the locals are very friendly.

Right on the harbor entrance, some houses have been built into the sea wall … This all looks a little too scary to me and I would not want to stay in one of these houses!

It’s well worth the drive to see this place, despite extremely strong winds which often happen in this village, there are some great looking places to eat and spend some time in.

Why not book your beach front villa holiday now – contact Holidays Morocco to check availability of our spacious and comfortable villa which sleeps up to 8 people.

Morocco never fails to surprise. When we were in Tifnit, Marek of Hollycow Surf Camps said that he wanted to show me something I would be amazed at, so we left the road and followed dirt track along the coast, about 10km south of Tifnit. I really had no idea where we were going; all I could see was a beautiful sea view from the cliff top road.

We pulled up and stopped at the edge of a pathway leading down to the beach. I thought I was going to be shown a secret fishing place, but as I followed him down the stairs (which had been cut into the rocks), a small village appeared – but one with a major difference!

This village had been built out of the cliff face! Apparently years ago, fishermen used to live in these caves, pretty much all their lives, being passed from father to son.  The King had declared that the caves were the property of the fishermen and not the state, so could be sold. There are some rules which do apply to what can be built, but everybody who has bought a cave wants to keep the natural beauty of the area untouched.

We were invited in to see the bedrooms, living area and kitchen of one of the houses and I have today whilst basic, it was very adequate and comfortable. There is a spring so fresh water is available in or near each cave and the view is spectacular. If you want a new room, you just have to dig it out…how cool is that!

Here are a few pictures of this amazing place, which incidentally does not have a name..so  you can just vanish if you want to! I just have to go back and spend some time here – its amazing.

It’s all too easy to stay in the villa, hotel, on the beach or just go to the same places all the time, but you are missing out on a whole load of experiences and sights of true morocco.

On my trip this time, I met up with Marek and Michal of Hollycow surf camps. I have been emailing Marek for about a year now and he rents the villa as a base for his tours and surfing safaris as he prefers Aourir as a base rather than Taghazout which has become too much for the surf tourist.

Marek was due to arrive from Marrakech in the early evening, but some mechanical problems meant he did not arrive until about 3am, hence we did not chat much! However the next day we caught up on loads of things, but one thing we had chatted about before was favorite places to suggest to our clients staying at the villa. Without hesitation, Marek said that we must go to Tifnit, a small un-spoilt fishing village only 50km south of Agadir.

So after a hearty breakfast, off we went. Now it turns out I have driven past this turning many times, but always on the way to somewhere else. Anyway, on this occasion, we drove the 10km from the main N1 to Tan Tan down to Tifnit. As we drove over the crest of the mountain, I was met with an amazing view of this small fishing village. Whilst there was some tourist activity (more like locals really), the rest of the village was very un-spoilt, particularly on the other side of the village away from any car park.

Marek seemed to know everybody as we made our way through the village to a small restaurant right on the beach. It was truly un-spoilt and the welcome was very warm indeed. The owner known as Bob spoke good English which surprised me for such a small village, normally it is just French or Arabic.

We soon attracted quite a crowd, the village Mayor arrived, then a really nice guy, who turned out to be a language lecturer and had spent many years in New York University teaching Arabic and English. Nothing can happen in the village without the Major’s consent so he is a really good guy to keep on your side.

A party soon broke out, as did a bottle of whiskey, and lunch was prepared for us to enjoy, octopus tagine, followed by  spider crab … We never managed the small shark which wagoing to be prepared for us – a local delicacy – as lunch was massive.

All too soon it was time for us to go, but we spent quite a few hours in pleasant conversation, in the midst of some amazing scenery and met some new people and contacts which we would never have discovered.

Incidentally, Ridley Scott is a regular visitor to this area and has made several films in this part of morocco. He always stays in the village when he comes.

Enjoy a few photos and go and visit. They are very welcoming and need the trade so go. Go with Marek at Hollycom or go on your own with Holidays Morocco – either way just go!