Morocco’s western coast has something for everyone, whether you're a surfer, a pebble-skimming trekker, or a souk-hopping gourmand. Spend a week here during winter, and you’re basically guaranteed to have a stunning time.
Just a few hours south of Marrakech, the lesser-known city of Agadir is the capital of Morocco's Souss-Massa region, an area that experiences almost boundless sunshine year-round. From here, you can easily make the journey by car through the Berber fishing villages to Mirleft, surf the coastline, grab a bite in Sidi Ifni, and sip tea while the sun sets.
Planning a trip? Below, the RUSSH-approved guide on how to do the western coast of Morocco, and do it well.
Where to go...
Agadir sits on the coast southwest of Marrakesh and is a great starting point for a mid-winter holiday. Fly in, rent a car, and grab supplies, then wander around the labyrinthine souks or go shopping. It is shorts and sweat-patch weather, so ignore the dappled shirt and focus on the road.
Mirleft is a couple of hours down the road from Agadir. It is a particularly beautiful town, with plenty of beaches, food and shoals of fish. The Anti-Atlas mountains and their peaks loom behind the coastline along the horizon’s clouds. Here, there are more suntans than Sultans thanks to the big surf culture. Most visitors wear rucksacks bigger than their bodies and search for waves, ditching their phones for dusty boots and sandy hair.
Sidi Ifni is a bigger town filled with whitewashed homes with filigreed patterns on their doors. Only a quick drive from Mirleft, the Sunday Souk is huge, and worth popping into for the cacophony of noise, colour, and energy.
Where to stay...
Airbnb Dar Morjana
My friend Abder has a few places to stay in Mirleft, and we slept in a comfortable and spacious apartment facing the sea. We were lucky to wake up every morning to fresh swell glistening outside our window, and you can catch the sunset on the rooftop.
Camping
If you’re travelling on a low budget and want to sleep near the best spots, then pitch a tent and start a fire, boil some eggs, have some tea, and voila! A great, low-cost time.
Hostels
Make time for socialising by booking in at one of the many hostels spotted around the coast. Try out Dania Surfhouse, or Mirleft Tayought Guest House ,and book sooner rather than later to avoid missing out.
Dar Najmat
For a luxurious stay, this spot overlooks the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah beach. The three-star hotel is elegant and comfortable, with a hefty suite, nice mid-range rooms, and a sleep next to the sea option. There’s also a pool if you don’t fancy the salt water.
