Agadir and the Southern Atlantic Coast by Car: Taghazout, Essaouira and Wild Beaches
Blessed with sunshine all year round, Agadir is the ideal base for exploring Morocco's southern Atlantic coast. Between world-famous surf breaks, fishing villages perched on cliffs, the valleys of the Anti-Atlas and ochre sandstone arches plunging into the swell, a car is what gets you out of the resort.
Contents
One honest point before you start: Loccor does not cover Agadir yet
Arriving in Agadir and finding your bearings at the wheel
Heading north: Taghazout, Imsouane bay and the road to Essaouira
Heading south: Tiznit and the wild beaches of Mirleft and Legzira
Which category of car suits this coast
One honest point before you start: Loccor does not cover Agadir yet
Better said now than discovered at the booking stage: Loccor currently has no vehicles in Agadir, nor anywhere on the southern coast. The cities genuinely covered by our partner agencies are Casablanca, Marrakech, Al Hoceima, Tangier, Tetouan and Fez. Essaouira, which this article mentions, is not covered either.
The article is still useful if you are planning this coast: it tells you what drives well, what parks easily and what deserves the detour. And if you want to reach the region behind the wheel, Marrakech is the nearest covered city: from there the expressway runs down to Agadir in a little under three hours, and the route through the High Atlas foothills is already part of the trip.
Arriving in Agadir and finding your bearings at the wheel
Agadir Al Massira airport sits about 25 kilometres south-east of the city. The drive to the marina or the hotel district along the bay takes around thirty minutes on a well-built expressway.
Agadir was rebuilt from scratch after the 1960 earthquake on a modern town plan: wide straight boulevards, generous roundabouts, easy parking. It is probably the most relaxing large city to drive in anywhere in the kingdom. Agadir Oufella, though, can no longer be reached by car all the way up: the last stretch is reserved for public transport. You park halfway up the hill and finish on foot, by shuttle or by cable car; entry to the site is now charged, around a hundred dirhams for non-residents.
Heading north: Taghazout, Imsouane bay and the road to Essaouira
Leaving Agadir northwards on the national road, you immediately follow the surfers' coastline. Twenty minutes or so from the centre, Taghazout unrolls its cafés, its guesthouses and its famous waves.
Carry on north and the road climbs onto the cliffs before dropping down to Imsouane bay, known for its very long right-hander. The village itself was demolished in January 2024: the guesthouses and cafes were levelled and only temporary structures have partly replaced them. The wave is intact, the services are not, so plan on sleeping and eating elsewhere. To stretch the adventure out, keep going through the argan forest to the walled town of Essaouira: around 175 kilometres from Agadir, close to three hours on a scenic road lined with argan oil cooperatives.
Heading south: Tiznit and the wild beaches of Mirleft and Legzira
If you are after a wilder Morocco, point south towards Tiznit, famous for its ochre ramparts and its silversmiths.
From Tiznit, branch off to the coast for Mirleft and Legzira beach, where the Atlantic tides have carved a giant natural arch out of red rock: the most famous one collapsed in September 2016 and only one is left. The roads of the southern coast are quiet and lightly travelled, and give a real sense of freedom. Do watch for animals crossing from the verges.
Which category of car suits this coast
For a stay split between the beaches of Taghazout and the Agadir seafront, an economy city car is more than enough and very light on fuel.
If your plans include the climb up to Paradise Valley in the hinterland of Imouzzer Ida Outanane, or if you are loading surfboards and bulky luggage, go for an SUV or an estate with a generous boot and ground clearance suited to mountain bends.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a car in Agadir through Loccor?
Not today: no partner agency lists a vehicle there. The nearest covered city is Marrakech, a little under three hours away on the expressway. We will open Agadir as soon as a verified local agency puts its fleet online.
Is Paradise Valley reachable in an ordinary car?
Yes, the road to the Imouzzer Ida Outanane car park is surfaced. Some stretches are winding and narrow, but a standard car gets there without trouble in dry weather.
How long does the drive from Agadir to Essaouira take?
About three hours for the 175 kilometres between the two towns. The ocean scenery and the argan-covered hills make the detour well worth it.
Is parking easy in Agadir?
Very easy. Unlike cities built around a pedestrian medina, Agadir offers plenty of angled bays along its boulevards and large car parks near the marina and the beach.
Further reading
rent a car in Marrakech, the nearest covered city
collect your car at Marrakech Menara airport
rent an economy city car in Morocco
read the complete guide to renting a car in Morocco
Written by the Loccor editorial team, the platform connecting travellers with car rental agencies in Morocco.