Many visitors are surprised by how modern Agadir looks compared with other Moroccan cities. There is no maze of ancient lanes next to the port; instead you find wide avenues, a long seafront and, on the hill above the harbour, the walls of an old Kasbah. The reason is one night in 1960 that changed the city forever.
This short history, written by our local team in Agadir, gives you the background to what you see on a port day. It keeps to well-established facts, and your guide can tell you much more on the spot.
Before 1960: a fortress, a Kasbah and a port
The name Agadir comes from an Amazigh (Berber) word for a fortified granary, a reminder of the region's deep roots in the Souss.
- 16th century: the Portuguese built a fortress on this stretch of coast in the early 1500s, known as Santa Cruz do Cabo de Gué. The Saadian dynasty drove them out in 1541, and the Kasbah on the hill above the bay dates from this period.
- Trade and decline: Agadir was for a time an active trading port. In the second half of the 18th century, trade shifted north to the new port of Mogador, today's Essaouira, and Agadir became a quieter place.
- 1911: Agadir briefly made international headlines when a German gunboat, the Panther, was sent to its waters, an episode remembered as the Agadir Crisis.
- Early 20th century: a modern port and town grew up below the Kasbah hill, alongside the old quarters.
29 February 1960
Late on the evening of 29 February 1960, shortly before midnight, a powerful earthquake struck Agadir. In a matter of seconds, much of the city was destroyed, including the old town inside the Kasbah walls on the hill. Thousands of people lost their lives, and many more were injured or left homeless. It remains one of the most tragic events in Morocco's modern history.
Help arrived from across Morocco and from abroad, and King Mohammed V pledged that Agadir would be rebuilt.
The rebuilt city
Agadir was rebuilt as a modern, planned city, which is why it feels so different from older Moroccan towns:
- A new site: the new city was built a little further south, away from the most damaged areas.
- Wide streets and open spaces, with the long sandy bay and the seafront promenade at the heart of the city.
- Modern architecture from the reconstruction years and after.
- The Kasbah hill was not rebuilt. Its walls still stand above the port, and the hillside carries the Arabic inscription "God, Country, King". The site is a viewpoint and also a place of remembrance.
- New landmarks: the Mohammed V Mosque from the reconstruction years and, later, the Amazigh Heritage Museum and the Medina Polizzi, a modern recreation of a traditional medina built by artisans using local techniques.
Seeing Agadir's history on a port day
You can explore this story in a few hours, close to the port:
- The Kasbah of Agadir Oufella: for the view over the bay and a sense of the old town's site. Go up by road or with the Teleferic panoramic cable car ride.
- A guided city tour: the Agadir City Highlights and Culture Tour covers the Kasbah, Souk El Had and the story of the city's reconstruction after 1960. The half-day Agadir city tour adds the Mohammed V Mosque and an argan oil cooperative.
- The Medina Polizzi: traditional crafts and architecture in a modern setting; see the Medina Polizzi heritage walk.
Our tours are planned around your ship's published schedule, and your driver waits at the Port of Agadir cruise terminal holding a sign with your name. Tours are paid online in advance by card or PayPal. Keep your all-aboard time in mind: being back on board on time is the passenger's responsibility.
Visiting respectfully
- The Kasbah hill is a place of memory for many local families. Visit calmly and respectfully.
- Ask before photographing people.
- Wear comfortable closed shoes: the ground around the ruins is uneven.
For distances and transport from the ship, see our Agadir cruise port guide and is Agadir port close to the city?
Discover the story of Agadir with a local guide: see the City Highlights and Culture Tour, browse all Agadir shore excursions, or send us your ship name and date.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Agadir earthquake?
Late on the evening of 29 February 1960. It destroyed much of the city, including the old town on the Kasbah hill.
Why is there no old medina next to the port in Agadir?
The old town on the Kasbah hill was largely destroyed in 1960, and the city was rebuilt as a modern, planned city. The Medina Polizzi is a modern recreation of a traditional medina.
Can I visit the Kasbah of Agadir Oufella from the cruise port?
Yes. It is on the hill just above the port and can be reached by road or by cable car. The ground around the ruins is uneven.
Which tour explains the history of Agadir?
The City Highlights and Culture Tour covers the Kasbah, Souk El Had and the reconstruction after 1960. Your guide will happily answer questions along the way.
