A port day in Agadir is short, so the last thing you want is to discover at the gangway that you are wearing the wrong shoes, carrying only euros or have left your sunscreen in the cabin. A little preparation the evening before makes the whole day easier, whether you plan a relaxed walk along the beach or a quad ride in the dunes.
This guide is written by our local team in Agadir. It covers what to wear for each kind of activity, what to pack in your day bag, how money works in Morocco and a few practical habits that help cruise passengers enjoy the city with confidence.
What to wear in Agadir: dress for the activity
Agadir is a relaxed, modern beach resort, and visitors in casual clothes are a normal sight. Still, Morocco is a Muslim country, and what feels right on the sand is not always what feels right in a market or a residential street. The easiest approach is to dress for the part of your day that needs the most coverage.
City tours, souks and the Kasbah
For a city tour, the Souk El Had market or a walk around Medina Polizzi, choose light, breathable clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. This is a sign of respect rather than a strict rule, and it also protects you from the sun.
- Linen or cotton trousers, a midi skirt or knee-length shorts
- T-shirts or light shirts with sleeves rather than strappy tops
- A light scarf, which is useful for sun, wind and extra coverage
- Comfortable closed shoes or good walking sandals
Non-Muslims generally cannot enter most mosques in Morocco, so a visit to the Mohammed V Mosque is usually an exterior view only. No special clothing is needed for that, but modest dress is appreciated in the area.
Beach time
Swimwear is perfectly normal on Agadir's beach. Simply cover up with a shirt, dress or sarong when you leave the sand to walk along the promenade, enter a café or go shopping.
Quad biking, camel rides and the dunes
Active excursions such as the Agadir quad biking adventure (from €30) or a camel ride near Agadir (from €20) call for practical clothing:
- Long, lightweight trousers to protect your legs from sun, sand and the saddle
- Closed shoes or trainers; flip-flops are not suitable for quads
- Sunglasses and a scarf or buff to keep dust and sand away from your face
- Clothes you do not mind getting dusty
For sandboarding (from €35), expect sand everywhere. Leave delicate items on the ship and bring a small bag to keep your phone clean.
Cooler months: think in layers
Agadir is generally mild and sunny most of the year, but winter mornings and evenings can feel fresh, especially on the water or with a breeze off the ocean. If your ship arrives early or leaves after sunset, pack a light jumper or windproof jacket. In the middle of the day, the sun is often strong even when the air feels cool, so layers you can remove easily work best.
Shoes: the most important choice of the day
Many shore-day problems start with footwear. You may walk on uneven pavements, cobbled lanes, sand and market floors, sometimes in a single morning. Choose shoes that you have already worn in, that stay on your feet and that you are happy to walk in for several hours. Comfortable trainers or sturdy sandals with a back strap are ideal for most excursions.
Sun protection
The Moroccan sun is strong, and the ocean breeze in Agadir can make it easy to underestimate. Protect yourself even on days that feel cool:
- High-factor sunscreen, reapplied during the day
- A wide-brimmed hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm with SPF
- Plenty of water, especially on outdoor activities
Not sure which excursion fits your port day? Browse our Agadir shore excursions for cruise passengers. Your driver waits at the cruise terminal with a sign bearing your name, and tours are planned around your ship's published schedule.
Your day-bag checklist
Keep your bag small and light. A cross-body bag or a compact backpack worn on the front in busy markets is practical and secure.
- Cruise card: you will need it to leave and re-board the ship
- Photo ID: follow your ship's instructions; some lines ask you to carry a passport copy or the original, so check the daily programme
- Your ship's all-aboard time, written down or saved on your phone, plus the port agent's phone number if the ship provides it
- Moroccan dirhams in small notes and coins, plus a bank card
- Bottled water
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Charged phone and a small power bank
- Tissues and hand sanitiser, as some public toilets do not provide paper
- Any personal medication you may need during the day
- A light layer or scarf
Leave expensive jewellery and anything you do not need in your cabin safe.
Money in Morocco: dirhams, cards and cash
The Moroccan dirham
Morocco's currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). It is a restricted currency, so in practice you cannot buy it before your trip and you should not plan to take large amounts out of the country. Most cruise passengers simply withdraw a modest amount once they arrive.
ATMs and exchange
ATMs are easy to find in Agadir's city centre, near the beach promenade and around the Marina. Your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee, so it is worth checking before you travel. Withdraw only what you expect to spend in one day, because changing leftover dirhams back can be inconvenient on a short visit.
Cards versus cash
Cards are accepted in many larger shops, hotels and restaurants, especially in the tourist areas. Cash is still needed for:
- Small souk stalls and street vendors
- Petit taxis (the orange taxis used for short trips around Agadir)
- Tips, toilets and small purchases such as water or fresh juice
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Morocco, but it is always your choice and should reflect the service you received. Many visitors leave small amounts for café and restaurant staff, drivers and guides. There is no fixed rule, so give what feels fair to you.
Haggling with respect
In Souk El Had and many smaller shops, prices are often open to negotiation. Haggling is part of the culture and can be a friendly, enjoyable exchange:
- Take time to look around before you buy
- Decide what the item is worth to you before you start
- Smile, stay polite and do not start negotiating if you are not interested
- Once you agree a price, it is good manners to complete the purchase
If you prefer someone to show you around, a guided Souk El Had tour (from €20) helps you find your way and understand what you are looking at. Note that Souk El Had is commonly closed on Mondays, so check the day of your call.
Paying for your excursion with us
When you book a shore excursion with Tamazirtino, you pay online before your port day, by card or PayPal only, through our secure checkout. That means you do not need to carry extra cash for the tour itself. After booking, we send the exact meeting details by WhatsApp. On the day, your driver waits at the Port of Agadir cruise terminal holding a sign with your name.
Budget-friendly options include the half-day Agadir city tour (from €15) and the Medina Polizzi heritage walk (from €20). For other ideas, see how to spend a perfect day in Agadir from your cruise ship.
Phone, data and Wi-Fi
Mobile roaming charges in Morocco can be high depending on your provider and plan, so check with your operator before the cruise. Morocco is generally not covered by EU roaming deals. Practical options include:
- Turning off mobile data and using Wi-Fi in cafés and restaurants
- Buying a roaming package or travel eSIM from your provider before you sail
- Using the ship's Wi-Fi package, if you have one, before you leave the ship and after you return
- Downloading an offline map of Agadir the night before
Make sure your phone is on the correct local time. Ships sometimes keep a different time from the shore, so always follow the all-aboard time announced by your ship.
Photography etiquette
Agadir is very photogenic, from the hilltop Kasbah to the colourful spice stalls. A few habits keep everyone comfortable:
- Always ask before photographing people, especially women, children and market vendors
- Accept a polite "no" with a smile
- Some people performing for photos, such as with animals, may expect a small payment
- Avoid photographing military, police or official buildings, and follow signs inside the port area
For the best views over the bay, consider the Teleferic cable car ride to the Kasbah (from €25).
Simple health tips
Most cruise passengers enjoy their day in Agadir without any problems. A few sensible precautions help:
- Drink bottled water, which is widely available
- Choose busy places to eat, where food is freshly prepared
- Wash or sanitise your hands before eating
- Rest in the shade during the hottest part of the day
- Carry any medication you need, along with a copy of your prescription if relevant
Ready to plan your day? Explore shore excursions in Agadir, read our Agadir cruise port guide, or contact our local team with any question.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay with euros in Agadir?
Some vendors may accept euros, but usually at a poor rate, and change often comes in dirhams. It is simpler to withdraw a small amount of Moroccan dirhams from an ATM in town and pay in local currency.
Do I need to cover my shoulders and knees in Agadir?
Swimwear is fine on the beach, but in the city, the souks and near religious sites, clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is respectful and also protects you from the sun.
What shoes should I wear on a shore excursion?
Comfortable, worn-in trainers or secure walking sandals suit most tours. For quad biking and other dune activities, closed shoes are best.
How do I pay for a Tamazirtino shore excursion?
You pay online when you book, by card or PayPal only, through our secure checkout. Meeting details are then sent to you by WhatsApp.
Should I bring my passport ashore?
Follow your ship's instructions. Some cruise lines ask you to carry your passport or a copy along with your cruise card, so check the daily programme before you go ashore.
Is tap water safe to drink in Agadir?
To be on the safe side, most visitors drink bottled water, which is easy to buy everywhere in Agadir.
