Enjoying a moment of calm at Atlas Kasbah
[Last updated: November 2026]
I’ve lived in Tamraght, 15 km north of Agadir, since 2018, and it took me years to find the unusual places to stay I’d actually recommend. Agadir is spread out, with lots of different areas to stay in, both in the city and just outside it.
Most people coming for a beach holiday are drawn to the large beachfront hotels and all-inclusive resorts with ocean views, pools and cordoned-off sections of Agadir’s main beach. This is great for families, friends and couples looking for the ease, familiarity and safety of an all-inclusive package holiday, with international brands like RIU and Sofitel.
What if you want somewhere different, or simply quieter?
Think a smaller hotel with the owner’s personal touch and a distinctly local flavour, a peaceful kasbah, or a wildlife retreat in nature. These are the places I love to stay, and over the years I’ve discovered Agadir’s unusual hotels on personal holidays and guidebook and writing research trips.
In this roundup of unique places to stay in Agadir, I share five favourites: a nature kasbah, a riad-style hotel near the beach, a safari-lodge retreat with its own wildlife park, a golf-and-nature escape, and a surf and yoga resort. Most are a short drive outside the city, so I’ve included distances. They’re places where you can disconnect, immerse yourself in warm local culture and/or celebrate a special occasion.
At a glance
Atlas Kasbah: nature and quiet, 5 km from Agadir
Riad Villa Blanche: riad-style stay near the beach, Founty, Agadir
Domaine Villate Limoune: celebrations and wildlife, 40 km inland (about a 50-minute drive from Agadir)
Dar Maktoub: golf and nature, ten minutes' drive from Agadir city centre
Paradis Plage: surf and yoga, Imi Ouaddar, 25 km north (about a 35-minute drive from Agadir)
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
5 Unusual Places to Stay in the Agadir region
Best for nature and quiet: Atlas Kasbah
Just five kilometres outside Agadir, you are in the middle of nature. Atlas Kasbah is a rural retreat that sits atop a hill, offering views of the surrounding countryside. A traditional kasbah (castle) constructed from ochre earth and wood, where you can cycle or walk amongst argan trees and rugged terrain. It’s one of my favourite hotels in Agadir for its natural setting, authentic style, the tranquillity, and the lovely staff. The hotel has nine rooms and three family suites, the latter have two separate bedrooms. I love the simple furnishings: hand-carved wooden furniture, hand-painted chests, locally woven rugs and throws. Relax by the saltwater pool, indulge in their nature-inspired wellness spa with massages, a salt cave and hammam, or simply enjoy the views from their many terraces. The home-cooked Moroccan food is nourishing, with a focus on a local, seasonal menu. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for too. Atlas Kasbah organise workshops in Moroccan cooking, calligraphy, pottery and honey tastings.
Check availability and pricing for Atlas Kasbah here
Best for a riad-style stay by the beach: Riad Villa Blanche
Agadir’s main beach runs from the Marina, all the way to Founty at the southern end of the bay. Founty is one of Agadir’s most upmarket districts with five-star hotels, luxury villas and boutique hotels. Riad Villa Blanche is a riad - a traditional Moroccan house with rooms off a central courtyard- a 200m walk from Agadir’s main beach. Inside, you’ll find colourful zellige, mosaic tiles, hand-woven rugs and ambient lighting from brass lanterns. As well as fine dining in their ambient dining rooms, and a spa with an indoor heated pool, a traditional hammam and several treatment rooms. Outside, beautiful gardens and a second pretty swimming pool. Each of their 28 bedrooms is unique, with spacious suites offering large private balconies and views over nearby sand dunes and Agadir Bay. Recent reviews note that some parts of the hotel are tired and need renovation, but because it’s rare to find a riad in Agadir, I’ve included it as an option for dinner, a spa visit, or a one- or two-night stay. It’s for those who value traditional artisan details and want to stay in a small hotel close to the main Agadir beach.
Check availability and pricing for Riad Villa Blanche here
Best for a special celebration: Domaine Villate Limoune
I recently had the pleasure of celebrating a friend’s 50th birthday at Domaine Villate Limoune; the food, service, and setting are incredible! It’s around 40 kms (50 mins drive) inland from Agadir city. The hotel accommodation is divided into Pool Lodges (poolside A-frame lodge suites) and Safari Lodges (private lodges in the savannah for a safari vibe). It is one of the best places to stay in Agadir for wildlife and wellness; all guests have access to the Domaine’s wildlife park and wellness spa. In the wildlife park, you’ll find a surprising number of species, including giraffe, zebras, alpacas, ostriches and monkeys. The new Canopy Spa is a sanctuary for relaxation, with an indoor pool for laps, luxurious day beds, and an extensive spa menu including massages, hammam, scrubs, masks, waxing, and hair, nail, and skin care. If you can drag yourself away from Monkey Beach, the Domaine’s impressive pool beach club, there are a whole host of activities, including horse and pony rides, bike and quad trails, padel and tennis courts. With attentive service and delicious dining options, Domaine Villate Limoune is a real treat for all ages!
Check availability and pricing for Domaine Villate Limoune here
Best for golf and nature: Dar Maktoub
Dar Maktoub translates as ‘it is written’; a quiet, peaceful nature retreat close to Agadir’s quieter beaches and golf courses and yet a ten-minute drive to the city centre. With ten rooms, guests can expect attentive, personalised service. Their dining room, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a Moroccan-Mediterranean menu, opens onto beautiful colourful gardens and a charming outdoor pool terrace. Dar Maktoub is one of the best places to stay in Agadir for golfers; you are just 500 metres from Agadir’s best golf courses, and can choose from four different golf courses. The hotel offers packages tailored to your level and requirements. For nature and wildlife enthusiasts, the entrance to the Souss Massa National Park is a ten-minute drive from the hotel. Here you can enjoy a safari to see gazelles, ostriches and oryx in their natural habitat.
If you prefer a slightly larger hotel close to the golf courses, check out the next-door Tikida Golf Palace, with only 49 suites and, in summer, an adults-only policy.
Check availability and pricing for Dar Maktoub here
Best for surfing and yoga: Paradis Plage Surf, Yoga and Spa
Paradis Plage was one of the first places I stayed in the Agadir region; it is one of the original hotels in Imi Ouaddar, a fishing village 25 km north of the city. I love the laid-back, small-resort atmosphere; I often pop up with friends for a sunset drink in the beach bar, toes in the sand. The gardens and beachfront location, and spacious suites and bungalows, each have well-equipped kitchenettes and a private balcony or terrace. I caught my first waves in front of the hotel. I love their beachfront yoga studio with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that seemingly sink into the ocean. They offer daily yoga classes for all levels. Families are well catered for with a packed kids' activity programme and cute touches like fire pits and outdoor movie screenings at night. There’s an outdoor gym and an on-site spa that uses natural products, with a massage shala in the gardens adjacent to the ocean.
Check availability and pricing for Paradis Plage Surf, Yoga, and Spa here
FAQs (unusual stays)
1. Are there any unusual places to stay in Agadir?
Yes, the options listed above are some of my personal favourites!
2. Is it better to stay in Agadir, Taghazout or Tamraght for something different?
Agadir works well for the main beach, a wide range of restaurants from budget to luxury, and proximity to the airport (20 minutes by road). Taghazout and nearby Tamraght are great if you want surf/ yoga culture, a village feel, and quieter evenings. Thanks to a new ring road, Tamraght is 45 mins from the airport, and Taghazout 60 mins. Read this article on Tamraght v Taghazout for a handy overview of both and how to choose between the two villages. https://www.sallykirby.com/blog/tamraght-vs-taghazout?rq=tamraght
3. Where can I find eco-friendly or rural stays near Agadir?
Drive inland from Agadir, and you can quickly be in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and enjoy rural scenery and peaceful village communities. The coastal drive from Agadir to Essaouira passes through argan forests and small fishing villages where you can find small guesthouses.
4. Can I stay in a traditional riad near Agadir?
Agadir has few traditional riads because the 1960 earthquake destroyed large parts of the city. Riad Villa Blanche, listed above, follows the traditional riad layout. Further afield in Taroudant (90 km/1.5-hour drive), you can find charming traditional stays; I love Dar Zahia.
5. When is the best time to book an unusual stay in Agadir?
Smaller properties often fill up earlier than big hotels, especially during school holidays. In Summer, keep in mind traffic between Agadir and Taghazout can be bumper-to-bumper, and air-conditioning may help on hotter days.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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