Freebirds hostel

The Moroccan city of Agadir has an impressive setting, squeezed between the foothills of the Anti Atlas Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. The city itself is mostly flat, with pleasant wide boulevards to stroll along. Sun worshippers are drawn here for its sandy beach and surfers flock to the coast to have a go at catching the world-class waves. Plenty of waterfront bars give it a decent nightlife scene too. 

Hostels in Agadir combine relaxed beachside aesthetics with local culture. You can stay in a traditional Moroccan riad (courtyard house) or chilled-out surf camps by the coast. Lots of places cater to the surf crowd with board rental, lessons and tips on where to find the best breaks. Keep an eye out for an Agadir hostel with a rooftop terrace where you can sit and chat on colourful cushions while you admire the view. Most options offer free breakfast too, so you can get a taste for the local food. 

Downtown Agadir is the city's main entertainment hub at the northern end of the beach. There are plenty of restaurants and bars here and some are set along the beachfront boardwalk with views out over the Atlantic Ocean. A little further north, Anza Beach has good waves for surfing and art installations all along the front. Agadir marina is where the yacht set hang out, so head here to find shops, restaurants and cocktail bars as well as boat trips.

When you're not hitting the surf, you can try your hand at haggling in Agadir's main market, Souk Al Ahad. This colourful, bustling space sells everything from spices to Arabic homeware, with fragrant street food to sample as you walk around. It's also worth hiking up to the Kasbah, the 16th-century hilltop fort, for views of the city as it spreads down to the sea. Head south of Agadir to visit Souss-Massa National Park, where the vast sand dunes and waters are an important breeding ground for endangered bird species.

Agadir Al-Massira International Airport is around 40 minutes from Agadir by car, or you can share a taxi with other travellers. Bus 22 goes from the airport to the suburb of Inezgane, where you can hop on a bus into the city centre. Once you're in the city it's easy to get around by bus; most routes run along Avenue Mohammed V between Inezgane and the cruise terminal. Another option is the orange petit taxis: these metered cabs are only allowed to operate in the city centre.