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Morocco is experiencing a boom in tourism, aided in part by an immense increase in budget flights from all over Europe. The list of best beach towns in Morocco is huge as the coast of this exciting country is extremely long, stretching from the Algerian border on the Mediterranean, along to the strait of Gibraltar and around to the Atlantic Ocean.
Just as Australians surfers have Bali and Americans have Mexico, European surfers have Morocco: good weather year-round, cheap flights, tasty food and flawless waves, which is all good news for especially the surfing scene and beach lovers in general. This is in part thanks to Morocco’s mega Atlantic swell.
Too often, people think you need to go to Southern Europe for a great breach town. But the best seaside towns of the Agadir region rival anywhere in Europe. They are all great locations for beach lounging and surfing. Having driven this route, jumping from beach to beach in my camper-van, I’ve compiled this last based on a personal survey of virtually every beach town in Morocco. We’ll start in the north and creep south.
Travel tip: Public transport in this region is easy, with plenty of buses serving this stretch of coastal road.
1. Essaouira
Originally established as a Portuguese colony, this beautiful white-walled city is easily reachable both from Marrakech (2.5-hour bus) and from Agadir (3-hour bus). The old medina is a UNESCO world heritage site, and oh my is it a sight to behold.
Essaouira has begun welcoming tourists with open arms in recent years, opening plenty of shops, restaurants and trendy cafes. It is already on the beaten track, but there is still so much of it which feels entirely undiscovered.
Authentic Moroccan life is still prominent here given the strong fishing industry. You’ll see signs of that industry as you wander along the main street, Avenue Mohamed Zerktouni, and soak up the chic and traditional vibes.
There is a long, sandy beach a short walk from the old town which has decent beginner surfing waves, and there are plenty beach cafes dotted along the promenade which rent-out boards.
Where to stay in Essaouria
Our pick for staying by the beach is Hotel Coté Océan Mogador which is beachfront with an outdoor pool. If you’d prefer to stay in town where all the action is, the best option is absolutely Salut Maroc Boutique Hotel very closely followed by Riad Al Manara which is stunning.
If you’re looking to stay a little bit out of town but still enjoy all the creature comforts of an international hotel, the Sofitel Essaouria Mogador Golf & Spa is a real treat.
2. Sidi Kaouki
Sidi Kaouki is a small village with a larger-than-expected personality, a massive beach and a trendy atmosphere. It may be strange to say but the culinary scene is both limited and abundant. Sidi Kaouki doesn’t have many restaurants, but what they do have on offer is fresh and flavorful.
Fish tajines steal the show, packed with catch of the day and garden-fresh herbs. It’ll be hard to get bored of this dish the way it’s made in Sidi Kaouki.
There is ample opportunity for hitting the waves and beach lounging, or even rent a quadbike and go for a whiz up the beach. On the surface, Sidi Kaouki may seem like there’s not much going on, but trust us when we say this is one of the best beach towns in Morocco. This tiny town has charm, uber-cool surf vibes, and a laid-back way of life will make it difficult to leave.
Travel tip: Don’t miss Cascades de Sidi M’Barek when visiting Sidi Kaouki. You can traverse a bizarrely huge sand dune to reach a small but pretty waterfall that trickles onto a private beach.
Where to stay in Sidi Kaouki
There are very few places to stay in Sidi Kaouki. It’s often the case that people will stay in Essaouria and drive down. If you’d prefer to stay in Sidi Kaouki, undoubtedly the best option is L’Air De La Mer which has the monopoly in the town.
3. Tafedna
Tafenda is properly “in the sticks” as we say in the UK (or whoop whoop for Australians). This rural but welcoming community is at the end of a dead-end road and is only accessible with your own wheels or by taxi.
A minuscule fishing village, there really isn’t much to do here that doesn’t involve going to the beach. That means it’s one of the best beach towns in Morocco for those who want to get away from the busier spots along this coast.
The scenery is impressive as it’s surrounded by rocky hills, but be aware that it is only served by one restaurant and a handful of holiday-home rentals. I couldn’t not include this small village because, if you’re soul-searching and need some peace and quiet, you would struggle to find a better spot. You will have absolutely no problem staying here in a campervan or camping on the beach.
Where to stay in Tafedna
There aren’t any hotels in Tafedna. But that means you have an opportunity to stay in a bigger house through Vrbo. Take advantage of the serenity and the unobstructed views of the beach by booking a house with large windows overlooking the ocean, like this one.
4. Imsouane
A village dotted on a small rocky peninsula, Imsouane has become a surfer’s paradise with plenty of surf camps and hotels to choose from. There is a range of different surf sports to get involved in, from kite surfing and wind surfing to wave surfing.
This town has an impeccable aesthetic and it has legendary status in the surfing community. The moment you get there, you’ll realize why this is one of the best beach towns in Morocco.
Where to stay in Imsouane
There aren’t a great deal of great accommodation options in Imsouane. Having said that, the hotel that is always lauded by visitors is Dreamsea Surf Camp Imsouane which delivers a five-star experience at three-star prices. The hotel is directly on the beach and has an absolutely amazing vibe that will keep you very happy for days.
5. Taghazout
Just based on location alone, Taghazout is one of the best beach towns in Morocco to base yourself. If you want to explore the finest beaches and abundant surfing opportunities that the Atlantic coast has to offer, look no further. Taghazout continues the relaxed vibe of the other beach towns. It’s a hotspot for the cool kids, ad it’s easy to meet people in this surfer town.
There are plenty famous surf spots that are easily reachable from Taghazout. Killer Point is known for its powerful waves and Anchor point for clean barrels. And if you aren’t interesting in surfing, don’t rule out Taghazout just yet: there is an abundance of foodie spots and fine sand beaches. The shore is lined with plenty restaurants and cool cafes to sip coffee, ideal for catching a sunset.
Where to stay in Taghazout
Unlike so many of the best beach towns in Morocco, you’re spoiled for choice in terms of accommodation in Taghazout. A very cool hostel is the Locals Taghazout Surfcamp which always attracts the travelers looking to make friends. If you want a more elevated experience, the Hilton Taghazout Bay Beach Resort & Spa is the right choice.
6. Tamraght
This is the big big town on the Atlantic coast and it has all the bells and whistles to go along with it. You’ll have noticed the trend by now that Morocco has some fantastic food options, and Tamraght is the exemplar of this truth. From pizza and tagines to smoothies and coffee, there are plenty of opportunities to tickle your taste buds in this town.
Travel tip: When staying in Tamraght, consider a tour to Paradise Valley.
Located on the Tamraght river in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Paradise Valley is an oasis that is perfect for a day trip from the area. Hike the incredible scenery, swim in the river or chill under a palm tree.
Where to stay in Tamraght
Tamraght is a modern beach town which offers some of the nicest hotels on this stretch of coast. Established hotels call Tamraght’s sandy beach home, but a more local experience can be had at one of the guesthouses like Riad Dar Haven. If that’s not your scene don’t worry, there are plenty budget accommodation choices like Playa Del Sol (which truly punches above its weight) as well as surf and yoga retreats too.
7. Anza
A good option for those who want to stay close to Agadir. Anza beach is served by many buses running from the center of town, making this beach super easy to reach from Agadir International Airport. An optimal beach for a day trip from Agadir, there are a few waterside cafes to base yourself. Next to the beach is a new promenade, complete with a skate park and basketball facilities.
Where to stay in Anza
There are only a few options here (including a few lovely surf houses), but the Anza Lighthouse offers a particularly great experience.
8. Mirleft
This section of the Moroccan coast boasts staggering natural rock formations and marvelous countryside. The area is dominated with red jagged rocks which really are a sight to behold, and locals are only happy to mix with foreigners and tell them about this beautiful part of the earth.
From the town it is around a 20-minute walk down to the beach. Anybody that has been will not hesitate in saying that the beaches here really are some of the best in the country.
Travel tip: Don’t miss checking out Legzira Rock Arch, a marvel of nature located at the midway point between Mirleft and Sidi Ifni.
Where to stay in Mirleft
We can only recommend one hotel in Mirleft, and that is Green Wave. It’s the only place to experience the beauty of the area and the warm hospitality.
9. Sidi Ifni
Once a Spanish colony, Sidi Ifni has an interesting history as it was only returned to Morocco in 1969. A nice hillside town full of Art Deco architecture, you will absolutely love taking a stroll and looking around the towns. As this is the most southern town on this list, it will take around three hours bus journey from Agadir.
Sidi Ifni is on the edge of the desert and offers pleasant temperatures year-round with very little rainfall. The beach, again, is perfect golden sand and the conditions are ideal for almost all water-based activities, making this one of the best beach towns in Morocco.
Where to stay in Sidi Ifni
There aren’t a great deal of options in Sidi Ifni. We would recommend staying in a home close by. You can find the best options for Sidi Ifni on Vrbo.
Beyond the Coast
The Kingdom of Morocco has so much to offer for tourists; from the landscape to the culture and food, there is a lot to explore. Marrakech should certainly not be missed off your trip, and luckily for you we have compiled our ideal three day itinerary.
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Share This Article
Traveling soon? Subscribe to The Insight below and get exclusive access to our personalized travel advice community via WhatsApp so you can ask all your burning travel questions.
Looking for the best comprehensive travel insurance? SafetyWing has you covered.
And for your eSIM in every country, there is only one option we recommend: Airalo.
Read more of our best insights from around the world
- A Day Trip to Türkiye: A Guide to Crossing the Border in Cyprus
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- 7 Beautiful Places in Nepal – and a Hidden Gem Few People Know About
- 10 of the Best Restaurants in Ravello, Including Sea Views to Gasp Over
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- We Found The Middle East’s Best New Hotel for 2025