AFCON 2025 Agadir: Beach Resort & Stadium Guide
Tournament kicks off December 21
Agadir is the anomaly. While other host cities offer medinas and monuments, Agadir offers beach, sun, and surf. December temperatures here reach 20-25°C when northern Morocco sits in winter grey. The Atlas Mountains frame the eastern horizon while the Atlantic rolls onto golden sand.
An earthquake destroyed the original city in 1960. What stands now is modern and purpose-built for tourism. No labyrinthine medina, no centuries-old palace hotels. Instead: wide boulevards, resort infrastructure, and Morocco's most consistent winter weather.
Agadir at a Glance
Stadium Overview
Grand Stade d'Agadir (Adrar Stadium) Capacity: 45,480 Location: Near the Atlas Mountains, south of the city center
One of AFCON's most scenic venues. The stadium sits against mountain backdrop, a reminder that Agadir occupies the narrow strip between Atlantic and Atlas.
Matches at Adrar Stadium
Group B: Egypt, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group F: Cameroon, Mozambique
December 22: Egypt vs Zimbabwe
December 27: Angola vs Egypt
December 29: Angola vs Zimbabwe
December 31: Mozambique vs Cameroon
January 5: Round of 16
Luxury Hotels Near the Stadium
Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort
Riad-style architecture on Palm Bay beach. The property combines French hospitality with Moroccan design across 273 rooms, many with ocean views and private terraces.
Traditional hammam and spa treatments. Multiple restaurants including beachfront dining. The kind of resort infrastructure that handles high-demand periods smoothly.
Distance to Adrar Stadium: 15 minutes by car Why for AFCON: Beachfront location, resort amenities, reliable service. The balance between relaxation and access to matches.
Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea & Spa
The wellness-focused sibling property. Thalassotherapy center using seawater treatments. Ocean views from 173 rooms and 44 suites.
Positioned for guests prioritizing spa and health facilities over beach activity. The medical-grade thalasso treatments distinguish it from typical resort spas.
Distance to Adrar Stadium: 12 minutes by car Why for AFCON: If recovery and wellness matter as much as matches. The thalassotherapy facilities are genuinely therapeutic.
Fairmont Taghazout Bay
North of Agadir in the surf village of Taghazout. Beach-chic design across 45 acres of landscaped gardens. Private beach access, spa, golf nearby at Tazegzout.
The location removes you from Agadir proper while offering a more distinctive coastal experience. The surf culture of Taghazout attracts a different crowd than resort Agadir.
Distance to Adrar Stadium: 25 minutes by car Why for AFCON: If you want coastal Morocco without resort anonymity. Taghazout has character. The Fairmont standards layer luxury onto that character.
Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay
Modern beachfront property in the Taghazout Bay development. Contemporary design, beach access, pool, casual dining. Less formal than traditional luxury but with strong facilities.
Distance to Adrar Stadium: 28 minutes by car Why for AFCON: Modern infrastructure, beach location, value positioning compared to full-service luxury resorts.
Tikida Golf Palace
Boutique option for golf-focused visitors. Contemporary Moroccan design overlooking the Golf du Soleil fairways. Fewer rooms means quieter atmosphere.
The golf course accessibility distinguishes it. Serious players can tee off daily between matches.
Distance to Adrar Stadium: 18 minutes by car Why for AFCON: Golf every day, matches every few days. The niche is specific but underserved.
Between Matches: Experiences in Agadir
Beach and Surf
Agadir's primary draw. The bay provides gentler waves than the north coast. December water temperatures around 18°C are manageable with a wetsuit.
Taghazout, 20 minutes north, is Morocco's surf capital. Point breaks, beach breaks, lessons, rentals. The surf culture is authentic, not tourist-manufactured.
We arrange: Surf lessons, board rentals, transport to breaks. Private instruction available.
Paradise Valley
An hour into the Anti-Atlas. Palm groves, natural swimming pools, a landscape that feels Saharan rather than coastal. Day trip material that shows what lies beyond Agadir's beaches.
We arrange: Private transport and guides. Swimming possible in warmer months; December is for views.
Souss Valley and Argan Country
The region surrounding Agadir produces argan oil. Women's cooperatives process the nuts using traditional methods. Visits include explanation, demonstration, and (naturally) purchase opportunities.
Beyond the cooperatives: the Souss Valley's agricultural landscape, Berber villages, the transition from coast to mountains.
Day Trip to Essaouira
The Portuguese port town, 2.5 hours north. More atmospheric than Agadir, with medina walls, working fishing harbor, and winds that make it a kitesurfing center.
Possible as a long day trip. Better as an overnight if your schedule permits.
Day Trip to Taroudant
The "little Marrakech," an hour east. Intact ramparts, souks with less pressure than Marrakech, a sense of the Morocco that existed before tourism. Lunch inside the walls, shopping for leather and carpets.
Getting to Agadir
By Air
Agadir-Al Massira Airport (AGA) receives direct flights from European charter destinations and some scheduled routes. Flight time from Paris or London approximately 3.5 hours.
The airport sits 25km from the city center. Transfer time 30-40 minutes.
Via Casablanca: Many travelers connect through Mohammed V Airport. From Casablanca, domestic flights reach Agadir in 1 hour. Alternatively, drive (4.5 hours) or take a bus (no train service to Agadir).
By Road
Agadir has no rail connection. Road options:
- From Marrakech: 3 hours via the Tizi n'Test mountain pass (scenic, winding) or 4 hours via the main highway
- From Casablanca: 4.5 hours via highway
- From Essaouira: 2.5 hours
We arrange: Private transfers between host cities and airports. Scenic routing through the Atlas available for Marrakech connections.
No Train Connection
Agadir is the only host city without rail service. Plan for road or air transfers. The scenic drive from Marrakech over the Tizi n'Test pass is spectacular if your schedule permits.
Match Day Logistics
Getting to the Stadium
Adrar Stadium sits south of the main tourist zone, toward the mountains. Traffic during matches will be notable but less severe than Casablanca or Rabat.
Private transfer: Recommended. We arrange pickup 2 hours before kickoff, traffic navigation, and post-match return.
Taxi: Available but quality varies. Agadir's taxis are less regulated than city transport in larger Moroccan cities. Agree on pricing in advance.
Weather Advantage
December day games in Agadir benefit from the best weather of any host city. Expect sun and temperatures around 20-24°C. Evening matches cool to 14-18°C. Light jacket sufficient.
Insider Tips
December weather: Agadir's selling point. Warmest host city, most consistent sun. Beach weather in December when Europe shivers.
The "medina": Agadir's original medina was destroyed in 1960. What's marketed as medina today is a reconstruction for tourists. Charming but not historic.
Surf season: Winter brings the best waves to Morocco's coast. December through February is prime. Crowds minimal compared to summer.
Nightlife: Agadir has the most active bar and club scene of any host city. The resort orientation means alcohol is widely available and late hours are normal.
Language: French and Arabic, with more English than non-tourist cities due to the charter-tourism economy. German also common from tour group demographic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Agadir instead of Marrakech?
Different experience. Agadir delivers beach, resort, and winter sun. Marrakech delivers medina, culture, and sensory intensity. If your matches are in Agadir, stay in Agadir. The combination of both is possible with private transfer (3 hours).
Can I surf between matches?
Yes. December waves are consistent. Taghazout (20 minutes north) has lessons, rentals, and breaks for all levels. A day or half-day fits easily between fixtures.
Is Agadir worth it without beach interest?
Less so. Agadir's appeal is coastal. The souks and day trips provide variety, but the city exists for beach tourism. If you have no beach interest and your matches allow flexibility, consider basing in Marrakech and transferring for Agadir fixtures.
What's the food situation?
Resort dining, seafood restaurants on the Corniche, international options in tourist zones. Less traditional Moroccan cuisine than imperial cities. The freshness of Atlantic seafood compensates.
Agadir Quick Reference
Ready to Plan?
Agadir offers something no other host city provides: beach and sun in December. If your team draws Group B or your schedule includes Agadir matches, consider extending to enjoy what the coast offers.
We respond within 2 hours during business hours.
Yalla Visit Morocco designs private travel experiences for visitors who want more than a surface-level tour. Agadir is Morocco's beach face. We know the coast as well as the mountains.