6 guides, each rated 1 to 5 with the reason — and two lists per place, where you are comfortable and where to pay attention. Nowhere is called dangerous; the specific thing is what helps.
One of the calmest places in Morocco and noticeably less hassle than Marrakech: Agadir was rebuilt after the 1960 earthquake as a resort, so there is no maze of a medina to get lost or pressured in. Normal beach-town care is enough. The Atlantic here has a real undertow — swim between the flags, and treat the surf beaches north of town with respect.
Safe and easy-going — the hassle is a fraction of Marrakech's. The wind is the thing to plan around: it makes the beach unpleasant for sunbathing most afternoons and is the reason the kitesurfers come. The Atlantic here has strong currents and is cold.
Comfortable: the medina · the ramparts · the harbour · the beach promenade
the wind — it blows most afternoons and makes the beach unpleasant for anything but kitesurfing
the Atlantic here — cold, with strong currents, and not a swimming sea for most people
the harbour grills — agree the price by weight before anything goes on the fire
Safe, and the desert is the hazard rather than people. Heat kills here in summer and the camps close for it; carry far more water than seems reasonable, do not walk out into the dunes alone, and check that a camp has a real vehicle rather than only camels. Sandstorms in spring close the road.
Comfortable: the village · the organised camps · the dune edge · Khamlia
the summer heat — past forty-five degrees, and the camps close for it — this kills people who underestimate it
walking into the dunes alone — there are no landmarks and footprints fill in
camps without a real vehicle — ask; a camel is not an evacuation plan
sandstorms in spring — they close the road and ground everything
Crime against visitors is rare and the medina is safer than it feels when you are lost in it. The hassle is the thing to prepare for: unofficial guides attach themselves at the gates, insist they are taking you to a viewpoint, and expect payment. A firm "la, shukran" and continuing to walk works. Do not follow anyone who says the road ahead is closed — it is not.
Comfortable: Ville Nouvelle, Fes · Fes el-Bali
Fes el-Bali — after dark — nine thousand alleys and no lighting
Tannery "guides" who lead you to a shop and demand a fee
Donkeys in the narrow lanes, which have right of way and take it
Safe, and much calmer than Fes or Marrakech — the hard selling that tires people out in the imperial cities is largely absent here. The Rif is Morocco's cannabis region and being offered it repeatedly is part of the walk; declining plainly is enough. The lanes are steep and slick after rain.
Comfortable: the medina · Plaza Uta el-Hammam · the Spanish mosque path · Ras el-Maa
being offered cannabis repeatedly — this is the Rif and it is constant; a plain no is enough and buying it is a serious offence
the lanes after rain — steep, stepped and slick
walking to Akchour alone — the gorge paths are unmarked in places and phone signal stops
The ratings are this site's own, from the guides' authors and the corrections readers send in; they are not an index. Read the general advice in travel safety tips.
