If you are planning a Morocco beach holiday and want to see the quieter southern coast, this trip is a great choice. Start in Agadir, follow the road to Sidi Ifni, and stop at beautiful beaches. For Dutch travelers in Morocco, the best way to enjoy this trip is by renting a car in Agadir. With your car, you can follow our Agadir to Sidi Ifni itinerary at your own speed, visit small fishing towns, and reach beaches that buses do not go to.
Landing at Agadir–Al Massira Airport is the most convenient way to start your Morocco beach holiday. You can easily pick up your rental and travel without wasting time on transfers. It’s best to book your car in advance, a few days before arrival, to secure the vehicle type you prefer, especially in peak travel months. Online booking also lets you compare prices and choose a company with good reviews.
You need a valid Dutch driving licence. Most rental agencies also recommend having an International Driving Permit (IDP) as an extra form of identification, even if it’s not always requested. You must also be at least 21 years old, though some companies require drivers to be 23 or older for specific car categories. A passport and a credit card in the main driver’s name are also necessary, as the card is used for the security deposit.
Tifnit Beach is the perfect first stop. Just a 35-minute drive south of Agadir, it feels like a different world from the city’s busy seafront. The approach takes you along the N1 before you turn towards the coast, passing through quiet stretches of countryside until the Atlantic appears in the distance. As you arrive, the village reveals a cluster of basic whitewashed buildings, a rocky headland, and the unmistakable sound of waves hitting the shore. This is the ideal introduction to the country’s southern beaches.
One of Tifnit’s most unique features is its troglodyte houses, carved directly into the cliffside. These cave-like dwellings were once the homes of local fishermen and have been part of the village’s history for decades, if not longer. While many are now abandoned, they remain an impressive sight that blends naturally into the surrounding rock.
Along the beach, you will see blue wooden fishing boats pulled high onto the sand, their bright paint standing out against the earthy tones of the cliffs. Fishermen prepare nets and gear early in the morning before heading out to sea. Watching this routine gives you a glimpse into a way of life that has remained unchanged over the years.
Tifnit offers two different surf experiences depending on the conditions. The inside of the bay is a more sheltered area. This is ideal when larger winter swells make other beaches unsafe for intermediate surfers. Outside the bay, reefs to the north can hold shape even in heavy surf. It produces faster, more challenging waves for experienced riders.
If surfing isn’t on your list, you can explore on foot. A walk south along the shoreline at low tide takes you past long, empty stretches of sand framed by cliffs. The views here are striking, with the deep blue of the Atlantic meeting the pale cliffs. While swimming is possible, the Atlantic currents can be strong here. It’s safer to spend more time enjoying the scenery or taking photographs.
From Tifnit, the drive to Aglou Plage takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes along the N1. The route passes through open countryside and small towns before you reach the coastline again. Aglou is one of the most striking beach towns between Agadir and Sidi Ifni, with a wide sandy bay framed by cliffs and dunes. As you approach, the Atlantic stretches out ahead. You’ll notice how open and uncluttered this part of the coast feels compared to the busier beaches near Agadir.
Aglou’s golden sand is its greatest draw. On calm days, the beach seems to go on forever, with enough space to find a quiet spot even during busier months. The gentle slope into the sea makes it pleasant for wading or cooling off, though the Atlantic currents can still be strong depending on the season. The beach is clean and well-kept, and there is a sense of peaceful isolation despite its popularity with local visitors. You can lie back and enjoy the sunshine, watch the waves roll in, or stroll to explore different parts of the bay.
The cliffs above the beach are a favorite spot for paragliding. It has spectacular views of the coastline from above. You can watch the colorful gliders launch and circle over the sea even if you don't participate. The coastal track north of the corniche is worth exploring if you have a car that can handle rougher terrain. This unpaved route begins at the bay's northern end and leads to remote coves and wind-shaped dunes. Along the way, you’ll find secluded stretches of sand. Near the village, you can also see fishing caves dug into the cliffs by past generations. Some of these have been adapted into simple seafront shelters.
Leaving Aglou, it takes 1 hour to reach the fishing town of Mirleft. This destination is well known for its various beaches packed into a relatively small stretch of coastline. The drive follows the R104, with occasional glimpses of the Atlantic between rugged cliffs and hillside villages. Mirleft sits slightly inland from the shore, but the roads leading out from town quickly bring you to different bays and coves.
Imin Turga, also called Grande Plage, is Mirleft’s most accessible and popular beach. It is a wide sandy bay bordered by cliffs, with a few caves tucked into the rock face. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas here. There are also places to hire surfboards and wetsuits, and local instructors offer lessons for beginners. The waves can be challenging when the swell is strong, so it is best to swim or surf when conditions are moderate.
Aftas Beach offers a more intimate setting just a short distance from town. This small cove has a surf shanty feel, with guesthouses and small restaurants right by the sand. The bay is framed by rocky points on either side, which can produce point breaks for surfers when the tide and swell line up. The atmosphere here is calm, and it’s a good place to spend a few hours away from the busier main beach. Walk along the waterline or enjoy a mint tea at a beachfront café to appreciate the slower pace of Mirleft’s coast.
Heading further along the coast, Plage Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah stands out for its distinctive large rock outcrop rising from the sand and nearby tomb. The beach is partly covered with stones, so it’s more about taking in the views than swimming for long periods.
If you want something tranquil, Plage Sauvage, meaning “Wild Beach,” offers a more isolated experience. You have to walk down from the cliffs to reach it. The sand is backed by rugged cliffs, and the sound of the waves fills the air with no other distractions. A coastal trail connects Plage Sauvage to Sidi El Wafi, another wide, sandy beach often almost empty. With this link, you can spend an afternoon walking between the two.
From Mirleft, it takes about 25 minutes to reach Legzira Beach. It is one of the most famous natural landmarks along Morocco’s southern Atlantic coast. The approach brings you down through dusty hills until the ocean comes into view, framed by the striking red cliffs that make this area unique.
Legzira is renowned for its red sandstone arches, carved over centuries by the constant action of wind and waves. These massive formations rise from the sand like gateways. At low tide, you can walk beneath them as the surf rushes in around your ankles. It was one of the largest and most photographed arches that collapsed after years of natural erosion. Its loss has made the remaining arch even more significant.
One of Legzira’s greatest attractions is its raw and undeveloped feel. There are no rows of umbrellas, loud bars, or commercial distractions. The sea here can be powerful, and the waves crash dramatically against the base of the arches. Walking along the shoreline at low tide lets you fully appreciate the scale of the cliffs and arches.
Although Legzira is about the scenery rather than facilities, you will find a few simple restaurants nearby, often serving fresh fish and seafood. It’s worth arriving in time for a meal before or after your walk along the beach. The best time to visit is either low tide, when you can walk beneath the arches, or sunset, when the cliffs are at their most colorful.
Your final stop is Sidi Ifni Beach, 15 minutes from Legzira. This long sandy stretch sits at the foot of cliffs, with the town’s white-and-blue Art Deco buildings visible above. While waves and mist make it not always the best place for swimming, it is perfect for walking and enjoying the coastal views.
Sidi Ifni Beach is wide and sandy, sitting at the foot of cliffs that shelter it from some of the stronger coastal winds. The Atlantic here can be rough, with waves breaking close to the shore and long sea mists drifting in, especially during cooler months. These conditions make it less ideal for casual swimming but perfect for long walks along the waterline. The views are open and expansive, and the beach is rarely crowded. Whether you’re walking in the early morning mist or at sunset, the combination of sea, cliffs, and sky creates a distinctive coastal atmosphere.
Sidi Ifni’s history as a Spanish enclave is still visible in its Art Deco architecture. The town’s former Spanish Consulate stands as one of its most elegant landmarks, overlooking both the main square and the ocean. Another distinctive building is the Ship House, a structure designed to resemble the bow of a ship, originally the residence of the Spanish Naval Secretariat. The town’s heart is Place Hassan II, a peaceful square with gardens, a fountain, and shaded benches. From here, you can explore nearby streets lined with colonial-era buildings, giving the town a unique visual identity along Morocco’s southern coast.
For a taste of local life, visit the Sidi Ifni market, where you can browse for crafts, textiles, and fresh produce. The market reflects the area’s blend of Berber culture and coastal traditions. Surfers will find several point breaks and sheltered spots near the town, including Plage Sidi Ifni itself and nearby beaches that work well in the right conditions. For sightseeing, a walk along the corniche provides panoramic views of the coast, while the lighthouse offers another excellent vantage point for photography.
This journey passes through the beach towns between Agadir and Sidi Ifni, revealing Morocco’s quieter coastal side. From the fishing heritage of Tifnit to the relaxed charm of Sidi Ifni, you get a mix of landscapes, activities, and local culture. For those seeking a Morocco beach holiday with space to breathe, this is one of the best routes you can take. Book a car in Agadir with Final Rentals to enjoy the Atlantic coast.
