Beach Resorts : Morocco is a country of remarkable contrasts, with gorgeous sun-drenched coastlines along the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas meeting captivating deserts and mountain ranges. Some of the most opulent and remarkable beach resort experiences on the planet can be found in this exceptional nation.
Morocco has more than 1,800 miles of coastline, so there are beach spots here to fit every preference and price range. You can discover the ideal Moroccan beach resort to host your ideal getaway, from the laid-back surf towns to the glitzy jet-set hangouts.
Morocco’s beach resorts are particularly alluring because of the way they skillfully combine contemporary luxury services with traditional Arabian architectural and decorative elements. The resorts’ lavish domed ceilings and arches, as well as their elaborately tiled courtyard fountains, are all infused with the exquisite Moorish design style. All the conveniences of a top-notch resort will be available to you as you’re taken to a different planet.
Morocco’s pleasant Mediterranean climate and year-round sunshine are other big draws. Morocco enjoys an abundance of sunshine and delightfully balmy temperatures, especially in December and January, when the mercury lingers between 65 and 70°F, while Europe experiences frigid winters.
This makes it possible for numerous beach resorts to provide fantastic lodging and services at discounted prices throughout the winter months.
Incredibly rich and diverse cultures are also available in Morocco, something that is uncommon among coastal resorts. Not only can you unwind on stunning sandy beaches, but you can also visit fascinating old cities called medinas, purchase fine handicrafts, enjoy mouthwatering Moroccan cuisine, and go on excursions into the famous Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert, all of which are conveniently close to the nation’s best tourist towns.
Whether you’re looking for an affordable retreat, an extravagant splurge, a fun family beach holiday, or a romantic break for two, Morocco’s beach resorts have something to offer everyone. The top luxury, boutique, and value-focused beach resorts in Morocco are highlighted in this guide for your fantastic trip.
Agadir – Morocco’s Premier Beach Resort Town
Without a question, the best beach resort in Morocco is Agadir. Since it was entirely rebuilt after a disastrous earthquake in the 1960s, this contemporary coastal city has remained the nation’s top seaside retreat.
The city is home to six miles of exquisite, silky, sandy beaches that are gently kissed by the Atlantic Ocean’s mild waves. The mile-long Promenade in Agadir, with its eateries, cafes, and well-kept gardens, runs parallel to the waterfront. Enjoying outdoor sports is comfortable all year round due to the moderate and bright climate.
Agadir’s coastline is lined with a number of opulent beach resorts that offer all the amenities and facilities you might need for the ideal indulgent vacation. A genuine sense of place is created in many by using traditional Moroccan architectural and design features. Nonetheless, they expertly combine contemporary conveniences and luxuries that either match or surpass global requirements.
The following are some of Agadir’s top choices for luxurious, all-inclusive beach resorts:
Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort
The Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort sets the benchmark for Moroccan luxury beachfront resorts with its lavish Moorish design, fabulous amenities, and impeccable service. Some standout features include:
- Beachfront location on 10 acres of landscaped gardens and pools
- Elegant Moroccan imperial architecture and decor
- 444 rooms and 63 suites with terraces/balconies
- Five restaurants, 3 bars, a nightclub, a spa, and a kids club
- Large swimming pool complex with numerous pools
- Activities like tennis, beach volleyball, water sports
- Incredible nightly entertainment and Moroccan cultural shows
Awards: TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice, Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice
Hyatt Regency Taghazout Resort & Spa
For those seeking an intimate and tranquil beach resort away from Agadir’s busier areas, the Hyatt Regency Taghazout is an excellent upscale option:
- Intimate boutique size with 131 rooms and 24 suites/villas
- Stunning setting amidst the cliffs and coves of the Taghazout fishing village
- Direct beach access plus three pools, water sports center
- Moroccan village-inspired architecture and interior design
- Luxury Angsana spa with traditional Moroccan therapies
- Four restaurants, including Moroccan, Indian, and Italian cuisines
- Access to nearby Taghazout surf breaks
The resort blends Moroccan culture with Hyatt’s signature modern luxury amenities and impeccable service standards.
Robinson Club Agadir
For an ultra-all-inclusive resort experience in Agadir, Robinson Club Agadir checks all the boxes for both couples and families:
- 591 rooms and suites, some with private pool access
- Multiple pools, including a massive 6,000 sqm main pool and separate kids’ pools
- 7 restaurants/6 and bars, including Moroccan, international buffets, Italian, and seafood
- Complimentary water sports like kayaking, sailing, surfing, and catamarans
- Spa, hair salon, fitness center, nightly entertainment
- Supervised kids programs and clubs for ages 2-17 years old
- Fantastic bang for your buck with all food, beverages, and most activities included
This German-owned resort compound offers incredible amenities and many activities for a hassle-free and indulgent beach vacation.
Laid-Back Elegance at Essaouira’s Beach Resorts
The quaint whitewashed beach village of Essaouira, located on Morocco’s Atlantic coast around 2.5 hours from Marrakech, offers a wonderful contrast to the larger tourist cities. The UNESCO-listed Medina of this former Portuguese fishing community is surrounded by towering stone fortifications and bastions, giving it a decidedly European-Moorish feel.
Compared to Agadir’s blatantly resort-like environment, Essaouira feels more genuine and low-key because of its bustling fishing port and breezy, laid-back vibe. However, the town and its environs are home to a number of exceptional luxury beach resorts that flawlessly blend the laid-back vibe of the coast with opulent treatment.
While Essaouira’s beaches have strong winds that are ideal for surfing and kiteboarding, the resorts have created sheltered enclaves with their calm beach areas. These upscale hideaways allow you to experience the relaxed seaside essence of Essaouira with plenty of luxury amenities.
Here are some of the premier resorts to consider for your Essaouira beach escape:
Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa
This award-winning resort consistently ranks among Morocco and Africa’s best beach hotels. Highlights include:
- Secluded beachfront setting on a 600-meter private beach
- 175 rooms and suites with Moroccan inspiration and modern amenities
- Three restaurants, lounge bar with ocean views
- Two outdoor swimming pools, spa, fitness center
- Gary Player-designed 18-hole golf course
- Complimentary kids club and activities
- Just 4 km from the Essaouira Medina
With its idyllic setting and extensive facilities, the Sofitel offers five-star service and luxury, allowing guests to enjoy Essaouira’s coastal charm.
Le Medina Essaouira Hotel Thalassa sea & spa
As the name implies, this elegant beach resort revolves around its world-class thalassotherapy center specializing in seawater treatments:
- Stunning beachfront location with 117 Moroccan-style rooms and suites
- Massive 1,500 sqm thalassotherapy spa with seawater therapy treatments
- Four restaurants, including Moroccan, French, Italian, and Beachfront
- Heated indoor and outdoor pools and Jacuzzis
- Private beach area and water sports
- Traditional Moroccan design with modern touches
The spa is the real star, providing various therapeutic and wellness options using nutrient-rich seawater.
Villa De L’O Essaouira
For a more intimate luxury resort, Villa De L’O offers a boutique seaside hideaway dripping with Moorish charm:
- Only 14 rooms and suites in a small Moroccan palace
- Elegant blend of Portuguese and Moroccan architecture
- Prime seafront location overlooking islands and fishing port
- Outdoor pool, spa, and wellness facilities
- Restaurant serving French-Moroccan fusion cuisine
- It is a short walk to the Essaouira Medina
Guests rave about the warm hospitality, refined ambiance, and stunning setting of this boutique gem steps from the beach.
Idyllic Beach Retreats in Tangier
Although Tangier, in northern Morocco, is not as famous for its beach resort scene as Agadir or Essaouira, it does have some charming seaside hideaways. This ancient port city, which was formerly an international zone in the early 20th century, boasts an alluring blend of Moroccan, Spanish, and French influences.
While there aren’t many excellent beaches in the city itself, a quick drive can get you to miles of stunning sandy beaches with azure waters. Along these northern coasts, a number of opulent coastal resorts have spring up, providing a handy beach getaway from Tangier’s bustling city life.
Apart from taking in the sun and surf, a beach resort in Tangier is a great starting point to discover the city’s well-known sights, like the bustling Medina, the picturesque Caves of Hercules, and the Kasbah neighborhood. Experience a distinctive fusion of cultures here, together with luxurious beach resort amenities.
Here are some of the top picks for Tangier and nearby beach resorts:
Hilton Tanger City Center Resort & Spa
For a beach resort right in the heart of Tangier, the Hilton provides a central location and panoramic views:
- Situated atop cliffs overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea
- Modern resort hotel with 304 guest rooms and suites
- Rooftop infinity pool, spa, sauna, steam rooms
- Four restaurants, including Moroccan, Mediterranean, Asian fusion
- Private beach and watersports
- Just 10 minutes from downtown and attractions
This is Tangier’s only true city beach resort, offering the best of both worlds: beach amenities and urban access.
Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay
For an ultra-luxurious and tranquil beach hideaway, this Thai-inspired resort delivers an oasis of calm about 20 minutes from Tangier:
- 92 beautifully-appointed pool villas with Moroccan and Thai influences
- Private beach with powdery sands and crystalline waters
- Three restaurants, lobby bar, beach club, luxury spa
- Three swimming pools plus kids pool and water sports
- 18-hole par 72 golf course and putting greens
- Activities like tennis, fitness center, kids club
The sublime villas, excellent dining, and lavish amenities make this idyllic resort a treat for discerning couples and families.
Royal Tulip City Resort Tanger
This peaceful beach resort sits right between Tangier and the scenic “Hercules Cave” area, offering a more affordable yet still upscale option:
- Beachfront location with 320 modern Moroccan-style rooms/suites
- Private beach, two outdoor pools, spa, kids club
- Range of dining from international buffet to Italian and Moroccan cuisine
- Nearby to Tangier highlights like Hercules Caves, Cape Spartel
- Good value for quality rooms and solid amenities
While not overly lavish, the resort provides a nicely appointed beachfront escape and easy Tangier access.
Discovering Morocco’s Hidden Seaside Gems
Though major resort towns like Agadir, Essaouira, and Tangier attract the most visitors, Morocco offers a number of other quaint coastal enclaves that provide a more sedate, off-the-beaten-path beach escape. These charming seaside villages and fishing communities offer a peaceful diversion from the bigger tourist destinations.
These hidden beach spots, which range from opulent eco-lodges to stylish boutique getaways, let you take in Morocco’s real coastal culture along with stunning scenery and immaculate sandy beaches. Best of all, compared to more developed resort regions, you may frequently get excellent value.
Here are some of Morocco’s top hidden beach resort towns worth discovering:
Sidi Kaouki (near Essaouira)
Known as “Morocco’s Tofino” (after the hippy surf resort in Canada), this relaxed, bohemian beach village is located approximately 25 miles south of Essaouira. Excellent surf breaks may be found on Sidi Kaouki’s wide sandy beach, which has drawn many surfers and expats.
A scattering of quaint riads, glamping sites, and eco-lodges that offer a distinctively local experience can be found, despite their relative simplicity. Two elegant but relaxed beachside options are La Calm Resort and Rebali Riads.
Oualidia (between Casablanca and El Jadida)
Approximately three hours away from Casablanca, this small fishing community boasts one of Morocco’s most exquisite and distinctive beach environments. With its long, sandy beach front a protected lagoon, Oualidia is a nature lover’s dream come true, offering family-friendly shallow blue waters.
Sleek boutique hotels and rented riads along the lagoon and seashore have made Oualidia, a hidden gem, a popular getaway for Europeans and affluent Moroccans. Two exceptional luxury choices are La Salidia Resort and La Sultana Oualidia.
Mirleft (south of Agadir)
Situated around 2.5 hours south of Agadir and mainly unexplored by large-scale tourists, the charming beachside community of Mirleft provides an insight into traditional Berber coastal lifestyle. There’s a small expat community and adventurous crowd drawn to the vast arc of golden dunes and consistent surf breaks.
There are a few more upscale boutique options like Chez Baya and Chez Yaya in addition to basic riads and apartments. Beaches in Mirleft offer a more laid-back, genuine vibe than Agadir’s more important tourist areas.
While lacking megaresorts, these bohemian Moroccan beach enclaves offer a different experience—one defined by rustic natural beauty, quiet seclusion, and immersion in the local culture. These hidden gems are well worth getting off the beaten path for travelers seeking a more genuine taste of Morocco’s seaside charms.
What to Expect at a Moroccan Beach Resort
There are certain hallmark experiences and aspects you’ll frequently find at Moroccan beach resorts, even though the precise amenities and features can vary greatly depending on the resort type and price point:
Magnificent Moroccan Style of DesignThe amazing architectural and interior design of Morocco’s beach resorts, which draw greatly on ancient Moroccan and Moorish influences, is one of its most captivating features. Rich details such as these envelop you:
- Beautifully carved wooden and stucco elements
- Intricate mosaic tile work and fountains
- Patterned stone and Zellij terracotta tiles
- Keyhole arched doorways and corridors
- Domed and vaulted ceilings
- Lush, serene courtyards
Throughout the property of even the most contemporary, globally recognized resorts, there are subtle references to traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and design elements.
Perfect Service and Warm WelcomeMoroccans are known for providing excellent service and friendly hospitality. At the beach resorts, you can anticipate sincere friendships and a strong service culture. Small gestures, like providing mint tea when you arrive, establish the mood.
Various Culinary AdventuresThe majority of resorts have a variety of eating options, ranging from cosmopolitan to traditional Moroccan cuisine. Amazing seafood from nearby sources is available, along with traditional meals including tagines, couscous, pastries, and more. A lot of resorts have live cooking stations where guests may watch chefs prepare meals.
Depending on the resort’s alcohol policies, you can indulge in French wines or local mint tea.
Indulgent Spa Rituals The Moroccans have long been masters of the spa experience, and most beach resorts have luxurious facilities offering treatments like:
- Moroccan hammams (steam baths)
- Argan oil massage rituals
- Rhassoul clay body wraps
- Black soap exfoliation
Many spas include locally sourced materials into their services and therapies, such as products produced with oranges, rose petals, salt, and herbs. A few hours spent at the resort is a must-do when visiting Morocco.
Entertainment & ActivitiesBeach resorts serve a variety of customers, including singles, families, and couples. Beach sports, swimming pools, children’s clubs, water sports, golf, tennis, fitness facilities, and more are among the available activities.
Live music and traditional Moroccan entertainment, like belly dance shows, marketplaces, henna artists, etc., are frequently seen throughout the evenings. Certain resorts additionally arrange for off-site cultural events and trips for their visitors.
Morocco offers a wide variety of beach resorts to suit every taste and interest, whether you’re looking for unadulterated relaxation, exciting adventure, cultural immersion, family fun, or a romantic getaway.
The Best Time to Visit Morocco’s Beach Resorts
With a temperate Mediterranean climate, Morocco’s beach resorts enjoy enviable weather conditions for much of the year. However, there are some distinct seasonal differences to be aware of when planning your visit:
Summer (June – August) is the high season at Morocco’s beach destinations, especially for European visitors escaping the heat back home. Expect:
- Scorching temperatures, often exceeding 90°F
- Clear sunny skies and little rain
- Crowded resorts and beaches
- Peak pricing and availability challenges
July and August are the busiest and hottest months along the coasts. Coastal locations like Essaouira and Agadir can be slightly more comfortable with cooler ocean breezes than inland areas.
Spring (March-May) and Fall (September – November) These shoulder seasons are an ideal time to visit Morocco’s beach resorts. You’ll find:
- Warm, pleasant temperatures in the 70s-80sF
- Lower humidity levels
- Smaller crowds and lower prices
- Potential for occasional rain showers
The entire shore is exceptionally beautiful in the spring, which is around April and May. The wildflowers are in bloom, the temperature is almost perfect, and resort fees are significantly less than in the summer. These are really good value seasons.
Winter: January to FebruaryIf you don’t mind the colder temperatures, winter can be a very cheap season to visit the beach resorts, even though it’s not the best time to go beaching:
- Daytime highs around 60-70°F, nights cool to 50°F
- Low season for resorts with rock-bottom rates
- Very few crowds often feel empty
- Short occasional rain showers
In Morocco, Winter is a low season, but the sun still shines frequently. Bundled up, it’s comfortable to lounge by the pool or stroll the beaches—an ideal option for a cheap warm-weather escape from the European winter.
Unless you want blazing summer heat, anytime from March to June or September to November provides good value, with comfortable beach temperatures and lower crowds. Festivals and events often occur during these shoulder periods as well.
Getting to and Around Morocco’s Beach Destinations
Most international travelers will arrive in Morocco through one of the major airports that service the prime beach resort areas:
Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA) With nonstop flights on major airlines like Air France, Lufthansa, Royal Air Maroc, and low-cost airlines like RyanAir and EasyJet, Agadir’s recently refurbished airport connects directly to numerous European cities like London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. It serves as the primary entry point to the seaside areas of Agadir and Souss-Massa.
The modest Essaouira Mogador Airport (ESU) is located about ten kilometers from the town center. There aren’t many international flights, so most travelers first connect at the airports in Casablanca or Marrakech.
Ibn Battouta Airport in Tangier (TNG)The airport in Tangier is 20 minutes’ drive from the city center. This airport has nonstop flights from many major European hubs, and it’s well-connected to the rest of Morocco. Resorts on the northern and Tangier beaches can be accessed mostly through this point.
Transferring to Your Resort At all the major airports, your beach resort will offer paid shuttle van or private car transfers that take around 20-60 minutes, depending on the location. These can be booked in advance.
Another option is an affordable petit taxi from the airport to your resort. Just be aware of proper metered fares and negotiate if needed.
Getting Around by Car For maximum flexibility and access to more remote beach areas, self-driving or hiring a car and driver are good options:
- Many resorts have on-site rental car facilities from significant companies
- Local companies offer private car services with knowledgeable drivers
- Roads are generally good between resort areas but more challenging in rural areas
Your transportation allows you to explore beyond just the resorts, such as visiting nearby medinas, attractions, beaches, and dining options.
Domestic Flights To cut down long transfer times, domestic flights between resort destinations may make sense:
- Royal Air Maroc and Air Arabia offer routes linking Agadir, Essaouira, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier
- Low-cost domestic tickets on short routes if booked early
Internal flights open up options for conveniently combining beach time with cultural destinations inland like Marrakech and Fez.
No matter how you transfer, get around, or split your time, Morocco’s infrastructure makes it easy to sample the country’s incredible diversity—from beach to desert to urban delights.
Beyond the Resorts – Exploring More of Morocco
While Morocco’s beach resorts provide ample opportunities for luxuriating sun-drenched relaxation, every visit to this remarkable country is complete with venturing inland to experience the diverse cultural attractions and dramatic natural landscapes.
Many visitors combine their laid-back beach holiday with a few nights in the intoxicating imperial cities like Marrakech and Fez or an adventure into the boundless Sahara Desert and towering Atlas Mountains. The contrasting experiences found just a few hours inland from the coast are unmatched.
Here are some of the top highlights to consider pairing with your Moroccan beach resort stay:
Marrakech This fabled “Red City” is an assault on the senses – packed with energetic markets, historic mosques and palaces, raucous public squares, and a thriving culinary/arts scene. Be sure to:
- Get lost exploring the labyrinthine souks and allies of the Medina
- Visit Djemaa El-Fna Square and its carnival of street performers
- See the ornate Bahia Palace and Koutoubia Mosque
- Experience a traditional hammam spa
- Shop for carpets, leatherwork, and spices
- Take a foodie tour of the incredible local cuisine
The Sahara Desert Just a few hours from the coastal cities, you can find yourself in the seemingly infinite, windswept expanse of the Sahara. Options include:
- Multi-day luxury desert camp stays to sleep under the stars
- Camel trekking adventures into the towering dunes
- 4×4 desert safaris and sandboarding
- Visiting desert oasis towns like Ouarzazate
- Exploring rose valleys and kasbahs (fortified villages)
Atlas Mountains This soaring, fertile mountain range offers a cooler, scenic reprieve from the heat and Berber cultural immersion. Popular activities include:
- Hiking among towering peaks and valleys
- Mountain biking on remote trails
- Shopping for textiles and crafts in Berber villages
- Touring historic kasbahs and ski resorts
- Scenic driving mountain passes like Tizi n’Tichka
Basing at a coastal resort area like Agadir or Essaouira makes it easy to explore the Sahara, High Atlas, and ancient cities like Marrakech and Taroudant.
The Moroccan beaches provide the perfect place to unwind after adventuring through the interior’s incredible landscapes and cities. Most visitors opt for a balanced itinerary that explores both the relaxing seaside and the authentic heart of Morocco inland.
Sample Morocco Itinerary Idea: 10-14 Nights
- Five nights at a beach resort in Agadir or Essaouira
- Two nights Saharan desert glamping excursion
- Three nights in Marrakech
- Two nights in the Atlas Mountains or coastal hideaway
This allows you to ease into the culture at an oceanside resort, venture into the desert dunes, experience vibrant Marrakech, and decompress amid scenic mountain serenity before departing.
Whether a quick week or an extended multi-week journey, sprinkling in a beach resort stay opens up Morocco’s diverse charms beyond the beautiful sands and surf; the varied experiences create unforgettable memories.
Conclusion
Morocco’s enticing coastline with golden sand, swaying palms, and warm, sunny weather make for the ideal luxury beach vacation destination. The nation’s coastal resorts are distinguished, nevertheless, by their exceptional capacity to transport you beyond sun-kissed leisure into worlds of vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking natural scenery.
Morocco offers an amazing array of premium beachside resorts shrouded in exotic Moorish design aesthetics and warm hospitality, ranging from the fashionable seaside playgrounds of Agadir and Essaouira to the secret beachfront hideaways. From cozy boutique hideaways to expansive all-inclusive megaresorts filled with top-notch features, there is something for everyone.
Morocco’s enticing coastline with golden sand, swaying palms, and warm, sunny weather make for the ideal luxury beach vacation destination. The nation’s coastal resorts are distinguished, nevertheless, by their exceptional capacity to transport you beyond sun-kissed leisure into worlds of vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking natural scenery.
Morocco offers an amazing array of premium beachside resorts shrouded in exotic Moorish design aesthetics and warm hospitality, ranging from the fashionable seaside playgrounds of Agadir and Essaouira to the secret beachfront hideaways. From cozy boutique hideaways to expansive all-inclusive megaresorts filled with top-notch features, there is something for everyone.
Yet beyond the refined comforts of the resorts lies a whole world to explore – from desert dunes to ancient cities, snow-capped Atlas peaks to bustling medinas. The contrasts of Morocco’s beach culture colliding with its Berber, Arab, and European influences create a multi-sensory delight unlike any other destination.
The full Moroccan experience can only be fully appreciated when you combine a luxurious beach getaway with the inland attractions. This will leave you feeling both physically refreshed and at ease as well as deeply enthralled with the sights, sounds, and scents of Morocco.
So, for your next beach getaway, journey beyond just another oceanside setting. Immerse yourself in the magic and mysteries of Morocco – a kaleidoscope of sun-drenched coastal beauty and timeless exoticism waiting to be discovered.