Musée de la mémoire Agadir : a journey through time

Agadir doesn't look like any other Moroccan city. There's no ancient medina, no winding alleyways, no centuries-old monuments. That's because the entire city was rebuilt from scratch after the devastating earthquake of 1960. If you want to understand why Agadir feels so modern, the Memory Museum is the place to start. This small museum, often overlooked by tourists, tells the story of a city that quite literally rose from the rubble. It's moving, eye-opening, and ultimately essential if you want to make sense of what you'll see during the rest of your stay.

The Story Behind the Museum: The 1960 Earthquake

On February 29th, 1960, at 11:40 pm, the ground shook. Fifteen seconds. That's all it took to wipe Agadir off the map.

The earthquake measured 5.7 on the Richter scale. Not the strongest Morocco had ever experienced. But its epicentre sat directly beneath the city, and the destruction was catastrophic. Within moments, 90% of the buildings had collapsed. The death toll was staggering: between 12,000 and 15,000 people lost their lives, roughly a third of the population at the time.

The old city, with its kasbah, souks and working-class neighbourhoods, was swallowed whole. Survivors lost everything. Homes, businesses, loved ones. Everything.

Faced with such devastation, King Mohammed V made a bold decision: Agadir would be rebuilt, but not in the same spot. The new city emerged a few kilometres to the south, constructed to strict anti-seismic standards. That's the modern city you see today, with its wide boulevards and straight seafront promenade.

The Memory Museum was created so that none of this would be forgotten. It exists to pass on the memory of old Agadir to future generations, Moroccan and foreign alike, and to honour those who didn't make it.

What's Inside the Memory Museum?

The museum isn't huge, but every square metre matters.

From the moment you walk in, the tone is set. Black and white photographs line the walls, showing Agadir as it once was: a white city clinging to the hillside, fishermen at the harbour, families in the narrow streets of the kasbah. These images, some blurry, some damaged, are incredibly precious. Most of the city's archives were lost in the disaster.

Further in, you'll find rescued objects displayed in glass cases. A watch frozen at the moment of the earthquake. Twisted kitchen utensils. Crumpled administrative documents. These everyday items take on a haunting significance here.

The museum also features video testimonies from survivors. Elderly men and women recounting that night in simple, heartfelt words. Their emotion is still raw. You might want to bring tissues.

One of the centrepieces is a scale model of the old city. It helps you visualise what Agadir looked like before the tragedy: a compact settlement built around its kasbah, nothing like the sprawling beach resort of today.

Finally, there's a section dedicated to international solidarity. Aid poured in from around the world after the earthquake. France, the United States, Germany, Arab nations... Morocco wasn't alone. This part of the museum is a reminder that in the darkest moments, humanity can sometimes rise to the occasion.

Planning Your Visit

Practical Information

The Memory Museum is located right in the centre of Agadir, just steps from Place Al Amal and the Olhão Garden. If you're staying in the tourist area near the beach, it's about ten minutes by taxi or a twenty-minute walk.

The museum is open every day except Monday. Opening hours vary slightly by season, but generally you can visit between 9 am and 5 pm. Admission is very affordable, just a few dirhams, and often free for children.

Allow between 45 minutes and an hour and a half, depending on your pace. If you take time to watch the videos and read the information panels, you'll be closer to the longer end.

Explanations are available in Arabic, French and English. No guide needed; the layout is intuitive and well thought out.

Tips for Your Visit

Try to come in the morning. It's quieter, and the natural light streaming through the windows brings the archive photographs to life.

If you're visiting with family, the museum is suitable for children, though the subject matter is sensitive. Kids aged 8 to 10 and above can generally understand and appreciate the visit, especially if you take time to explain the context. For younger ones, it might be a bit much.

After your visit, you'll probably need a moment to process what you've just seen. That's perfectly normal. The Olhão Garden next door is ideal for this. A few shaded benches, some flowers, birdsong. A welcome breather.

If time allows, combine this visit with a trip to the Kasbah of Agadir Oufella. Perched on the hill overlooking the city, it offers stunning views of the bay. From up there, you can see where the old city once stood and the new Agadir spread out below. The inscription "God, King, Country", visible from across the city, suddenly makes a lot more sense.

What to Do Nearby

The Memory Museum is perfectly placed to combine with other activities.

The Kasbah of Agadir Oufella is the natural next stop. At 236 metres above sea level, it offers breathtaking views, especially at sunset. Only the ramparts remain, but the atmosphere is special. Unlike the bustling kasbahs of Marrakech or Ouarzazate, there are no pushy vendors or tour groups here. Just silence and the view.

Olhão Garden, as mentioned earlier, is a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. Named after Agadir's Portuguese twin town, it contains a small memorial to the earthquake victims. Kids can run around while parents catch their breath.

The seafront promenade is about ten minutes away on foot. Stretching several kilometres, lined with palm trees and cafés, it's where Agadir's laid-back resort vibe really comes through. After the emotion of the museum, an ice cream by the ocean goes down a treat.

Souk El Had is one of the largest markets in Morocco. Over 6,000 stalls selling everything from spices to slippers to pottery. Prices are fair and the atmosphere is genuine. Great for picking up souvenirs without breaking the bank.

Medina Polizzi is a bit of an oddity. Built in the 1990s by an Italian artist, it's not a historic medina but a faithful recreation of traditional Moroccan architecture. A touch theatrical, perhaps, but photogenic and fun to wander through with children.

For lunch, you've got options. The area around the museum has a few no-frills fish restaurants that serve excellent fresh catches. If you're after something more polished, head to the marina where there's no shortage of terraces.

Why This Visit Matters

At first glance, Agadir can feel a bit puzzling. You arrive expecting the Morocco of postcards, all ancient medinas and ornate palaces, and instead you find a modern city that seems almost ordinary. The Memory Museum gives you the context to understand why.

In just an hour, you'll learn why Agadir has no old town. You'll grasp the resilience of its people. And you'll start to see the city differently: not as a soulless beach resort, but as a place that found a way to start again.

It won't be the most spectacular visit of your trip. But it might just be the one that gives everything else meaning.