What can you do in Agadir in three days?

Agadir is Morocco's beach-resort capital, rebuilt entirely after a 1960 earthquake, so people come for sun and sand rather than ancient medinas — and three days lets you enjoy that while still seeing the wilder, more authentic country just inland. Day one I keep simple and restorative: the famous crescent beach is wide, clean and safe for swimming, with a six-kilometre promenade behind it full of cafés. End the first day up at the Kasbah hill (Agadir Oufella), where the rebuilt hilltop ramparts and an illuminated Arabic inscription give you a sweeping sunset view over the bay and port.

Day two is for getting out of the resort, which is where Agadir gets interesting. My top pick is Paradise Valley, an hour north in the foothills of the High Atlas — a palm-fringed gorge with natural turquoise pools you can swim and jump into, reached on a lovely scenic drive. Alternatively, the Souss-Massa national park south of the city is superb for birdwatching and spotting the rare bald ibis along a dramatic estuary coastline. Either makes a full, rewarding day.

Day three I balance culture and pleasure. The morning belongs to the souk — Souk El Had, one of the largest markets in Morocco, an enormous walled labyrinth of spices, argan oil, leather and produce that gives you the local life the seafront hides. Follow it with a proper hammam and argan-oil massage, an Agadir speciality given the region grows the world's argan.

If you have any energy left on day three, Taghazout — the laid-back surf village 20 minutes north — is where I'd point you. You can take a beginner surf lesson on its gentle point breaks or just have a sundowner at a beach café. Three days in and around Agadir gives you the full Souss: resort comfort, mountain pools, real market chaos and Atlantic surf, in an easy, low-stress package that suits families especially well.