You can’t go on a trip without finding a hidden gem and sharing it – so it’s my turn to tell you all about a very underrated must-visit in Agadir on the east coast of Morocco – La Nouvelle Medina Polizzi. There’s practically no information about this online so let me tempt you to visit!
While Marrakech holds the crown for historic sites to see, cosmopolitan Agadir is lacking but don’t overlook the breezy coastal city.
Destroyed by an earthquake in the 1960’s, the vast majority of original buildings and sites were destroyed.
In the 1990’s an Italian Architect called Coco Polizzi decided to rebuild a replica of an ancient Medina on a site outside the main reach of city life.
With good intentions of bringing tourism back to the area, Polizzi wanted to showcase Berber culture and heritage while giving local craftsman and traders a base to peddle their wares.
Has this worked? I don’t know. Was I glad I visited? YES YES YES
We visited on a morning in May and for our £4 (40Dh) entrance fee we were ALONE in the whole complex. There was 3-4 shops open that relished our presence in the Medina. There’s also a cafe but we didn’t venture in.
If you love your photography or just things a bit out of the ordinary, I fully recommend a visit to La Nouvelle Medina Polizzi as it is like a ghost town.
The huge open air amphitheatre is quite eerie when it’s deserted as are the winding streets and lanes that Polizzi has built to replicate a twisting turning Medina.
Without visiting the cafe for lunch or a world famous Moroccan Mint Tea, you’ll not need any longer than 45 minutes at La Nouvelle Medina Polizzi. I think we were there for around 35-40 minutes but all I was interested in was getting some great photos.
We have been told there’s a rent dispute at present which is pushing traders out of the La Nouvelle Medina Polizzi and in to a local Ensemble Artisinal (which is also very worth a look)
A pre-agreed return taxi trip from the centre of the Agadir to La Nouvelle Medina Polizzi will cost no more than 150-200dh depending how many of you there is. If you have an amenable taxi driver, be sure to ask him to take you to the which is on the way to La Nouvelle Medina Polizzi.
Don’t pay anything more than 50% of the taxi cost up front as it will ensure your driver will wait for you. We’ve never had a negative experience with drivers but there is staff on site who can get you a taxi if needed.
La Nouvelle Medina Polizzi has the potential to be AMAZING. I hope by more people visiting and getting awareness of this hidden gem in Agadir, more traders might be able to move back in to the complex.
You can find all my other Morocco content HERE or Travel features HERE
From May 7th 2020 you can fly to Agadir from Newcastle Airport via TUI and holidays to Agadir are available from Thomas Cook.