Feel like you can’t get through winter without another injection of sunshine? Then why not jet off to Agadir in Morocco. It’s just a short flight from the UK, you’re practically guaranteed sunshine and, as it’s outside the Euro-zone, it’s good value for money.

Located on Morocco’s Atlantic Ocean coast, Agadir is an unashamedly modern beach resort, so don’t expect the full-on frenetic pace and exotic flavours and sights of Marrakech. The original city was completely destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1960 and was rebuilt a few miles south with wide tree-lined boulevards and open squares. For many visitors, Agadir’s main attraction is the stunning seven mile-long crescent-shaped sandy beach lined with hotels, restaurants and bars. There’s also a wealth of watersports on offer, from jet skiing to windsurfing.

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Situated just south of the Anti-Atlas mountains and not far from the Sahara desert, Agadir is a perfect base for those who fancy a 4x4 Jeep safari in the desert, trekking in the mountains or riding the waves in Taghazout, a sleepy  fishing village beloved by surfers, just 12 miles north of the city.

WHERE CAN I STAY?

Just a ten-minute drive from downtown Agadir is the Sofitel Agadir Royalbay resort, a tranquil oasis located on Palm Bay. The low-rise modern hotel takes its inspiration from a traditional kasbah and you’ll find turrets, wooden doorways, rich drapes, ornate tiles and flickering candles. Located on its own private beach with watersports on tap, the centrepiece of this 273-room hotel has to be its enormous outdoor heated pool – at 1,800sqm, it’s one of the biggest OK! has ever seen.

Surrounded by hammocks and four-poster sun loungers, this is the perfect place to relax. Or you can be pampered in the wonderful spa, where some of the treatments used local ingredients such as argan oil, orange blossom and pepper spices. For more active types, the hotel can arrange a round of golf, horseriding in the hills and on the beach or camel riding and quad biking in the desert. The Sofitel has four restaurants – we loved the fish market-style La Nasse for lunch, while in the evening the menu features modern Moroccan fusion dishes. If you don’t want to venture into town, the hotel’s So Fun club, with DJs and live music, is open to the early hours.
For those with less cash to splash, try the Atlantic Palace Hotel & Casino, 300m from the beach and close to Agadir’s Kasbah (Old Town).

WHERE CAN I EAT?

EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison swears by La Lampara, located near the Atlantic Palace Hotel. After working through a starter of gigantic king prawns and plates piled high with heaps of couscous topped with the spoonfuls from one of the sizzling slow-baked chicken or lamb tagines, OK! could only agree!

Morocco is a trading crossroads between Europe and Africa and nowhere exemplifies this better than the lovely Mimi La Brochette. Located at the north end of the beach, Mimi’s kitchen reflects her mixed origins – Jewish, French and Spanish – and the cooking is a treat. The menu features everything from shark brochettes to duck’s gizzards with raspberry sauce – which OK! found surprisingly delicious!

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Resembling a giant Pharaoh’s tomb, Le Nil Bleu looks like it should be returned to Egypt – or at least Las Vegas – but the welcome is warm and the food (grilled prawns and lobster thermidor straight out of the Atlantic) was sublime. Another place for fantastic fresh seafood as well as harbour views is the Yacht Club Restaurant du Port.

WHICH STARS MIGHT I SEE?

A-list actors jet in and out of Morocco as it’s a favourite with filmmakers attracted to its natural charms, rugged mountain and desert landscapes and exotic souks. As a result, the country has appeared in scenes for Sex And The City 2, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, The Bourne Ultimatum, Babel, Gladiator, Sahara and Body Of Lies. While Marrakech may be the resort of choice for most of the high-profile names – Angelina Jolie, Orlando Bloom, Jake Gyllenhaal and Julia Roberts – Agadir has recently been the venue for a celebrity wedding. Back in April, OK! was exclusively invited to the nuptials of EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison and Yassine Al-Jermoni. During the ceremony, held in a bejewelled riad, Cheryl wore six different Moroccan dresses and she now splits her time between London and Agadir.

WHERE CAN I SHOP?

Scented by cinnamon, mint and dates, Agadir’s main walled Souk El Had market features around 3,000 stalls in a maze of small alleyways. Start off between gates eight and ten if you’re looking for leather handbags, belts and shoes and jewellery or carpets, while the lower gates bring you to the fruit and veg stalls. If the haggling gets too much, stop off for a mint tea and freshly grilled sardines from one of the stalls at gate seven. It’s also worth a trip out to the lovely Medina d’Agadir, a recreation of a traditional Berber village, where you can see local artisans and craftsman at work and buy their wares.

WHAT ELSE SHALL I DO?

Wander around the remnants of Agadir’s hilltop Old Town and soak in the panoramic views over the beach and bustling port, home to the world’s largest sardine fishing boat fleet. 

Or try out the traditional mode of transport – the camel! Take a camel trek through traditional Berber villages and the national park to the Souss Bird Sanctuary. Back at the camel ranch, finish your trip with  glass of sweet Moroccan tea and some lip-smacking pastries. Agadir’s magnificent backdrop is the stunning Anti-Atlas Mountains and a day spent trekking through them is a great way to see the real Morocco.

A lovely day trip is a visit to Taraoudant, a walled city even older than Marrakech, about 80km east of Agadir. Inside the 15th-century walls of this former capital you’ll find a large souk.

A day trip to the fortified fishing port of Essaouira, with its pretty white-washed houses, stone ramparts, turrets and a large bustling souk, is also delightful. This picture-postcard seaside town appeared in Ridley Scott’s Kingdom Of Heaven.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Thomson (www.thomson.co.uk; 0871 231 3235) offers many holiday options to Morocco. For example, a seven-night package including return flights from London Gatwick, resort transfers, breakfast, all taxes and surcharges, staying at the five-star Sofitel Agadir Royalbay Resort (www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/africa/morocco/morocco-agadir/agadir/hotels/sofitel-agadir-royalbay-resort.html) costs from £649 per adult and from £635 per child, based on two adults and two children sharing. Price based on departure on October 10, 2011.