Sidi Ifni is a small town built in the 1930s. In the middle of the 20th century, it was the capital of the Spanish colonies in northwest Africa. Morocco regained it only in 1969. They still speak Spanish there. The colonial buildings in the Art Deco style have been preserved in the city center.
Panorama of Sidi Ifni at the entrance from the north
It is about 170 kilometers from Agadir to Sidi Ifni. The center is compact, everything is nearby. The main colonial buildings erected by the Spaniards in the 1930s are grouped around Hassan II Square. They belong to the Art Deco style, and Moroccan motifs are clearly visible in the architecture. The turrets are reminiscent of Berber fortresses, such as the famous Ait Ben Haddu. Berbers are the indigenous population of North Africa, including Morocco.
The Spanish Consulate attracts attention with its unusual facade with three arches and the same number of doors. It is abandoned because Spanish diplomats moved from there to Agadir back in the 1970s.
The Governor's Palace in Sidi Ifni
The royal Palace, despite its status, has lost its blush: it has not been tinted blue and white for a long time, unlike many houses in the city. The Mayor's Office is used for its intended purpose. It looks like a toy because of the decorative columns marked with blue paint.
The Spanish church on the square was converted by the Moroccans into a courtroom. The facade is dilapidated, but the fence was decorated with paintings. For example, in one, the artist depicted the Menard Gardens in Marrakech.
There are many buildings and signs of the colonial era in the city. The Spanish cinema Cine Avenida is idle. There is a ship—shaped building next to one descent to the beach - the naval secretariat used to meet there, and a functioning lighthouse next to the other. At the post office, the Moroccans carefully preserved the inscription Correos Avion/Ordinario — "Aviation/regular mail".
The city boasts beautiful beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, making it a popular destination for beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts. Buses run from the city towards Legzira beach. The cliffs and hills on the coast drop steeply into the ocean, the space between them is occupied by the beach. Hotels, cafes and ATV rentals have mastered the territory nearby. One of them took care of a civilized descent — comfortable steps.
Legzira Beach in Sidi Ifni
Going down to the beach, you can see one of the arches of Legzira. When visiting a place, it is better to know the schedule of tides in advance or it will be problematic to reach the arch. The color of the rock and sand underfoot is reddish — such bright colors are peculiar to Africa.
There is another arch behind the first one. It is bigger and there are fewer tourists. There is a gentle path behind the second arch. It leads to the cliffs and hills overhanging the beach. There is a wonderful view of the coast from there.
It is better not to do it too slowly, so that the tide does not cut off your way back.
This place is completely different from that of Marrakech or Casablanca. But that's the essence of the country — it's like it's sewn from different pieces.
