Rabat

About Rabat

Chosen as Morocco's capital by the French Protectorate in 1912, Rabat has a character quite distinct from the other imperial cities. Broad, shaded boulevards recall the French colonial era, while the old medina, magnificent kasbah, and 12th-century Hassan Tower are testimony to centuries of Almohad and Merenid greatness. The result is one of Morocco's most liveable, walkable, and photogenic cities.

The Kasbah des Oudayas, a 12th-century Almohad fortress perched above the mouth of the Bou Regreg river, is one of the most romantic corners in all of Morocco. Its narrow blue-and-white alleys tumble down toward the Atlantic, and its Andalusian garden is an oasis of calm. Across the river lies the twin city of Salé, where the medieval medina operates largely free of tourists.

The Chellah necropolis, an ancient Roman city converted into a Merenid royal burial ground in the 13th century, is a hauntingly beautiful ruin of crumbling minarets, carved mihrab niches, and stork-nesting towers. Together with the Hassan Tower (the unfinished minaret of what would have been the world's largest mosque in 1195), these sites form a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble declared in 2012.

What to See & Do

Rabat at a Glance

Region

Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Atlantic coast

From Casablanca

About 1 hour by train

From Fez

About 3 hours by train or road

Best months

April–June and September–November

Time to allow

Half a day to 1 night

Top Things to See in Rabat

1. 1. Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V

   The 12th-century minaret was meant to be the tallest in the world but was left unfinished, leaving a field of columns. Opposite, the 20th-century mausoleum is a masterpiece of Alaouite craftsmanship and is open to visitors.

2. 2. Kasbah of the Udayas

   A fortified quarter above the river mouth with blue-and-white lanes, a garden in Andalusian style and a café overlooking the sea.

3. 3. Chellah

   A walled necropolis built on a Roman site, with Marinid tombs, a ruined mosque and nesting storks.

4. 4. Rabat Medina

   A more relaxed and local medina than Fez or Marrakech, good for browsing crafts and clothing.

5. 5. Corniche and beach

   A long seafront walk popular in the evenings with surf and sea views.

6. 6. Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

   A showcase for modern Moroccan and international art, in a contemporary building.

Where to Eat and Stay

Eating

Rabat is calmer than other cities, with seafood restaurants along the river and good bakeries. Many local cafés serve strong coffee and pastries.

Staying

Guesthouses in the medina and Kasbah of the Udayas are pleasant, while modern hotels in Agdal and Hassan are well-connected by tram.

Practical Tips for Rabat

Getting around

The city has a modern tram and plenty of taxis. Main sights are spread out but can be combined in one day.

What to wear

Casual and modest clothing is fine; the city is relaxed. Bring a light jacket for sea breezes.

Money

Cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are plentiful.

Etiquette

Dress respectfully at the mausoleum and keep voices low at official sites.

Planning Your Visit to Rabat

Rabat is easiest to see in one loop: start at the Hassan Tower and the mausoleum in the morning, take a taxi to Chellah, return to the medina for lunch and finish at the Kasbah of the Udayas at sunset. If you have a second day, add the modern art museum and a walk along the river to Salé, the neighbouring old city.

Rabat is a government city, so Fridays and Sundays are quieter. Official buildings and the royal palace area are restricted, so keep photography to public monuments. The tram makes it easy to move between the medina, the station and the new town without a taxi.

How We Include Rabat in Our Tours

All of our tours are private: your own vehicle and driver-guide, with the pace set by you. These itineraries include Rabat:

• 7 Day Imperial Cities Tour (7 days, from Fez): A week-long journey through Morocco's imperial cities, starting in Fez and ending in Marrakech. Discover medinas, palaces, souks, and Roman ruins while uncovering the history of Morocco's four historic capitals.…
• 3-Day: Casablanca → Fez (3 days, from Casablanca): This three-day route strings together three of Morocco's four imperial capitals, Rabat, Meknes, and Fez, plus the economic capital Casablanca at the start, tracing the country's political history from the Almohads through…
• Imperial Cities Tour (10 days, from Fez): A ten-day private route through four imperial cities and the Sahara, starting in Fez and ending after a night at Erg Chebbi. You spend two nights each in Fez and Marrakech, so…
• 12-Day: Grand Morocco from Marrakech (12 days, from Marrakech): This twelve-day loop leaves Marrakech heading south and east through the High Atlas and Sahara, then swings north through Fez, Meknes, and Chefchaouen before returning down the coast through Essaouira, a full…

More tours that include Rabat

Best Time to Visit

Year-round. The Atlantic location gives Rabat a moderate climate: warm summers (24–28°C) and mild, occasionally rainy winters. Spring and autumn are particularly pleasant.