Rabat, Morocco’s often underrated capital, is an enchanting city filled with architectural gems, historic streets, and verdant gardens. Far from being a tourist hotspot, Rabat risks being overlooked in favor of ever-popular Marrakesh or Fez, yet there’s plenty to delight eager travelers. Attracting far fewer tourists than many of Morocco’s more famous cities, Rabat brims with atmospheric charm and heaps of history. It is also relatively car-free and fairly relaxed, making it even more appealing to families or easygoing couples.
Kasbah des Oudaias: Rabat's historic citadel with stunning views.
Why Visit Rabat?
On my first visit to Rabat, I wasn’t expecting too much, but actually, I was very pleasantly surprised. What Rabat lacks in frenetic pace and the typical aspects of Moroccan culture you’d expect, Rabat makes up for in being an all-round pleasant destination to visit. As the capital of Morocco, Rabat receives numerous international flights a day making it fairly accessible for many travelers.
Despite Rabat receiving far fewer visitors than other destinations in Morocco such as Marrakech and Chefchaouen, the capital city is definitely still worth visiting. Rabat actually offers some of Morocco’s most interesting historic and architectural monuments. Best of all, the center is noticeably calmer and more relaxed than other cities such as Fes or Marrakech.
Morocco’s pristine capital, Rabat is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage city for its blend of tradition and modernity, where a surprising number of historic sites sit comfortably within impressive modern urban planning. It’s an enjoyable riverside city, with leafy avenues, manicured green spaces, striking architecture and a modern tramway linking walkable districts. The city caters to tourists as much as its friendly, open-minded population of 2 million, giving it an authentic, less touristy vibe than some other Moroccan cities.
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Getting To and Around Rabat
As the capital of Morocco, Rabat receives numerous international flights a day making it fairly accessible for many travelers. From the UK, we arrived on a direct flight from London Stansted on Ryanair. From the airport to Rabat City Centre, we took the airport bus for just 25 Dirham (£2) and it took around 25 minutes. If you’re planning on arriving in Rabat from another destination in Morocco, chances are you will arrive at the main train station or the bus station. If you’re traveling around Morocco, you will also likely depart from here too.
Most international flights land in Casablanca, a one-hour taxi ride (Dh600/US$65 one way) from Rabat. You can also take the train directly from Casa’s airport terminal to Rabat city center. Rabat-Salé Airport is for regional and domestic flights, and a taxi from there to the city center takes around 20 minutes and costs DH280 (US$30). An airport bus (DH28/US$3) operates to Rabat Ville station.
Fortunately, Rabat is easy to explore on foot. The city’s compact size means most of the best attractions are within an easy walking distance of each other. There is also an efficient and clean tram system if you do fancy using public transport in Rabat.
Best Time to Visit Rabat
Morocco in general makes for an excellent destination to visit year-round. Even in the winter, Morocco experiences pleasant sunshine and highs of around 20 celsius. In the summer months (June to September), it gets very hot in Rabat and the whole of Morocco. If you’re not a fan of the heat, it would not be wise to visit Morocco in the summer.
Rabat is a year-round destination with a balmy Mediterranean climate. July and August are the hottest months with an average high of 28°C (82°F). However, due to the cooling Atlantic breeze even the hot days here are bearable. August is the busiest month for domestic tourism; you’ll find packed beaches, music festivals, and other outdoor events.
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December to February are the coldest, wettest months with an average low of 8°C (46°F) at night and 17°C (63°F) during the day. Many international visitors travel to Rabat in the shoulder seasons, from March to June and September to November.
Top Things to See and Do in Rabat
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- Stroll along the narrow alleyways of the walled Medina
- Discover the fortified Kasbah des Oudaias, built onto a clifftop in the 11th century.
- Take a picturesque boat ride along the Bou Regreg River.
- Marvel at the unfinished 12th century Hassan Tower.
- Visit the grand Mausoleum of King Mohammed V.
- Explore the Royal Palace of Rabat, also the site of a number of key government buildings.
- Visit the pre-Islamic Roman city of Chellah, which is filled with flowers and fascinating ruins to explore.
- Visit Moulay Bousselham National Park, where herons, flamingoes and egrets make their home in a warm aquamarine lagoon.
- Head towards the coast for miles of beaches stretching all the way to Casablanca - wonderful for a day trip and a must for sunbathers and surfers.
Much of the old medieval city of Rabat was destroyed by the Portuguese during raids in the sixteenth century. The once exquisite Hassan Mosque is sadly just ruins now but it is still well worth a visit. Interestingly, at one time, the Hassan Mosque was the second largest mosque in the Islamic world but now only the tower stands. You must to cover your arms and legs to enter.
Kasbah means a settlement behind high walls. The Kasbah des Oudaïas is worth visiting in Rabat, as it is fairly small and manageable to explore, compared to others in Morocco. Dating back to the 12th century, this ancient medina area is very enjoyable to explore. As Rabat was the first place we visited in Morocco, and this was the first kasbah we visited, we realise now we definitely didn’t appreciate it enough at the time. After visiting Fes and Marrakech, we realised it is much, much calmer.
Although the port of Rabat is not lined with cafes like the seaside ports in European cities, it is still a pretty waterfront and a great spot to watch daily life go by. We saw fathers and sons sitting on the wall fishing together, mums and children walking along the promenade, and groups of friends catching up. We were the only tourists around the port area, but we felt perfectly safe.
‘Ville Nouvelle’ means new town. This newer part of town is particularly European and the French influence is noticeable. This part of Rabat is spacious and peaceful, with tree lined boulevards and Parisian style cafes serving up French, Spanish and Moroccan food. Home to some excellent coffee and some quirky street art, it’s a great place to explore in Rabat. Seek out ‘Place Pietri’, a large square that is bathed in sunshine for most the day.
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Take a leisurely walk around the hassle-free streets of Rabat medina starting on Rue des Consuls. If you’re not in a hurry, follow the souks and see where you end up. Look out for bargains on antiques, carpets, cushion covers, brassware and secondhand books.
Mausoleum of Mohammed V: A remarkable display of Islamic architecture.
Where To Eat
Hidden inside the kasbah, the Café des Oudayas (also sometimes referred to as Café Maure) is a joy to stumble upon. Perched on the edge of the citadel with views over the neighboring town of Salé and the river below, it’s a place loved by Rabat residents, visitors and sleepy cats alike. Order a Moroccan mint tea and wait for the tray of sweets to be brought around. The gazelle horns, crescent-shaped cookies filled with almond paste and orange blossom water, are particularly good.
Tucked away in the Medina behind a bright yellow wooden door is the cozy, casual Dar Zaki. From the crispy seafood pastillas to classic couscous and fragrant tagines, this is the place to fill up on traditional Moroccan dishes. The presentation is simple, but the flavors are deliciously complex.
Also inside the Medina, at the top of a narrow alley that leads down to the river, are a handful of food stalls selling sandwiches stuffed with fried fish, spicy harissa, tomato and eggplant. You can’t really go wrong with any of them, but look for the one with the longest line of locals.
Located at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, a half-hour drive out of the city past handsome tree-lined neighborhoods of embassies and elegant villas, Le Clubhouse Robuchon’s setting on the edge of the greens is quite idyllic. Whether you’re a golfer or not, the tall palms and birds of paradise plants offer a beautifully bucolic setting for a long, lazy lunch. The menu meanders through salads, sandwiches and quiches as well as some French classics, but the Joël Robuchon beef burger is also a hit, served with seriously good French fries.
Le Dhow labels itself a “restaurant-bar-lounge”, which sums up why it’s such a favorite with visitors and locals. Inspired by traditional Arabian sailing dhows, the boat is docked on the Bou Regreg River, with views out to the ocean, up to the Kasbah, and across to Salé. Come by day for a relaxed lunch in the sun, in the evening for drinks accompanied by dramatic Atlantic sunsets and live music, and late night for DJs and dancing on the deck.
Located a half-hour drive south of the city in the Conrad Rabat Arzana, you’d be hard pressed to dine closer to the Atlantic Ocean than here, the waves booming and crashing onto the shoreline below. The menu of Mapas (Moroccan tapas), like squid with smoked paprika and crispy shrimps with onion fritters and Espelette pepper, is short but tasty, and there’s a good selection of Moroccan wines to pair with them.
A lovely French spot set in a 1930s-era house close to the Art Deco St Peter’s cathedral in the center of the city, Ty Potes is the place for savory galettes, sweet crêpes, charcuterie and cheese, and-perhaps on a cool evening-Savoyard fondue.
Where to Stay
There are a range of accommodation options available, including simple B&Bs and opulent hotels suited to a whole array of budgets.
Luxury Hotels
- Villa Diyafa Hotel & Spa offers a peaceful stay in the exclusive Ambassador’s district, with luxuriously-appointed rooms, suites and a villa.
- Villa Mandarine offers comfortable rooms and suites with attractive views over five acres of leafy orange gardens, as well as a swimming pool, gym, spa, bar and restaurant.
- Four Seasons Rabat offers an extraordinary escape in a restored 18th-century royal palace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
- The Ritz-Carlton Dar Es Salam Nestled within an enchanting palm grove beside the prestigious Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
- The Conrad Hotel, Hilton Perched above the Atlantic coastline, the Conrad Rabat creates an extraordinary coastal retreat surrounded by verdant gardens and sweeping ocean vistas.
- Fairmont La Marina Rabat Salé Situated along the Bouregreg River, the Fairmont La Marina Rabat Salé presents an elegant fusion of traditional Moroccan charm and contemporary luxury.
- Hotel La Tour Hassan Palace Steeped in history since 1912, La Tour Hassan Palace stands as an iconic symbol of Moroccan hospitality in the heart of Rabat.
- Sofitel Les Jardin Des Roses Set against the prestigious backdrop of the Royal Palace, Sofitel Les Jardin Des Roses stands as an oasis of refined luxury within 7 hectares of breathtaking Andalusian gardens.
Riads and Boutique Hotels
- L'Alcazar is an enchanting riad with atmospheric, well-proportioned rooms in the Medina.
- Dar Zen is a charming B&B with three beautiful rooms in the historic city center.
- Euphoriad promises a luxurious boutique stay in the heart of the Medina.
- Dar Shâan fuses stylish modern design and bright pops of color with heritage architecture in 11 attractive rooms - including some family suites.
- Riad Kalaa This historic boutique riad, dating back to the Almoravide dynasty, stands as a testament to Morocco's rich heritage.
- Riad Zyo A masterfully restored courtyard home in Rabat's medina, Riad Zyo seamlessly combines modern Moroccan décor with traditional architecture.
- Riad L'Alcazar Nestled in central Rabat, Riad L'Alcazar is an enchanting boutique property that masterfully preserves traditional Moroccan architecture while embracing contemporary luxury.
Here's a summary table of some featured hotels:
| Hotel Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Villa Mandarine | Hotel | Comfortable rooms and suites with views over orange gardens. |
| Euphoriad | Riad | Luxurious boutique stay in the heart of the Medina with a rooftop pool. |
| Conrad Rabat Arzana | Hotel | Coastal retreat with ocean views and international cuisine. |
| Fairmont La Marina Rabat Salé | Hotel | Elegant fusion of Moroccan charm and contemporary luxury by the Bouregreg River. |
Practical Tips for Visiting Rabat
- Is Rabat safe? Due to the volume of diplomats and Royal residents, Rabat is a well-policed city.
- Can you drink the tap water in Rabat? It is advisable to drink filtered water or purchase bottled water.
- Is alcohol available in Rabat? Alcohol is available in licensed bars, restaurants, hotels, some European supermarkets and a handful of wine shops.
- What’s the tipping culture? Keep cash to hand for tipping. As a rule, calculate 10-15% of the bill for cafes, restaurants and services.
- Which languages are spoken? Rabat is predominantly Arabic- and French-speaking; however, nowadays, English is widely spoken in the tourism industry.
- What should I wear in Rabat? When visiting religious and royal sites, dress respectfully, wear loose-fitting clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and keep a scarf to hand.
Rabat is the perfect Moroccan city to spend one day or a weekend in, either as a standalone break or as part of a longer Moroccan itinerary. It’s calm, relaxing and pleasant and so totally different to the frenetic pace of Marrakech.
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