Best Things to Do in Rabat, Morocco

Rabat is the Moroccan city most visitors underestimate. The capital is calm, green and clean, with wide boulevards, a seaside kasbah and some of the country’s most important monuments, and none of the pressure you might feel in the souks of Marrakech or Fes. It is easy to explore in a day, and a pleasant overnight stop between Casablanca and Fes or Tangier.

Rabat became the capital in 1912, but its history goes back much further, to Roman Sala and the 12th-century Almohad dynasty. In 2012, UNESCO listed the city as a World Heritage Site for the way it blends historic and modern Morocco.

Things to do in Rabat

Kasbah of the Udayas

Built by the Almohads on a cliff above the mouth of the Bouregreg river, the kasbah is Rabat’s most charming corner. Inside the massive gate, quiet lanes painted blue and white lead to a terrace overlooking the Atlantic and the beach. Don’t miss the Andalusian Gardens, a peaceful walled garden of orange trees and flowers, and stop for mint tea and pastries at the old café by the river.

Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V

In the late 12th century, Sultan Yacoub al-Mansour began building what was meant to be one of the largest mosques in the world. He died before it was finished, and only the massive unfinished minaret, the Hassan Tower, and rows of stone columns remain. Facing it stands the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the white marble tomb of the king who led Morocco to independence, guarded by royal guards in ceremonial uniform. Visitors are welcome to look inside.

Chellah

On the edge of the city, behind high walls, Chellah combines the ruins of the Roman town of Sala with a 14th-century Marinid necropolis. It is a quiet, atmospheric place, overgrown with gardens and fig trees, and famous for the storks that nest on its old minaret.

The medina

Rabat’s medina is smaller and more relaxed than those in Fes or Marrakech, and it is a real working neighborhood. Walk Rue des Consuls, once home to foreign diplomats and now lined with carpet and craft shops, and browse the food stalls on the main market street.

Museums

The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art shows Moroccan and international art in an elegant building in the city center. History lovers should look for the archaeology collections, which include finds from Volubilis and other Roman sites.

The river and the coast

A walk along the Bouregreg, with the marina on one side and the old walls of Salé across the water, is lovely in the late afternoon. Small rowing boats still ferry people across the river. For a beach day, head a little south to Temara or Skhirat, which are cleaner and calmer than the city beach.

How long to spend in Rabat

One full day covers the main sights. With a night, you can enjoy the kasbah at sunset and have a relaxed dinner in the medina or by the marina.

Getting there and around

• From Casablanca: about an hour by train or road.
• From Tangier: around 1 hour 20 minutes on the Al Boraq high-speed train.
• From Fes: roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by train or road.
• In the city: Rabat has a modern tram, and taxis are inexpensive. Most sights are also walkable.

Is Rabat safe?

Rabat is one of the calmest cities in Morocco and is generally very safe for visitors. Take the usual precautions in crowded places. Read our full guide to safety in Rabat.

Adding Rabat to your trip

Rabat fits naturally into a route from Casablanca to Fes or Chefchaouen. It’s included in our 10-day private tour from Casablanca and many of our other tours from Casablanca. For more ideas, read our guide to the best places to visit in Morocco or ask us to plan your route.