Rabat, Morocco: travel guide
Morocco's laid-back political capital on the Bou Regreg estuary — the Kasbah des Oudayas, Hassan Tower and Chellah necropolis, all UNESCO-listed.
- Country
- Morocco
- Currency
- MAD
- Time zone
- Africa/Casablanca
- Nearest airport
- RBA
Top places to visit in Rabat
Hassan Tower
Heritage · about 0.8 h
The 44m unfinished minaret of a 12th-century Almohad mega-mosque, surrounded by a field of ruined columns — a UNESCO-listed symbol of Rabat.
Mausoleum of Mohammed V
Heritage · about 0.5 h
The exquisite modern royal mausoleum facing Hassan Tower, holding the tombs of King Mohammed V and his sons beneath a carved cedar dome and onyx interior; guards in ceremonial dress stand at the gates.
Kasbah of the Udayas
Fort · about 1.3 h
A UNESCO-listed 12th-century fortified kasbah of blue-and-white lanes above the Bou Regreg river mouth, with Andalusian gardens and a cafe terrace over the ocean.
Chellah
Heritage · about 1 h · entry MAD 70
A hauntingly beautiful walled site combining Roman ruins of Sala Colonia with a Marinid necropolis, minaret and gardens where storks nest — recently part of the UNESCO listing.
Rabat Medina
Market · about 1 h
The 17th-century walled old town — a calm, walkable medina of carpet and craft souks running down to the river, far mellower than Fez or Marrakech.
Mohammed VI Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art
Museum · about 1 h · entry MAD 40
Morocco's flagship national art museum (2014), showing modern Moroccan masters and major touring international exhibitions in a grand purpose-built gallery.
Andalusian Gardens
Nature · about 0.5 h
Serene early-20th-century gardens laid out within the Kasbah des Oudayas walls — orange trees, bougainvillea and shaded benches beside the old Oudayas museum.
Bab Rouah
Heritage · about 0.3 h
A monumental 12th-century Almohad city gate ("Gate of the Winds") of carved stone, now an art gallery space beside the royal palace walls.
St Peter's Cathedral
Church · about 0.3 h
A gleaming white Art Deco cathedral (1921) with twin towers on Place du Golan — an elegant landmark of the colonial new town.
Things to do
- Rabat Old Town & Kasbah Walking Tour Tour · 3 h · from MAD 250 per person
- Historic Rabat Half-Day Tour (Hassan Tower & Chellah) Tour · 4 h · from MAD 300 per person
- Bou Regreg River Boat & Sale Visit Leisure · 2 h · from MAD 150 per person
- Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat Culinary · 3.5 h · from MAD 350 per person
- Day Trip to Meknes & Volubilis Day Trip · 10 h · from MAD 550 per person
Day trips and tours
- Imperial Rabat & Chellah Day Tour 6 h · from MAD 400
Where to stay in Rabat
- Medina & Oudayas about MAD 700 per night
The old town beside the Kasbah des Oudayas — whitewashed lanes, riads and the Bou Regreg riverfront.
- Agdal about MAD 750 per night
Modern residential-and-dining district with contemporary hotels and the tram to the centre.
Hotels
- Riad Kalaa 4-star · MAD 900 to MAD 1,600 per night
- Rabat Youth Hostel MAD 100 to MAD 200 per night
- Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses 5-star · MAD 2,400 to MAD 4,800 per night
- The View Hotel Rabat 4-star · MAD 1,600 to MAD 2,800 per night
- Hotel Balima 3-star · MAD 550 to MAD 900 per night
Where to eat
- Le Dhow Moroccan, International · about MAD 200 per person
- Dar Naji Moroccan · about MAD 120 per person
- Le Ziryab Moroccan · about MAD 220 per person
- Cosmopolitan French, Mediterranean · about MAD 400 per person
- Ty Potes Cafe, French · about MAD 100 per person
- Restaurant de la Plage Seafood · about MAD 250 per person
Getting around
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Tram main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced medina "helpers"
Rabat Medina
Someone offers to show you the way to the Kasbah or a shop and then demands a tip, though Rabat is generally low-hassle.
How to avoid it: Rabat is easy to navigate alone; decline help politely and use a map.