The capital of Morocco, Rabat, is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and is located along the shores of the Bouregreg River & the Atlantic Ocean. “Rabat” means “fortified place” in Arabic. Rabat is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and when you walk around Rabat you will see strong Islamic and French influences through the architecture and landmarks.
Getting Around in Rabat
Rabat is a fairly walkable city but for destinations that are further than you may car to walk, the InDrive ridesharing app works well for door-to-door transportation. Indrive functions similarly to Uber but payment is cash only and you can expect to be asked to have someone in your group sit in the front seat of the car, as InDrive is not legal in Morocco so passengers sit in the front as to not appear to be using a ridesharing service. There is also an efficient tram system that runs through the city that is clean, easy to use, and costs less than $1 USD per ride.
Sights & Areas to Explore
Kasbah of the Udayas – Enjoy a walk through the Udayas Kasbah, dating back to the 10th century. Its history is connected to Almohad Caliphate, who rebuilt the kasbah structure in the 12th century when Almohads captured Rabat and reconstructed the kasbah. The Udayas Kasbah has the same blue colors as the northern mountain city, Chefchaouen. Walk to the uppermost point of the kasbah to see a dynamic view of the Hassan Tower, lighthouse, and surfers riding the Atlantic Ocean waves. For a late lunch or an early dinner, take the kasbah stairs down to the port; Le Dhow is a unique restaurant on a boat serving up Mediterranean, European, and French dishes cooked by an amazing chef.
Sale – Rabat’s commuter town and up-and-coming city. There are not a lot of tourist things to see in Sale but if you have the time it is worth taking the rail line over to have a walk down the medina and visit the Madrasa of Abu al-Hasan and the bustling marketplace of the Oulja Craft Center.
Tangier – Tangier is an easy day trip from Rabat; the Al Boraq high-speed bullet train runs from city to city in under an hour and a half. You can buy tickets online or at the stations. We chose to stay overnight one night when we were there and were treated to a beautiful rooftop sunset from our Riad, but the trip can easily be done in a day without the overnight stay.
The Jardin d’Essais Botaniques de Rabat is amore centrally located garden. Established in 1924, under the instructions of Morocco’s first King, Yusef Ben Hassan, the garden houses 650 ornamental and fruit species from local, tropical, subtropical, and desert.
The Andalusian Garden is 17.3 acres with 3000 roses and is set in the Kasbah of the Udayas and is free to visit. This 20th-century garden is lined with floral motifs, aromatic plants, murmurs of water, and an atmosphere that channels the gardens of the Alhambra in Granada.
The Mausoleum and The Hassan Tower: The Hassan Tower, located in Rabat, Morocco, is a prominent historical landmark and a symbol of the city’s rich architectural heritage. It stands unfinished, reaching only half of its intended height due to the sultan’s death. Despite its incomplete state, the Hassan Tower remains an impressive structure, featuring intricate decorative details and distinctive Moorish design elements. These are best visited in the morning before school groups and tour groups fill the area. They are free to visit but only open till 5pm.
Chellah: Originally a Phoenician settlement, Chellah was later inhabited by the Romans and then the Almohads, who transformed it into a necropolis and fortified complex. Chellah is renowned for its picturesque ruins, including the remains of Roman baths, Islamic architecture, and the beautifully adorned minaret of the 13th-century mosque. Chellah closed years ago and recently just re-opened in May of 2024. It is $50 dirham to visit. I recommend taking time to enjoy tea at the patio cafe which has a beautiful view of the grounds and the many storks nests.
Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art B- The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, abbreviated MMVI, is a contemporary and modern art museum in Rabat, Morocco which opened in 2014. It is one of fourteen museums of the National Foundation of Museums of Morocco. The museum curates modern and contemporary Moroccan and international art.
Le Petir Beur Plaza – Situated in the center of Rabat, this plaza serves as an ” urban living room” and hosts many cultural events and public gatherings. The plaza is sheltered from busy streets with its indoor atrium shape and lined with a flower market and several cafes.
Walk Avenue Mohammed V – Considered the most beautiful avenue in the capital, Avenue Mohammed V runs north-south through Rabat and offers an exceptional walk lined with palm trees, cafes, historical buildings, and boutiques. and a beautiful fountain. Off this avenue, you can find the Parliament, Great Post Office, and Bank. Near this avenue, you’ll find the cultural center that hosts many musical events and exhibitions. The end of Mohammed V will lead you near Bab El Had, one of the five gates of Rabat’s ancient medina walls.
Explore The Medina – Compared to many other cities in Morocco, Rabat’s Marina feels less chaotic and more organized. Rue des Consuls, is an important street not to miss in the medina where you will find souks selling traditional crafts and silver jewelry.
Restaurants & Cafes
- Dar Naji – There are three Dar Naji locations in the city cooking up amazing Moroccan food with live traditional music and cute decor. Their presentation of pouring Moroccan mint tea is unforgettable. This is a must-visit.
- Bar XO inside Le Diwan Hotel Bar – Enjoy tapas against a musical blend of jazz, blues, and French music
- Sky Bar at the View Hotel – Located in the Hay Riad neighborhood, a lovely place for a cocktail with a view.
- Le Chill – A casual bar near the big mall that plays good music, has strong WiFi, and affordable drinks. Nothing exciting but if you’re in the area and want a boozy beverage it’s a decent spot, that serves food, allows smoking, and accepts card.
- Le Dhow – Boat restaurant on the waterfront near the kasbah. Cute spot for open-air drinks in the evening, accompanied by live music in the evening and DJs later at night. I recommend to just have a drink here and dinner elsewhere, the food is overpriced and mediocre.
- Les delices de Pekín – Chinese restaurant that was some of the best Asian food we had had in months. This casual, affordable restaurant serves well-sized portions of fresh foods.
- Casa Jose Tapas – A nice place for Spanish tapas and wine off Avenue Mohammed V.
- Cafe la Scene (Renaissance) – Super cute cafe downtown with a view.
- Marina Steakhouse – Restaurant with a large patio, serving American food in Sale on the river. The owner is Moroccan but they lived in The USA for 20 years and serves up a good menu of American foods like burgers, chicken fingers, mac n cheese, etc. Serves alcohol, and accepts card. Maps: Marina Steakhouse
- Cafe Maure – In front of the Andalusian Gardens this simple open-air cafe serves tea, coffee, and Moroccan cookies. Located in the kasbah, their terrace has panoramic views of the Bouregreg River, facing the Bouregreg Marina in Sale. Maps: Cafe Maure
- Epiphany – This fun restaurant with live music and belly dancers opened in 2022, the owner is really nice and welcoming, and they serve delicious cocktails and yummy croquettes.
Hammams, Spas & Massage
- Traditional Thai Massage (10 am – 9 pm daily) – private hammam and massage Maps: Traditional Thai Massage
- Tanya Thai (10 am – 10 pm, daily) – After reading great reviews, I went here when I had a painful knot in my neck that was affecting all aspects of my daily life. The shop is really clean and comfortable. The woman who worked on my neck was amazing, what a lifesaver! They respond quickly to questions and reservation inquiries through WhatsApp and they accept cash or cards for payment. Maps: Tanya Thai
Tours & Meet Ups
- Free Walk Tour – Free walk tours are a great way to learn your way around a city, I always try to do a free walk tour on my first or second day in a new place to learn the area and get tips on what to see and do. Remember you should tip at the end of the tour, local currency equaling $10-15 USD per person is typical. Guru Walk Tours
- CouchSurf Meet up – Every other Wednesday evening people meet at a cafe in the city to meet other travelers and locals, the location and time details can be found on the couch surf app or website
- Language Exchange Meet Up – Weekly on Thursdays at 7pm a large language exchange event is hosted by Blabla Rabat
The Ambitious Passport 