Rabat is considered by many travelers to be an overlooked gem. This is the cleanest major city in Morocco, and many like this city for its ease of getting around – wide sidewalks, friendly petit taxis, and a new tramway that helps commuters get across Rabat and across the river to nearby Salé. Rabat is truly European: cafes line the streets, there is an excellent choice of restaurants and you can hear all sorts of different tongues in the streets.
Perhaps the most important thing to know is that much of Rabat is a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the old medina to the Kasbah and beyond, Rabat really has a lot to offer those looking for an accessible historical deep-dive into a city while traveling in Morocco.
Getting there
Just up the hill from the medina is the Udayas (Oudayas or Oudaïas) Kasbah, a well-preserved fortress dating from the 12th century Almohad dynasty, overlooking Rabat, nearby Salé, the Bouregreg River and the Atlantic Ocean. Take a tea break in the shade of Café Oudaïa as you stroll through the Andalusian gardens and climb the blue-painted walls. Behind the medina and down the hill from the Kasbah is a long stretch of Rabat beach. This is one of the better urban beaches in Morocco and is the home of the Oudaïa Surf Club. If you’re into surfing, this is one of the most special places to ride the waves while overlooking the Kasbah.
notes Historical: Rabat Travel Guide
The Phoenicians, Cartagena, and Romans had fortifications in Rabat, as witnessed by the well-preserved Roman ruins at Sala Colonia (Chellah), but most of the area belonged to local ruling tribes and chieftains. It was not until 1147, when the Almohads established the kingdom of Morocco, that the first ribat (or fortress, for which modern Rabat is named) was built on the site of what is now Oudayas Kasbah.12 In the 12th century, the capital of the kingdom was moved to Rabat by the Almohad caliph, Moulay Yacoub al-Mansour. This was the first time that Rabat became the capital. Rabat became prosperous. Many ancient Moroccan Rabat buildings were constructed at the time, including the unfinished Hassan Mosque, the medina, and the expansion of the hilltop citadel.
Only 100 houses remained in Rabat a few hundred years later. Surprisingly, with thousands of refugees pouring in from Andalusia, it was the Spanish Inquisition that provided the area with the population it needed. In 1672, Rabat and Salé joined forces and called themselves the Republic of Bouregreg, which became a much-feared pirate base, raiding and attacking throughout Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean. This so-called republic lasted for over 200 years until the Alaouite dynasty, the present dynasty of Morocco, seized power and stamped out piracy.
Today, the King, His Majesty Mohamed VI, and various ministries, dignitaries, and embassies are based in Rabat, the political center of Morocco. It was re-established as Morocco’s capital in 1912 during the French protectorate and continued as such after Moroccan independence in 1956.
Rabat Travel Guide: What to do in Rabat
Udayas Kasbah – This is a small, beautiful old Kasbah with blue-painted walls and souvenir shops. After a stroll through the Andalusian gardens in the old palace grounds, stop by the newly renovated Cafè Maure for a cup of tea, perhaps a Moroccan biscuit for a quick pick-me-up, and the view. Ignore all the fake tour guides who will ask you if you need a guide or tell you that you have to pay an entrance fee to get through the gates. If you have time, take a look at the Archaeology Museum in the gardens. It offers a glimpse into the history of Rabat.
Shopping in the Medina – Like most other Moroccan cities, Rabat has an old medina in the shape of a labyrinth. However, unlike other medinas throughout Morocco, prices here are basically fixed, so you can simply stroll through this medina, which is the least busy in all of Morocco, and shop for teapots, rugs, leather bags, and various other souvenirs without worrying about haggling over prices. The medina is also relatively smaller than other places you might visit in Morocco and quite clean, with wider streets. If you just want to shop, the Rue des Consuls is the place to be.
What to see in Rabat
Hassan Minaret and Mosque – This ambitious mosque, which has remained unfinished, was begun in 1195 by Yacoub el-Mansour (“The Victor”) at the same time as the construction of the Kasbah of Udayas. The Hassan Mosque was to be the second-largest mosque in the world and the largest in Morocco. Its initial construction was abandoned in 1199, after el-Mansour’s death, and was never resumed. The mosque’s halls remained in use until the Great Earthquake of 1755 (which also brought down Lisbon) brought down its supporting columns, some of which have been used to give an idea of its size. The mosque remains one of the finest works of Almohad architecture in all of Morocco, although it is not as complete as the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech.
The Mausoleum of Mohammed V – Begun in 1961, the year of the King’s death, and completed six years later, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V is located opposite the Hassan Tower. Mohammed V, his sons Hassan II (father of the current king) and Moulay Abellah. The design of the mausoleum is the work of the Vietnamese architect Vo Toan, and the mausoleum is a work of art.
Jewellery Museum – The Jewellery Museum is housed in the 17th century palace of Moulay Ismail in the middle of the Oudayas kasbah. It houses a good selection of jewellery from the Phoenician and Roman colonies in Morocco, as well as jewellery typical of the various regions and cities of Morocco, but explanations are limited to French, Spanish and Arabic. This is the place to go for those looking for a historical perspective on the jewellery that adorns the women and men of Morocco. Open every day except Tuesdays from 9am to 4pm.
Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art – Inaugurated in October 2014, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat is dedicated to preserving the art of Morocco’s past and present. Inspired by the traditional architecture of Morocco, the museum took a decade to build and cost a total of more than 20 million US dollars. The first exhibition was on the last 100 years of Moroccan art under the title: “1914-2014: 100 Years of Creation” and features 400 works of art by more than 150 Moroccan artists. The most modern works are abstract and figurative. 10, rue Beni Mellal, corner of Av Mohamed V., Tue-Sun, 9h30-19h30.
Chellah Gardens (Sala Colonia) and Necropolis – Head to Chellah Gardens for a relaxing, beautiful walk through this ancient Roman and Moroccan ruin. Formerly the site of the Roman city of Sala Colonia, hundreds of years after the Romans had left Morocco, the Almohads used the deserted city as a necropolis called Chellah. This was followed by the Merinids, who built a mosque, a zaouia and the royal graves. The great Lisbon earthquake of 1755, the same one that flattened much of Meknes, damaged many of the buildings here. The unused city fell into ruins. Today, Chellah has become a popular tourist destination because of its extensive gardens. In spring, hundreds of flowers are in bloom and couples can have a leisurely stroll, while the occasional birdwatcher can keep an eye out for storks. From the citadel to the ruins, the grounds are yours to explore. The Gardens are also used to host the annual Chellah Jazz Festival, usually held in September. It is open every day from 8 am to 6 pm.
Where to eat in Rabat
For the most up-to-date menus and other information on restaurants, we recommend Best Restaurants in Morocco. Below you will find some of our favorite places to eat in Rabat.
Ch’hiwates du Terroir – Launched in early 2014, this new restaurant is making a name for itself with its fresh, all-organic, slow-food-inspired menu. Some interesting vegetarian couscous options and a nice contemporary take on Moroccan cuisine. 7 Rue d’Oran,+212 (0) 5 37 2 6 26 28, bookings recommended, daily 12-3 pm.
Le Dhow – Get a taste of Rabat’s old pirate vibe by boarding this boat, which is moored on the Bouregreg River just outside the Kasbah. Seasonal seafood and grilled steaks will fill your stomach, but you really come here to play a bit of rummy with the other landlubbers who swarm the decks. Quai des Oudaïas, +212 (0) 537 70 93 81, booking recommended, Mon-Fri 12-2am, weekends 11am-2am.
Dinarjet – Come at night to follow a guide through the medina under the lights of lanterns. Traditional Moroccan cooking. Expensive, but you can’t beat the atmosphere with the gentle strums of the oud. 6, rue Belgnaoui, in the Medina, Tel: +212 (0) 5 37 70 42 39, Reservations recommended, open daily 12 pm-3 pm and 7 pm-11 pm.
La Mamma – One of the city’s more family dining options. This pizza joint is a Rabat staple and a favorite among expats. Located behind the Balima Hotel on Avenue Mohammed V. 6 rue Tanta, Tel: +212 (0)5 37 77 07, Reservations recommended, open daily 12 pm-3pm and 7 pm-11 pm.
Le Bistrot du Pietri – This is Rabat’s emblematic jazz bar and restaurant, where you can enjoy live jazz and fusion performances at weekends in a retro speakeasy atmosphere. You’ll find it in the Hassan neighborhood. It’s next to the flower market. 4 Rue Tobrouk, Tel: +212 (0)5 37 70 78 20, Reservations advised, open daily from noon to 11 pm.
Le Cosmopolitan – Located in the Hassan neighborhood, next to the ramparts, this upmarket restaurant boasts a beautiful Art Deco design in a restored villa. It serves a varied Mediterranean menu. Avenue Ibn Toumart, Rabat tel: +212 (0)5 37 20 00 28, Reservations recommended, open daily from noon to 3 pm and from 7 pm to midnight.
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