Last Updated on: 2nd May 2024, 06:24 am
After the soulless concrete grey of Casablanca, it was a joy to arrive in the greener and more manicured city of Rabat, Morocco’s capital. But not just joy but some relief, too.
I had visited Rabat as part of a two-week group tour with Nomadic Tours, and at the end of the trip, I was returning to Rabat to house-sit for two gorgeous cats for a week.
I must admit I was so pleased I wasn’t going to be house-sitting in Casablanca; I didn’t feel entirely comfortable there. Although Casablanca wasn’t all bad, it has an impressive mosque that even non-Muslims can visit and a Rick’s Cafe. But this post isn’t about there; it’s about the best things to do in Rabat.
Situated on the estuary of a river, Rabat, Morocco’s capital city, faces the Atlantic Ocean. The coastline in this area of Morocco has long, continuous stretches of white sandy beaches.
Swimming here can be dangerous because of the cold water and strong tides, but these conditions also attract plenty of sardines, mackerel, anchovy, tuna, and shellfish to its waters.
But I’m not a swimmer, and I love to walk. And Rabat is a lovely and easy city to explore on foot. Most of the major sites are within easy walking distance of each other.
Kasbah of the Oudaias (also written as Udayas)
The Kasbah des Oudaias, located in the oldest part of Rabat, was the original site of the city and has excellent views of the river and ocean.
Arrive early before the day trippers, and you will find a tranquil and picturesque place to explore. Enter through the city’s original grand gate and then wander along the charming, narrow, white-washed streets, some of which are painted blue like the gorgeous town of Chefchaouen.
Andalusian Gardens
Hidden within the Kasbah of the Udayas entrance near the Oudaias Craft Museum is a beautiful formal garden enclosed by the fortified walls of the citadel.
The French constructed the Andalusian Gardens in the 20th century, and it’s filled with typical Andalusian plants, including orange trees, lemon, roses, and red hibiscus. It’s a peaceful place to escape the inevitable crowds and take a leisurely stroll in nature.
Stroll along the paths, under the grapevine-covered pergolas, and say hi to the many cats relaxing on the terrace walls.
Next to the garden is Café Maure, even though the sign on the wall says Cafe Des Oudayas. Here you can enjoy a mint tea while gazing at the picturesque Bou Regreg River.
Be sure to try a “ghriba,” a traditional almond cookie, with your mint tea.
The Medina
While much of Rabat is extremely modern, home to embassies and government offices, the old town is how you’d imagine Morocco to be.
The medina here differs from the medinas you’ll find in Marrakech or Fez. It’s much smaller, and you see far fewer tourists, even though it’s just across the road from the Kasbah.
I particularly enjoyed exploring this medina. It certainly felt more authentic than the Kasbah and definitely not as confusing or crowded as the one in Fes. And there were no over eager or aggressive sellers like in Marrakesh.
Haggling with shop owners here is far less intense than in Morocco’s other major cities, and many of the people walking around and shopping are locals, making the experience more genuine.
Rabati rugs are a speciality in this medina. With a style more similar to Turkish rugs than typical Moroccan or Berber rugs, these stunning handcrafted items make unique souvenirs. But they wouldn’t fit in my hand luggage!
Royal Palace of Rabat (Dar al-Makhzen)
In Morocco, most major cities have palaces where the king can stay as a guest.
However, the palace in Rabat is where King Hassan II officially lives. It was built on the site of an old 18th-century palace.
While you can’t actually go inside the main part of the palace, you can still enjoy looking at it from the main pathway.
The Royal Palace of Rabat, also known as Dar al-Makhzen, is situated between the Quartier des Orangers and Agdal-Ryad neighbourhoods. The palace is heavily guarded, especially around the huge and intricately decorated gate leading to the grounds.
If you want to learn more about Morocco’s royal family, history and politics, consider hiring a guide or joining a city tour.
Visit the Grand Hassan Tower & Mausoleum of Mohammed V
Hassan Tower was initially planned in 1195 by Sultan Yacoub el-Mansour, who wanted to construct a grand mosque with Hassan Tower serving as its minaret.
Unfortunately, neither the minaret nor the mosque were ever finished. Construction halted four years later due to the sultan’s death, and the tower only reached a height of 44 meters, far short of its original 86-metre goal.
Today, all that remains are the columns, the sole remnants of the unfinished mosque, which was also partly damaged in an earthquake.
Next to the open area is a mausoleum built following the death of Mohammed V, Morocco’s first king after gaining independence in 1961. The marble mausoleum houses the late Hassan II (the present king’s father) and his grandfather.
Try a Traditional Hammam
I had my first hammam experience in Fes. I wouldn’t say I 100% enjoyed it, but as my skin felt so clean and smooth afterwards, I decided to give it another go in Rabat.
Taking a break for some self-pampering during your holiday is always a great idea, even if it’s just for a short time.
During a hammam session, attendants use hot water and a scrubbing brush in a steamy room to clean and soften your skin, leaving it feeling really smooth. You can also add on other classic spa treatments like facials and massages for a complete day of pampering.
Many high-end hotels in Rabat offer hammam treatments, but if you’re looking for a cheaper option, many riads have spas, massages, and facials, and they won’t cost as much as the big luxury hotels.
Surf at Rabat Beach
One of the top attractions in Rabat is surfing, and you can enjoy plenty of surfing opportunities at Rabat Beach, located in the northwest part of the city.
You get a great view of the surfers from the Kasbah des Oudaias. There are surf schools if you fancy giving it a go, but I didn’t.
Try A Walking Food Tour Or A Cooking Class
Another great way to explore the old town of Rabat is by going on a guided food tour in the old medina. I love food tours!
During this four-hour tour, you’ll be introduced to many traditional Moroccan specialities. If you’re a food lover, this is a must-activity in Rabat!
Other travellers I met highly recommended this cooking class .
Where To Eat In Rabat
Recommended lunch spots:
Restaurant Dar Zaki -an oasis of calm inside the medina. I had a wonderful lunch here. It has a beautiful interior, the staff were lovely, and the food was delicious.
Allo Dada is a lovely cheap restaurant near the Hassan Tower that serves delicious homemade food. It was so good; I had a few lunches here.
When you get tired of Moroccan food, head to Ty Potes, a French restaurant in the Hassan neighbourhood, for lunch. It’s a trendy spot, so get there early and try and get a table in the garden. Superb food.
How Many Days In Rabat Is Enough?
Two full days in Rabat is enough to see all the major sights and get a good impression of Morocco’s capital. It’s also possible to see all the highlights in one day.
I spent a week there and just loved pottering around the markets and streets.
Rabat vs Casablanca: Which City in Morocco Should You Visit?
If you have time, you should visit both places. I admit I wasn’t a huge fan of Casablanca, but I was only there one night. It was the only place I visited in Morocco, I felt a little uncomfortable walking around by myself.
Rabat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s a much smaller and walkable city, whereas Casablanca is a large, busy city with a mix of old and new. The mosque and Rick’s Cafe, though, are worth a visit.
You could base yourself in Rabat and do a day trip to Casablanca.
Is Rabat Safe For Solo Female Travellers?
Rabat is a cosmopolitan city and is used to seeing foreigners. I felt perfectly safe exploring the city by myself and taking public transportation.
The only annoying aspect was almost every time I decided to take a break and sit down, a random local guy would always join me and start asking questions – ‘Why are you alone?’ ‘Where’s your husband?’ ‘Can you help me move to England?’
So, if you want to take a break and be anti-social, sit yourself down next to a local lady or stop and have a mint tea.
How To Get To Rabat
I first visited Rabat as part of a tour but returned later by fast train from Marrakesh.
By Plane
Rabat does have a small airport with the rudest airport staff I have ever met. It came as a shock after all the lovely people I met around Morocco.
By Train
You can easily reach Rabat by fast train from Marrakesh, Casablanca and Tangier. I bought my ticket on the day at the station. Alternatively, you can book online here, but this site is only in French. If you’re not confident in French and prefer an English site, you can buy train tickets on Bookaway.
By Bus
Morocco’s CTM public bus system is a secure and reliable transportation method. You can buy tickets at any CTM office or through their website. These buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and often provide snacks and drinks on board.
By Car
Why not consider renting a car to explore Morocco? The roads are good, although parking in the main cities would probably be a bit of a nightmare.
Where To Stay In Rabat
There is accommodation in Rabat to suit all budgets. Check here for accommodation availability and prices.
I stayed along the coast close to the International school as I was house-sitting for two gorgeous cats.
Best Time To Visit Rabat
The best time to visit Rabat is between September and October and again from March to May. It’s not too hot, with temperatures averaging 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, which makes it perfect for enjoying Moroccan tea and seeing the sights. I visited in late February, and the weather was perfect.
June and July can be too hot and rainy, so it’s best to avoid travelling then.
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Best article thank you for sharing 😊 ♥️
Your article made me happy 🙂 thank you for sharing all of this amazing information about Rabat, it’s the city I live in, and it’s really underrated compared to touristic moroccan destinations.
Thank you. I had a lovely time in Rabat. It was one of my favourite cities in Morocco 🙂