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Capital city of Morocco
Photo: Nawalbennani, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Rabat (Arabic: الرباط; Berber: ⵕⵕⴱⴰⴹ), literally "Fortified Place", is the capital city of Morocco. The city of Rabat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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The Kasbah is the oldest part of Rabat. It has narrow streets with cute white and blue houses, the Andalucian Gardens, the Oudaias Museum housed in a 17th century palace, and a great view of the Atlantic Ocean. The district is enclosed by old fortifications, including a large and beautiful 12th-century stone gate.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with atmospheric narrow streets and a sizeable market. It is less crowded and maze-like than the medinas of Fes and Marrakesh, making it easy to explore.
Huge and often colorful cemetery by the sea
Rather small and not particularly appealing one. There are a couple of rustic cafes. Also surfing gear is available for rent here.
Exquisite mausoleum of the current king’s grandfather, the father of Moroccan independence. Designed by a Vietnamese architect it opened in 1967. The mausoleum was built next to the 12th century Hassan Tower, which other than many columns, is all that remains of what would have been one of the largest mosques in the world at that time
This museum houses artifacts from various periods of Morocco's history, including ancient Roman and medieval objects.
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Rabat
The city's own beautiful art-deco cathedral.
It is huge, you cannot really visit it (but it is a nice walk), the armed guards might allow you walk from one entrance to another especially if you look like a tourist. Bring your passport.
A city possibly founded by Phoenicians, then occupied by Romans, before becoming a royal necropolis in the Islamic era. After being abandoned for centuries, it is now settled by a huge colony of storks. This breeding ground bubbles with bird life in spring, including a stork nest on the top of old minaret. Both Roman remains and a ruined 14th-century Islamic complex can be visited. You can walk there from the city centre, but it is a long walk.
One of the old city's best medieval gates, located close to downtown and the Royal Palace. Not worth a special detour if you've already seen Chellah or the Kasbah (which both have similar gateways), but interesting if you're walking in the area and have time to spare. Sometimes the interior is open for shows or art exhibits.
Jardin Zoologique de Rabat
Contains more than 100 species of Moroccan, Saharan and other African animals in open spaces simulating their natural habitats (mountains, desert, savanna and rain forest).
This medina here is generally older than the medina of Rabat, with narrower and more winding streets. It is mostly residential, but includes several religious sites (usually closed to non-Muslims), some historical buildings, and a set of medieval walls and gates.
Méderse Mérinide
A small but very pretty 14th-century madrasa (college), located next to the city's Grand Mosque. The mosque is closed to non-Muslims, but the madrasa can be entered. It is similar in style to the madrasas of Fez.
Theatre in Downtown Rabat, nothing absolutely outstanding but there are performances each month.
The domain is spread over 440 ha of trees, flowers, and water. If you have enough money, a car and are desperately looking for a quiet area to walk around or to play golf you will like it.
Amazing cafe that looks over the sea, where you can drink mint tea and eat sugary treats. The staff are very friendly and you can stay as long as you like soaking up the atmosphere.
A Cafe
Cafe and sandwich shop with lunch specials and desserts. 35 dirham for a sandwich.
Delicious bstilla. Intimate setting.
Temporarily closed as of May 2022. Tex-Mex restaurant. Good food and one of the few places where you can get a decent beer.
Free Wi-Fi hotspot.
One of the oldest pizzerias in town.
Syrian restaurant
Fancy pastries. Croissants 4 dirham. Ice cream 6 dirham per scoop.
Considered as one of the best restaurants in the city
Traditional French bakery that serves as a restaurant. Can be quite pricy, but the food is magnificent. Worth a visit for their olive bread.
If you like clubbing then dress up, this is the hippest club in Rabat.
Irish/English theme pub in Agdal. Women will feel comfortable here as it's not men-only. The food is typical pub-grub, with some vegetarian options. A pint costs 50 dirham. Live music is on every now and then.
Located on the first place of Hotel Urban Pietry. It's a quite modern chic restaurant and bar. On Tuesday and Friday night, there are live jazz performance and on Saturdays, rock and roll. A cup of house beer costs about 38 dirham and a glass of house wine, about 50 dirham. It's usually packed on weekends. To get a table, reservation is required.
31 dirham drafts and 17 dirham small beers. Good food and the perfect place to watch a football match, inside or on the patio. Food is pretty good as well, 10 dirham for a plate for fries.
A youth hostel on the edge of the medina walls. Four large dorm rooms with 16 bunks. A 10-minute walk from the train station. Breakfast is included.
In the Ville Nouvelle, an easy walk from the train station. Large rooms and big windows, lots of light, around a central courtyard. Quiet and clean. They offer meals which are just food from the place across the street brought across on a tray. The shared bathrooms are generally clean. Showers 10 dirham, hot water only after 12:00.
Dingy and dank. If you don't get a room with an en suite shower, you don't get to take one at all.
Bright room with shower and sink, toilet outside. 10-minute walk to Medina. 2-minute walk from Rabat Ville Train Station. Next to main street Ave. Mohammed V.
Hostel in an old home in the Medina. Comfortable, free breakfast and occasional dinners on the terrace. 150 dirham per person. Staff are helpful and friendly, beds should be booked in advance. Surfing lessons every day for 250 dirham/person.
3-star hotel. Closed for renovation as of Jan 2018.
5-star hotel close to the Royal Palace and a park, considered by some the best (and one of the most expensive) hotel in the city.
192 rooms on the banks of the Bourgreg river. Practically within the city centre, next to some of the most recognized monuments within Rabat: the Hassan Tower, and the mausoleum of the late King Mohamed V. It's next to an extremely noisy area of the city.
Set in an exotic orange grove hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city, quite expensive
A modern mall with many expensive shops, such as Lacoste along with a food court. Also contains amenities such as a bowling alley and an ice-skating rink.
By bus
It's possible to get a bus from almost any town in the country to Rabat, but the buses often do not stop at the centre, but instead go through the city.
By plane
Getting there: when exiting the airport, tourists are funnelled towards a group of parked white taxis that quote 100 - 200 dirham or more. This is unnecessarily expensive.
By tram
There are two lines between Rabat and Salé. It costs only 6 dirham (Sep 2019) for one use and it works from 06:00-23:00. There is a tram every 10 min during the week and every 20 min during Sunday.
By taxi
Petit Taxis, all blue in color, mostly Fiat Uno and Renault Dacia. This inexpensive way to get around town usually won't exceed 25/30 dirham, the minimum fare is 5/6 dirham.
By bus
There are now official bus routes listed and bus stops have signs showing at least the bus lines that stop there.
By car
Driving around yourself is not recommended.
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Rabat · International · RBA
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