Rabat
Save33 hand-picked places in 10 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Unfinished 12th-century minaret towering over a field of columns.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Free to wander the esplanade
- Combine with the adjacent Mausoleum
📷 Photos
- 2
Royal tomb in white marble with ornate Moroccan craftsmanship.
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Entry is free and open to non-Muslims
- Watch the ceremonial guards at the entrance
📷 Photos
- 3
Blue-and-white fortified quarter above the river mouth.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Enter through the grand Bab Oudaya
- Stop at the cafe above the sea
📷 Photos
- 4
Quiet Moorish-style garden inside the Kasbah with orange trees.
3 tips
- Take mint tea at the garden cafe
- Good for photos of the arches
- Visit after the Kasbah walk
📷 Photos
- 5
Roman ruins and a medieval necropolis home to storks.
3 tips
- Visit in spring to see nesting storks
- Bring water, little shade
- Allow around 1.5 hours
📷 Photos
- 6
Historic medina street of craft shops and carpet sellers.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Bargain politely, prices are negotiable
- Good place for souvenirs
📷 Photos
- 7
Morocco principal modern art museum with rotating exhibitions.
- Must know: Closed Tuesdays
2 tips
- Check current exhibitions online
- Allow about two hours
📷 Photos
- 8
Modern waterfront with promenade, cafes and views of Salé.
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Evenings are best for a stroll
- Take a small ferry across to Salé
- Cafes on the waterfront
📷 Photos
- 9
Futuristic cultural venue designed by Zaha Hadid.
3 tips
- Admire from the outside for photos
- Check the programme for shows
- Best at dusk
📷 Photos
- 10
City beach below the Kasbah with surf and seafood.
3 tips
- Beach is busiest in summer weekends
- Watch for strong currents
- Cafes along the road
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Rabat tips
Transportation
- Ride the tramway: Rabat-Salé's tram links the medina, Agdal and Salé across the Bou Regreg river; buy a ticket at stop machines before boarding.
- Use petit taxis: Blue petit taxis serve in-city trips; insist the driver uses the meter or agree the fare first.
- Take the train or Al Boraq: Rabat-Ville station connects to Casablanca and Fès, and high-speed Al Boraq trains run to Tangier via Kenitra.
Security
- Ignore fake guides: Politely decline unofficial guides offering to show you the medina or kasbah; you can explore on your own.
- Watch the waves: Atlantic beaches near Rabat have strong currents; swim only where others swim and lifeguards are present.
- Keep valuables close: In busy medina lanes and on trams, keep phones and wallets secure against pickpockets.
Saving
- Eat street food: Try harira soup, msemen and grilled sardines from medina stalls for tasty, cheap meals.
- Haggle in souks: Bargaining is expected in the medina markets; start low and keep it friendly.
- Use the tram over taxis: For trips along the tram line, it is cheaper and avoids fare negotiation.
Weather/Clothing
- Expect mild weather: Rabat's coastal climate is mild; summers are warm but breezy and winters are cool and rainy.
- Pack a light jacket: Ocean winds make evenings cool even in summer, so bring a layer.
- Dress modestly: Cover shoulders and knees in the medina and religious sites, especially women.
Cultural
- Visit the Kasbah of the Udayas: Wander its blue and white lanes and enjoy mint tea at the café overlooking the river.
- Respect mosques: Most mosques are closed to non-Muslims; admire them from outside, though Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V are open to visitors.
- Use your right hand: Eat and pass items with your right hand, and accept mint tea as a sign of hospitality.
Local Hacks
- Cross by boat to Salé: Small rowing boats ferry people across the Bou Regreg between Rabat and Salé for a scenic short trip.
- Visit Chellah at sunset: The ancient ruins with storks nesting atop walls are peaceful in late afternoon light.
- Plan around Ramadan: During Ramadan many cafés close by day but evenings are lively; adjust your meal plans.
1-day itineraries in Rabat
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 2
Kasbah of the Udayas and around
🕘 9:30–17:00📍 6 stops
- 1Bab Oudaya
- 2Kasbah of the Udayas
- 3Andalusian Gardens
- 4Rue des Consuls
- 5Hassan Tower
- and 1 more
Day 2 of 2
Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and around
🕘 9:30–16:30📍 4 stops
- 1Bab el Had
- 2Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
- 3Chellah
- 4Natural History Museum of Rabat