Top places to visit in Rabat

• Hassan Tower

  minaret · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The 44m unfinished minaret of a 12th-century Almohad mega-mosque, surrounded by a field of ruined columns — a UNESCO-listed symbol of Rabat.

• Mausoleum of Mohammed V

  mausoleum · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The exquisite modern royal mausoleum facing Hassan Tower, holding the tombs of King Mohammed V and his sons beneath a carved cedar dome and onyx interior; guards in ceremonial dress stand at the gates.

• Kasbah of the Udayas

  kasbah · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A UNESCO-listed 12th-century fortified kasbah of blue-and-white lanes above the Bou Regreg river mouth, with Andalusian gardens and a cafe terrace over the ocean.

• Chellah

  roman ruins · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A hauntingly beautiful walled site combining Roman ruins of Sala Colonia with a Marinid necropolis, minaret and gardens where storks nest — recently part of the UNESCO listing.

• Rabat Medina

  medina · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The 17th-century walled old town — a calm, walkable medina of carpet and craft souks running down to the river, far mellower than Fez or Marrakech.

• Mohammed VI Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art

  art museum · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Morocco's flagship national art museum (2014), showing modern Moroccan masters and major touring international exhibitions in a grand purpose-built gallery.

• Andalusian Gardens

  garden · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Serene early-20th-century gardens laid out within the Kasbah des Oudayas walls — orange trees, bougainvillea and shaded benches beside the old Oudayas museum.

• Bab Rouah

  gate · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A monumental 12th-century Almohad city gate ("Gate of the Winds") of carved stone, now an art gallery space beside the royal palace walls.

• St Peter's Cathedral

  cathedral · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A gleaming white Art Deco cathedral (1921) with twin towers on Place du Golan — an elegant landmark of the colonial new town.

Things to do

• Rabat Old Town & Kasbah Walking Tour Tour · 3 h · from MAD 250 per person
• Historic Rabat Half-Day Tour (Hassan Tower & Chellah) Tour · 4 h · from MAD 300 per person
• Bou Regreg River Boat & Sale Visit Leisure · 2 h · from MAD 150 per person
• Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat Culinary · 3.5 h · from MAD 350 per person
• Day Trip to Meknes & Volubilis Day Trip · 10 h · from MAD 550 per person

Day trips and tours

• Imperial Rabat & Chellah Day Tour 6 h · from MAD 400

Where to stay in Rabat

• Medina & Oudayas about MAD 700 per night

  The old town beside the Kasbah des Oudayas — whitewashed lanes, riads and the Bou Regreg riverfront.

• Agdal about MAD 750 per night

  Modern residential-and-dining district with contemporary hotels and the tram to the centre.

Hotels

• Riad Kalaa 4-star · MAD 900 to MAD 1,600 per night
• Rabat Youth Hostel MAD 100 to MAD 200 per night
• Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses 5-star · MAD 2,400 to MAD 4,800 per night
• The View Hotel Rabat 4-star · MAD 1,600 to MAD 2,800 per night
• Hotel Balima 3-star · MAD 550 to MAD 900 per night

Where to eat

• Le Dhow Moroccan, International · about MAD 200 per person
• Dar Naji Moroccan · about MAD 120 per person
• Le Ziryab Moroccan · about MAD 220 per person
• Cosmopolitan French, Mediterranean · about MAD 400 per person
• Ty Potes Cafe, French · about MAD 100 per person
• Restaurant de la Plage Seafood · about MAD 250 per person

Getting to Rabat

Airport: Rabat (RBA)

How visitors arrive in Rabat

• Train from Casablanca By train from Casablanca · most visitors

  The page says most tourists fly into Casablanca and then reach Rabat by train or coach; Al Boraq stops at Rabat Agdal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight into Casablanca, then onward By air from Casablanca · common

  Casablanca airport is the usual air gateway before the rail or coach link to Rabat. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Coach By road from Casablanca · common

  Coaches arrive at the Kamra and CTM stations. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight into Rabat-Salé airport By air from Paris / Brussels · possible

  The local airport has a limited set of European and domestic routes, including some low-cost carriers. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• AE bus from Rabat-Sale airport

  A bus stop is directly outside the airport exit. The AE bus connects the airport with the Rabat-Ville and Rabat-Agdal train stations. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Blue petit taxi

  Skip the parked white taxis that touts steer you to and wait for a blue petit taxi. Insist on the meter. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Uber works in Rabat, and blue petit taxis are the ones for city trips. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Tram from Rabat-Ville station

  A tram stop and taxi rank sit right at Rabat-Ville station. Two tram lines link Rabat and Sale. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Taxi

  Blue petit taxis are the usual local taxi in Rabat and should run on the meter; there is a taxi rank at Rabat-Ville station.

• Tram

  The tram links Rabat with its twin city Salé, and a stop sits directly in front of Rabat-Ville train station.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Overpriced medina "helpers"

  Rabat Medina

  Someone offers to show you the way to the Kasbah or a shop and then demands a tip, though Rabat is generally low-hassle.

  How to avoid it: Rabat is easy to navigate alone; decline help politely and use a map.

Best time to visit Rabat

• Jan 17°C
• Feb 18°C
• Mar 20°C
• Apr 21°C
• May 24°C
• Jun 26°C
• Jul 27°C
• Aug 28°C
• Sep 27°C
• Oct 25°C
• Nov 21°C
• Dec 19°C

More in Morocco

• Marrakech
• Fez
• Chefchaouen
• Casablanca
• Essaouira
• Tangier

Frequently asked questions about Rabat

What are the main places to visit in Rabat?

Places covered in our Rabat guide include Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Kasbah of the Udayas, Chellah, Rabat Medina.

Where should I stay in Rabat?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Rabat: Medina & Oudayas, Agdal.

How do I get around Rabat?

Ways to get around Rabat covered in our guide: Taxi, Tram, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Rabat?

Scams reported to us for Rabat include Overpriced medina "helpers". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Rabat?

Average daytime highs in Rabat run from 17°C in Jan to 28°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Rabat?

The nearest airport to Rabat has the code RBA.