The capital city of Morocco, Rabat is known for its architectural treasures, picturesque tree-lined streets, world-class museums, and beautiful gardens.
This coastal city with a relaxed vibe perfectly blends historical sites such as the Kasbah of the Oudayas and the spacious Medina with modern architecture. Get lost in the maze of alleys in the Rabat Medina, enjoy spectacular river views from one of the cute waterfront cafes, and pair a cup of Moroccan mint tea with a traditional almond cookie.
Rabat has a strong French influence, which gives it a more European feel when compared to other cities in Morocco such as Tangier and Marrakech.
This 3-day travel itinerary highlights the best things to do in Rabat, including tips on where to eat and where to stay, plus a few day trip suggestions.
Kick off your Rabat morning travel itinerary with a visit to the Kasbah of the Oudayas, also known as the Kasbah of the Udayas or the Kasbah des Oudaias. Dating back to the 12th century, this settlement is very enjoyable to explore. Walk down narrow alleyways lined with beautiful white and blue houses and admire the beauty of flower-adorned windows. Kasbah of the Oudayas is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rabat, so it is best to arrive early in the morning.
If you love cats and flowers, the Andalusian Gardens is the place to go. Located in the Kasbah of the Oudaias, this 12th-century Moorish garden is a little hidden place in the middle of the city. With its mix of Andalusian and Moroccan architecture, the gardens look magical. It is an area full of greenery and trees and flowers. You will come across elegant fountains, many cats, and a bunch of beautiful orange trees. Keep in mind that no food is allowed inside the gardens.
After visiting the Andalusian Garden, stop by Café Maure to grab a cup of coffee or enjoy traditional Moroccan mint tea. It is one of the most popular cafes in Rabat, accessible through the arched entrance from the Andalusian Garden of the Kasbah of the Udayas. It is one of the most popular cafes in Rabat. Most people come here for the magical views over the Bou Regreg River. Guests love the beautiful shaded terrace with mosaic tiles and add that the café has that typical Moroccan charm. Don’t leave Café Maure before trying their signature “ghriba”, a traditional Moroccan almond cookie.
The next stop on your morning walk is the National Museum of Jewelry in Rabat. Located within the beautiful Andalusian Gardens at Kasbah of the Oudayas, the museum houses an impressive collection of colorful jewelry and caftans. You will find five exhibition rooms here. The first room focuses on the history of jewelry and the manufacturing process. Once you step inside the second room, you will come across the signature Moroccan caftan. The remaining rooms are devoted to jewelry including Mohammed VI’s personal collection of Amazigh jewelry. It will take you around 45 minutes to go through the entire exhibition.
In the afternoon, you will have an opportunity to visit the largest outdoor shopping center in the city, aka the Rabat Old Market. Located at the entrance to the medina, this wonderful market was created back in the 12th century by Andalusia Muslim refugees who were escaping from Spain. Nowadays, the market is packed with local vendors offering various types of traditional Moroccan goods. Whether you are looking for handmade tagine pottery, wish to purchase leather foods, or want authentic Moroccan spices, dried foods, fresh fish, and meat, Rabat Old Market offers something for everyone.
Your next stop is the charming Rabat Grand Mosque. Located at the crossing of the streets of Rue Bab Chellah and Souk As Sebbat in the Medina district, the Rabat Grand Mosque was first constructed in the 14th century. See the impressive 33-meter tall minaret and six traditional gates. This mosque also has a beautiful courtyard and a prayer hall. Keep in mind that the inside part of the Rabat Grand mosque is closed to non-Muslims.
The Dolls of the World Museum in Rabat tells the romantic story of Abdeljalil and Marie Michèle Haffar. Michèle was five years old when she got her first doll from her Grandfather. Since then, she became fascinated with dolls and started her own collection. On one of her journeys, Michèle Haffar met Abdeljalil who was also a fan of costumes and dolls. They fell in love and decided to open Exposition Poupées du Monde (Dolls of the World Exhibition) on the ground floor of their house in Rabat. The museum houses a permanent exhibition of more than 2,500 dolls from 90 countries. You will have a chance to see dolls made up of different materials from countries like Morocco, Senegal, Tunis, Austria, France, and Germany.
Located just a short walk from Kasbah of the Oudayas, the Medina of Rabat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its narrow streets and whitewashed houses with blue-painted doors, Rabat’s medina is where travelers can experience the real essence of traditional Moroccan culture and get a glimpse of a more authentic life. Here, merchants are selling everything from fresh produce and herbal remedies to pottery, jewelry, and the famous Rabati rugs. When compared to medinas in the towns of Marrakech and Fez, the medina in Rabat is definitely more focused on the local people than on tourists.
Day 2 of your Rabat travel adventure begins at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. The stunning marble building serves as the final resting place of King Mohammed V and his son Hassan II. With white marble and a green tiled roof, this lavishly decorated grand tomb is known for its stunning architecture which is a mix of traditional Moroccan and modern styles. The entrance to the museum is free of charge, but you must remember to cover your shoulders and knees before visiting the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.
Built in the 12th century, the nearby Hassan Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Rabat. It is actually part of a complex that includes the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. An interesting fact is that the structure was originally planned to be the largest mosque of all Muslim countries. The plan was to build an 86-meter-high tower. However, the project was never completed due to the death of the sultan. Today, you can see a well-preserved 44-meter-high grand mosque with a unique architectural style. When you enter the tower, you can’t help but notice the beautiful Islamic calligraphy. The views of the city from the top of the Hassan Tower are breathtaking.
Your next stop is the Nouzhat Hassan Garden. The oldest and largest park in the Moroccan capital, the garden is one of the city’s most iconic green spaces with great ecological diversity. Outdoor enthusiasts will instantly fall in love with this place. The well-maintained garden is adorned with colorful flower beds, ponds, and fountains and contains nice areas for picnics and leisurely walks. Nouzhat Hassan Garden hosts all kinds of events ranging from art exhibitions to festivals. There are nice playgrounds for the little ones and benches, as well as public toilets. A visit to this 4-hectare park is a delightful experience for visitors of all ages.
Museum lovers visiting Rabat can spend a few hours at the iconic Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Because of its unusual neo-Moorish style architecture, the building itself is worth checking out. Inside, visitors will find an impressive collection of Moroccan art and temporary exhibits by big-name international artists. The flagship institution for art in Morocco features works from the early 20th century up to contemporary pieces. You will find sculpture, painting, and photography works by prominent local artists such as Farid Belkahia, Hassan Hajjaj, Ahmed Yacoubi, Mohamed Melehi, and Chaïbia Talal. The building is also home to an auditorium, workshops, and gift shops where you can purchase souvenirs from the museum.
In the afternoon, pay a visit to Villa des Arts. Located just a short walk from the modern art museum, this complex is a creative space for literature, cinema, painting, photography, and performing arts. As you walk around the complex, you will notice artworks of local artists such as Gharbaoui , Chaibia Talal, Melehi, Kacimi, Cherkaoui, and many others. In addition to paintings, sculptures, and art installations by Moroccan artists, the gallery houses exhibitions of international artists. It will take you about an hour to explore Villa Des Arts. The typical colonial European villa itself looks spectacular and the beautifully maintained gardens feel secluded from the busy streets.
History lovers and culture vultures will want to spend an hour or two at the Museum of History and Civilization. Reopened after a major renovation, the Museum of History and Civilizations is a world-class archaeological museum in Rabat. It is dedicated exclusively to archaeological collections which are represented chronologically from the prehistoric era to the Islamic era. There is a wonderful collection of ceramics, as well as different artifacts from the Roman settlements at Chellah and Volubilis. Visitors can also look forward to seeing carved stone pillars, skulls, marble plates, and coins. The most famous artifact at the museum is the statue of the Roman Berber King, Juba II. The Archaeological Museum of Rabat is located in the Yacoub Al-Mansour neighborhood in Rabat.
Your next stop on this afternoon walk is the Royal Palace Rabat Morocco. Also known as Dar Al Makhzen, the palace is probably the most prominent landmark in Rabat. The palace was commissioned by Mohammed IV in 1864 and nowadays serves mostly for administrative purposes. With its massive gates and charming gardens, the building looks spectacular from the outside and its breathtaking exterior is definitely worth checking out. The only downside is that the palace still serves as the official office of the king and his family, which means that it is impossible to get inside and check out the cool interiors.
End your day in Rabat with a visit to the modern Hassan II Park. With paved trails, designated lanes for walking, a musical water fountain, and lovely basins of flowers, the park is an ideal place to spend an afternoon and enjoy sunset views. Wish to play sports? The park boasts several sports fields for volleyball, basketball, and football. There is even a nice climbing wall.
Located on the other side of the Bou Regreg River is the small coastal city of Sale. Not overwhelmed by tourists, this authentic Moroccan town is easily reachable from Rabat’s Kasbah of the Oudayas. Cross the river and head out to Plage de Salé Ville, a delightful urban beach that separates the twin cities of Rabat and Salé and offers magnificent views of the Kasbah of the Oudayas.
Get lost in the labyrinth of alleys in Sale Medina and wander around the small maze of souks. It is much smaller than the famous medinas in Fes and Marrakech, so it won’t take long to explore it. You will find all sorts of goods for sale in the souks ranging from fresh meat and fish to authentic Moroccan trays, plates, coffee pots, and glasses. Thee medina is home to many stalls selling clothing and footwear.
Your last stop in the afternoon is Medersa Merinide, the only medersa still present in the Sale Medina. For those who don’t know, medersa is an educational institution (secular or religious). The entrance to Medersa Merinide is 60 dirhams per person. Step inside to find several floors of rooms that were chambers for the students. There is a nicely decorated lower room with a fountain which was the teaching room. In the back, there is a prayer room. Visitors say there is so much detail in the carvings and tile work and add that the views from the rooftop are amazing.
Rabat in general makes for an excellent destination to visit year-round. However, spring and autumn offer the best weather with pleasant temperatures and a low chance of rain. Summers in Rabat are known to be hot and humid, while the winter season sees the most rainfall making it difficult to explore the tourist attractions. It is also worth mentioning that summer is the peak season here in Rabat. Therefore, to immerse yourself in the local culture and avoid large crowds of tourists, we recommend visiting Rabat in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
Meet us
At our office