What to see in Rabat, Morocco’s calm capital: the Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower, Chellah and the medina, how long to stay and how to get there.
Rabat is Morocco’s capital and one of its four imperial cities, a calm, green city on the Atlantic at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river. In one day you can see the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Roman and medieval ruins of Chellah, and a medina that is far quieter than those of Marrakech or Fes.
Why visit Rabat
Rabat’s old and modern quarters were listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. The city is easy to walk, the medina has little hassle, and it sits on the natural route between Casablanca and Fes or Chefchaouen, so it fits most itineraries in the north without a detour. Many travellers find it a welcome pause between busier cities.
What to see in Rabat
Kasbah of the Udayas
A walled kasbah on a bluff above the river mouth, first fortified in the 12th century. Inside are quiet blue-and-white lanes, the Andalusian Gardens, and a terrace with views over the Bou Regreg to Salé and out to the Atlantic.
Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V
The Hassan Tower is the unfinished minaret of a vast mosque begun by the Almohad sultan Yaqub al-Mansur in the 1190s and abandoned after his death; rows of column stumps still mark the prayer hall. Facing it, the white Mausoleum of Mohammed V holds the tombs of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II, with royal guards at the gates.
Chellah
Outside the city walls, Chellah combines the remains of the Roman town of Sala with a 14th-century Marinid necropolis, gardens and minarets topped by storks’ nests.
The medina and the Ville Nouvelle
The medina is compact and relaxed, with Rue des Consuls known for rugs and crafts. Beyond its walls, the wide avenues of the Ville Nouvelle, built during the French protectorate, have cafés, Art Deco buildings and the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
Salé
Across the river, Salé has its own old medina and a view back to the kasbah; a tram links the two cities.
How long to stay
Time
What it covers
Half a day
Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower and the mausoleum, as a stop between Casablanca and Fes
One day
Add Chellah, the medina and a walk along the river or the beach
One night
Time for the museums, Salé and an unhurried evening in the Ville Nouvelle
Getting to Rabat
From Casablanca: about 1 hour by road or train.
From Fes: about 2.5–3 hours by road.
From Marrakech: the motorway to Fes passes Casablanca and Rabat, so Rabat is a natural stop on the 6–7 hour drive north.
From Tangier: the high-speed train links Tangier with Rabat and Casablanca.
By air: Rabat-Salé airport is just outside the city.
Rabat or Casablanca?
The two cities are only about an hour apart and often compared. Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and business centre; its highlight for visitors is the Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims can enter on a guided visit. Rabat has more historic sights within walking distance and a gentler pace. If you only have time for one, Rabat usually gives the better day of sightseeing, while Casablanca suits an arrival or departure day.
Practical tips
Mosques: non-Muslims cannot enter the working mosques in Rabat, but the Hassan Tower site and the mausoleum are open to visitors, dressed modestly.
Getting around: the kasbah, medina, Hassan Tower and Ville Nouvelle are all walkable; petits taxis and the tram cover longer hops.
Where to stay: a riad in or near the medina puts you within walking distance of the kasbah, while the Ville Nouvelle and Agdal districts have larger hotels and restaurants.
Weather: the Atlantic keeps Rabat mild, without the summer heat of Marrakech or Fes. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, as for the rest of Morocco.
Fridays: midday prayers mean some shops close for a few hours; plan the medina for the morning or late afternoon.
Rabat on a Morocco tour
Rabat usually appears on imperial cities routes and on tours that start in Casablanca or Tangier: Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech is a classic loop. See the Morocco imperial cities tour page and our Morocco tours from Casablanca. If you are deciding whether to stop in Casablanca too, our Casablanca guide helps, and the Volubilis and Meknes guide covers the next imperial city on the road to Fes.
From € 379.00
based on 7 personThis price is based on 7 travelers. Price varies for different group sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rabat worth visiting?
Yes, especially on a route between Casablanca and Fes or Chefchaouen. Rabat has the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower, Chellah and a relaxed medina, and it is calmer and easier to walk than Marrakech or Fes.
How many days do you need in Rabat?
One day covers the main sights: the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Chellah and the medina. Stay a night if you want the museums, Salé and a slower evening.
Is Rabat the capital of Morocco?
Yes. Rabat is the capital of Morocco and the seat of the government and the royal palace. It is also one of the four imperial cities, with Marrakech, Fes and Meknes.
How far is Rabat from Casablanca?
About one hour by road or train. Many travellers combine the two in a day on the way north towards Chefchaouen or Fes.
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