Rabat
Rabat, a capital destination
Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco, is also a former imperial city, in the same way as Fez and Marrakech. It is prized for its cultural heritage, which has earned it UNESCO status, and for its peaceful atmosphere.
What you need to know about Rabat
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Flight time2h25
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Dialing code+212
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Spoken LanguageArabic
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CurrencyMorrocan dirham
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Time difference0h
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Travel FormalitiesPassport
Destination Rabat
Located around a hundred kilometres north of Casablanca, Rabat is not the most touristic of Morocco's major cities. Yet it is well worth a visit on at least two counts. Firstly, because the city of 600,000 inhabitants is the administrative and political capital of Morocco. But above all because, along with Marrakech, Fez and Meknes, it forms part of the network of the country's four imperial cities, meaning that it was the capital of the kingdom at the time of its ancient dynasties and the residence of the kings.
Unmissable
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Hassan Tower
This 12th century red minaret, which rises to 44 metres, is one of the symbols of Rabat.
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The Kasbah of the Oudayas
At the mouth of the Bouregreg wadi, the Arab fortress dates from the 12th century: a maze of alleys with white and blue houses, a pretty Andalusian garden...
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The Medina
It was built in the 17th century to accommodate Arabs fleeing Andalusia. There you will find the usual souks and their shops…
Discover Rabat
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Explore Rabat
Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2012, Rabat can count on these two features to make it stand out from the crowd, with its quiet charm and generous green spaces where visitors can enjoy the fresh air. Visitors are also sure to discover a flamboyant heritage and a real glimpse of Moroccan life.
Did you know? The sheer size of its royal palace is a sight to behold. It bears witness to Rabat's place in the history of the Maghreb from the 12th century onwards. The city was then the stronghold of the powerful Almohad dynasty and the great warrior Yacoub al-Mansour. Military expeditions, particularly to Andalusia, set sail from its vast port on the Atlantic. The result is a city divided into several centres, each of which is well worth a visit: the fortified district of the Oudayas kasbah for a generous slice of history, the old medina and its colourful souks to soak up the Moroccan atmosphere, separated from the new town by the Andalusian wall.
To the south, one district surprises visitors: the Chellah necropolis, where ancient minarets share the site with Roman ruins, and a pool surrounded by a lost garden. A timeless place, a must-see on any trip to Rabat. This cultural abundance, found everywhere in Rabat, has taken a new turn with the recent construction of the Grand Theatre, a modern building with bold lines by star architect Zaha Hadid (who also designed the magnificent Departmental Archives building in Montpellier). All of which should make the capital a major centre for the arts in the years to come, and an ideal holiday destination for art lovers.
Discover the capital of Morocco. Fly to Rabat direct from Montpellier
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Best places to visit in Rabat
Sites and monuments
- Kasbah of the Udayas – at the mouth of Bou Regreg river, the Arab fortress dates from the 12th century: a maze of alleyways with white and blue houses, a pretty Andalusian garden...
- The medina - built in the 17th century to accommodate the Arab population fleeing Andalusia. Here you'll find the traditional souks and their shops...
- Hassan Tower - this red minaret, dating from the 12th century and standing 44 metres high, is one of the symbols of Rabat.
- The city walls - encircling the old town, extend more than five kilometres and serve as a guide for a walk or bike ride.
- Mohamed V Mausoleum - Next to Hassan Tower, this masterpiece of Moroccan art houses the remains of Kings Mohamed V and Hassan II.
- Necropolis of Chellah - the tombs of the ancient Marinid dynasty were sited in an ancient Roman city, a strange contrast that lends the place incomparable charm.
- The modern city - a legacy of Lyautey, it is located next to the medina. The Art-deco buildings are dazzling, and their inhabitants mingle on the avenues planted with palm trees...
Parks and gardens
- Parc du Triangle Vue – with its tall trees lining the bustling Boulevard Hassan II, this is a cool oasis right in the centre.
- Andalusian Gardens - in the heart of the Kasbah of the Udayas, is the romantic garden par excellence, best combined with a glass of mint tea at the nearby Café des Oudayas.
- Ibn-Sina urban forest - In the south of the city, the locals also call it the “Hilton Forest” because of its proximity to the former hotel, now operated by Sofitel. Here you can enjoy the shade of the pine and eucalyptus trees.
- The Jardin d'Essais botanical gardens - a lush 17-hectare garden designed in the early 20th century by French landscape architect Jean-Claude Nicolas-Forestier.
- The Exotic Gardens of Bouknadel - a place entirely dedicated to the magic of the senses, a few kilometres north of the city.
Museums
- National Finery Museum - located in the Kasbah of the Udayas, the museum is worth visiting both for its collections of jewellery, caftans and costumes and for the richly decorated building - a former palace.
- Museum of History and Civilisation - this museum brings together ancient treasures (Roman period, Islamic archaeology, etc.) unearthed during excavations in Mogador and Volubilis.
- Mohamed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art - hosts temporary exhibitions of excellent quality.
- Bank Al-Maghrib Museum - a modern museum housed in the former headquarters of a bank, with a vast numismatic collection and art gallery.
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Unusual things to do in Rabat
- An hour away by train, Casablanca is Morocco's major business city. From the villas of the Anfa district to the corniche lined with chic boutiques, from the old medina to the gigantic Hassan II mosque, whose minaret rises to a height of 200 metres, it surprises and mesmerises visitors.
- Heading south, you can discover some of the most beautiful beaches in the Rabat region. Particularly in the town of Temara, where the seafront promenade comes alive every evening. But beware: even in Morocco, the Atlantic waters are not very warm!
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Gastronomy in Rabat
- Tajine - meat or fish, spiced or sweetened and accompanied by vegetables, prunes or almonds, simmered in an earthenware dish.
- Couscous - semolina served with beef or mutton and vegetables (carrots, courgettes, turnips, beans, peas, etc.).
- Pastilla - puff pastry filled with minced chicken or pigeon, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.
- Kefta - a skewer or meatball made from beef or lamb for a quick lunch.
- Fish - from sea bass to sea bream, grilled or baked, they are a prominent feature on the menus of Rabat's restaurants.
Desserts
- Pastries are an essential part of Moroccan culture: gazelle horn (filled with almond paste and flavoured with orange blossom), almond triangle, bechkito (jam and almond biscuit), ghribia (shortbread flavoured with lemon or orange zest).
Drinks
- Tea - green and very sweet, with mint.
- Fresh orange juice - a Moroccan classic. Beware of ice cubes and added water, which can cause tummy upsets!
- Wines* - These are mainly produced in the Meknes and Casablanca regions. Among the reds and rosés, Guerrouane is one of the best known.
- Mahia* - a fig alcohol flavoured with aniseed that can be enjoyed as a digestive or in cocktails with fruit juices.
*alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation
Unusual thing to do in Rabat
Opposite Rabat, on the other side of the Bou Regreg river, Salé is an ancient Berber town that has preserved its lively medina. Today, a bridge links the two cities, taking you from the westernised metropolis to a more traditional Morocco.
Unmissable events in Rabat
- January11 January - Independence Manifesto.
- MayEnd of May - Mawazine Festival - world music festival, with several stages around the city.
- July30 July - Throne Festival (anniversary of the King's enthronement), with parades and fireworks.
- August20 August - Anniversary of the revolution of the King and the People.
- SeptemberJazz au Chellah - Jazz festival organised in the ancient necropolis, bringing together artists from both sides of the Mediterranean.
- November18 November - Independence Day, to celebrate Mohammed V's return from exile.
Useful links for your trip to Rabat
To go further
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Travel formalities and documents
Everything you need to know and do before taking your flight.
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Travel assistance
All the information you need to travel: rights, advice, information on underage travellers and pet travel
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Luggage
Preparing your hand luggage or hold luggage in important step before your trip. That's why it's essential to know how to prepare your luggage properly.