Must-see attractions in Rabat

  • Historic Chellah Necropolis in Rabat, Morocco

    Chellah

    Rabat

    First came the Phoenicians, then the Romans took control of this beautiful hilltop site above the fertile Bou Regreg river plain around 40 CE. From 1154,…

  • Woman in Kasbah des Oudaias, Rabat, Morocco

    Kasbah des Oudaias

    Rabat

    Rabat's historic citadel occupies the site of the original ribat (fortress-monastery) that gave the city its name. Predominately residential, its narrow…

  • Mausoleum of Mohammed V

    Rabat

    The present king’s father (the late Hassan II) and grandfather were laid to rest in this marble mausoleum, which is decorated with exquisite examples of…

  • Rabat Medina

    Rabat

    When the French arrived in the early 20th century, this walled medina by the sea was the full extent of the city. Built on an orderly grid in the 17th…

  • Tour Hassan

    Rabat

    Rabat's must-see sight – along with the neighbouring mausoleum – this iconic tower looms 44m above the Bou Regreg estuary. It was originally part of an…

  • Museum of History & Civilisation

    Rabat

    Reopened after a major renovation, this small but perfectly formed museum is split in to two sections – the first showcases the history of Morocco through…

  • Villa des Arts de Rabat

    Rabat

    This beautifully restored, blindingly white art deco villa dates from 1929 and now holds well-curated contemporary art exhibitions with a focus on…

  • Bab Oudaia

    Rabat

    The most dramatic entry to the kasbah is through the enormous Almohad gate of Bab Oudaia, built in 1195. Its location, facing the heart of the city and…

  • Plage des Nations

    Rabat

    The clean, sandy strip of beach, around 25km north of Rabat, gets some serious wave action that's good for surfers, but the currents can be dangerous for…

  • Jardins Exotiques

    Rabat

    Created by French horticulturist Marcel François in 1951, these gardens were declared a Natural Heritage site in 2003. Recently renovated, they're filled…

  • Souq As Sebbat

    Rabat

    Recently restored, this covered souq at the eastern end of Rue Souika specialises in jewellery, rugs and leather goods, and is the only part of the medina…

  • Plateforme du Sémaphore

    Rabat

    This plaza at the highest point of the Kasbah Les Oudaias offers wonderful views over the estuary and across to Salé. The elevated position once provided…

  • Andalusian Gardens

    Rabat

    These gardens, laid out by the French during the colonial period, are located within the Kasbah des Oudaias. Full of citrus trees, lofty palms and vibrant…

  • Mosque El Atiqa

    Rabat

    This small mosque is Rabat's oldest. It was built in the 10th century and restored in the 18th with funds donated by an English pirate known as Ahmed El…

  • Témara Plage

    Rabat

    Wild and sandy Témara Plage, 15km south of the city, is popular with surfers and sunbathers in summer; there are dangerous rips so swimmers should be…

  • St Pierre Cathedral

    Rabat

    With an architecturally interesting exterior, this bright white cathedral dates from 1919 but its two art deco–style towers were added in the 1930s. They…

  • Fort de la Calette Lighthouse

    Rabat

    Built in 1920 and still working, this 31m-tall, white lighthouse rises above natural stone walls and the rocks below. It looks especially striking at…

  • Grande Mosquée de Rabat Medina

    Rabat

    This mosque, a 14th-century Merinid original much rebuilt in the intervening years, is located just off the Souq As Sebbat. It is closed to non-Muslims.

  • Grand Théâtre de Rabat

    Rabat

    Still under construction at the time of research, but set to open in 2021, this space-age structure by the Bou Regreg River was designed by the late,…

  • Royal Palace

    Rabat

    Located at the end of the mechouar (a large parade ground), this palace dates from 1864 and is a principal residence of the royal family. It is off-limits…

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