1h
Hassan Tower & Mohammed V Mausoleum
Unfinished 12th-century minaret and royal mausoleum in white marble. Guards in traditional costume, masterpiece of Moroccan craftsmanship.
Free
Ville Impériale
Rabat
The Capital of Light
Administrative and cultural capital of the Kingdom
580,000 inhabitants (1.8M metro area)
Founded in 12th
18°C annual, 26°C in summer
Political capital of Morocco since 1912, Rabat combines millennial heritage and modernity. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it charms with its gardens, its ocean, and its art of living.
Histoire de Rabat
Rabat takes its name from "Ribat al-Fath" (camp of victory), an Almohad fortress of the 12th century serving as a base for the conquest of Andalusia.
Sultan Yacoub el-Mansour undertook the construction of the Hassan Tower, intended to be the largest minaret in the Muslim world. His death in 1199 left the monument unfinished at 44 meters.
In the 17th century, Rabat welcomed the Moriscos expelled from Spain, who founded the Republic of Bouregreg with Salé. Capital of the French protectorate in 1912, it remained the capital at independence and developed an identity as a garden city.
Inscribed as a World Heritage site in 2012, Rabat is today a modern, green, and cultural capital, housing world-class museums and the prestigious Mohammed VI Theatre.
Foundation
12th century (Ribat = fortified camp)
Dynasty
Almohads (foundation), Alaouites (capital)
Climate
Temperate oceanic
Monuments & Sites to Visit
Les incontournables de Rabat pour un voyage inoubliable
2h
Kasbah of the Oudayas
Fortress overlooking the ocean with blue and white alleys. Peaceful Andalusian garden, Moorish café with view over Salé.
Free
1h30
Chellah
Roman-Berber site then Merinid necropolis. Romantic gardens inhabited by storks. Magical sunset.
70 MAD
2h
Mohammed VI Museum of Modern Art
Largest art museum in Morocco. Collections of modern Moroccan art and renowned international exhibitions.
40 MAD
2h
Medina
Compact and authentic medina. Rue des Consuls for crafts, little commercial pressure. Peaceful atmosphere.
Free
2h+
Rabat Beach & Corniche
Supervised urban beach and ocean promenade. Surf, trendy cafés and sunsets over the Atlantic.
Free
Quartiers de Rabat
Oudayas
Historic kasbah, blue alleys
Hassan
Administrative district, Hassan Tower
Agdal
Modern district, university, TGV station
Hay Riad
Business district, embassies
Salé
Twin city, authentic medina
Practical Information
Where to Sleep?
Luxury hotels (Sofitel, La Tour Hassan) or riads in the Oudayas for charm. Agdal offers good value near the TGV station.
Gastronomy
Fresh fish and seafood on the corniche. Refined international cuisine in the restaurants of the Agdal district. The Dhow, a restaurant boat on the river, is a unique experience.
Transportation
Modern tramway linking Rabat to Salé. Agdal TGV station (1h45 from Tangier, 2h30 from Casa). Rabat-Salé airport 15 min from the center.
Best Time
All year round, mild climate. Avoid August for the heat and summer crowds.
Our Tips
The tramway is the most practical way to get around
Visit Salé for an authentic medina without tourists
The Mohammed VI Museum deserves at least 2 hours
Have a Moorish coffee in the Oudayas at sunset
The Nations Beach is quieter than Rabat's
Excursions depuis Rabat
Salé
3 km
Twin city, authentic medina
Bouknadel Exotic Gardens
15 km
Botanical gardens
Nations Beach
25 km
Wild beach
Casablanca
90 km
Economic metropolis
Discover the Other Imperial Cities
Prêt à découvrir Rabat ?
Consultez nos circuits incluant Rabat ou contactez-nous pour un voyage sur mesure