Stand at the top of the Kasbah of the Oudaias and the Atlantic opens out below you, with the white and blue houses of the old quarter packed tight behind and the river mouth separating Rabat from Salé on the far bank. It is a capital that behaves like a working city rather than a monument, and much of what is worth your time sits within a walk or a short tram ride of the centre.
Rabat suits travellers who want a medina they can actually navigate, a coastline, and a set of historic sites that do not require queueing. The old city is compact and the medina is far less crowded and maze-like than those of Fes and Marrakesh, which makes it a comfortable place to explore on foot.
This guide covers the historic centre, the modern centre, the sites on the outskirts and the short hop across the river to Salé, followed by a one-day plan and answers to the questions visitors ask most.
Top things to do in Rabat
1. Kasbah of the Oudaias
The oldest part of Rabat, enclosed by old fortifications that include a large 12th-century stone gate. Inside you will find narrow streets lined with white and blue houses, the Andalucian Gardens, the Oudaias Museum in a 17th-century palace, and a wide view over the Atlantic Ocean.
Entrance is free, which makes it easy to visit more than once. Come for the view late in the day, and allow time to wander the lanes rather than treating it as a single stop.
2. Hassan Tower and the Royal Mausoleum
The mausoleum holds the grandfather of the current king, the father of Moroccan independence, and was designed by a Vietnamese architect, opening in 1967. It stands beside the 12th-century Hassan Tower, which along with many columns is all that remains of what would have been one of the largest mosques in the world at the time.
The site is open 08:00–18:00 and entry is free. Pair it with the Old Medina, which is a short distance away.
3. Chellah
A site possibly founded by Phoenicians, later occupied by Romans, and then turned into a royal necropolis in the Islamic era. After centuries of abandonment it is now settled by a huge colony of storks, and in spring the breeding ground fills with bird life, including a stork nest on top of the old minaret. Both the Roman remains and a ruined 14th-century Islamic complex can be visited.
It is open 08:30–18:30 and costs 70 dirham. You can walk there from the city centre, but it is a long walk, so plan it as a half-day rather than a quick stop.
4. Old Medina
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of atmospheric narrow streets and a sizeable market. Because it is less crowded and maze-like than the medinas of Fes and Marrakesh, it is easy to explore without a guide.
Give it an unhurried couple of hours and let the streets lead you; the market is the natural place to break for a drink.
5. Medina of Salé
Salé is a separate municipality across the river, easy to reach by tram from Rabat. Its medina is generally older than the medina of Rabat, with narrower and more winding streets. It is mostly residential, but includes several religious sites, usually closed to non-Muslims, along with historical buildings and a set of medieval walls and gates. Entry is free.
Combine it with the Marinid Madrasa, which sits in the same area, and treat the trip as a half-day across the water.
6. Marinid Madrasa
A small but very pretty 14th-century madrasa located next to the Grand Mosque in Salé. The mosque is closed to non-Muslims, but the madrasa can be entered, and it is similar in style to the madrasas of Fez.
Entry is around 60 dirham. It is the natural companion to the Medina of Salé, so see the two together.
7. Chouhada Cemetery
A huge and often colourful cemetery by the sea. It is a quiet, open place to walk, and the coastal setting gives it a different character from the walled sites inland.
Combine it with the beach, which is nearby, and keep to the paths out of respect for the graves.
8. The Beach
Rabat's beach is rather small and not particularly appealing as a swimming spot, but there are a couple of rustic cafes and surfing gear is available for rent.
Come for the cafes and the surf rental rather than a full beach day, and pair it with the Chouhada Cemetery next door.
9. Royal Palace
The palace is huge and you cannot really visit it, but it makes a nice walk. The armed guards may allow you to walk from one entrance to another, especially if you look like a tourist.
Bring your passport. Bab er-Rouah is close to downtown and the Royal Palace, so the two fit together in one walk.
10. Bab er-Rouah
One of the old city's best medieval gates, located close to downtown and the Royal Palace. It is not worth a special detour if you have already seen Chellah or the Kasbah of the Oudaias, which both have similar gateways, but it is interesting if you are walking in the area and have time to spare. Entry is free.
Sometimes the interior is open for shows or art exhibits, so it is worth a look if you are passing.
11. St. Peter's Cathedral
The city's own art-deco cathedral, and a striking change of register from the medina and the kasbah.
It sits in the modern centre, so slot it into a walk between the downtown sights rather than making a separate trip.
12. National Archaeological Museum
This museum houses artifacts from various periods of Morocco's history, including ancient Roman and medieval objects. It is on Ave Yacoub el Mansour.
As of November 2019 it was closed for restoration, so check before you build a day around it.
13. The Currency Museum of the Bank Al-Maghrib
A specialised museum on the corner of Avenue Allal Ben Abdellah and Rue Al-Qahira, useful if you have an interest in money and banking history.
It is in the modern centre, so pair it with St. Peter's Cathedral and the nearby downtown streets.
14. Rabat Zoo
The Jardin Zoologique de Rabat holds more than 100 species of Moroccan, Saharan and other African animals in open spaces simulating their natural habitats, including mountains, desert, savanna and rain forest. It is open 10:00–17:30 and costs 50 dirham, or 35 dirham for students.
It sits outside the centre and is reached by the infrequent bus #7; a taxi costs around 40 dirham but can be problematic to find for the return. Go earlier in the day to make the most of the opening hours.
15. Royal Golf Dar es Salaam
The domain spreads over 440 ha of trees, flowers and water. If you have enough money, a car and are looking for a quiet area to walk around or to play golf, you will like it. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 06:00–22:00.
This is a trip for those with their own transport and time to spare, not a stop to fold into a walking day.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Kasbah of the Oudaias while the light is still soft, walking the white and blue streets and the Andalucian Gardens and taking in the view of the Atlantic. Continue into the Old Medina and spend the rest of the morning in its market and lanes.
Afternoon: Head to Hassan Tower and the Royal Mausoleum, open 08:00–18:00 and free, then walk on to Bab er-Rouah and past the Royal Palace, keeping your passport with you. If time allows, finish the afternoon at the Chouhada Cemetery and the beach for the sea air.
Evening: Take the tram across the river to Salé and see the Medina of Salé and the Marinid Madrasa, then return to Rabat for the evening.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Old Medina hard to navigate?
No. It is less crowded and maze-like than the medinas of Fes and Marrakesh, which makes it easy to explore on foot.
Do I need to pay to enter the main historic sites?
Some are free and some are not. The Kasbah of the Oudaias, the Old Medina, the Medina of Salé and Bab er-Rouah have free entrance, and Hassan Tower and the Royal Mausoleum are free. Chellah costs 70 dirham, the Marinid Madrasa around 60 dirham, and Rabat Zoo 50 dirham, or 35 dirham for students.
Can I visit Salé without a car?
Yes. Salé is a separate municipality across the river, but it is easy to reach by tram from Rabat.
When is the best time to see the storks at Chellah?
In spring, when the breeding ground bubbles with bird life, including a stork nest on top of the old minaret.
Decide which of these fits your days, check the current status of anything closed for restoration, and start building your route around the Kasbah, the river and the tram line across to Salé.