Discover Rabat

Rabat can be explored through a wide range of interests: historic buildings, museums, gardens, urban green spaces and the coast. If you’re looking for a hotel in Rabat, you can plan your stay around whichever of these aspects interests you most. The following places offer practical starting points for choosing where to stay and exploring the city.

Architecture and city history

The Hassan Tower is a striking architectural landmark, consisting of a surviving minaret that stands 44 metres tall. Its architecture is similar to that of the Koutoubia in Marrakesh and the Giralda in Seville. If you’re interested in architectural forms, you can compare the three minarets. The Mausoleum of Mohammed V overlooks the esplanade of the Hassan Tower and provides another important landmark in this part of Rabat.

The medina lies in the heart of the capital. Chellah offers a different sense of place: the site lies outside the Almohad walls and two kilometres from the city centre. The Kasbah of the Udayas is on the left bank of the Bouregreg, about a 15-minute walk from the city centre, although walking time can vary depending on the route. Together, these places portray Rabat in different ways—through its city centre, its walls and its riverside setting.

Kasbah, crafts and art

The Oudaïa Museum, an ethnographic museum dedicated to preserving traditional Moroccan craftsmanship, is located in the Kasbah of the Oudaïas. It offers an introduction to craft traditions. Rue des Consuls complements this cultural focus in a different way: the recently restored pedestrian street is ideal for a stroll and for finding distinctive souvenirs.

The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art opened in 2014 and is Morocco’s first public museum of modern and contemporary art. It houses more than 400 works by Moroccan artists from the 20th and 21st centuries. Those interested in these periods will find an extensive collection here, while the focus on traditional craftsmanship at the Oudaïa Museum offers a different cultural perspective.

Gardens, green spaces and the coast

Rabat’s Botanical Garden combines garden design with an extensive plant collection. Landscape architect Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier laid it out in 1914. Today, the garden covers 17 hectares, with more than 600 plant species arranged in themed collections. The grounds also include a Moorish house. Plant enthusiasts can explore several aspects here: the variety of species, their themed arrangement and the garden’s historic design.

The Andalusian Garden of the Oudaïas has a different character. Mediterranean plants such as bougainvillea and orange trees grow there, and the garden offers views of the Atlantic. Plage des Oudayas also brings together the city and the coast: the beach is in the city centre. The fortress, perched on a rock, faces the sea and rises above the sandy beach below. Together, a landscaped garden and a beach framed by a distinctive rocky setting offer two different landscape experiences.

Another large green space is the Ibn Sina Urban Forest, also known as Hilton Forest. It is located in the Souissi district of Rabat and covers more than 60 hectares. The botanical garden and the urban forest therefore differ considerably in size and purpose: themed plant collections here, an expansive urban woodland there.

Getting around and activities

For getting around the city, the tramway is considered the preferred mode of transport in Rabat, as well as in Salé and Casablanca. The Kasbah of the Udayas is described as about a 15-minute walk from the city centre, while Chellah is two kilometres from the city centre. These distances offer different reference points for navigating the city without specifying a particular route between the places.

Kayak and windsurfing excursions are available at locations operated by the Rabat Nautical Club. Check before your trip whether these activities are currently being offered. This means you can include water-based activities in your plans, alongside buildings, museums and gardens.

Discover more destinations: Aguelmouss, Oulmes, Skhirat, Souk Larbaa Essehoul, Bouknadel, Aïn El Aouda, Khémisset.

Back to the broader travel overview: Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer.