What is the capital of Morocco? Many people think it is Casablanca, although Rabat is the capital. With the establishment of the French protectorate of Morocco in 1912, the capital was moved from Fez to Rabat. When the country achieved independence in 1956, it was agreed that the capital would remain in place. Rabat is not a popular tourist destination, but there are many reasons to add it to your agenda.
Rabat, on the other hand, is a fantastic destination and perhaps the coolest city in Morocco. Read on to learn about our favorite places in Rabat and start organizing your vacation in this quiet and beautiful old city. The small but mighty Salé/Rabat airport, which receives many planes from all over Europe, is an added bonus. It is very positive because it is quiet and fast.
Rabat is the place to go if you want to buy beautiful, high quality handicrafts without having to deal with pushy salesmen. We have compiled a list of our favorite places to sample delicious Moroccan food.
We have just traveled to discover the best of Rabat in order to help you plan your Moroccan vacation.
Getting to Rabat
Morocco’s main airport is in Casablanca, although there is also an airport in Rabat. Most flights arriving here are local or restricted flights from Europe. You will most likely arrive in Rabat by land, either by train, bus or car. Which option you choose will depend on your budget and how you want to travel around Morocco.
The train is the most comfortable way to get from Rabat to Casablanca (or vice versa). There are three train stations in Casablanca from which you can depart to Rabat. Casa Oasis, Casa Voyageur and Casa Port are available. If you take the train from Casablanca airport to the city, Casa Oasis is the first stop.
From here, change trains and go to Casa Voyageur as the second stop before continuing on to Rabat. You will need to buy a ticket for Rabat Ville, the main railroad station in the city. If you are leaving the city of Casablanca, head for Casa Port station, where commuter trains to Rabat run twice an hour. (Full timetables can be found on the ONCF website).
Rabat can also be reached from other cities. Just check the timetables and buy a ticket for the appropriate station.
The bus system is another alternative to reach Rabat. Supratours buses are recommended because they are reliable, pleasant and have minimal technical difficulties. CTM buses also travel to Rabat from all over Morocco.
Not all cities will have buses to Rabat, as they will try to reach areas where rail service is restricted to provide an alternative option. You may have to rely on the public transport system. These buses leave from the main station in the city. The schedules can be irregular and the buses can be crowded, but they are very inexpensive.
A third way to get to Rabat is by car. You can buy a seat in a large shared cab or hire a driver to transport you privately.
Private drivers can be hired through your hotel. They usually have direct contact with drivers or cabs who can transport you to your destination. This is typically the fastest mode of transportation, but also the most expensive.
If you are on vacation in Casablanca and want to visit the capital of Morocco, we invite you to book our Rabat day trip from Casablanca.
What to see in Rabat
Rabat will seduce you whether you like history, architecture or nature. Here are some things to see in Rabat and its surroundings.
THE HASSAN TOWER AND THE MAUSOLEUM
When you visit Rabat, you should not miss the Hassan Tower and the adjacent mausoleum.
The construction of the Hassan Tower began in the 12th century. It was intended to serve as a minaret for the largest mosque in the world. Unfortunately, the initiator of the project, the Moroccan king Yacoub al-Mansour, died before it could be completed.
These ruins were included on UNESCO’s list of world historic sites in 2012, and now you can walk around the site and enjoy the grandeur of the incomplete structure.
The magnificent and intricate designs of the tower, as well as the pillars placed in perfect symmetry on the ground, make it a must-see during your stay in Rabat.
The magnificent tomb of King Mohammed V and his two sons is located just in front of the incomplete minaret. You can visit the inside of the tomb, guarded by soldiers of the Moroccan Royal Guard.
The tomb is also open to non-Muslims and all visitors are reminded to remain quietly and discreetly inside the mausoleum.
CHELLAH or SHELLAH
Chellah is a historic walled settlement located on the outskirts of Rabat, on the banks of the Bou Regreg River. It is a pre-Islamic Roman city that was abandoned in 1154 and later rebuilt by a Merenid sultan.
It is a really quiet place, and ideal to get away from the hustle and bustle of Rabat. The whole region is covered with abandoned structures, overgrown vegetation and well-tended flowers.
Visitors can walk around the abandoned minaret and necropolis through small paths.
The abandoned city is now home to colonies of storks that have built their nests on top of the ancient minarets.
The necropolis of Chellah is located just outside the city.
KASBAH OF THE OUDAYAS
The first city of Rabat was established in this historic Kasbah. It is located on a rock overlooking the confluence of the Bou Regreg River and the Atlantic Ocean.
The view of the lake from this fortified Kasbah is beautiful, and it is a fantastic place to watch the sunset.
The citadel is now mostly a residential neighborhood, and strolling through the small alleys of this ancient medina is extremely peaceful.
You won’t find as many merchants and artisans here as in other Moroccan kasbahs and medinas, but those you do find will have wonderful wooden souvenirs for sale.
We went mid-week and were surprised at how quiet and pleasant the alleys were. The only thing that disturbed the quiet was the few gnawa musicians we came across….
Part of the walls and houses were painted blue, which reminded us of Chefchaouen, the famous blue city of Morocco.
To access the Kasbah of the Oudayas, you have to go through the original large gates of the city. I strongly advise you to take some photos at these ancient gates.
They are adorned with intricate patterns and motifs and are very attractive.
The Andalusian Gardens are located just to the right of the entrance to the Kasbah of the Oudayas, where you can rest and relax while enjoying the flowers before beginning your investigation of the Kasbah.
What to do in the capital of Morocco
Like all Moroccan cities, Rabat has a lot to offer its visitors in terms of things to see and do. Here are some of the most important things to do in the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco.
STROLL THROUGH THE RABAT ZOO
The Rabat Zoo is quite large. It is worth a full day visit because of its immensity and the large number of species you can see (130 different types of animals).
This zoo also houses several of the species one would want to see on an African safari, such as elephants, lions, rhinos and hippos. The unique feature of this zoo is that all the animals are housed in simulated environments such as mountain, desert, savannah and rainforest habitats.
ADMIRE THE KING’S PALACE
The Royal Palace of Rabat is the official residence of King Hassan II and the royal family. In addition to being the residence of the monarch and his family, this palace houses several of the most important administrative bodies of the country.
The official name of this palace is El Mechouar Essaid, which translates as “palace of happiness”. There are other administrative and government buildings, trees and gardens, and a large parade ground on the extensive grounds.
The palace can only be seen from afar because entry is prohibited. That said, even from a distance, it feels grand and massive.
TAKE A BOAT RIDE
Just outside the Kasbah des Oudaias is a wide space where the Bou Regreg River and the sea meet. A short boat trip on this river is a fantastic thing to undertake while in Rabat.
As the boats are rowing boats, they are quite calm and are great for a relaxing afternoon on the river. They are also a fantastic opportunity to get a new view of the old fortified Kasbah.
Towards sunset, many families gather on the boats for some family time.
You will have to haggle over the price with the men providing the service, but it is well worth it. A trip across the river to Salé costs about 20 MAD, but traveling further will undoubtedly cost much more.
GETTING LOST IN THE OLD MEDINA
A vacation in a Moroccan city is not complete until you take the time to wander and get lost in the streets of Rabat’s old center. Walking among hundreds of people huddled among stalls of merchants selling unique products from all over the country is exciting.
Millions of colors, smells and noises fill the streets. Rabat is no exception, although its Medina streets are much easier to navigate and less intimidating to some than those of Marrakech, Fez or Meknes.
This ancient city is much less chaotic and more accessible than others in the country.
This means that guests can wander around without feeling rushed and can simply enjoy the experience.
In the Medina you can find everything from homemade soap to wood carvings and everything in between. It is an ideal place to pick up some souvenirs for friends or family before heading home.
Where to eat in Rabat
Food is always a big deal, so when you’re hungry or just planning where to fill up when you’re in Rabat, this list will help you sort things out.
Finding delicious cuisine is always at the top of a travel priority list. In Rabat, it’s no different. When it comes to restaurants, there is something for every taste and budget. There are numerous places to have a drink, although many close early.
The best places to eat in the Medina
El Bahia, located in the El Bahia, at number 4 Hassan II Avenue, is inside the walls of the medina, with an entrance that includes a garden and a fountain, between Mohammed V Avenue and the traffic circle of the Nouzhat Hassan Gardens. It also includes a small patio with awnings on the same sidewalk. They offer traditional Moroccan food, simple and tasty, at a reasonable price. It fills up early, as it caters to both locals and visitors.
Marhaba Restaurant, located on Gaza Street, just across the street from the Splendid Hotel, offers reasonably priced Moroccan food. It also has a lot of local clientele. There are many other small places for cheap dining in the Medina.
Rabat Marina – Salé:
Al Marsa restaurant, in Salé’s marina, offers Spanish Mediterranean food and is considered one of the best tables in town. However, when it is full, the quality of the food suffers. It is accessible by car, and there is parking in front. The restaurant offers pleasant views from the windows or the patio (ideal if the weather permits and it is not crowded). You must try the Spanish chef’s fish, seafood, rice dishes and tapas, as well as a great wine list at reasonable prices.
Mohammed VI Avenue:
Picolos restaurant, located at 146 Avenue Mohammed VI, is run by a French couple. It is a Grand restaurant with a shaded outdoor patio; unites good cuisine, including wines(they even offer ham with melon); and an average price of 400 Dirhams(38 E) per person, including wine, sweets and tips.
The Matsuri restaurant on Mohammed VI Avenue is one of the best Japanese restaurants in town, if not the best. The service is top notch. Tables are arranged around a rotating circular bar where you can order as many dishes as you like. The kitchen is accessible to the public, and prices vary according to the items (colors) on the menu. As for prices, with a couple of beers or a glass of wine, the average is about 350 dirham per person (32 euros).
The Rabat Cornice:
Le Dhow Restaurant is a yacht anchored on the Rabat Corniche, near the Udayas tunnel. It is an amazing restaurant serving French-Italian food, whose main feature is the boat and its location with stunning views. They also offer drinks in the evening, and it’s a great pub to go to in the afternoon for a decent beer and an aperitif.
On Sidi El Yabouri beach, the Borj Eddar restaurant offers Moroccan cuisine with a focus on fish and seafood, with a buffet menu priced at 175 dirhams including drinks. It has excellent views of the Atlantic, the Oudayas and more.
City Center:
Ty Potes restaurant, at 11 Rue Gafsa, is highly recommended for those who yearn for old Europe, as long as it is not crowded. It is Rabat’s closest approach to Brittany, and although crepes are its specialty, you can have excellent oysters with beer or wine as an aperitif. You can eat quietly in the small courtyard garden inside, or buy delicious cheeses and charcuterie (mostly French) that are hard to come by elsewhere. The only problem is that it fills up early.
Le Cosmopolitan, located on Av. Ibn Toumert below the Rabat Ville station, serves well-prepared French food in an excellent setting for those tired of tagines, hariras and the like. Rabat prices are a bit steep, but the quality is worth it. Lunch menus start at 115 dirhams (including drinks); a garden terrace overlooking Rabat’s ramparts near the Bab Rouah gate and excellent service make it an unbeatable choice.
Hay Riyadh district:
Le Petit Plus restaurant, located in the Riad Mahaj square, is a small restaurant that debuted in 2013 and offers French-style cuisine with a menu that includes fish, seafood and beef. Late night. They offer live music and karaoke events depending on the day.
In the same neighborhood, there are numerous other restaurants (many of which do not serve alcohol) serving Italian, Moroccan and Japanese cuisine, as well as a Paul Café where you can have a light meal from one of the menus they offer.
Agdal district:
A few years ago, “Bar à Tapas” or “Spanish-style” restaurants were quite popular in Rabat. However, most tapas establishments do not offer decent food and are not authentically Spanish. However, since there are always exceptions, here is a viable alternative.
Bar-Restaurant Sa Caleta is located in the Prestige Shopping Center, on the corner of Av. Ahmed Rifai and Av. Mohammed VI.
L’Entrecôte restaurant, at 74 Avenue Al Amir Fal Ould Oumeir, is near the Av de France streetcar stop and not far from Bab Rouah.
It has been open since 1982 and offers a varied menu with French, Spanish and Moroccan cuisine options. Compared to other restaurants of the same type, they offer decent cuisine. The costs are reasonable when compared to the average for places of this type. The wine list is excellent and the prices are reasonable.
La Bodega, located at 30 Av. de Michlifen, is a Spanish cuisine in the Tex-Mex Moroccan style.
Morocco Tours from Rabat
Rabat is an underrated superstar when it comes to visiting Morocco. The administrative capital of Morocco is often left off the famous tourist circuit, as visitors flock to Marrakech in the south and Fez, as well as Tangier and Chefchaouen in the center and north of the country.
Casablanca, home to Morocco’s main international airport as well as Hassan II, the largest mosque in North Africa, certainly attracts more visitors than Rabat.
If you are ready to visit Rabat, we invite you to take a look in our Casablanca private tours including Rabat or book our 10-day Imperial Cities and Sahara tour starting from Casablanca. The trip will take you to visit the capital of Morocco and many other sights.
