Rabat Travel Guide: Kasbah, Monuments and Where to Stay

Morocco’s capital is its most relaxed big city: clean boulevards lined with palms, a whitewashed kasbah above the Atlantic, Roman ruins full of storks and a medina where you can shop without being hassled. Rabat is a UNESCO World Heritage city, home to some of the country’s finest monuments and newest museums, and it is perfectly placed between Casablanca, Fes and Tangier on the high-speed rail line.

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Best things to do in Rabat

1. Wander the Kasbah of the Udayas. Rabat’s oldest quarter sits on a rocky point where the Bou Regreg River meets the ocean. Its lanes are painted blue and white, and the walled Andalusian Gardens inside are a peaceful place to rest. Walk to the terrace at the end for views over the river mouth and the surfers below.
2. See the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. The Hassan Tower is the unfinished minaret of a huge mosque begun in the 12th century, surrounded by a forest of stone columns. Across the esplanade, the white mausoleum of King Mohammed V is one of the most beautiful modern monuments in Morocco, guarded by royal horsemen.
3. Explore the Chellah. Behind high walls, the ruins of the Roman town of Sala and a medieval Marinid necropolis lie in a garden of fig trees and flowers. Dozens of storks nest on the old minaret and walls.
4. Shop in the medina. Rabat’s medina is compact, authentic and calm. Walk Rue des Consuls for carpets, leather and crafts, and the market streets for spices, olives and street food.
5. Visit the Mohammed VI Museum. The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art showcases Moroccan and international artists in a striking building in the city centre.
6. See the Grand Theatre. Designed by Zaha Hadid on the banks of the Bou Regreg, Rabat’s new Royal Theatre opened to the public in 2026 and is already one of the city’s landmarks.
7. Cross the river to Salé. A short tram or boat ride takes you to Rabat’s twin city, with its own medina, the beautiful Merinid madrasa and the Bouregreg marina.

Where to stay in Rabat

Stay in a riad in the medina for character and walking distance to the Kasbah, or in the modern centre and Agdal for business hotels, parking and easy train connections.

Riad Esmeralda by Dar Ouezzani

Riad Dar Rabiaa

Riad Safia

Dar Shaeir

BRĂAT Hôtel

MyCity

Ibis Rabat Agdal

Getting there and around

Rabat has two main stations, Rabat Ville in the centre and Rabat Agdal. Trains reach Casablanca in about an hour, and the Al Boraq high-speed train connects Rabat with Kenitra and Tangier. Rabat-Salé Airport has flights from Europe; book a fixed-price transfer with Kiwitaxi and compare flights on Aviasales. In the city, the modern tram links Rabat and Salé, and blue petits taxis are cheap. Guided city tours and day trips can be booked on GetYourGuide, and a Morocco eSIM from Airalo keeps you connected.

Do it like a Moroccan: local tips

• Dress respectfully. Rabat is the seat of government and the royal palace; modest clothing is appreciated, especially at the mausoleum.
• Catch the sunset at the Kasbah. The terrace above the river mouth is the best place in the city at golden hour.
• Try the cafés of the Kasbah. Sip mint tea and eat Moroccan pastries in the café next to the Andalusian Gardens.
• Combine it with Casablanca. The two cities are only an hour apart by train, so they work well together.

When to go

Spring and autumn are ideal, with sunny, mild days. Rabat’s ocean breeze keeps summers more comfortable than inland cities, and winters are mild but rainy at times.

Continue your trip with our Casablanca travel guide, the Tangier travel guide, the Asilah travel guide, the Meknes and Volubilis guide or the Fes travel guide, or plan your route with the free Moroccanly trip planner.

Cover photo: Hongbin on Unsplash