Rabat
الرباطThe calm, green royal capital, with a brand-new stadium and world-class museums.
Overview
Rabat is Morocco's capital, home of the King, the government and embassies. It is clean, green, relaxed and easy to walk. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site ('Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City'), mixing a 12th-century kasbah, Roman ruins, gardens and modern buildings. Across the river is its twin city, Salé.
What makes it unique
- A capital where you can see Roman ruins, a medieval kasbah and an architecture by Zaha Hadid in one afternoon.
- The Kasbah of the Udayas: white and blue lanes above the ocean, very photogenic.
- The Mohammed VI Tower in Salé, one of the tallest buildings in Africa.
- Very calm medina: shopping without much pressure.
- The rebuilt Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, one of the most modern in Africa.
Weather in June–July
June–July: pleasant, usually 18–28°C (64–82°F). Ocean breeze, cool evenings.
Arriving
Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA) is about 10 km from the centre, with direct flights to many European cities. Trains: Rabat-Agdal station (Al Boraq high-speed trains to Tangier and normal trains to Casablanca) and Rabat-Ville station in the centre. About 1 hour from Casablanca by train, about 1h20 from Tangier by Al Boraq.
Getting around
Two tram lines connect Rabat and Salé, the main stations and the medina. Blue 'petit taxis' use the meter. The centre, the medina and the kasbah are easy to walk.
Stadium
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Completely rebuilt and reopened in 2025; hosted matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Football-only stadium with stands very close to the pitch.
- Capacity
- about 69,000
- Location
- In the south of Rabat (Souissi area), inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah sports complex.
- Getting there
- By taxi or tram/bus connections from the centre; about 15–25 minutes from Rabat-Agdal station depending on traffic. Official match-day shuttles to be confirmed. To be confirmed
- Fully covered stands.
- Home of the Morocco national team for many big matches.
Top sights
Kasbah of the Udayas
A 12th-century fortress with blue-and-white lanes, the Andalusian Gardens and a terrace over the river mouth and the ocean.
Tip: Ignore people who insist on guiding you; the kasbah is small and easy to explore alone.
Hassan Tower & Mausoleum of Mohammed V
The unfinished minaret of a 12th-century mosque, surrounded by columns, facing the beautiful royal mausoleum with its royal guards on horseback.
Tip: Free entry. Dress modestly in the mausoleum.
Chellah
Roman and medieval ruins in a garden full of storks' nests. Very peaceful, with a modern visitor route.
Rabat Medina
Calm and local, with the Rue des Consuls for carpets and crafts.
Bouregreg Valley & the Grand Theatre
Riverside promenade, the Zaha Hadid-designed Grand Theatre, and views of the Mohammed VI Tower.
Royal Palace (Dar al-Makhzen)
You can view the walls and gates from the esplanade; the palace itself is not open to visitors.
Museums
Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMVI)
Morocco's leading museum of modern art, with major international exhibitions.
National Museum of Archaeology
Famous for its Roman bronzes from Volubilis and prehistoric finds.
Bank Al-Maghrib Museum
History of money and Moroccan art, a nice surprise for families.
National Museum of Photography
In the Borj Kebir fort by the ocean.
Museum of History and Civilizations
Archaeological treasures of Morocco across the ages.
Food & restaurants
Seafood by the port and the river
Simple fish grills and seafood restaurants around the Bouregreg.
Café Maure (Kasbah)
Mint tea and almond pastries on a terrace in the Andalusian Gardens.
Agdal & Hassan
Many modern restaurants, international and Moroccan.
Medina street food
Sandwiches, snail soup (babbouche) in the evening, fresh juices.
Shopping
Rue des Consuls (Medina)
Carpets, leather, slippers (babouches), jewellery. Prices are often lower than in Marrakech.
Ensemble Artisanal (near the river)
Fixed-price craft workshops where you can watch artisans work.
Oulja Pottery Complex (Salé)
Large pottery and craft complex just outside Salé with good prices.
Arribat Center & Mega Mall
Modern malls for everyday needs.
With kids
National Zoological Garden
A modern zoo with Atlas lions (Barbary lions), African animals and large natural spaces.
Jardin d'Essais Botaniques
Historic botanical garden with shady paths, ideal on a hot day.
Beaches
Rabat's city beach and Salé are busy; Temara and Harhoura beaches to the south are wider and calmer.
Boat ride on the Bouregreg
Small boats cross between Rabat and Salé for a few dirhams, a fun short ride.
Day trips
Salé
Across the river: old medina, Grand Mosque area, and the Mohammed VI Tower.
Casablanca
About 1 hour by train.
Meknes & Volubilis
About 2–2.5 hours. Imperial city and the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco.
Kenitra & the Mehdia beach
Beach and the Sidi Boughaba lake reserve with birds.
Where to stay
Medina & Kasbah
Traditional riads (guesthouses) inside the old walls. Charming and walkable.
Hassan / Centre-ville
Hotels near Rabat-Ville station, Avenue Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower.
Agdal
Modern, residential, cafés and restaurants, close to the high-speed train station.
Bouregreg / Salé marina
Waterside area with views of the Hassan Tower and the Grand Theatre.
Local tips
- Rabat is the easiest Moroccan city for first-time visitors: calm, safe and well organized.
- Government and royal buildings: no photos of guards or official sites if asked not to.
All questions · Rabat
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All host cities
- Casablanca الدار البيضاء: Morocco's big, modern city by the ocean, home of the giant new World Cup stadium.
- Rabat الرباط: The calm, green royal capital, with a brand-new stadium and world-class museums.
- Tangier طنجة: Where Africa meets Europe: legendary port city facing Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar.
- Marrakech مراكش: The Red City: palaces, gardens, souks and the magic of Jemaa el-Fna square.
- Fes فاس: The spiritual and cultural capital: the world's largest living medieval city.
- Agadir أكادير: Sunny beach city with a huge bay, gateway to argan forests and surfing villages.