Location: Rabat
Top Things to do in Rabat
What to do and see in Rabat, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer Region: The Best Things to do
Morocco's coastal capital since 1912, Rabat has just over a million people. Modern and even reserved by Moroccan standards, the city also has many fascinating historic sites, including the picturesque Kasbah of the Udayas, built in the mid-12th century. The unique Hassan Tower, begun at the end of the 12th century, was meant to have the world's largest minaret, but was never completed. Just opposite the tower lies the 20th-century Mausoleum of Mohammed V, another of the city's main attractions.
Restaurants in Rabat
1. Mausoleum of Mohammad V
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,501 reviews
Reviewed By ogerkan - New York City, United States
Located on a large hilltop alongside the Hassan Tower complete with ceremonial guards on horseback and foot, the Mausoleum of Mohammad V is an impressive site. Plan on walking the square and observing the exquisite exterior prior to entering to pay your respects.
2. Chellah
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,534 reviews
Reviewed By J0anned568 - Canberra, Australia
This site in Rabat is well worth a visit and is of considerable historic interest. Getting there by private bus (or car) was tricky towards the middle of the day because local traffic was in log-jam in a nearby intersection so allow time for this or walk. Leaving was even more difficult as we needed to turn left out of the ruins and we had to go the long way around the block and that took 20 mins to get back to essentially the same spot but on opposite side of the road. The site is Arabic/Islamic ruins set among older Roman ruins. They are beautifully presented having been integrated into a botanic garden. The ruins are at the bottom of a hill reached by a 'steepish' sloping path with some steps. The ground within the ruins is uneven, so less mobile people need to be careful. We had our own guide, and I suggest making sure that you can get information about the site online or out of guide books otherwise you will wander around and not realise what you are looking at. I don't recall any signs to point out different elements. Good winter rains meant that the area was covered by wildflowers and wonderful yellow-coloured lichens. Storks were perched on large stick nests and were often engaged in mating activities with lots of noise and fanfare. Take time to wander as you can catch site of mosaics and other features. It as worth visiting the pond with eels (good apparently for fertility) and we gave the local woman some money to feed the cats. It was very peaceful and a great place to spend a quite time. It was not very busy during our visit in late March.
3. Kasbah des Oudaias
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,206 reviews
Reviewed By AngelIoannou - Sydney, Australia
This area is great for walking. Excellent views over river and Atlantic Ocean Narrow lanes with blue and white lime wall colours Ensure you stop at Cafe Maure for mint tea and delicious selection of Morrocan cakes The Andulasian Gardens are also beautiful
4. Museum Mohamed VI of Modern and Contemporary Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 300 reviews
Reviewed By waway1
Got a chance to visit this wonderful museum in Rabat from Casablanca. The staff was very helpful and the exhibits were intriguing for myself and my two young kids. We had such a great time and spent an hour and a half there. Also visited the coffee shop that is just around the corner and did an art project with them on the lawn across the street.
5. Tramway Rabat-Sale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By TomiV352 - Tel Aviv, Israel
Its probably best tram in Morocco, although there are only 2 i think, that one in Casablanca i didn't find so good. In Rabat at least if you want to visit all tourist places near Medina, Kasbah - all can be made by food, just walking... If you want to visit Mausoleum of Mohamed V and Hasan Towen its worth to take tram from the train station or other station close to your hotel. I'ts quick, one ticket cost only 6 DH, its quick, clean, and feels like in Europe, not Morocco, very modern. Of course its the best way to use for visiting Sale., or going to the airport (and then taxi) Tickets can be purchased in automatic machines or near by person sitting on the platform and selling tickets. Very easy. There are 2 lines, ticket is interchangeable for an hour i think.
6. Jardin Zoologique de Rabat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 431 reviews
Reviewed By ScholesBlackburn - Blackburn, United Kingdom
Me & my family really enjoyed our trip this zoo. The entry fee is only 50dh each with discounts for family tickets. If you want to feed the giraffes there are set times and an extra charge for this. The zoo itself is very well maintained and the animal enclosures well thought out and try and imitate the natural habitat of the animals. There is plenty to see and you will need a min 3 hours just to walk around. Please note they close at 4.30pm during the winter months. There are plenty of little snack shops for picking up drinks, sandwiches and ice cream and pricing is reasonable. There are also restaurants at the entrance and a large cafe in centre. The animals look in great health and the way the enclosures are set up you do get up close to lost of them. Great day out for all our family.
7. Hassan Tower
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,317 reviews
The unfinished minaret surrounded by two hundred columns is Rabat's most famous monument.
Reviewed By dennism259 - Salado, United States
The Hassan Tower and Mohamed V Mausoleum in Rabat, Morocco are the last two building projects of Sultan Yacoub al Mansour. He died during construction of the mosque and it was never finished. You can look at the mosques he built in Andalusia, Spain to get a feel for what it would have looked like. The minaret is only half as tall as planned and many of the columns have decayed, but it’s still impressive. Several pieces of the original 12th century wall remain. The roof was never installed which caused the decay. He is buried in the mausoleum across from the mosque.
8. Rabat Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 248 reviews
Morocco's capital city was founded in the 12th century. Its modern downtown area has many historic sights, shops and nightlife attractions.
Reviewed By willskeates - Belgrave, Australia
The capital of Morocco Rabat it in total contrast of Casablanca , wide tree lined streets a cosmopolitan feel side walk cafes and a little of a calmer pace. The casbar in the old town with its original fortress walls are a picture of time gone by. Meandering though the narrow cobblestone streets past many a wall painted in whitr and blue and sone very ornate doors our guide told us the history of the casbar. Pirates, Mores , Slaves , early European traders whoe purchsaed the pillaged itemes from the pirates to sell back in Europe. The casbar sits above the very blue Atlantic ocean. Further meandering fondus in a unexpected garden left frome the Mores days. Rabat is a must on any tour you do in Morocco.
9. Medina of Rabat
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,595 reviews
Reviewed By rickmE9582VH - Beirut, Lebanon
The Rabat Médina isn’t built for tourists, it is a real local place with street food, clothing shops, and all the bustle of a crowded downtown. There are street performers trying to make a dime. I love this Medina because it is local and gives me the real view of how Rabat lives, not the glossy tourist area of Fez. Very worthwhile!
