1. Old Medina
The Medina of Rabat is small, organized, clean and peaceful. It is surrounded by walls and has a few main entrances. This means that you can quickly cross its internal avenues and explore its alleys.
When we visited, many of the shops and streets were undergoing restoration work. Great care was taken to provide shade for visitors. Throughout the Medina, you will find many beautifully decorated doors and several wonderful portals, without a doubt one of the top 10 things to do in Rabat.
The medina is made up of four main internal streets. The continuation of Mohammed V Avenue (street food and access to the main riads), the first parallel Zanqa Sidi Fateh (local textile trade), the connecting Souika Street (various products) and the Rue des Consuls (crafts and souvenirs). In the latter there is also a water fountain with very beautiful wood and ceramic work, so it is worth spending a few hours there.
2. Hassan Tower
Built by Ya’qub al-Mansūr in the 12th century, the Hassan Tower is part of an unfinished project that was intended to be the largest mosque in the Kingdom of Morocco, with 400 columns and a height of 84m. However, the mosque failed to achieve this feat. The finest mosques in Morocco are that of Koutoubia in Marrakech and the Giralda in Seville, both by the same architect.
Much of what was remaining of the work was destroyed by the great earthquake of Lisbon of 1755, but still, a group of columns in a somewhat ruined condition can be seen today.
3. Mausoleum of Muhammad V
This is one of the must-10 things to do in Rabat: visiting the Mausoleum of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II, current king’s grandfather and father of the kingdom of Morocco. It is a show in Moroccan architecture and art, accomplished in marble and luxurious, refined decoration.
Its white façade and green roof are together with the Mosque next door and Hassan Tower in front, an icon of the city, but it is only accessible to Muslims.
A single mosque allows entry to non-Muslim tourists, Hassan II, located in Casablanca.
4. Mohammed V Avenue
This is a beautiful avenue, lined with palm trees and fountains, that is surely very nice to view from above and walk among the restaurants. The buildings it hosts are those of the parliament, the train station, banks, cafes, cinemas, shops, and museums.
5. Mohammed VI Museum
Mohammed VI Museum is one of Modern and Contemporary Art. It opened in 2014 in the new part of the city and has unique architecture designed by Moroccan architect Karim Chakor. Works of 200 local artists are exhibited inside. Undoubtedly, it is one of the places worth a visit.
6. Kasbah of the Udayas
The meeting point between the river and the Atlantic Ocean, the Kasbah has always been an important part of the city. This walled fortress, with narrow streets and blue and white facades, gives the place a strong identity! In other words, it is a must-see in Rabat.
Get lost in the alleys and mazes and head to the large terrace, which gives access to the beach and has a beautiful view of the coastline. The place has limited opening hours, but entry is free. Be careful with unaccredited guides who may be a nuisance during your visit.
Inside the Kasbah, you can also visit the Andalusian Garden and the Rabat Museum of Decorative Arts, which displays jewelry and other collections. It is named after the Oudayas tribe who defended Rabat from Andalusian pirates.
7. Rabat Beach and Lighthouse
Rabat’s seafront is quite long, with many private clubs along it. From the Kasbah towards the Rabat Lighthouse, you may come down to be with the waterfront, listening to the wave sounds or other extreme sports. Otherwise, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and surfing are available, but windsurfers are also on hire, not missing even jet skis.
8. Bu Regregue Riverbank
In the north of the city, on the border with Salé, is the tourist waterfront of the Bu Regregue River. This is a small and pleasant waterfront, with views of the great city walls: the Kasbah and the Medina. Without a doubt, a unique place to visit in Morocco.
There are several streets that give access to the Orla and there you can taste orange juice, have a coffee on a pirate ship, walk on the decks, and take a crossing on the famous blue boats.
9. Salé River Marina
Marina Salé was opened in 2008, with the aim of being a leisure center. It has areas for food, entertainment, a residential and hotel front and can accommodate up to 240 boats, which is huge! The short crossing between Rabat and Salé costs 50 cents Dihram per person.
10. Nouzhat Hassan Garden
Nicknamed the city of gardens, Rabat is a city full of squares and parks. But the Nouzhat Hassan Garden is the oldest park in the city, triangular in shape, and has a forest mass, fountains and children’s games. Open to the public every day, this garden is the green lung of Rabat and is located just in front of the walls of the Medina.
Rabat off the beaten track
For those who have a little more time in Rabat, we also recommend these other tourist attractions.
1. St. Peter’s Cathedral
Located in Golan Square, between the Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Avenue, Saint Peter’s Cathedral was built in 1930 in white stone, in neo-Gothic style. It is one of the few places of Catholic worship in Morocco, so it is an interesting visit, to say the least.
Two streets away, there is a small and pleasant square surrounded by cafés, the Espace Expressions CDG Art Gallery Square, where it is worth spending a few hours recharging your batteries in these cafés.
2. Royal Palace – Dâr-al-Mahkzen
The Royal Palace is not open to the public, but it is an important architectural complex in the city. It is the seat of government, where more than two thousand employees work. It includes an administrative area, a mosque, a school and a residential area for employees.
3. Porch door Alruah
Known as the Porta dos Ventos, it is the most important gate in the city, located to the south, close to the Royal Palace.
The Amohad wall was built in 1197, is decorated in stone and is 28m wide and 12m high. It also has a gallery of temporary exhibitions with free entry. It is certainly a place worth visiting!
4. The ruins of Chellah
Away from the center of Rabat, Chellah is an ancient fortress built in 1339, where you will find Roman remains and Arab monuments.
Its ruins reveal houses, a hammam, a school, a mausoleum, a forum, a market and gardens. Today the space is shared between tourists and stork nests, in short, a unique place.
5. Oujla-Salé craft complex
Salé is known for its talented artisans who work with textures in various materials. Ceramic production is taken to several cities in the country and abroad.
The Oujla craft complex has rustic pottery workshops with very attractive prices. However, access is extremely difficult. If you have a car or a private taxi for the day, the trip to the site can be worthwhile. In our case, it was a long and tiring walk, so it wasn’t really worth it.
6. Mawazine Music Festival
This is a 9-day concert festival launched in 2001, which is one of the biggest and most important events on Morocco’s cultural scene. Sponsored by the King, it attracts over 2 million spectators annually.
This is foremost a forum for Arab and African music. Nevertheless, there are so many international performances. Among previous performers were Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Shakira, Whitney Houston, Ziggy Marley, Sting, and Carlos Santana.