Rabat

The Hassan Tower rising above its field of stone columns in Rabat – Rabat Travel Guide
The Hassan Tower rising above its field of stone columns in Rabat. Rabat, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Rabat Travel Guide · The royal capital on the Atlantic

Rabat: Morocco’s Calm and Green Capital

Royal monuments, a blue and white kasbah above the ocean and wide, peaceful avenues: Rabat is the easiest and most relaxed of Morocco’s imperial cities.

Destination overview

The Essence of Rabat

Rabat has been the capital of Morocco since 1912, and it wears the role quietly. The city stands where the Bou Regreg river meets the Atlantic, facing the old town of Salé across the water, and its centre is a mix of tree-lined boulevards, gardens and government buildings. In 2012 UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage site for the way it brings together eight centuries of history, from the Almohads to the modern city.

Its great sights are close together: the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V on one esplanade, the Kasbah of the Udayas on its rock above the river mouth, the calm medina and the ruins of the Chellah, where Roman and Merinid remains lie in gardens full of storks. With fast trains and motorways to Casablanca, Fes, Tangier and Marrakech, Rabat is also a comfortable place to start or end a private tour.

The Kasbah of the Udayas at sunset above the mouth of the Bou Regreg
The Kasbah of the Udayas at sunset above the mouth of the Bou Regreg. One of the sights in our Rabat travel guide.
Brass lanterns at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat
Brass lanterns at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat. A corner of Rabat worth the journey.
The marina and the riverside promenade of the Bou Regreg in Rabat
The marina and the riverside promenade of the Bou Regreg in Rabat. Rabat, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Quick Facts

  • RegionRabat-Salé-Kénitra
  • Ideal stay1 to 2 days
  • Best seasonApril to October
  • Famous forHassan Tower, Kasbah of the Udayas and royal monuments

Iconic landmarks

Must-See Places in Rabat

Hassan Tower, Rabat
Hassan Tower, Rabat. One of the sights in our Rabat travel guide.

Hassan Tower

An unfinished minaret of the 12th century

Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Rabat
Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Rabat. A corner of Rabat worth the journey.

Mausoleum of Mohammed V

White marble and the royal guard

Kasbah of the Udayas, Rabat
Kasbah of the Udayas, Rabat. Rabat, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Kasbah of the Udayas

Blue lanes on a rock above the ocean

Bab Oudaya, Rabat
Bab Oudaya, Rabat. One of the sights in our Rabat travel guide.

Bab Oudaya

The great Almohad gate of the kasbah

Bab Rouah & the Ramparts, Rabat
Bab Rouah & the Ramparts, Rabat. A corner of Rabat worth the journey.

Bab Rouah & the Ramparts

Red walls around the imperial city

The Bou Regreg, Rabat
The Bou Regreg, Rabat. Rabat, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

The Bou Regreg

The river between Rabat and Salé

Unique experiences

Experience Rabat Your Way

Rabat Guided Tour – Hassan Tower, the kasbah, medina and Chellah
Rabat Guided Tour – Hassan Tower, the kasbah, medina and Chellah. One of the sights in our Rabat travel guide.
Day Trip to Casablanca – The Hassan II Mosque and the Corniche
Day Trip to Casablanca – The Hassan II Mosque and the Corniche. A corner of Rabat worth the journey.
Day Trip to Asilah – The white and blue town on the ocean
Day Trip to Asilah – The white and blue town on the ocean. Rabat, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.
Day Trip to Meknes & Volubilis – An imperial city and a Roman town
Day Trip to Meknes & Volubilis – An imperial city and a Roman town. One of the sights in our Rabat travel guide.
Day Trip to El Jadida – The Portuguese City and the beach
Day Trip to El Jadida – The Portuguese City and the beach. A corner of Rabat worth the journey.
2-Day Trip to Fes – Meknes, a night in a riad and the medina
2-Day Trip to Fes – Meknes, a night in a riad and the medina. Rabat, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Featured tours

Popular Tours from Rabat

A desert camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi glowing in the evening light
A desert camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi glowing in the evening light. One of the sights in our Rabat travel guide.

4-Day Rabat to Merzouga Desert Tour & Back to Rabat

Rabat · Midelt · Merzouga · Meknes · Rabat

Price On request

The dye pits of the Chouara tannery in the medina of Fes
The dye pits of the Chouara tannery in the medina of Fes. A corner of Rabat worth the journey.

5-Day Rabat to Marrakech Desert Tour via Fes & Merzouga

Rabat · Fes · Merzouga · Dades Valley · Marrakech

Blue stairs decorated with flower pots in the medina of Chefchaouen
Blue stairs decorated with flower pots in the medina of Chefchaouen. Rabat, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

6-Day Rabat to Marrakech Tour via Chefchaouen & Merzouga

Rabat · Chefchaouen · Fes · Merzouga · Dades Valley · Marrakech

Explore Rabat

Interactive Map

Discover the main attractions, neighbourhoods and nearby places to help you plan your visit.

Travel guide

When to Visit Rabat

The Atlantic keeps Rabat mild all year. Summers are warm with sea breezes, spring and autumn are bright and pleasant, and winters are cool with some rainy days.

  • SpringMar – MayFresh and flowery
  • SummerJun – AugWarm, with ocean breezes
  • AutumnSep – NovSunny and pleasant
  • WinterDec – FebCool, with some rain

Useful Travel Tips

  • Dress modestly at the mausoleum, with shoulders and knees covered
  • Visit the Kasbah of the Udayas early or late for quiet lanes and soft light
  • The centre is compact and easy to walk; the tramway links Rabat and Salé
  • The Chellah has a small entrance fee; the other main sights are free

Travel blog

Stories from Rabat

Rabat from Casablanca: An Easy Day Trip

Travel guideRead More

Asilah: The White Town South of Tangier

Volubilis and Meknes: A Day Trip from Fes

Frequently asked questions

Rabat Travel Guide: Frequently Asked Questions

How many days should I spend in Rabat?

One full day covers the Hassan Tower, the mausoleum, the Kasbah of the Udayas, the medina and the Chellah. Add a second day for a trip to Meknes and Volubilis, Asilah or Casablanca.

What is the best time to visit Rabat?

Rabat is pleasant all year. April to October is the sunniest and driest period; winter is mild but brings some rain from the Atlantic.

Is Rabat worth visiting?

Yes. It is one of the most relaxed cities in Morocco, with major monuments close together, a beautiful kasbah by the ocean and very little hassle. It is an ideal first or last stop on a tour.

How do I get from Rabat to Fes or Marrakech?

Fes is about two and a half hours by road and Marrakech about three and a half by motorway. On our tours from Rabat your private driver-guide takes you, with stops along the way.

Is Rabat safe for visitors?

Yes. Rabat is used to welcoming travellers and serious problems are rare. Take the same care you would anywhere: keep valuables out of sight in busy places and agree prices in advance. On a private tour your driver-guide is with you throughout the journey.

Can you include Rabat in a private tour?

Yes. Rabat features in many of our private tours, and every itinerary can be adjusted. Tell us how long you would like to stay and we will build the route around it.

A traveller sitting on a dune as the sun sets over the Sahara
A traveller sitting on a dune as the sun sets over the Sahara. One of the sights in our Rabat travel guide.

Ready for your journey?

Begin Your Morocco Journey in Rabat

Let us create a private itinerary around Rabat, with the stops, pace and accommodation that suit you.

More than a trip…it’s a feeling

Planning your trip? For official information about Morocco, visit Visit Morocco, the website of the Moroccan National Tourist Office.