Today I continue to tell you about my trip to Morocco, after my week-long trip in this country, a short trip to Rabat, capital of Morocco, and one of the 4 imperial cities of Morocco with Fez, Marrakech and Meknes .
You should know that although Rabat is the capital of Morocco, the city is not the largest. We spent two days there and I think that is enough for visit Rabat, or at least most of what I would qualify as “unmissable”.
Practical information for visiting Rabat
Rabat-Salé Airport:
Rabat has an airport very well served by many companies. You will be able to find many cheap flights by comparing different airlines.
Once at the airport you will have to go to the city center. There are several solutions for this:
- By taxi: The taxi is a means of transport widely used in Morocco, they are of two types, “large” taxis, white Mercedes and “small” yellow taxis. At the airport you will only find large taxis. These will take you to any location in town.
- By shuttle: There is a shuttle connecting Rabat airport to the city center. This is taken opposite the exit of the airport. You will reach the city in about twenty minutes, all for around € 2.
- Rent a car : If Rabat is just the starting point for your trip to Morocco, then it may be a good idea to hire a car at the airport. It is also possible to rent one in the city center. Again, be sure to compare car rental prices. I recommend the use of RentalCars which is, for me, one of the most efficient comparators on the market.
Getting around Rabat
As in many cities, the city center is not particularly convenient to visit by car. Whether you have rented a car or not, I advise you to travel on foot or by tram. Rabat has two very convenient tram lines for getting around.
Visit Rabat: the essentials of Rabat
Visit Rabat, the Kasbah of the Oudayas
The Kasbah des Oudayas is a place that is imperative to visit. Indeed, set aside a few hours to stroll through the quiet and narrow streets of this former military camp. Built in the 12th century this military fort is, at the base, used to defend the city from enemy tribes and then grows in importance by becoming a Ribas (military camp) used to monitor the mouth of the Bouregreg river.
This ribat is also used a little more by the Moroccan army during the conquest of Andalusia.
The name of the city comes from this word, Ribat. Today this old fort is a city within a city. Surrounded by walls, this district of Rabat is famous thanks to its streets painted in white and blue. At the bend of a small street you will certainly come across the Maure café, an essential address in the Kasbah where it is pleasant to have a tea while contemplating the panoramic view of the mouth of the river and the beach.
The Hassan Tower and the Mohammed V Mausoleum
Originally this tower was supposed to be the minaret of the largest mosque in the world. The construction of the mosque was stopped after the death of Sultan El Mansour. Long abandoned, the tower is at the end of its restoration. This is located at the end of a large esplanade, the oratory, dotted with 312 columns. On the other side of it is the Mohammed V Mausoleum where the body of the late king rests as well as that of his son Prince Moulay Abdellah.
Not far from Rabat, visit Salé
Despite the large size of the city, the capital of Morocco, Rabat is not the city where you will find the most to visit in Morocco. If you are staying for several days in Rabat I advise you to go to Salé. Salé is a town located a few kilometers from Rabat on the other side of Bouregreg.
Salé has a medina, and one of the largest mosques in Morocco. However, what makes Salé so charming is undoubtedly Borj Adoumoue. The walls of Salé, by the sea, adorned with cannons are very pleasant, especially at the end of the day.
Small tips for visiting Salé. The city is rather easy to access. I advise you to take the Tramway in Rabat, in the direction of Hay Karima, and get off at Bab Lamrissa or at Salé station. You then arrive at the gates of the medina. To reach the borj you will have to walk a few tens of minutes.
Where to sleep in Rabat?
Even though Rabat is broken down into many neighborhoods, two of them are the most important. The Medina district, which represents old Rabat and the more modern district, the Hassan district where you will find, for example, hotel chains like Mercure or MGallery from Sofitel. The Medina district will have the advantage of offering atypical hotels such as magnificent riads, old residences, private mansions renovated into accommodation to accommodate passing travelers. Some of these accommodations are pure marvels like Dar Shâan or Dar Mayssane to name a few.
For my part, I had the chance to sleep in Riad Azahra, located in the medina, this riad offers very good value for money. If you want to know more about this riad, do not hesitate to read my article dedicated to my accommodation in Rabat.
Visiting Rabat: My opinion on my visit to Rabat
Rabat is a city that I found particularly pleasant, a city on a human scale. Like most large Moroccan cities, it consists of a medina, the old district of Rabat, very pleasant with in particular its impressive Kasbah of Oudayas. The city has many things to do and see, its modern district, its beach but also its little sister, Salé, which is worth a detour. Two days seem sufficient to me to visit Rabat.
