Rabat
A serene imperial capital of gardens, ramparts and the sea
Overview
Rabat is the quietly refined counterpoint to Morocco's busier cities — a UNESCO-listed capital where wide avenues, manicured gardens and the ocean lend a sense of calm. As the seat of the monarchy and government, it wears its status lightly, blending imperial grandeur with a relaxed, leafy sophistication that many travellers find utterly disarming.
The city's treasures unfold at an easy pace. The Kasbah of the Udayas is a whitewashed hilltop quarter of blue-washed lanes, cascading bougainvillea and Andalusian gardens overlooking the river mouth. Nearby rise the elegant, unfinished Hassan Tower and the exquisite Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a masterpiece of modern Moroccan craftsmanship. The Chellah necropolis, with its Roman ruins and nesting storks, adds a layer of romance.
For the luxury traveller, Rabat offers polished hotels, excellent seafood and a cultured atmosphere without the crowds. It sits naturally on an imperial-cities route between Casablanca and Fes, and rewards a leisurely day of ramparts, gardens and coastal air before the journey continues inland.
Highlights
- The blue-and-white Kasbah of the Udayas and its Andalusian garden
- The majestic Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V
- The romantic Chellah necropolis with Roman and Islamic ruins
- Leafy boulevards and a relaxed, refined capital atmosphere
- Fresh Atlantic seafood and cultured dining
- Fewer crowds than Fes or Marrakech, ideal for slow travel
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
Very much so. As one of Morocco's four imperial cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rabat offers grand monuments and gardens in a calm, elegant setting that provides a welcome change of rhythm between Casablanca and Fes.
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