Top Things to Do in the Rabat | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Rabat

Andalusian Gardens Rabat

Located near the Kasbah of the Oudaias, the Andalusian gardens have a wide exhibition of diverse plant varieties. From exotic flowers and trees to a majestic outer view of the Kasbah, the gardens are a great place to rest for visitors on hot summer days. The sunlight enveloping the site with tiny specks of shade from the trees makes for great pictures, especially during the golden hours. The gardens were built in the 20th century by Tranchant De Lunel, a French architect, to literally replicate some of the most beautiful Andalusian gardens. One can enter the garden after entering through the wooden doors of Kasbah’s enclosed complex. Other than walking in the beautiful fruit lined alleys of the garden, visitors can also relish delicious parties and tea in the café adjoining it. Read More

The Hassan Tower of Rabat is a stunning medieval tower and a UNESCO World Heritage Site demonstrating some of the most beautiful periodic Moroccan architecture. The hues at dawn and dusk make for stunning pictures and are an ideal time to visit the site. As the tower is part of a mosque, remember to dress respectfully, covering your shoulders to the knees. Avoid visiting on a Friday as the area would be busy due to the weekly prayers in the mosque. Intended to be double its current size, the tower has six levels, with a single room on each, all connected by ramps to provide the muezzin access to the top via a horse for the prayer calls. The structure reflects Islamic architectural styles in the form of beautiful sebka panels and the joint columns carved into the pillars. The red sandstone building of Sawm’at Hassan or Hassan tower has a height of 44 m. It was not until the 20th century that the remnants of the Hassan tower were excavated by French and Morrocan archaeologists and reconstructed. The tall shaft is a beautiful blend of Moroccan and Spanish architectural styles. It goes back to the period of the caliphates, right in the 12th century. Though originally, the historical minaret was set out to be the largest mosque in the world, its construction was brought to a standstill after the death of al-Mansur in 1199. Read More

Kenitra is a new-age town located north of Rabat, on the road to Tangier. Enjoy local gastronomy, sunbathe at the isolated Mehdia beach, appreciate the rich architecture of the Mosquee Lalla Khadija or Mosquee Mohammed VI, or spend a day exploring the close-knit neighborhood. It is located closed to the Lac Sidi Boughaba National Park. For those looking for a metropolitan experience, there are several eclectic restaurants, pubs, and hypermarkets in the town of Kenitra. . The national park is a haven for bird watchers, especially between October to March, when hundreds of migratory birds stop over there. Earlier, Kenitra, one of the three important cities in the Rabat-Sale region, was known as Port Lyautey. One of the most visited local sightseeing spots is the ancient ruins of the Roman garrison of Thamusida, which has a temple, bath, remains of housing and a large garrison camp area. Read More

The mausoleum of Mohammed V is an ornamental tombstone located in Yacoub Al Mansour Square, just opposite the Hassan tower. The splendid structure was designed by a Vietnamese architect using 400 local artisans. With its conservative mosaic tiles and arches, the monument's architecture does not appear anything out of the ordinary to the visitors. As one moves closer to the structure, one realise the depth and details of the design. Right outside the mausoleum, a pristine white marble pavilion is surmounted by green tiles. The walls inside are completely enveloped with the traditional Moroccan zellige. The white tombs are braided with gold leafs and delicate tile work. Built in the memory of the late monarch Mohammed V, the construction of the royal mausoleum of Mohammed V lasted from 1962 to 1971. The late ruler was considered the symbol of Morocco’s liberation. The tombs of his sons, Fire Hassan II and late Prince Moulay Abdullah, have also been housed in the mausoleum. They rest now, overlooking the beautiful river Bou Regreg. As it’s a tomb, visitors must dress conservatively and ensure not to display any disrespectful gestures. Read More

Previously known as the Medina of Mogador, the medina of Essaouira is a majestic-fortified town that dates back to the eighteenth century. You can enjoy a heritage walk in this UNESCO World Heritage Site while admiring the aged but rustic architecture or buy souvenirs from local shops. It was built keeping in mind the European military architecture standards. Even though the medina of Essaouira has barely lost its integrity since its completion in the 19th century, a few buildings in the Mellah district have undergone deterioration. The European style of architecture is greatly synchronized with Arab town planning and Muslim architecture. It was created by Alaouite Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah, who envisioned turning the small town into a crucial commercial port in Morocco and a trade hub. His vision came to the realization as the port became a renowned hub between Africa and Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Read More

The Mawazine Festival held in the capital city of Morocco, Rabat, is hosted every year by the Moroccan government. This music festival boasts of a line-up of the who's who of the global and national music industry. Held across a stretch of nine days in May or June, not only is it visited by nearly 2.5 million music enthusiasts from across the world, but has also witnessed the likes of Marshmello, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, David Guetta, Whitney Houston and many others. The beauty of the festival is that it has events which are both paid and free of cost (a majority of concerts are free). This is done to entertain people from all walks of life. The festival is supervised by the personal secretary of the King of Morocco and the president of Maroc Culture, the cultural foundation that also organises other events in Morocco. The Mawazine festival is the largest music festival in Africa and Arab regions. Hundreds of artists are featured, and multiple countries actively participate in the event yearly. It rightly reflects the ever-flourishing music industry in Morocco. Visitors must book their accommodations and tickets in advance to avoid surge prices. Read More

Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is a museum to showcase the rich contemporary and modern art in Morocco. It was founded in 2014 by Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco and is a part of the fourteen museums of the National Foundation of Museums in Morocco. The museum is home to the work of over 200 Moroccan artists, including Hassan Hajjaj and Ahmed Yacoubi. The museum was established to preserve the heritage of art in Morocco and promulgate love for art among new age artists. After getting independence from France in 1956, this museum is the first museum built at this scale in Morocco. Moreover, it is the first public museum in Morocco which meets the International Museography standards. Read More

Flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and the Merja lagoon, the Moulay Bousselham is one of Morocco's most beautiful nature reserves. It is popular as a farming, fishing, and tourist village between Rabat and Tangier. The isolated golden beaches, picturesque lagoons, campsites, and calm waters are what make this destination special. It is located an hour away from both Tangier and Rabat by road. It's a sparsely populated village, lined with traditional white and blue houses, reflecting the beauty of the wilderness of Rabat. The climate here is very pleasant as it is usually warm and has a mix of cold trade winds. The village is named after the saint whose tomb was created between the coast and the lagoon. This serene seaside village is visited by many bird varieties and marine life. It is popular among surfers, bird connoisseurs or those looking to soak in the warmth of the sun. The Merja Zerga National Park in Moulay Bousselham is home to a variety of bird species including flamingos, herons and egrets. With several spas and resorts, the Moulay Bousselham village provides a plethora of opportunities for its visitors to rejuvenate and relax. Read More

The National Zoo in Rabat is a popular attraction in Morocco. It is home to various animals, including lions, gorillas, elephants, and chimpanzees. It also houses the National Zoo features a beautiful botanical garden showcasing a variety of plants and flowers from around the world. Visitors can walk through the various enclosures, observing the animals up close and learning about their behavior and habitats. The zoo also offers educational programs and activities for children, including guided tours and hands-on animal encounters. Read More

The Nouzhat Hassan garden is the biggest and oldest park in Rabat.I t was created in 1924 by Lyautey, the French general who was responsible for designing the garden at the time. It is a great spot for taking promenades, considering its four-hectare stretch lined with luscious green trees that belong to a time before the garden was created. Considering its wide ecological diversity, visitors can study the different plant species in the garden and discover their origins. It has a duck pond where visitors can watch and feed the ducks, a small playground and a narrow flower market. Alternatively, visitors can spend a slow day sitting and relaxing under the breeze of trees on the garden's benches. Read More