Morocco’s capital is its most relaxed big city — leafy boulevards, an ocean breeze, and a UNESCO-listed historic core, all at an easy pace. Rabat rewards you with grand monuments, a gorgeous blue-and-white kasbah and romantic ruins, without the bustle of the bigger imperial cities.
Rabat is an easy 1–2 day stop on the main train line (under an hour from Casablanca, high-speed from Tangier). See the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the blue Kasbah of the Udayas, and the Chellah ruins, then relax along the river and the beach.
Getting there & around
Rabat sits on Morocco’s main north–south rail line, so it’s wonderfully easy to reach:
- Train — frequent ONCF services from Casablanca (under an hour) and the Al Boraq high-speed line from Tangier (about 1h20)
- Tram & walking — a clean modern tram links Rabat and Salé; the historic sights are walkable or a short taxi ride
- Airport — Rabat-Salé airport is just outside the city
What to do
- Hassan Tower & Mausoleum of Mohammed V — the unfinished 12th-century minaret above a field of columns, facing the beautifully decorated royal mausoleum.
- Kasbah of the Udayas — wander the blue-and-white lanes of this clifftop kasbah, then relax in its Andalusian garden with views over the river mouth and ocean.
- Chellah — a romantic walled site where Roman ruins and a Merinid necropolis sit among gardens and nesting storks.
- The medina — calm and easy to explore, with carpet and craft souks and a lived-in, local feel.
- Bouregreg riverfront & beach — stroll the marina, watch the rowers, and cross to neighbouring Salé.
When to go
Rabat’s Atlantic climate is mild all year. Spring and autumn are ideal — warm, clear and comfortable for walking. Summer is pleasant by the coast, and winters are gentle if a little cooler.
