Rabat

The unfinished minaret of a vast mosque begun by Almohad Sultan Yacoub al-Mansour in 1195. At 44 meters it stands at roughly half its intended height of 86 meters, which would have made it the tallest minaret in the world. The surrounding esplanade is lined with 200 columns — remnants of the mosque's prayer hall — creating a haunting forest of pink sandstone.

The final resting place of King Mohammed V and his sons King Hassan II and Prince Moulay Abdallah. Completed in 1971, the mausoleum is a masterpiece of modern Moroccan craftsmanship: white Carrara marble walls, a green ceramic tile roof, gilded cedar wood ceilings, and an interior balcony from which visitors look down at the sarcophagi. Royal Guards in ceremonial red uniforms stand permanent vigil.

A 12th-century Almohad fortress dramatically sited at the mouth of the Bouregreg River, later settled by Andalusian Muslim refugees. The kasbah's lanes are painted blue and white in the Andalusian tradition, with bougainvillea cascading over walls and the Atlantic visible between buildings. The Bab Udayas gate is considered one of the finest examples of Almohad decorative architecture.

A walled complex enclosing two thousand years of history: the ruins of Roman Sala Colonia beneath a 14th-century Merenid Islamic necropolis, all wrapped in lush gardens. White storks build enormous nests atop the ruined minaret each spring. The sacred eel pool, fed by a spring, is tended by women who feed the eels hard-boiled eggs to ensure fertility.

Opened in 2014 and named for the reigning king, the MMVI is Morocco's premier art museum, dedicated to modern and contemporary Moroccan and international art. The building itself is an architectural statement — a contemporary interpretation of traditional Moroccan architecture. The permanent collection traces Moroccan modernism from the 1950s to the present, including works by major Moroccan painters like Farid Belkahia, Mohammed Melehi, and Ahmed Cherkaoui.

Rabat's medina is unusually grid-like and navigable, a legacy of Andalusian urban planning. Rue des Consuls was historically the diplomatic quarter where foreign consuls were required to reside, and it retains its character as the best street for high-quality crafts. The covered market on Rue Souika sells textiles, spices, and household goods to a primarily local clientele.

Morocco's main Royal Palace occupies a vast 80-hectare compound in the heart of Rabat. The palace itself is closed to visitors, but its immense ceremonial gates, flanked by Royal Guards in ceremonial dress, are among the most impressive in Morocco. The surrounding Place Mechouar is used for royal ceremonies and state occasions.

The Bouregreg River separating Rabat from Sale has been transformed by a major urban development project into a modern marina, waterfront promenade, and cultural district. The Le Dhow restaurant boat is moored here. Tramway connects across the river to Sale's ancient medina. At night the waterfront is lit and animated with families and couples strolling.

Across the Bouregreg from Rabat lies Sale, an ancient city with its own distinct identity and a deeply traditional medina that sees almost no tourists. The Great Mosque of Sale, the Bou Inania Madrasa, and the colorful souks are all of exceptional quality. Sale has historically been more conservative and pious than its cosmopolitan neighbor, which creates an interesting cultural contrast.

Morocco's most important archaeological museum houses finds from prehistoric times through the Roman and Islamic periods. The exceptional Roman bronzes from Volubilis — including the famous portrait bust of Juba II and a bronze dog — are among the finest Roman sculptures found anywhere in North Africa.

Rabat's Atlantic coastline runs south from the Bouregreg mouth through a series of beaches backed by a corniche road. The main Rabat beach is clean and popular with locals year-round for walking and summer swimming. The surf can be powerful, and surfers use the more exposed breaks south of the city.

Under construction since 2020 and set to become the tallest building in Africa at 550 meters when complete, the Mohammed VI Tower in the Bouregreg development is already reshaping Rabat's skyline. The surrounding Hay Riad new city extension includes parks, promenades, and cultural venues that showcase Morocco's architectural ambitions.