Things to do in Rabat 10 best sights & experiences
Start at the Hassan Tower and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, walk the blue lanes of the Kasbah des Oudaias, then lose an hour in the Roman and Merinid ruins of Chellah.
Begun in 1195 by Almohad sultan Yacoub el-Mansour, the Hassan Tower was intended to be the minaret of the world's largest mosque. The sultan died before it reached its planned 86-metre height; it stands today at 44 metres, surrounded by 348 broken columns marking the prayer hall that never received a roof. The rose-red sandstone tower, decorated with interlocking arches and blind windows, remains one of the most powerful symbols of Morocco.
Opening hours
Exterior and esplanade open 24 hours
Good to know
Entry: Free
Insider tip
Visit at sunrise when the tower glows rose-gold and the esplanade is empty. The columns cast long, dramatic shadows perfect for photography.
2
Mohammed V Mausoleum
Royal monument
Why go
Completed in 1971, this dazzling white marble mausoleum houses the tombs of King Mohammed V, founder of modern Morocco, and his sons Hassan II and Prince Abdallah. The interior is a masterwork of Moroccan craftsmanship: hand-carved mahogany, gilded zellige, a Murano crystal chandelier, and a ceiling of painted cedar that took 400 artisans twelve years to complete. Royal guards in red stand at every entrance.
Opening hours
9 AM - 6 PM daily (may close during royal events)
Good to know
Entry: Free
Insider tip
Visitors may view the tombs from a gallery above the main chamber. Dress modestly. Photography is permitted inside.
3
Kasbah des Oudaias
Historic fortress
Why go
This fortified quarter, dating to the 12th century, is Rabat's oldest inhabited neighbourhood and one of its most beautiful. Behind the monumental Almohad gateway of Bab Oudaia, narrow lanes painted in cerulean blue and whitewash lead to tiny squares, hidden gardens, and cliff-edge viewpoints. The Andalusian Garden, planted with orange trees, roses, and daturas, is one of the most serene public spaces in all of Morocco.
Opening hours
Open at all times (museum: 9 AM - 5 PM, closed Tuesdays)
Good to know
Entry: Free (museum ~10 MAD)
Insider tip
Enter through Bab Oudaia for the most dramatic arrival. The Cafe Maure terrace overlooking the river is the finest spot for mint tea in the capital.
4
Chellah Necropolis
Archaeological site
Why go
Chellah is a palimpsest of civilisations: the Roman trading post of Sala Colonia, a Merinid royal necropolis from the 14th century, and a wildly overgrown garden that nature has claimed as her own. Crumbling arches frame fig trees; eels swim in the sacred pool where local women leave eggs for fertility blessings; and dozens of white storks nest on every available column and minaret.
Opening hours
8:30 AM - 6:30 PM daily (shorter hours in winter)
Good to know
Entry: ~70 MAD
Insider tip
Spring (March-May) is magical for nesting storks and wildflowers. Bring binoculars for birdwatching. The site is especially atmospheric in the last hour before closing.
5
Oudaia Museum
Museum
Why go
Housed in a 17th-century palace built for Sultan Moulay Ismail, this intimate museum displays Moroccan decorative arts: Berber jewellery, Fes ceramics, Rabat carpets, Qurans, astrolabes, and traditional musical instruments. The palace courtyard, with its central fountain and zellige walls, is as exquisite as any exhibit inside.
Opening hours
9 AM - 5 PM (closed Tuesdays)
Good to know
Entry: ~10 MAD
Insider tip
Pair with a visit to the Kasbah des Oudaias and Andalusian Garden. The upper floor often hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan art.
6
National Museum of Archaeology
Museum
Why go
Morocco's premier archaeological collection, spanning prehistory through the Islamic period. Highlights include a stunning array of Roman bronzes from Volubilis (the Juba II bust, the Ephebe, the Dog of Volubilis), Neolithic tools, Phoenician jewellery, and early Islamic coinage. The museum occupies a handsome 1930s building on Rue al-Brihi in the Ville Nouvelle.
Opening hours
9 AM - 4 PM (closed Tuesdays)
Good to know
Entry: ~20 MAD
Insider tip
The Volubilis bronzes alone justify the visit. Allow 1-2 hours. English-language signage is limited; consider a guidebook.
7
Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Museum
Why go
Inaugurated in 2014, Morocco's first purpose-built museum of modern art occupies a striking white building near the train station. The collection spans 20th and 21st-century Moroccan art, from the Casablanca School pioneers to contemporary installation artists. Rotating exhibitions bring international names alongside emerging Moroccan talent.
Opening hours
10 AM - 6 PM (closed Tuesdays)
Good to know
Entry: ~40 MAD
Insider tip
The museum shop stocks excellent Moroccan art books and prints. Check the website for current exhibitions and evening events.
8
Rabat Archaeological Museum
Museum
Why go
Sometimes confused with the National Museum of Archaeology, this smaller institution on Rue al-Brihi focuses specifically on the Islamic period, with fine displays of calligraphy, astrolabes, medieval pottery, and architectural fragments from Chellah and the medina. Its quiet galleries offer a scholarly complement to the more famous sites.
Opening hours
9 AM - 4 PM (closed Tuesdays)
Good to know
Entry: ~10 MAD
Insider tip
Combine with the nearby National Museum of Archaeology for a full morning of Moroccan history. Both are within walking distance.
9
Royal Palace (Dar al-Makhzen)
Landmark
Why go
The primary residence of the King of Morocco is a vast walled compound in the heart of the city. While closed to visitors, the monumental gates, formal gardens, and the Friday mosque visible from outside the walls provide a sense of the scale and grandeur of Moroccan royal architecture. The changing of the guard is a popular spectacle.
Opening hours
Exterior viewable at all times (interior closed to public)
Good to know
Entry: Free (exterior only)
Insider tip
Photograph the ornate main gate from across the mechouar (ceremonial square). Do not attempt to enter or photograph the guards at close range.
10
Rabat Beach & Corniche
Beach & promenade
Why go
Stretching south from the mouth of the Bou Regreg, Rabat's city beach offers golden sand and Atlantic surf. The corniche promenade, lined with cafes and seafood restaurants, is a favourite sunset walk for locals. Further south, the beaches at Temara and Skhirat (30 minutes by car) are less crowded and popular with surfers.
Opening hours
Open at all times
Good to know
Entry: Free
Insider tip
The beach is best from June to September. Currents can be strong; swim only in patrolled areas. The corniche restaurants serve excellent grilled fish.
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Rabat: good questions
How long do I need in Rabat?
A full day covers the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, Chellah and the medina. Two days lets you add the museums and Salé across the river.
Is Rabat worth visiting?
Yes. It is calmer and greener than Marrakech or Fes, easy to walk, and its historic and modern quarters are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Can I visit Rabat as a day trip from Casablanca?
Yes, by train or by car; it is the classic day trip from Casablanca. With a private driver you can see the Kasbah, the Hassan Tower and Chellah in one day.
What can I see in Rabat without paying?
The lanes of the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower esplanade and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, the medina and the riverside walk. Chellah and the museums charge an entry fee.
ⴰⵣⵓⵍazul · hello, in Tamazight
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