Rabat holidays

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Facts about Rabat

City breaks to Rabat show you Morocco at its most authentic – the capital’s all souks, gardens and UNESCO-listed sites.

Rabat city breaks

Rabat probably isn’t the first place that springs to mind when you think about Moroccan city breaks. But the country’s capital would have no trouble going head-to-head with the likes of Marrakech, Casablanca or Fez in a game of Top Trumps – it’s got all the charm, just as many sights, and less of the tourist crowds. Things are noticeably calmer and less chaotic here. And with a Berber-era citadel and architecture that reflects its rich French-colonial and Islamic heritage, you won’t be surprised to hear that the city’s been given UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

A city inside the city

If there’s one thing not to miss in Rabat, it’s Kasbah Oudaya. This ancient walled citadel is wedged between the beach and the fruit tree-filled Andalusian Gardens. Step inside through the horseshoe-shaped Bab Oudaia gate, and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a different city altogether – walls painted half white half cobalt blue, fancy wooden doors and intricate mosaics will become the backdrop to all your photos. In the centre of it all is Kasbah Mosque – the oldest in Rabat. Only Muslims are allowed to go inside, but anyone can eye up its exterior, including the stone minaret which was restored in the 18th century.

Spice-scented souks

Forget what you know about souvenir shopping – you won’t find roads full of fridge magnet-loaded tourist shops in Rabat. Instead, count your dirhams, brush up on your bartering skills and make a beeline for the souks inside the medina. Set around the aptly named Central Market, the souks are a tangle of winding alleys chock-a-block with stalls and storefronts where you can get your hands on the likes of leather bags, hand-painted pottery, gold jewellery and enough spices to keep your cupboards stocked up for a year.

Gardens galore

As far as Moroccan cities go, Rabat’s one of the greenest – every district’s got a park or a garden. So, if you find yourself wanting to get back to nature (or just sit down for a bit after 10,000 steps worth of sightseeing), you’ll have plenty of options. The most famous of the lot is the Andalusian Gardens. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into southern Spain when you get to this spot, which is stuffed full of citrus trees, lofty palms and bougainvillea. On the other end of the scale, there’s the massive Botanical Garden. Its size makes it feel more like a park than a garden, but its long paths are edged with manicured flowerbeds, lily ponds and exotic succulents.

Popular hotels in Rabat

Top things to see and do in Rabat

Beaches

Surfing and sunbathing

Rabat might be a coastal city, but it’s not best known for its beaches. There is one sweep of sand here, though, and another just across the river in Salé. Rabat Beach is popular with surfers thanks to its frequent, strong waves, but for sunbathing, most people head to nearby Salé Ville Beach, which is slightly bigger and better-looking.

The big beach

Rabat’s coastal spot means you can easily squeeze some beach time into your city break. While Rabat Beach is the closest, Salé Ville Beach is the most popular. It’s a wide belt of cornflake-coloured sand within walking distance of a marina, so if you fancy pairing your sunbathing session with a boat trip, you’re in luck. It’s about 15 minutes in a taxi from central Rabat.

The secret beach

If you fancy a trip out of the city, a good beach to head for is Plage des Nations, about 40 minutes’ drive from Rabat. While it’s far from a secret, this stretch of sand is one of the least crowded around, thanks to its sheer size. Soft, caramel-coloured sand and glass-clear water make it ideal for sunbathing and paddling sessions, and there are plenty of sunloungers and thatched parasols for hire while you’re there.

Shopping

Bargain buys

It’ll come as no surprise that Rabat’s souks are a top spot to pick up a bargain. Whether you’re looking for big bags of spices to shake up your home cooking with, or leather bags and hand-painted bowls, you’ll find it here at the best price. Vendors are open to friendly negotiation, so get ready to practise your

Mid-range buys

For unique homeware, mooch around the shops at Oulja Artisan Village – it’s just a 15-minute taxi ride away in Salé. Baskets, mirrors, rugs and pottery are just a few of the goodies you’ll be able to eye up here, all piled up on stalls in front of little buildings with wooden doors. One of the best things visitors say about this place is that they’re under no pressure to buy – a stark contrast to the shopping experience in bigger, more visited cities like Marrakech.

Designer buys

For something a little more special, head to the Rabat Agdal district. Here, tree-lined streets host upscale boutiques selling clothes and accessories made by Moroccan designers. The area’s brimming with cafés and restaurants, too, so you’ll have plenty of places to refuel between shops.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

If you’re in the mood for a chilled night out, a good place to head is the marina just across the river in Salé. It’s lined with bars and restaurants serving everything from Moroccan fare to burgers, all with views of the water.

Lively evenings

There isn’t really a nightlife hub in Rabat, but if you’re up for a big night out, there are certainly places to party. The most popular is Amnesia – a club dubbed the best in Morocco, which you’ll find by the medina. The Agdal area is home to a scattering of upscale bars and late-night venues, as well, where you can mingle with locals over a few cocktails.

Food & drink

Rziza

This unique bread is a street food staple in Rabat. A simple dough is stretched and folded until it’s shaped like a nest of strings, then cooked until golden before being smothered in honey or butter. It’s usually served with hot mint tea for breakfast.

Seafood tagine

Tagine is arguably Morocco’s most famous dish, and in coastal areas like Rabat, the most popular version is made with seafood. The fish is cooked with tomatoes, peppers, olives and spices in a traditional clay pot, which is usually shared between a few people.

Habricha

This sandwich has become somewhat of a local legend. Served at street food stalls in Rabat’s medina, it’s a folded slice of bread generously stuffed with spicy ground meat, olives, fresh herbs and eggs. If you’re a cheese lover, you can usually ask to add that, as well.

Seafood pastilla

Like tagine, pastilla is most often made with meat like chicken or lamb. But since Rabat’s right on the coast, it makes the most of its plentiful supply of fresh fish with a seafood version. The dish is a flat, pie-shaped pastry filled with white fish and the likes of shrimp and calamari, plus vegetables, noodles, and plenty of spices.

Mint tea

Tea is as popular in Morocco as it is back home, but here, it’s the mint variety that everyone raves about. You can order mint tea practically anywhere in Rabat. The sweetened, hot green tea is combined with fresh spearmint to make a refreshing drink for any time of day. It’s traditionally served in a small glass and poured from a height to create a slight foam on top.