Kasbah of the Udayas
A 12th-century walled quarter of blue-and-white lanes above the river, ending at an Andalusian garden and a café terrace looking out to the Atlantic.
Agadir, Morocco · 300 days of sunshine· Concierge · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 GMT+1
Capital · Atlantic coast
Rabat, Morocco
Morocco's calm, leafy capital — a kasbah over the river, royal monuments and an easygoing medina on the northern Atlantic.
Best time
April–June and September–October
Recommended
1 day
Airport
Rabat-Salé (RBA) or Casablanca (CMN) + 1h train
Region
Capital · Atlantic coast
Why Rabat
Rabat is the seat of government and one of the most laid-back cities in the country — a UNESCO-listed mix of Almohad ramparts, broad French-era boulevards and clean Atlantic light, on the coast just north of Casablanca. The blue-and-white kasbah of the Udayas looks out from above the mouth of the Bou Regreg; the unfinished Hassan Tower and the marble Mausoleum of Mohammed V set the skyline; and the medina is gentle, with none of the hard sell you brace for elsewhere. It sits well up the northern coast road from Agadir, which makes it an easy, civilised stop for guests stretching a beach holiday toward the capital and the imperial cities.
What to see
Highlights of Rabat.
Hassan Tower & Mausoleum of Mohammed V
The stub of a minaret from a mosque that was never finished, facing the lavishly decorated royal mausoleum kept by mounted guards in ceremonial dress.
Chellah necropolis
Roman and Merinid ruins given over to nesting storks and overgrown gardens — one of the most atmospheric corners anywhere in Morocco.
Medina & ville nouvelle
An unhurried medina for carpets and crafts, alongside the art-deco and modernist avenues laid out under the French protectorate.
Itineraries
Our Rabat tours.
Every itinerary below is privately operated, fully customisable, and includes a deep stop in Rabat. Click any tour for the day-by-day plan, the map, dates and pricing.
8 days
Grand tour — coast to imperial cities
Rabat takes its place on the royal route beside Marrakech, Meknes, Volubilis and Fes, for guests carrying an Agadir holiday clear across the country.
from $2,450Enquire →
1 day
Casablanca & Rabat day
The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca in the morning, then the Udayas kasbah and royal monuments of Rabat with a private guide.
from $260Enquire →
Before you go
Practical notes.
- Getting there: 1h by train from Casablanca, 2h30 from Tangier on the Al Boraq high-speed line
- Best for: A calm capital stop, the monuments, and an easy first or last day of a trip
Concierge
Have your Rabat trip designed by a local
Tell us your dates, group size and pace. We'll send back a written proposal within 24 hours — private guides, transfers, riads, the lot.
Request a proposalFAQ
Rabat — common questions.
Is Rabat worth visiting?+
Yes — particularly as a relaxed, low-pressure stop on the northern coast run from Agadir up toward the capital. The UNESCO monuments, the Udayas kasbah and the Chellah ruins fill a rewarding day, and the whole city moves at a far gentler pace than Marrakech or Fes.
How long do you need in Rabat?+
A full day handles the kasbah, the Hassan Tower and mausoleum, the Chellah and a wander through the medina. Stay over and you get the riverfront and the beaches at a slower, more local rhythm.
Read more
From the journal
Stories and practical guides to plan your time in Rabat and the wider Capital · Atlantic coast.
Closest destinations
Pair Rabat with.
These destinations are closest to Rabat — easily combined on a private itinerary.
85 kmAtlantic coast · Central Morocco
Casablanca
Morocco's commercial engine — art deco, the sea-borne Hassan II Mosque and the long-haul gateway most Agadir holidays land through.
Explore
108 kmAtlantic coast · Northern Morocco
Moulay Bousselham
Morocco's premier birdwatching lagoon — the Merja Zerga wetland draws tens of thousands of wintering waterbirds, far up the coast between Rabat and Tangier.
Explore
119 kmNorthern Morocco · Meknès-Tafilalet
Volubilis & Moulay Idriss
The most history-laden day in the north — Roman mosaics below a hilltop holy town near Meknes, a grand-tour highlight.
Explore