While it’s the capital city of Morocco, Rabat is severely underrated as a travel destination and often skipped on Moroccan travel itineraries. While it may lack the hustle and bustle that you’ll find in Marrakech and Fez, it more than makes up for with mind-blowing history and a laidback coastal charm that you don’t find in other Morrocan cities. I was so pleasantly surprised by my time in Rabat and found so many amazing things to do, that I just had to share some tips on How to Spend 24hrs in Rabat, Morocco. If I can convince you to include Rabat as a stop on your Moroccan adventures, then I’ll be one happy gal!
Top left: view of Kasbah des Oudayas from the river boardwalk / Top right: goods for sale in Kasbah des Oudayas / Bottom left: Jess standing in front of big wooden doors in the Kasbah, drinking an orange juice / Bottom right: view over Rabat city
Where to stay
We stayed right in the heart of the Médina at Riad Dar Rabiaa, which was just the most beautiful home for our time in Rabat. The staff are so friendly and accommodating (I’m talking mint tea brought to our room every night, and a tajine we made at a cooking class reheated for us the next day), the interiors are just to die for and there is a stunning rooftop to relax on when you need some down time.
Top left: green interiors at Riad Dar Rabiaa / Top right: small plunge pool in Riad / Bottom left: breakfast seating in Riad / Bottom right: rooftop with sun lounges.
How to spend 24hrs in Rabat
9AM – you’ll want to make the most of your day in Rabat so set that alarm for an early wake up! First on the agenda, after a lovely breakfast at Riad Dar Rabiaa, is a stroll through the Médina to the boardwalk that runs along the Bou Regreg River. Here, you can take one of the small row boats over to Salé (use this pin to get you to the boats), which will cost you just 2.5 dirham each way. Grab an espresso from one of the cafes along the marina and go for a walk around Plage de Salé Ville.
10:30AM – once back in Rabat, make your way up to Kasbah des Oudayas, the fortified heart of Old Rabat that sits on the headland at the river mouth. The Kasbah dates back to the 12th century and is home to some of the oldest buildings in Rabat, plus you can get one of the best views of Rabat beach, the river mouth and Sale from the viewing platform. Head to Café Maure in the Kasbah for a mint tea and traditional Moroccan biscuit (these will all be 10 dirham each), while soaking in the stunning view over the Bou Regreg River. On your way out, you can stop by the Andalusian Gardens for a shady retreat from the city.
11:30AM – it’s time for some shopping! Head across the road from the Kasbah to the Médina, which is buzzing with buyers and sellers alike. Rugs, cushions, ceramics, tagine pots, leather goods, shoes, fresh fruit and veg…you can find just about anything you’d want or need in the Médina de Rabat. Rue des Consuls in particular has lots of rug and textile stalls to peruse, so start there and work your way further into the Médina! It also has the added benefit of being more affordable and less chaotic than the Médina’s in Fez, Chefchaouen and Marrakech.
1PM – grab a quick lunch from a local food vendor as you’re exploring the Médina. I loved Moroccan chicken bastillas (kind of like a pie made with filo pastry with a dusting on cinnamon on top) and you can never go wrong with a fresh squeezed orange juice!
2PM – once you’re all Médina’d out, stroll back along the river to check out Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Both of these impressive monuments mark significant moments in Rabat’s history. The Hassan Tower is a twelfth century minaret of an incomplete grand mosque, which was originally intended to be the largest mosque on earth. The Mausoleum of Mohammed V is a lavishly decorated grand tomb of the Moroccan king Mohammed V and his two sons.
3:30PM – a trip to Morocco surely isn’t complete without experiencing a traditional hammam, a longstanding community ritual that dates back more than 2000 years. I opted for a female-only (and female-owned!) hammam at Relax Inn Spa and it was such a fantastic experience. The spa were great to communicate with over Google chat, their prices are very reasonable and the hammam itself left me feeling refreshed and cleansed!
6PM – one of the best things we did in Rabat was book into an Airbnb Experiences cooking class, which is the perfect way to finish your day. My partner and I learnt how to make a chicken tajine, which was so delicious that we rushed to buy our own tajine pot after the class so we can make it again at home! We were also lucky enough to try some other home made goodies that Ibtissem, our host, had prepared…mint tea, almond biscuits, fresh orange juice, pastilla and flan for dessert (plus an extra tajine to take away for dinner)! We felt so welcomed into Hamza and Ibtissem’s home and would highly recommend this cooking experience.
Top left: Mausoleum of Mohammed V / Top right: Cafe Maure in Kasbah des Oudayas / Bottom left: our cooking class host checking the tajine / Bottom right: Hassan Tower
And that, my friends, is how you can spend an amazing 24hrs in the beautiful city of Rabat, Morocco. If you’re looking for a few more things to see and do while you’re in town, you could…
- Visit Chellah, a medieval fortified Muslim necropolis and ancient archeological site that’s a must see when visiting the city! Sadly, it was sadly closed to the public when I visited, so check before you go to see if it’s open again!
- Take a surfing lesson at Rabat Beach, there are a few stalls lining the bay where you can book lessons or hire a board, such as Rabat Surf School and Rabat Surf Classes
- Hire a kayak from the Rabat Yacht Club and spend some time cruising on the Bou Regreg River.
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