Passion
Rabat, the white royal city
Morocco’s capital city: modern and green
Rabat, Morocco’s capital and royal seat, is around an hour’s drive north of Casablanca on the Atlantic coast. Morocco’s second-largest city, it is home to the royal palace and international embassies, and is the country’s administrative and educational centre. With many green spaces, it boasts one of the best qualities of life in Morocco. The new town has some impressive examples of modern urban planning. Marvel at the details of one of the most neatly arranged medinas and the heritage buildings that have been named UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Art. Sport. Shopping. Culture. Rabat is magical in its variety. Modern museums or historic buildings. Golf or paragliding. Jet-skiing or surfing on the Atlantic. Explore the wealth of local craftsmanship in the shops. Live it up however you wish.
Highlights
Onwards to the Top Sights in Rabat!
KASBAH OF THE UDAYAS
GIANT FORTRESS ON THE HILL
Highly impressive: the 10-metre-high Bab Oudaya gate. The magnificent 12th-century structure – adorned with artistic reliefs – stretches across the main street, Rue Jamaa, to a large terrace on the the kasbah, whose wall drops straight down to the sea. In the labyrinth of little streets, visitors find a peaceful oasis among snow-white and cobalt houses and little souvenir shops in the Andalusian style.
ANDALUSIAN GARDENS
PURE ROMANCE
The old kasbah leads to a palace with the splendid Jardin Andalous in its courtyard. While away the time and find inspiration for your dreams among the flowerbeds and shrubs. The gardens are also home to two museums with vast collections of Moroccan folk art and handcrafted everyday items.
CHELLAH
A TIMELESS NECROPOLIS
The Chellah, the sacred burial ground outside the city walls – with its huge walls and two octagonal towers by the main entrance – can be seen from far and wide. This is a bewitching place, an oasis of calm. Its combination of ancient ruins and medieval Moorish buildings, pagan antiquity and Islamic veneration of the dead is unique throughout Morocco.
HASSAN TOWER AND MOSQUE
RABAT’S ARCHITECTURAL LANDMARK
Rabat’s most important heritage building is the 44-metre-high Hassan Tower, the unfinished minaret of the grand mosque that Sultan Yaqub al-Mansur in the 12th century intended to become the world’s second largest mosque. On the opposite side of Hassan Tower – at the other end of today’s ruins – the burial place of King Mohammed V is made up of a mausoleum, a mosque and a small museum.
MOHAMMED VI MUSEUM
MODERN ART AND CHIC LIFESTYLE
Striking. Neo-Moorish. Futuristic. The vast, light-filled halls of the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which opened in 2014, are the perfect showcase for Moroccan visual art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Avenue Allal Ben Abdallah, which runs adjacent to the museum, leads visitors to downtown Rabat with its chic shops, elegant terrace cafés and restaurants.
The perfect day
With the Private Concierge Service
… CARPET MECCA
As you browse the souk filled with carpets and rugs, your guide will provide expert knowledge on their origins and materials and show you how to haggle.
… FOR A SWEET TOOTH
Visit the Majestic chocolaterie – and its café – to learn about Morocco’s vast range of cakes, chocolates, pastries and ice cream.
… TREASURE TROVE
Mellah, the Jewish quarter near the medina, is a real treasure trove for fans of flea markets, with everything from old spare parts to antique lamps and furniture.
… SEA BREEZE
Afternoons on the beach – the light conjures a very special ambience. Impressions from the day create the perfect holiday feeling.
… MEDITERRANEAN CHIC
A stroll through Bouregreg Marina. Along the elegant promenade with its Mediterranean charm, through a palm-lined avenue, passing chic shops by the quay, and the yacht harbour.
… LIKE A KING
Witness the mounting of the guard at the royal palace and learn from your Private Concierge about the history of Morocco’s kings.
… COOL DOWN
Take a detour to Le Grand Comptoir, a popular meeting place in the new town with Parisian chic: visit the lounge, bar and brasserie for refreshments before and during your shopping spree.
… A BOAT TO SALÉ
Your guide will organise the short crossing to the medina in Salé. Unbelievable: the view from the boat of the royal city bathed in the evening sun.
Practical information from arrival to departure
For the royal city of Rabat
Location
Rabat is in north-western Morocco on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
Climate
Rabat has a Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers – the average temperature in August is 23°C. In July it has over 10 hours of sun per day on average. Winters are mild – average temperature of 12°C in January – and very rainy.
Rabat – the white royal city by the Atlantic
Average daytime temperatures in Celsius
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.6 | 13.3 | 14.9 | 16.5 | 18.4 | 21.1 | 22.8 | 23.4 | 22.3 | 19.9 | 16.4 | 13.7 |
Activities and experiences
The elegant white royal city
Lively bathhouse tradition, filled with gossip, laughter and discussions. For the locals, a trip to the hammam is a weekly fixture, and for Morocco fans, it is an absolute highlight.
Your Pur Life Maroc private concierge is your personal guide to Morocco, your contact, adviser and local expert – at your disposal from morning to night. For unforgettable holiday moments.
A private chauffeur adds extra relaxation to your Moroccan journey, with safety, comfort and in-depth local knowledge!
Lively bathhouse tradition, filled with gossip, laughter and discussions. For the locals, a trip to the hammam is a weekly fixture, and for Morocco fans, it is an absolute highlight.
Your Pur Life Maroc private concierge is your personal guide to Morocco, your contact, adviser and local expert – at your disposal from morning to night. For unforgettable holiday moments.
A private chauffeur adds extra relaxation to your Moroccan journey, with safety, comfort and in-depth local knowledge!
Lively bathhouse tradition, filled with gossip, laughter and discussions. For the locals, a trip to the hammam is a weekly fixture, and for Morocco fans, it is an absolute highlight.
Your Pur Life Maroc private concierge is your personal guide to Morocco, your contact, adviser and local expert – at your disposal from morning to night. For unforgettable holiday moments.
A private chauffeur adds extra relaxation to your Moroccan journey, with safety, comfort and in-depth local knowledge!
Hotels
The best accommodation in and around Rabat
Nestled within the vibrant capital city of Morocco, Fairmont La Marina offers a captivating blend of modern elegance and traditional hospitality.
Discreet luxury at a boutique hotel with outstanding modern design in the elegant embassy district, includes an Andalusian designer pool and garden. Classy: Royal Golf Dar Essalam.
Nestled within the vibrant capital city of Morocco, Fairmont La Marina offers a captivating blend of modern elegance and traditional hospitality.
Discreet luxury at a boutique hotel with outstanding modern design in the elegant embassy district, includes an Andalusian designer pool and garden. Classy: Royal Golf Dar Essalam.
Restaurants
The best restaurants in and around Rabat
An authentic Moroccan restaurant in the centre of Rabat’s medina that reflects local history. Authentic architecture, outstanding craftsmanship and traditional recipes.
An authentic Moroccan restaurant in the centre of Rabat’s medina that reflects local history. Authentic architecture, outstanding craftsmanship and traditional recipes.
