Rabat

Why visit

Rabat has been a royal capital several times over. In the 12th century the Almohad sultan Yacoub al-Mansour began a vast mosque here, but it was never finished, and its tower and columns still stand. The French made the city their administrative capital in 1912 and it remains the seat of government today, with a tidy centre, leafy boulevards and a relaxed old town.

What to see

• The Hassan Tower: the 12th-century minaret and rows of columns from the unfinished mosque.
• The Mausoleum of Mohammed V: the white marble tomb of the king, watched over by royal guards.
• The Kasbah of the Udayas: a walled clifftop quarter of blue and white lanes, with an Andalusian garden and views across the river.
• Chellah: the ruins of a Roman town and a medieval necropolis, with storks nesting on the walls.
• The medina: a calm old town with good shopping along Rue des Consuls.

Getting there

Trains run often from Casablanca and take about an hour. From Rabat Ville station, walk or take a petit taxi to the sights. A guided tour saves the planning and is a good idea if you only have one day.

Tips

• Start at the Kasbah of the Udayas in the morning, then work your way back.
• Wear comfortable shoes; the kasbah lanes are steep and cobbled.
• Read our three-day itinerary, which includes a day in Rabat.