Kasbah of the Udayas
A 12th-century fortified quarter of blue-washed lanes above the river, with an Andalusian garden and café overlooking the Atlantic.
Ouarzazate, MoroccoConcierge · 7 Days · 9–21H GMT+1
Capital · Atlantic coast
Rabat, Morocco
Morocco's calm, green capital — a gentle northern counterpoint to the kasbah south.
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 Morocco's political capital and one of its most relaxed cities — a UNESCO-listed blend of Almohad ramparts, French-era avenues and Atlantic light, and a world away in mood from the rammed-earth kasbahs of Ouarzazate. The blue-and-white kasbah of the Udayas sits above the Bou Regreg river mouth; the unfinished Hassan Tower and the marble Mausoleum of Mohammed V anchor the skyline; and the medina is gentle, walkable and refreshingly hassle-free. It belongs to the northern coastal-and-imperial circuit rather than the southern desert run.
What to see
Highlights of Rabat.
Hassan Tower & Mausoleum of Mohammed V
The minaret of a mosque never finished, facing the exquisitely decorated royal mausoleum guarded by mounted sentries.
Chellah necropolis
Roman and Merinid ruins reclaimed by storks and gardens — one of the most atmospheric sites in the country.
Medina & ville nouvelle
A low-key medina for carpets and crafts, plus the art-deco and modernist avenues of 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
Imperial north & the kasbah south
Rabat anchors the northern half of a full grand tour that later swings south over the Tichka to Ouarzazate and the desert.
from $2,450Enquire →
1 day
Casablanca & Rabat day
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, then the kasbah of the Udayas and the 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, monuments, an easy first or last day
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, especially as an easy, hassle-free stop on a northern route. Its UNESCO monuments, the kasbah of the Udayas and the Chellah ruins make a rewarding day, and it is far calmer than Marrakech or Fes. It sits on the northern circuit rather than the southern road to Ouarzazate.
How long do you need in Rabat?+
A full day covers the kasbah, the Hassan Tower and mausoleum, Chellah and a wander through the medina. An overnight lets you enjoy the riverfront and beaches at a slower pace.
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
The Atlantic gateway — Morocco's main airport and the modern start of the long road south.
Explore
108 kmAtlantic coast · Northern Morocco
Moulay Bousselham
Morocco's premier birdwatching lagoon — the Merja Zerga wetland on the far-northern coast, a world from the desert south.
Explore
119 kmNorthern Morocco · Meknès-Tafilalet
Volubilis & Moulay Idriss
Roman mosaics below a hilltop holy town near Meknes — the deep-history north, opposite pole from the earthen kasbah south.
Explore