Why visit Rabat?
- Hassan Tower: Morocco's most iconic medieval monument — the unfinished minaret and 200-column esplanade.
- No crowds: Far fewer tourists than Marrakech or Fes — authentic medina shopping without the pressure.
- UNESCO status: Rabat is one of Morocco's 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the "Modern Capital and Historic City."
What to see in Rabat
Hassan Tower
The unfinished 12th-century minaret that would have been the world's tallest mosque. The 200-column esplanade and Mohammed V Mausoleum alongside it create one of Morocco's most dramatic historic sites.
Mohammed V Mausoleum
The royal mausoleum of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II — gleaming white marble with intricate carved plaster and cedar. A Royal Guard ceremony takes place at the gate. Morocco's most important modern monument.
Kasbah of the Udayas
A UNESCO-listed Almohad fortified kasbah perched above the Atlantic and the Bou Regreg river. The Andalusian garden within is one of Morocco's most beautiful. The blue-and-white painted lanes pre-date Chefchaouen.
Chellah Necropolis
A haunting complex of Roman ruins and Merinid-era mosque, built over each other across 2,000 years of history. Now inhabited by nesting storks and a colony of eels fed by pilgrims — utterly unique in Morocco.
Rabat Medina
A relaxed, unharassed medina compared to Marrakech or Fes. Excellent shopping for artisanal goods — particularly Rabat's famous handwoven carpets (Tapis de Rabat) with geometric Berber patterns.
Museum of Modern Art
The Musée Mohammed VI d'Art Moderne et Contemporain — Morocco's finest contemporary art museum. Rotating exhibitions of Moroccan and international artists, housed in a purpose-built modern building in the Hassan district.
