Things to do in Rabat
Rabat's Medina, or old city, was created by Andalusian Muslim refugees from Badajoz in Spain, and was essentially all there was to the city until the arrival of the French in 1912 and the subsequent building of the Ville Nouvelle or new quarter. The Medina is small and not as interesting or attractive as the old city sections of Fez or Marrakech, but the foundouks (traditional cafes) and shops make for a lively atmosphere.
Souika Street is the main artery through the Medina, where visitors will find the leather sellers at the Sebbat souk (footwear bazaar). In Consules Street, shops sell curiosities, souvenirs, and Moroccan craft items such as copper and embroidery as well as the famed Rabat carpets. Another wonderful area to explore in Rabat is the Kasbah des Oudaias, with its famous white and blue buildings and lovely views.
Rabat is blessed with some captivating ancient ruins that will delight history buffs. The Citadel of Chellah was once a Roman port city and the remains of this centre are interspersed with the tombs of an Almohad necropolis. Another must-see is Volubilis, situated between Rabat and Fez, which was once a Roman city, and still holds some amazing ruins and mosaics.
There are also numerous popular excursions from the city, including the seaside town of Temara. It's a convenient eight miles away (13km) from Rabat, and is a favourite weekend picnic spot and campsite for city dwellers. The town has several pleasant stretches of sand, and some good hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs. The ancient city of Meknes is also within reach.
Kasbah des Oudaias
The Kasbah des Oudaias was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 2012, and is a pleasant place to take a stroll and admire some interesting architecture. The Kasbah was…
The Citadel of Chellah
Emerging from the boulevards of the Ville Nouvelle (New Town) of Rabat, travellers will come across the ruins of Chellah. Once the thriving walled Roman port city of Sala Colonia, …
Hassan Tower
The massive Hassan Tower, which dates to 1196, is the minaret of a mosque and towers over the capital, Rabat. However, the huge Rabat Mosque itself was never completed and was larg…
Volubilis
Volubilis lies near the Moroccan town of Meknes and is situated between Rabat and Fez. Historically it was a central Roman administrative city in Africa from around the third centu…
