Rabat travel guide: the capital in one or two days

Rabat is Morocco's capital, and one of its calmest big cities to visit. One full day covers the essentials: the Kasbah of the Udayas above the river mouth, a walk through the medina, the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the ruins of Chellah. A second day gives you time for Salé across the Bou Regreg river and the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Rabat is also an easy day trip from Casablanca: trains take about an hour, and the city's main sights are close together. The city as a whole is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which explains why its old quarters and its 20th-century new town feel equally cared for.

Why Rabat is a World Heritage site

In 2012, UNESCO inscribed "Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage" on its World Heritage List. The listing covers two layers of the city. One is the new town planned at the start of the 20th century, during the Protectorate. The other is much older: the Hassan Mosque, begun in 1184, and the Almohad ramparts and gates. Chellah is part of the site too. In practice this means you can move from 12th-century walls to wide tree-lined avenues in a few minutes' walk.

Getting there

By train from Casablanca and the north

Rabat has two main stations. Rabat-Ville is downtown, with a tram stop and a taxi rank right outside. Rabat-Agdal is about 3 km south. Regular trains from Casablanca take about an hour, and Wikivoyage listed a second-class fare of 45 MAD in May 2025. Al Boraq, the high-speed train, runs hourly between Casa-Voyageurs and Tangier and stops at Rabat-Agdal and Kenitra. From Fes, the train takes about 2½ hours.

Tip: For a day trip from Casablanca, take a morning train to Rabat-Ville, which puts you within walking distance of the medina and the Kasbah. Check times and buy tickets on the ONCF website or app.

By car

Rabat is about 87 km from Casablanca by road, or roughly an hour's drive. France's travel advice warns that the Rabat–Casablanca motorway is very busy, especially near Casablanca, and advises against driving at night.

From Rabat–Salé airport

The AE airport bus costs 25 MAD (May 2025) and runs to Agdal. If you take a taxi, Wikivoyage suggests waiting for a metered blue petit taxi, around 30 MAD, rather than accepting the much higher prices some drivers quote.

A one-day itinerary

Morning: the Kasbah of the Udayas

Start at the Kasbah of the Udayas, the fortified quarter on the cliff where the Bou Regreg meets the Atlantic. Entry is free. You go in through a monumental 12th-century gate, and inside you'll find quiet lanes, the Andalusian Gardens and the Udayas Museum in a 17th-century palace. The tourist office singles out its architecture and gardens.

Late morning: the medina

From the Kasbah, walk down into the medina. It's smaller, calmer and much easier to find your way around than the old cities of Fes or Marrakech. Rue des Consuls is the main shopping street, and bargaining is normal. Keep a hand on your pockets in the busier lanes.

Afternoon: the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V

The Hassan Tower is the unfinished minaret of the great Almohad mosque begun in 1184. It stands at the end of a wide esplanade lined with the stumps of the mosque's columns. Facing it is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, where King Mohammed V is buried. Both are free to visit, and Wikivoyage lists them as open from 8:00 to 18:00. This is a royal tomb and a place of prayer, so dress modestly and keep your voice down.

Late afternoon: Chellah

Finish at Chellah, a walled archaeological site that combines the remains of an ancient city with a Marinid necropolis. Its Marinid wall is about a kilometre long and encloses some 7 hectares. Storks nest on the old minaret and walls, and the colony is busiest in spring.

Chellah's official site lists these prices for visitors who don't live in Morocco: 70 MAD for adults over 25, 50 MAD for ages 15–25, 30 MAD for ages 7–14, and free for children under 7. An audio guide ticket costs 120 MAD for adults, and Moroccans and residents get 50% off. Opening hours are 9:00–18:00 from October to March, 9:00–20:00 from April to September, and shorter during Ramadan. A taxi is the easiest way to get there.

With a second day: Salé, the river and the museums

Salé and the Bou Regreg

Salé faces Rabat across the Bou Regreg. You can cross by bridge, by tram or, most fun, on the small rowing boats that ferry people over for about 2 MAD. Salé's medina is free to wander and feels more residential than Rabat's. Its best-known monument is the Marinid madrasa, where entry costs around 60 MAD. The riverbank on the Rabat side has been redone and makes a pleasant walk back.

The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

Opened in 2014, this is Rabat's museum of modern and contemporary art, and the tourist office lists it among the city's essentials. Visit Rabat lists it as open from 10:00 to 18:00 and closed on Tuesdays. Check the hours and ticket price before you go. The tourist office also recommends the Archaeological Museum.

Events

Rabat hosts the Mawazine world music festival and Jazz au Chellah. Dates change every year, so check before you plan around them.

Getting around

• Tram: two lines link Rabat and Salé. A single ticket has cost 7 MAD since July 2025, and trams run roughly from 6:00 to 23:00, every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on Sundays. The stop in front of Rabat-Ville station is handy for day-trippers.
• Petit taxis: they're blue in Rabat and cream in Salé. Fares start at about 5–6 MAD, and rides around town rarely go above 25–30 MAD. Insist on the meter.
• On foot: the Kasbah, the medina and the Hassan Tower are within walking distance of each other. Chellah is further, so take a taxi.

Where to stay

We list areas, not businesses:

• The medina: atmospheric and close to the Kasbah, with the cheapest rooms in town.
• Ville Nouvelle, near Rabat-Ville: practical for trains and the tram, and close to the medina.
• Agdal: a quieter residential area near the Al Boraq station.
• Salé: across the river, connected by tram and boat.

Browse stays in Rabat, or if you're basing yourself in Casablanca, see stays in Casablanca.

Safety

Wikivoyage describes Rabat as safe, but the usual big-city advice applies. The UK government warns that petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is common in tourist areas, medinas and beaches. France advises against walking alone in isolated places at night, including beaches and parks. Keep valuables out of sight, especially in the medina and on buses. Women may get unwanted attention, mostly verbal. Use official taxis, and stay away from any demonstrations.

Emergency numbers (checked on GOV.UK and France Diplomatie, October 2026): police 190 (or 19), ambulance and fire 150 (or 15), gendarmerie 177 outside towns.

Costs and checklist

Prices change, so treat these as a guide.

• Start early, especially on a day trip
• Avoid Tuesday if the art museum is on your list
• Dress modestly for the Mausoleum
• Keep small change for the tram, taxis and the boat
• Save the emergency numbers

Ready to book? Find stays in Rabat, or read all guides to plan the rest of your trip.