Rabat, Morocco – Solo Travel – What to See and Do

5th stop in my month of solo travel, adventure, and discovery in Morocco!

Morocco – this exotic, magical North African country has fascinated me since I was a kid, hearing Crosby, Stills, and Nash sing of “…striped djellabas we can wear at home,” from their song “Marrakech Express.” Fifty years later 😮 in 2019, I spent a month traveling in Morocco; here’s what I discovered in the city of Rabat!

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• The Kasbah of the Udayas: a royal fort from the 1100s
• Andalusian Gardens: 20th century formal French Gardens outside the Kasbah
• Hassan Tower: 12th century uncompleted mosque, now a UNESCO site
• Mausoleum of Mohammed V: 1960s mosque and mausoleum
• The Chellah: originally, an ancient Phoenician settlement
• The Medina: my favorite part of Moroccan cities – the old town
• Travel Suggestions for Rabat

Kasbah of the Udayas

The Kasbah of the Udayas is a Berber-era royal fortress within Rabat, which dates back to the 1100s. It now forms its own quaint neighborhood.

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You enter the Kasbah through the large main gate, the Porte Des Odayas. These musicians were at the entry as I approached (so fun and exotic!):

The Kasbah was my favorite area of Rabat; it is so charming, with colorful streets and cute cafes. I spent hours wandering, exploring, drinking tea, talking with people, shopping, and photographing this picturesque area. The artisans’ specialty here appears to be intricate and colorful wooden souvenirs.

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Andalusian Gardens

The Andalusian Gardens are just outside the Kasbah. These impressive formal gardens were built by the French in the 20th century, and have been maintained in perfect condition. You’ll see Andalusian flowers and shrubs, and orange, lemon and banana trees. It’s the perfect spot to stop for a drink, rest on a bench, or have a picnic, and the river walk is a good place to stroll and view the water.

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King’s Palace

The Kings Palace in Rabat is the official residence of King Mohammed VI and his family. This is where the king and his family spend most of their time, and where many of the most important governmental offices in the country are found.

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The official name of this palace is El Mechouar Essaid Palace, which means “the venue of happiness palace.” The spacious grounds include administrative and governmental buildings, trees and gardens, and a large parade square. The palace can only be admired from a distance, as entry to the public is strictly forbidden.

Hassan Tower

The Hassan Tower is the ancient, unfinished minaret of a mosque located in the city of Rabat. Commissioned in the late 1100s by the Moroccan ruler Yacoub al-Mansour, the mosque was planned to be the largest in the entire world at the time. The tower only reached half its intended height before construction stopped when the king died.

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There’s no access into the tower, but the whole area is spectacular for views and photos. In 2012, the tower, and, I believe, the entire city of Rabat, became a UNESCO world heritage site.

Mausoleum of Mohammed V

Within the area of the Hassan Tower and the columns is the royal Mausoleum of Mohammed V. The beautifully detailed mausoleum was built in the1960s, and serves as both a tomb and mosque. It is open to all visitors. Royal Guards monitor the entrances and interior of the mausoleum, to ensure a quiet, respectful atmosphere within. Be sure to look up – the ceiling is beautiful!

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Chellah

Chellah (“necropolis”) is a beautiful, quiet, ancient site, located within the city of Rabat. It was originally a Phoenician trading settlement, then a pre-Islamic Roman colony which was left in decay in 1154, and later, a fortified Muslim necropolis. A calming walk through the shady gardens brings you to the Roman ruins.   

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The abandoned city is now the home to hundreds of storks, who nest on top of the old walls and minarets – and there are plenty of cats, too!

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Rabat Medina

The medina of Rabat is much larger than some of the other medinas in Morocco. The most charming area to explore in the Rabat medina is the Rue des Consuls, easily accessed on your way to or from the Kasbah.

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Restaurants in Rabat

Many restaurants in Rabat serve wine – not often typical in Morocco; maybe that’s the French influence? Here are some of my highlights:

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• Le Dhow – This elegant restaurant has the finest French cuisine in Rabat. It is on the Bou Regreg just outside of the Kasbah, set in a replica of an old Moroccan merchant ship. Fun!
• Al Marsa – A seafood restaurant. Bread and olives are served before the main course, as is typical in Morocco. The restaurant is located where the Bou Regreg river meets the Atlantic; sit next to the window! The Hassan tower is illuminated at night, and can be seen from here.
• Dar Naji Rabat Hassan – Traditional Moroccan food with an outdoor rooftop terrace.
• La Koutoubia – Moroccan dishes – chicken pastilla and lamb tajine. The meals are served with the traditional olives and roasted almonds on the side.
• Yamal Al Sham Restaurant – Great, authentic Moroccan food in this always-busy, popular restaurant.
• Cafe Maure – Located in the Kasbah.  My go-to spot for mint tea and almond biscuits, served on the outdoor terraces. 
• Patisserie Majestic – a cafe with outdoor seating in the city center.
• Le Petit Beur

Dinarjat Restaurant

Dinarjat was my target restaurant for Rabat; it is deep within the medina, and luckily, an escort from Dinarjat met me at the entrance to the medina to guide me there…because, I gotta tell ya! It’s a tad confusing! It felt quite exotic and special to have that escorted walk to the restaurant.

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Rabat Summary

As you can see, there’s plenty to see and do in the capital city of Morocco. My month of discovery in Morocco was moving along, and there was so much more to see! Fez, Marrakech, the Sahara ~ watch for the next article, all about Fez. Did you miss the articles about Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Tetuon, and Tangier? Find all the links here: Suz’s Overview of Morocco

In-depth history of Rabat

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If you’d like to travel Morocco solo, the way I did, this guide book, or others like it, might help. If you’d prefer not to go on your own, this tour of Morocco is small and personal. However you go, I’d love to hear your experiences!

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