19 Oct Morocco: Why You Should Visit Rabat
Located in North Africa, Morocco has a coastline on both the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. Its capital Rabat, literally ‘Fortified Palace’ sits at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg.
Rabat, capital of Morocco
Rabat is a cultural city with a rich history. Its streets and public squares are full of masterpieces. Pay a visit to the Kasbah of the Udayas, whose grand, majestic silhouette is softened by the surrounding gardens. Not far beyond its walls lies the Chellah, a necropolis that dates to the Marinids. Entering the complex is like journeying to another world: marvel at the ancient remains as you walk through the gardens and glimpse a few storks.
Rabat is also a modern, environmentally responsible capital that takes pride in its green spaces. It is punctuated by parks, such as the Botanical Test Gardens and the Bouknadel Exotic Gardens just a few miles from the city. Rabat also has a well-developed ocean front. There are miles of improved beaches that run along the Atlantic coast all the way to the neighboring Casablanca.
The city’s modern flair is also evident in its infrastructure and festivals, which guarantee a comfortable, entertaining stay in the capital. All the modern conveniences, from airports and tramways to shopping malls, cafes and restaurants, are at your fingertips. Finally, Rabat celebrates music like no other city: Mawazine, Jazz at the Chellah and other festivals fill the air with joyful sounds and rhythms from around the world!
These all add to the appeal of Rabat, where the treasures of the past coexist with the most modern and eco-friendly achievements.
Culture in Rabat
Living culture
Rabat is rife with landmarks and monuments, but it is also known for the vitality of its intangible heritage, such as the craftsmanship of its artisans. See for yourself by heading to the medina. This is where generations of artists work with fabric, leather, gold, silver and, of course, the celebrated Rabat carpets, each of which is a masterpiece of finesse and harmony. In nearby Salé, pottery, metalwork and weaving are stand-outs with an entire complex is devoted to these crafts.
Lastly, Rabat is a city of music. The city has transformed the Mawazine World Rhythms Festival into an international event. Each year, free concerts showcase the biggest national and international stars to the delight of tens of thousands of attendees. But the Moroccan capital pulses to the rhythm of world music throughout the year. The sounds of Andalusia and the swing of jazz bands, for example, are also honored with major events.
Culture abounds in Rabat, bringing the city to life and fostering a sense of playfulness.
A culturally rich city
The Imperial City of Rabat is now the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. Its rich history is on display in the stones that decorate its streets, forming a charming setting that you will love exploring.
Recognized by UNESCO as a modern capital and historic city, Rabat is a distillation of Moroccan heritage. Look first to Hassan Tower, an unfinished minaret that has been watching over the city for over eight centuries. At its base, you will find an esplanade and the famous Mohamed V mausoleum. This monument is more than a burial site; it is a tribute to Arabic-Islamic art that showcases all the charms of the genre. It is carved in white onyx and adorned with marble, plaster and delicately carved woodwork.
Elsewhere in the city, you will find the Chellah, an ancient village whose vestiges still stand. Walk through its enormous gate and discover within its walls one of the country’s most surprising archaeological sites.
Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Kasbah of the Udayas.
Take time to stroll through and soak up the peacefulness of the place. Tour the gardens that enhance the appeal of this ancient fortress and the art galleries all around before taking a break on the patio of Café Maure to sip a delicious mint tea with Moroccan cookies.
Explore Rabat, one stone at a time, and immerse yourself in the history of the kingdom.
The green city in Morocco
Rabat, a green city
In Rabat, nature has found a home right in the heart of the city. The capital of Morocco is committed to environmental sustainability and offers residents and tourists nearly 570 acres of green spaces to enjoy nature and culture.
The Kasbah of the Udayas and its Andalusian garden, the Chellah necropolis, the green belt, the Ibn Sina forest and the test gardens are perfect expressions of this spirit. Plus there is the Rabat zoo, where animals live in faithful recreations of their natural habitats.
The Bouknadel Exotic Gardens just a few miles outside Rabat will also enchant you. The garden’s 11 acres harbor over 600 plant species from five continents, in addition to 80 animal species.
The surrounding area is also worthy of your attention. On the road to Fez, the Maamora Forest is a great place to organize a picnic with family and friends. Meanwhile, if you head toward Mehdia, you can stop to observe migratory water birds at the Sidi Boughaba Nature Reserve. Dayet Roumi is a peaceful natural lake on the way to Khmisset, where you can rent a pedal boat or jet ski or spend an afternoon fishing.
Rabat, the green city, is eager to show you its eco-friendly attitude!
Leisure activities
Beaches as far as the eye can see
Lapped by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the Moroccan capital offers myriad opportunities to relax on the warm sand and enjoy all kinds of water sports. The entire coastline is developed with beaches that extend all the way to Casablanca, boasting an array of sights and sounds. In the heart of the city, Udayas Beach serves up a beautiful setting: the fort perches high above the ocean on a rock and towers over the sandy expanse below. The Rabat Yacht Club manages the beach facilities, which hum with activities like kayaking and windsurfing.
Beaches stretch down the coast all the way to Casablanca. They each have their own unique character. Some are intimate in scale, while others are more expansive, but they all have fine, golden sand and rising and falling tides that will delight and distract you.
For outdoor enthusiasts, surfing, jet skiing and horseback riding are all leisure options available to you at the beaches of Rabat.
Whether you choose to lounge about or get moving, Rabat’s private and public beaches will satisfy your craving.
TOUR HASSAN PALACE
At the heart of Morocco, “La Tour Hassan Palace” has a hundred years of history in a place rich in heritages. The palace offers paradisiac decorations, verdant gardens covered with tall palms and adorned with basins…
This Hispano-Moorish heritage is considered as a pure source of comfort & satisfaction.
Latest from our destinations
Masovia: Poland’s Historical Voivodeship
The Mazovian region in Poland is an excellent destination for MICE groups, let us tell you more about it! Mazovia is the biggest of Polish voivodships and for sure it is a very attractive part of the country. Old monuments, beautiful landscapes, colourful folk culture...
Poland: Do’s and Don’ts
Poland is again ready to welcome tourists! Do not hesitate and come. This year weather is great. Hotels, restaurants, monuments, relaxing areas are ready! Of course restrictions exist, please read carefully about them. ALL THE RESTRICTIONS IN POLAND RESTRICTIONS CONCERNING MOVEMENT 1.5 METER – MINIMUM...
Return to Indochina: where exotic culture and spectacular landscape merge
Although Southeast Asia is still facing the effects of a 4th wave of Covid, everything is under control and the government plans to slowly lift travel restrictions starting from September 2021. This is an ideal time to plan your corporate trip or group holiday, our...
How Hospitality is Reopening Across The World
It has been a challenging start to the new year for the hospitality industry. Strict health measures have forcibly shut hotels, bars and restaurants, suspended international travel and put our lives on hold. As Europe gradually starts easing out of lockdown this month, governments...
When Will International Travel Return?
An Update From The GDA Network The coronavirus has suspended flights and closed borders, putting our travel dreams on hold. As life is slowly starting to resume and travel restrictions eased, we are gearing up to welcome our first guests of the season....
Meet: Our GDA Partners
As the world starts slowly easing its restrictions, the days when we will be free to meet anywhere in the world are now closer than ever. Until then, we’d like to remind you we’re still here to connect with you virtually. As a team...
EXPLORE OUR DESTINATIONS
