Rabat: Morocco's Royal Capital and its Millennial Monuments

Rabat, Morocco's administrative capital and royal residence, combines modernity with millennial heritage. Between the blue-washed Kasbah of the Oudayas, the unfinished Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the city exudes a discreet elegance that earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 2012.

The Kasbah of the Oudayas, blue fortress on the Atlantic

Perched at the mouth of the Bouregreg, the Kasbah of the Oudayas is one of Morocco's most beautiful kasbahs. Its white and blue painted alleyways recall Chefchaouen, its Andalusian gardens fragrant with orange blossom and its terraces offering unforgettable views over the Atlantic and the ramparts of Salé give it incomparable charm.

The Moorish café installed in an ancient 17th-century palace is one of Morocco's oldest and the ideal spot to sip mint tea while contemplating the estuary. The Kasbah also houses a Museum of Berber Arts and Traditions presenting traditional costumes, jewellery and musical instruments.

The Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V

The Hassan Tower is the unfinished minaret of a vast Almohad mosque whose construction was halted in 1199 upon the death of Sultan Yacoub al-Mansour. At its current 44 metres, it was supposed to reach 86 metres to become the world's tallest mosque. The 356 broken columns surrounding it create a striking architectural landscape, particularly beautiful at sunset.

Opposite the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V houses the remains of King Mohammed V, founder of Moroccan independence, and his sons Hassan II and Prince Moulay Abdallah. This masterpiece of Moroccan funerary art, inaugurated in 1971, impresses with its white Carrara marble, crystal chandeliers and the meticulous work of its craftsmen in stucco, cedar and zellige.

Chellah, Merinid necropolis at the heart of the capital

Chellah is a unique archaeological site: a 14th-century Merinid necropolis built on the ruins of an ancient Roman city. One discovers Roman mosaics, basins filled with turtles and carp, a ruined mosque invaded by prickly pears and towers pierced by stork nests.

At sunset, when the last rays gild the ruins and storks return to their nests, Chellah offers one of Morocco's most romantic spectacles. The site also hosts an international jazz festival each summer that creates a unique atmosphere blending contemporary music with medieval architecture.

The Rabat medina and the museums

Unlike the medinas of Fès or Marrakech, Rabat's is more accessible and less labyrinthine. It runs alongside the 12th-century Almohad ramparts and its souks are less touristy, allowing for a more authentic experience. The National Museum of Archaeology and Earth Sciences houses remarkable Roman collections from Volubilis.

The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, inaugurated in 2014, is Morocco's first major contemporary art museum. It presents the works of the great masters of modern Moroccan painting (Mohammed Ben Ali Rbati, Jilali Gharbaoui, Mohammed Chabâa) alongside international contemporary artists. A must-see for understanding the Moroccan artistic scene.

Practical tips for visiting Rabat

Rabat is accessible from Casablanca in 45 minutes by high-speed train (Al Boraq). The city is calmer and less touristy than the other imperial cities, making it a pleasant stop for travellers seeking to escape crowds. Hotels are cheaper than in Marrakech or Fès for often equivalent quality.

The ideal day in Rabat begins with a morning visit to the Kasbah of the Oudayas, continues with the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum, before lunch in the medina and ending at Chellah at sunset. Tour Come Morocco offers day excursions from Marrakech combining Rabat, Casablanca and the Atlantic coast cities.