All citiesRabat Things to do and walking itinerary
Morocco Rabat travel guide
25 things to do in Rabat, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Rabat
- Hassan Tower — Mosque in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Chellah — medieval fortified necropolis located in the metro area of Rabat (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Mausoleum of Mohammed V — Moroccan cultural heritage site (visit ≈ 15 min)
- The Great Mosque of Salé — mosque in Salé, Morocco (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Russian Orthodox Church in Rabat — Moroccan cultural heritage site (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. Peter's Cathedral (Rabat) — Moroccan cultural heritage site (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Ahl Fez Mosque — Mosque in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Bab Lakbir — Moroccan cultural heritage site (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Dar al-Makhzen — official residence of the king of Morocco (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Bab ar-Rwah — gate in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Moulay Slimane Mosque — Mosque in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Museum of History and Civilizations in Rabat — archaeological museum in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Sunnah Mosque — Mosque in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 30 min)
- The Great Mosque of Rabat — Mosque in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Royal Theatre of Rabat — performing arts centre in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Lalla Al-Shahba Mosque — mosque in Salé, Morocco (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art — contemporary and modern art museum in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Bab el-Mrissa — Moroccan cultural heritage site (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Andalusian wall of Rabat (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Oudaya museum — public museum in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 120 min)
- National Photography Museum — photography museum in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 120 min)
- National Theatre Mohammed V — theatre in Rabat, Morocco (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Kasbah of Gnaouas — Moroccan cultural heritage site (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Rabbi Shalom Zaoui synagogue — moroccon synagogue (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Princess Lalla Latifa Mosque — Mosque in Salé, Morocco (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Rabat walking itinerary
Starting point: Medina. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 7.6 km · 10,300 steps · 1 h 42 min on the way): Bab Lakbir → The Great Mosque of Salé → Hassan Tower → Mausoleum of Mohammed V → St. Peter's Cathedral (Rabat)
- Day 2 (≈ 9.7 km · 13,030 steps · 2 h 9 min on the way): Chellah → Ahl Fez Mosque → Russian Orthodox Church in Rabat
Where to stay in Rabat
- Medina: Traditional riads and souks.
- Kasbah of the Udayas: Blue-and-white lanes and ocean views.
- Hassan / City Centre: Central, near the train station and tram.
- Agdal: Modern, cafés and the high-speed train station.
- Bouregreg Marina: Riverside, new hotels and restaurants.
Getting from the airport to Rabat
- Rabat–Salé (RBA): Taxi ≈ 20 min
- Mohammed V (Casablanca) (CMN): ONCF train (with a change) ≈ 2 h
Getting around
The centre and medina are walkable; two tram lines also reach Salé. Blue petit taxis are cheap; ask for the meter.
Classic places to eat
- Café Maure: Mint tea and pastries in the Udayas garden.
- Dinarjat: Pastilla and tagine in a medina mansion.
- Le Dhow: Food and drinks on a wooden boat on the river.
- Dar Naji: Affordable tagine and couscous.
- Le Grand Comptoir: 1930s-style brasserie on Mohammed V Avenue.
- Le Petit Beur: Long-running Moroccan spot downtown; tagine and pastilla.
- Ty Potes: Crêpes and galettes in a garden café.
Romantic views
- Kasbah of the Udayas (Sunset): Blue-and-white lanes lead to a terrace facing the ocean.
- Andalusian Gardens (Early morning): A quiet garden with orange trees inside the kasbah walls.
- Hassan Tower (Sunset): The unfinished tower and columns turn golden in late light.
- Bouregreg Marina (Evening): A calm riverside walk facing the kasbah.
Good to know before visiting Rabat
- Fine: Insulting the King or the monarchy is a crime.
- Fine: Drones are banned and confiscated on arrival.
- Fine: Photographing military sites and royal palaces is prohibited.
- Fine: Alcohol is for licensed venues only; drinking in the street is banned.
- Warning: Same-sex relations and sex outside marriage are criminalised; check official travel advice.
- Warning: Ask before photographing people, especially women; performers in Jemaa el-Fna expect payment.
- Emergency: police 19, ambulance 15, fire 15
- Plugs: C/E, 220V
- Tap water: Prefer bottled water to tap.
- Tipping: About 10% in restaurants and a few dirhams for small services.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Morocco, Wikivoyage — Morocco, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Rabat travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Rabat?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Rabat?
- Highlights: Hassan Tower, Chellah, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, The Great Mosque of Salé and Russian Orthodox Church in Rabat. The map has 25 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Rabat?
- Medina: Traditional riads and souks. Other options: Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan / City Centre, Agdal and Bouregreg Marina.
- How do you get from the airport to Rabat city centre?
- Rabat–Salé (RBA): Taxi ≈ 20 min · Mohammed V (Casablanca) (CMN): ONCF train (with a change) ≈ 2 h
- How do you get around Rabat?
- The centre and medina are walkable; two tram lines also reach Salé. Blue petit taxis are cheap; ask for the meter.
- What is the emergency number in Rabat?
- Emergency: police 19, ambulance 15, fire 15.
- Do you tip in Rabat?
- About 10% in restaurants and a few dirhams for small services.
Nearby cities
Casablanca · Fez · Marrakech · Málaga · Seville · Granada · Córdoba · Lisbon
Morocco travel guide: all cities · All cities