Rabat
Travel Guide > Africa > Morocco > Rabat
In this Article
- Introduction
- Neighbourhoods
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Weather
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Eat
- Drink
- Sleep
- Work
- Learn
- Keep Connected
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Introduction
Rabat (Arabic الرباط), sometimes called Rabat-Salé, is the capital of Morocco and has an estimated population of about 1.7 million inhabitants. It is located along the northern coastline of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River, close to Casablanca. Although the latter is more important from an economic point of view, Rabat is the administrative capital and is also one of the four so called Imperial Cities, together with Fez, Meknes and Marrakech. People have been living here since well over 2000 years and today it is popular among travellers who wish to see something of the Islamic culture of the country. As a consequence, there are good facilities and transportation to all places in Morocco.
Neighbourhoods
The old Medina and the Ville Nouvelle are divided by the busy Ave Hassan II which follows the walls of the Medina to the Oued Bou Regreg. The twin cities are called Salé and Rabat.
Sights and Activities
- Mausoleum of Mohammed V
- Hassan Tower
- Chellah Necropolis
As you walk out of the kasbah you’ll see a lovely little street (Rue des Consuls) with lots of small shops selling aromatic spices, leather, silver, rugs and wood carvings. Other interesting sights include the Bab Chellah, considered by many to be the most beautiful city ramparts in Morocco, the Parc du Triangle, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the uncompleted Hassan Minaret.
Events and Festivals
For two weeks every summer a music and film festival takes place in Rabat. The Festival International de Rabat attracts all kinds of musicians from across Africa and beyond. The festival also plays host to an annual film festival which awards the Prix Hassan II de Cinema.
Weather
Rabat has a typical mediterranean climate, with warm dry summers and mild but wetter winters. Temperatures average between 24 °C and 28 °C between May and September and 17 °C to 20 °C during the other months. Nights are around 20 °C in summer, dropping to 8 °C in January. June to September is almost completely dry, while December is the wettest month with around 75 mm of rain.
Getting There
By Plane
Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA) is a small airport with http://www.royalairmaroc.com|Royal Air Maroc]] Jet4you and http://www.airfrance.com|Air France]] serving Paris directly. Royal Air Maroc also serves Agadir.
Other destinations include direct flights to Cairo and Tripoli.
By Train
ONCF trains run every 30 minutes or so between Rabat and Casablanca and to Kenitra. Other trains include those to Fez (3,5 hours), Meknes (2.5 hours), Oujda (10 hours), Tangier (4.5 hours) and Marrakech (4.5 hours).
By Car
By Bus
CTM buses go to Agadir, Casablanca, El-Jadida, Er-Rachidia, Essaouira, Fez, Marrakech, Nador, Oujda, Safi, Tangier, Taroudannt, Tetouan and Tiznit, among other smaller places.
By Boat
Getting Around
By Public Transport
The easiest way to get around the city is by the blue ‘petit taxis’ you’ll see driving around everywhere. Trips cost between 10 dirham and 20 dirham to most of the sights within the city. Make sure you agree on a price beforehand. Get the petit taxi to drop you off at the impressive Kasbah Oudaias on the edge of the old part of the city (the medina), and then continue on foot.
By Foot
By Bike
Eat
If you want to grab a cheap bite to eat, try the Baahia restaurant little further up from the Kasbah Oudaias on the edge of the Medina. Built within the city ramparts, it’s a great little find. Just behind the hotel ‘La Mamma and La Bamba’ serves good local, Italian and seafood dishes
Drink
Sleep
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Felouque | plage des sables d'or 12100 Temara | Hotel | 78 |
| Royal Hotel Rabat | 1 rue amman bp 175 | Hotel | 75 |
Work
This is version 13. Last edited at 14:32 on Nov 18, 09 by Utrecht (+469). 7 articles link to this page.
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