Connecting African Culture Through the Seas
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
Known as Morocco’s “white city,” Rabat has a relaxed, unhurried ambiance, similar to a welcoming university town. Rabat is the fourth largest city in Morocco, with a metropolitan population of close to three million people. Located at the nexus of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bou Regreg river, just an hour drive north of Casablanca, Rabat is one of many large Moroccan cities that inhabit the coast. On the other side of the Bou Regreg river lies Salé, and just to the southwest is the suburb of Temara.
Although the Rabat is Morocco’s government and administrative center, it’s not at all boring or bureaucratic. The city’s white Moorish architecture is punctuated by both towering landmarks and low-rise attractions: The Hassan Tower features the pillars of what would have been one of the largest mosques in the world; the Kasbah des Oudayas is a labyrinthine souk which sells all kinds of wares, from necklaces, to bracelets to colorful dresses.
Some of the other sites and sights to behold include the Mohammed V Mausoleum, the ancient ruins of Chellah, and the new bridge over the Bou Regreg valley with its tourism complex and marina. Rabat’s modern tram system can get you most places in the city for fairly cheap.
Excellent dining options can be found everywhere in the city, particularly around the train station and the souk. You won’t find many riads here like you will in Marrakech, but there are several business and luxury hotels worth staying at to suit all budgets. Rabat is an excellent jumping off point to head to Fez, Meknes and Casablanca, but there aren’t really any nature excursions of interest in the area, outside of the beaches.
SAFETY: Rabat is one of the most laid-back and safest cities in Morocco, but pickpocketing is still somewhat common in the medina. Female travelers are advised to cover their shoulders and legs in public areas.
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
As the capital of the country, Rabat might not be the most exciting stop in Morocco, but it’s definitely worth checking out, and you’ll likely need to pass through anyway …