What to see in Morocco

Rabat

One of four imperial cities in Morocco, the fortified city of Rabat serves as both the country’s capital and a popular beach destination, known for its long stretches of sandy Atlantic coastline. Rabat literally means ‘fortified place’, which is easily explainable with one look at the city’s oldest part, the kasbah, which is encased within red walls. Rabat was once a thriving North African port, notoriously frequented by Barbary pirates from the 16th to 18th centuries, who were known for seizing ships in the western Mediterranean.

The city’s history and landmarks represent elements of both Islamic and French influence, owing to the French protectorate in Morocco during the first half of the 20th century. Majestic Rabat is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Medina, alongside affluent, modern neighbourhoods complete with skyscrapers and sleek architecture. With its privileged coastal location, Rabat is a popular holiday destination for both Moroccan’s and foreigners alike. Long, sandy stretches of beach contrast against the imposing walls of the kasbah in the background, creating a unique cityscape.

Rabat also boasts a more laid-back atmosphere than a number of other popular Moroccan cities, with the winding streets of its medina largely unaffected by the impacts of tourism, so you can really appreciate the mix of history and modernity that the city has to offer. The public transport consists of a tram line, which has an impressively frequent service, and the iconic petit taxis; light blue in colour.

What to see in Rabat

Thanks to its long history and strategic location, there is certainly enough sights to quench your thirst for culture on a tour of Rabat.  The unmissable Hassan Tower is a good place to begin, as it stands out in the city’s skyline, close to the banks of the Bou Regreg River.

Its red sandstone minaret is part of an unfinished mosque, whose construction was abandoned in the 12th century, with the death of its commissioner Abu Yusef Yaqub al-Mansur of the Almohad Caliphate. Once finished, the mosque was expected to be the largest in the world. As well as the well-preserved Hassan Tower, there are still remnants of the old walls of the mosque and ruined stone columns.

For more sandstone architecture, head to the impressive Kasbah of the Udayas, overlooking the mouth of the river and out to sea. This old walled-city fortress is even more impressive inside, where it is peppered with picture-postcard pretty white and blue buildings, beautiful murals and intricately decorated doors. The Mausoleum of Mohammed V is another unmissable stop for an insight into the heady days of the resplendent caliphate, where it is almost impossible to resist the allure of the highly decorative mosaic, gold and marble work on display inside this royal family tomb.

Delve back even further into the history of Rabat at the Chellah; the majestic ruins of a medieval fortified necropolis, complete with authentic castle walls. Its history stretches back to the Phoenicians and Romans, with Roman walls still extant on the site. If you’d rather look forward than back in time, Rabat’s modern art museum is housed in a beautiful building, open since 2014, with a collection composed of the works of 200 Moroccan artists.