Rabat

Rabat is the capital of Morocco and the main administrative and political center of the country, in addition to the fourth imperial city. It is a curious mixture of the historical tradition of the past and the modernity established in […]

Rabat is the capital of Morocco and the main administrative and political center of the country, in addition to the fourth imperial city. It is a curious mixture of the historical tradition of the past and the modernity established in the present. It was founded by Abd al-Mumin in the 12th century, and used its kasbah (fortress) as a base to fight the Spanish. Its most recognizable structures, including as the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah des Oudaias, were constructed during this time. This city became the bastion of the Muslims expelled from Spain at the beginning of the 17th century.

The Bu Regreg River, which divides Rabat into two parts, has its mouth in the city, which is situated on the nation’s Atlantic coast. They are so different parts of the same city that we often talk about two different cities: Rabat and Salé. The first is much more open and dynamic than the second

How to get to Rabat

Mohamed V International Airport is located a short distance east of the city of Rabat, and has many buses that make the journey that connects it with the city. There are flights from all over Europe with Rayaner, Royal Air Maroc, Air France and Jet4you. For more international flights, check the airport of the neighboring city of Casablanca. Check the prices of cheap flights to Morocco.

One of the most interesting means of transport to and from Rabat is the railway. It is one of the most avant-garde stations in Morocco and is located in the city centre. There is a second station (Rabat Agdal), although it is located outside the city. The following destinations are offered daily: Tangier, Casablanca, Meknes, Fez, Marrakech and Oujda.

The bus station (Gare Routiére) is about 8 kilometres from the city centre. There are exits to most cities throughout Morocco.

There are several ways to get there:

By plane: You can fly into Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA), which is located about 10 kilometers northeast of Rabat. Several airlines operate flights to Rabat from major cities in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

By train: Morocco has a well-developed train network, and you can take a train from many cities in the country to Rabat. The train station in Rabat is located in the city center, and there are several trains that operate daily.

By bus: You can also take a bus to Rabat from other cities in Morocco or from neighboring countries. Several bus companies operate services to Rabat from major cities in Morocco.

By car: If you are driving, you can take the A1 highway from Casablanca, which is about an hour’s drive away. There are also other roads that connect Rabat to other cities in Morocco.

It’s always a good idea to check the latest travel advisories and requirements before planning your trip, especially during these times of pandemic.

A breif history

It appears that Rabat was already inhabited by Carthaginians and Phoenicians when the Romans arrived, based on the findings of local studies and excavations. The name of Rabat comes from the word Ribat (Rábida) which means ‘Islamic fortress’, because this was the first building built here with the idea of defending itself from the Berber tribes. Emperor Yacub Al-Mansur, who arrived in the city in 1184 and established it as the seat of his kingdom, is credited with achieving his growth.

Marshal Lyautey designated Rabat as the administrative center of the Moroccan protectorate under French rule in 1912, and the city later became the nation’s capital following Morocco’s independence in 1956. Rabat’s atmosphere is influenced by Islam and Europe to an almost identical degree, so it is said to have a mixture of tradition and modernity.

In Rabat, tourism is not so widespread and there are few inhabitants involved in this sector. This allows you to wander the markets without having to protect yourself from excessive pressure from sellers.

Things to do in Rabat

Being the capital of the country, Rabat is not exactly one of the main tourist destinations of Morocco, although it must be said that this city deserves a special mention. Over the years, the city has known as “The City of Gardens.” Rabat, one of the most vibrant and commercial cities in the nation, is a wonderful blend of the old city and the modern city, as we have previously stated.

Hassan II Rabat Tower

The first monument that stands out in this section about what to see in Rabat is the Hassan Tower, is one of the three large minarets built by the Almohads (La Koutoubia de Marrakech and la Giralda de Sevilla are the others. Sultan Yacub Al-Mansur made the decision to build the largest mosque and the tallest tower in the world in the 12th century.

With the tallest tower. Nevertheless, he passed away a few years later, and the construction stopped, leaving ‘just’ a tower of 44 meters high instead of the intended 86 meters. Afterwards, the Lisbon earthquake severely destroyed several of the monument’s walls and columns. The tower has a great resemblance to the Koutoubia of Marrakech and the Giralda of Seville, which is no coincidence, since both buildings are the same architect.

Mausoleum of Mohamed V Rabat

The tomb of Mohammed V, where the Alawite kings Mohamed V and Hassan II, grandfather and father of the current king Mohamed VI, are buried, is the other important landmark in Rabat and is located right next door.

It is open daily from 8:00am to 17:30pm. One of the most significant structures of contemporary Moroccan art is the Mausoleum. It consists of marble and has a tasteful ornamentation. The proposal consists of a mosque and a Kubba, a tomb covered with Italian white marble dome.

The medina is surrounded by two ancient walls. To the south the Walls of the Andalusians, reddish hues bordered by the Boulevard Hassan II, which separates it from the modern city. IThe Jewish quarter (Mellah), which is located in the eastern part of the walls, is reached by way of the Bab Mellah gate.

In the western part we find the Almohad walls, completed in 1197. You can see today 5 of its doors but the most interesting thing to visit is Bab er- Ruah. The medina is surrounded on three sides by more than 5.5 kilometres of Rabat’s walls.

Kasbah of the Oudayas Rabat

The Kasbah des Oudaias (or the medieval Kasbah of the Udayas) is a place we recommend as a must, as it is one of the most beautiful areas of the city. It is formed by walls that house a walled neighborhood, composed of narrow and well-kept alleys, full of houses painted blue.An entrance of Almohad sandstone takes us to it.

In addition, inside the kasbah is the Andalusian garden, created at the beginning of the 20th century, in the Arab-Andalusian style, and the Rabat Museum of Decorative Arts. In addition to the building itself, the collection of jewelry and textile clothing makes the place intriguing to visit.

Built on a rock overlooking the Atlantic, the kasbah includes an ancient palace that has been converted into a gallery of traditional works of art. The ancient city of Salé, whose Archaeological Museum is one of the most fascinating in Morocco, is still visible beyond the city walls. It was in this crucial fight that the tribe of Moulay Isma’l of Oudayas successfully defended the city from the Andalusian pirates. With houses and alleys that deviate from the Rabat norm, this Kasbah is a very charming place. It is the ideal place to stroll and relax or enjoy a wonderful moruno tea in the charming cafe Moro overlooking the sea and the nearby town of Salé.

The kasbah has magnificent views of the sea, accompanied by the relaxing sound of waves hitting the walls. Near the kasbah, the old walled medina houses the souk, which is in full hustle and bustle at sunset, especially in the streets of Souïqa and the consuls,

A cemetery in Chellah Rabat

Worth seeing is the necropolis of Chellah, an impressive Marini fortification located a short distance from the city center. A huge castle was built over the ruins of Sala. The complex was built where Abu al Hassan, the Black Sultan, is buried. There are Roman relics and Arab monuments inside the necropolis. The interior contains a mausoleum, a hammam (bath), a madrasa (school), a mosque and an exotic garden, as well as the ruins of a Roman forum and houses and shops. You may also notice a large number of storks because the area serves as a shelter for them.

Rabat Museum of Contemporary Art

The new part of Rabat (Ville Nouvelle) was the first that the French built during their protectorate in 1912, with the idea of building a completely new neighbourhood on the outskirts of the medina to accommodate the French bureaucrats. Although in Rabat, tourism is concentrated in the places indicated above, here are the main institutions, in an axis formed by the elegant avenue Mohammed V, The location of the Parliament, the Bank of Morocco, the Post Office, The train station and the venerable Hotel Balima are surrounded by palm trees and fountains. All of them combine to make a group of Arab Art Deco structures.

We located a walled neighborhood called Mechouar, where members of the Government and the Royal House reside, after the Parliament and the Great Mosque. Royal Palace is near by.

In short, here is a list of what you really need to see in Rabat:

• Kasbah of the Oudaias
• Hassan Tower and the Royal Mausoleum
• Old Medina
• Chellah
• National Archaeological Museum
• Bank Al Maghrib Museum
• Royal Palace: it is very large and worth contemplating on a walk through

Things to do in Rabat

In the kasbah (Oudaia) there is a café with amazing sea views, where you can drink Moruno tea and pastries. The staff is very friendly.

There is also a large and quiet park next to one of the best accommodation in Rabat, the Sofitel, where people run and play football, etc. In addition, you can use the swimming pool of the hotel Sofitel for a swim. The park is 15-20 Dirham by taxi (15 minutes) from the central station.

The following is a list of cultural and recreational activities you can enjoy in Rabat:

• Muslim V Theatre Nothing extraordinary, although every month there are performances.
• Chellah au jazz Every June, the Ministry of Culture, the city of Rabat and the European representation organise a jazz festival. Sometimes the website doesn’t work.
• Mawazine. It is a world music festival, held annually in Rabat, with great icons of Arab, African and international music.May is the month in which it occurs. It is controversial as some Muslim politicians in the country have criticized the festival “for encouraging immoral behavior”. Artists such as Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, Elton John and BB King have performed in Mawazine.
• Amnesia 18. Rue de Monastir, downtown Rabat. The latest in fashion for dress label.
• Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. It extends over 445 hectares of trees, flowers and water. If you have enough money, transportation and are looking for a quiet place to walk or play golf, you will like this.

Security in Rabat

Rabat es considerada una ciudad segura. Solo tiene que usar el sentido común: evite usar joyas caras visibles y evite caminar por áreas no turísticas y desiertas por la noche. Si caminas por las calles abarrotadas de la medina o usas el autobús, ten cuidado con tus bolsillos. Las mujeres deben prescindir de escotes, faldas o pantalones muy cortos para evitar el acoso (que por lo general no va más allá de algún comentario o mirada, pero nada físico). Pero este es un problema que ocurre menos aquí que en otras ciudades, ya que Rabat es una ciudad muy moderna que está acostumbrada a Occidente.

Salé se encuentra en la orilla derecha del río Bou Regreg, frente a Rabat. Fundada en la antigüedad como colonia fenicia, se convirtió en un refugio para los piratas como república independiente antes de unirse a Marruecos. El Salé moderno está más contaminado que Rabat y peor planificado debido a su rápida expansión debido al éxodo rural.
La ciudad se ha vuelto una ciudad grande.

La mayoría de sus habitantes ricos e influyentes se mudaron a Rabat, a través del río. . Hay un puente, una línea de tranvía y un barco (3 DHS) que conecta las dos ciudades.

Skhirat es un pequeño pueblo situado a 27 kilómetros de Rabat, conocido por sus playas. El área alrededor de Skhirat ha comenzado recientemente a desarrollarse y los precios de la propiedad y la tierra se han disparado.

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