Rabat: Sightseeing and Monuments
- La Tour Hassan
- Mausoleum of Mohammed V
- Kasbah des Oudaias
- Medina — Rue des Consuls
- Chellah
- Royal Palace
La Tour Hassan
La Tour Hassan is the 44 m high minaret towering amongst the ruins of the sultan Yacoub al Mansour mosque which was completely destroyed by an earthquake in the 18th century. The minaret was built in 1195, but it was never finished. Nevertheless, it is a stunning monument, with its beautiful, stark orange walls set against a clear blue Rbati sky. The ruins of the mosque (the remaining pillars) are a testament to its past grandeur. It must have been enormous. Take a walk along the western side, near the minaret — you can see the Kasbah of Rabat, the mouth of Bou Regreg river and Salé. This magnificent view is probably the best panorama of Rabat there is. If you turn around, you will see The Mausoleum of Mohammed V (see below).
Mausoleum of Mohammed V
The Mausoleum of Mohammed V is one of the most important monuments in Morocco. It is here that the founder of modern and independent Morocco, the father of the nation, king Mohammed V is laid to rest. Next to the tomb of Mohammed V is the tomb of Hassan II, his son, and the father of the present king, Mohammed VI. The royal tomb is beautifully decorated in wood, stucco and zellij mosaic, inside an open chamber which can be seen (and photographed) by visitors from the gallery surrounding it.
The entrance to the Mausoleum is free and you must be dressed respectfully. There are guards in rich, colorful uniforms at the entrance of the Mausoleum and they will gladly pose for a photo with you.
Kasbah des Oudaias
The Kasbah des Oudaias is the fortification built on a hill, overlooking the ocean and Salé. The white/light ochre walls surround it from all sides, while the small, winding streets inside it are really charming, with all the houses being painted in white and blue.
There is a small parking along the main entrance (a big gate — Bab Oudaia) and if you follow the main street to the end, you will arrive at a big terrace with a magnificent view over the Atlantic ocean. You can descend to the beach from there if you wish, or return to the main street, take a left turn about 150-200m before the main gate and find your way to Café Maure, which is a really nice place for a cup of coffee or tea.
Inside the Kasbah, there are also Andalusian Gardens, filled with palms, orange trees, flowers and cats. During the warm part of the year, you will see many local students study here. You can access the gardens either from the Café Maure or by from the side of the street, below the main Kasbah gate.
A small warning: when you approach the main gate to the Kasbah des Oudaias or during a walk through the main street, the locals will tell you that “you can't go there because of the mosque” or “because the Kasbah is closed” and will offer to show you the Kasbah and guide you (for a few hundred dirhams, of course). These are standard false guide tactics. Again, like in any similar case, ignore them completely and continue ahead.
Medina — Rue des Consuls
The Rue des Consuls is the most charming street in Rabat's medina. Only craft shops can be found here, and the colors of the rugs, babouches, pottery, leather goods, lamps and wooden furniture are really charming. The street takes its name from the foreign consuls and diplomats that lived here at the beginning of the 20th century.
The main entrance to Rue des Consuls is right across the Kasbah's southeastern corner. There is a small parking before the entrance, but it is very difficult to find a free spot for your car there.
Chellah
Chellah is the old necropolis sitauted near the roundabout at the end of Avenue John Kennedy, outside the old Rabat city walls. The necropolis was built by the Merenids during the 13th century, on the remains of an ancient Roman city. The forum and the thermes can still be seen there.
Chellah is a really great place to take a walk and enjoy the nature and the view over the Bou Regreg river valley. Olive and orangre trees are everywhere. Take your time and relax. Look up and you'll see numerous stork nests on treetops. Close to the Roman ruins there are the tombs of the Merenids, along with a minaret that hasn't been used for centuries.
From the entrance, go to down and to the right, and then still right and you will reach a small pond. There is an old couple usually sitting around — they are taking care of the little mosque (not accessible to non-muslims). The old man throws some food into the pond from time to time and eels come out. This was once a place where infertile women came to make offerings and hoped that they would concieve afterwards.
During summer (usually in August), there is a jazz festival being held inside Chellah: listening to excellent musicians in a centuries-old necropolis, with the walls being lit up at night is an amazing experience.
Faux guides (false guides) can be encountered here from time to time, but they really aren't that insisting. Refuse their offer and they'll leave you alone.
Opening hours: 8.30am-5.30pm, every day.
Entrance fee: 10 Dh.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace in Rabat is where the King mostly resides — there are royal palaces not only in every imperial city (Rabat, Marrakech, Fes and Meknes) but in other, smaller towns too, all over Morocco!
The Palace grounds are impeccably clean, the trees are perfectly trimmed and it looks, well... royally! While tourist buses (arranged previously) and diplomatic vehicels can enter inisde the Royal Palace area (driving very slowly), ordinary vehicels cannot. However, you can visit this area on foot. Any building inside this area is non-accessible, but you can take photos of the Palace building.