A Day Trip To Rabat: 8 Things To Do In Rabat

Located at the mouth of Bou Regreg River and bordering the Atlantic Ocean lies the administrative capital of Morocco, Rabat. A city with quaint cafes, picturesque skyline, walled Medina and many more attractions that keeps you on your toes. Its distance from some of the main cities of Morocco makes it a perfect place for a day excursion.

It was the second city that I visited after Casablanca. My friends and I opted for a day trip as it was merely an hour away from Casablanca. Here’s our itinerary that you can follow to make the most of your day in Rabat.

Breakfast at my friend’s place

We wanted to start early morning to avoid traffic. Therefore, to save time, we opted for a homemade breakfast. A typical Moroccan breakfast that included fluffy pancakes (Baghrir), Msemen, dates and nuts along with mint tea. After enjoying our delectable breakfast, we then headed to explore the twin city Rabat and Sale.

First Impression

You know you’ve arrived in Rabat when you start seeing buildings with beautiful murals. Thanks to the Jidar Toiles des Rue festival that invites several local and international artists to leave their mark on the city walls.

Kasbah des Oudaias

Our first destination was a city within a city, located at the mouth of Bou Regreg River. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers one of the best sunset views. Moreover, the white and blue houses remind us of Chefchaouen. The Kasbah takes approximately 2 hours to see it entirely. Our journey began from the original grand door of the city. We walked for an hour exploring the picturesque narrow lanes of the citadel. Crossing several cafes and artisans selling wooden souvenirs. We reached the viewpoint where the river meets the ocean. The view was divine! Unlike the other medinas of Morocco, The Kasbah des Oudaias was peaceful.

Andalusian Gardens

Located towards the right of the main gate is a french style garden with a plethora of flora and cats! The Andalusian gardens is a must-visit place in Rabat and one of the most beautiful gardens that you might see in the country. After all that walk, we chose to relax amidst the garden, being surrounded by cats. The atmosphere was very soothing and served as a perfect spot to rejuvenate before heading to our next destination.

Old Medina

Old Medina in the heart of the city is a shopper’s paradise. A trip to Rabat is incomplete without paying a visit to this place. The narrow lanes of the Medina had everything you could imagine. From leather goods to soap to wooden sculptures. A great place to grab souvenirs for your friends and family. We spent around an hour exploring the market, after which we headed for lunch.

Lunch at Dar Naji

Dar Naji is a traditional Moroccan house with a rooftop restaurant that has a wide variety of authentic Moroccan food. Located at a walkable distance from the Medina. It was peak lunch hour by the time we reached the restaurant. However, we were lucky enough to grab a seat at the rooftop with a good view. We ordered Tajines and Mint tea. Mine was a Chicken Tajine loaded with french fries. Whereas my friends went for the beef one. The Moroccan Mint tea at the end of our meal felt refreshing as the temperature went high with time.

A quick visit to Salé

Post lunch we headed to the twin city of Rabat on the other side of the Bou Regreg River. Famous for its newly constructed Marina and the mesmerising view of Kasbah des Oudaias from the banks of Bou Regreg River. The dock has a plethora of luxury yacht and boats, standing idle on the emerald water. The Marina, on the other hand, is a hub of restaurants serving seafood. We didn’t explore much of the city on foot. Instead, we drove around for a while, before stopping by the dock to take a quick walk.

Mohammed V Mausoleum

Our next stop was a place known for its architecture and tranquil ambience. The ‘Tower of Hassan’ was intended to be the tallest minaret and the mosque in the world. However, the sudden demise of Mohammed V led to the halting of all the construction work. What we see now is an unfinished structure of the minaret and a beautiful white and green mausoleum sitting opposite to it. We spent a few hours admiring the architectural brilliance of this place. The pillars within the compound were very popular among the tourists. Following the crowd, we too got ourselves clicked on one them.

Exploring the city

Next on our list was the National Library of Morocco, also known as Bibliothèque Générale. A beautiful modern building with a garden in its vicinity and decorated with colourful murals. Then came the famous ‘I Love Rabat‘ signboard next to Paul coffee shop at Marjane.  Getting clicked in front of this signpost is a must when in Rabat. After our brief photo session, we headed to the coffee shop to restore our energy.

Sunset by the beach

Sunset is one of the best ways to end a day. Therefore, on our way back, we stopped by the beach to watch the sky turn orange. Alternatively, you can head to the coast near the lighthouse to watch the sunset. The view is mesmerising from there.

How to reach Rabat?

The train is the best and the most comfortable mode of transport to reach Rabat. The ticket can be bought on the spot from the train station. The travel time is minimal, and the frequency is excellent.

To know more about my day in Rabat check out this video