If you are deciding where to go in Morocco, Rabat is an ideal starting place as the city is known for its more relaxed and quieter atmosphere.
If you are traveling to Rabat Morocco for the first time, the city was a former Roman settlement between the 8th and 12th centuries. Then, a former colony of France in the early 20th century.
Rabat’s mixed heritage can be appreciated in its colonial style architecture, Chellah Roman ruins and the Medina of Rabat.
Things to do in Rabat Morocco: Outdoor Activities
Bird watching & Hiking
If you are an outdoors enthusiast and would like to explore Morocco’s natural scenery, the Lac Sidi Boughaba Parc is just 13 miles north of Rabat’s city center.
Lac Sidi Boughaba Parc is a beautiful biological reserve home to a wealth of fauna and flora.
At the reserve you can enjoy hiking while exploring the wildlife, picnicking and even fishing at the lake there.
Beaches
One of the reasons that make Rabat Morocco such a popular destination in Morocco it’s its coastal location.
If you want to spend time at the beach, Rabat Morocco has a lovely beach where you can spend a relaxing time soaking up the sun, or en joy fun water activities such as body surfing.
Things to do in Rabat Morocco: Places of Interest
Rabat Old Quarter
Visiting the Old Quarter (Medina) in the city is one of the most popular things to do in Rabat Morocco.
Just like other major Medinas in Morocco, Rabat's Old Quarter is characterized by typical maze-like streets and traditional markets (souks).
In Rabat's Old Quarter you can also find the beautiful landmarks the Grand Mosque and the Moulay Sliman Mosque, which are both located along Rue (street) Souika.
Musee Archelolgique (Archeological Museum)
The Rabat Archeological Museum is located on Rue (street) Brihi, and it is one of the most popular museums in the city, as it features a myriad of fascinating ancient artifacts.
If you are interested in ancient history and ancient artifacts, the museum features various rooms where you can marvel at prehistoric fossils and sculptures and ceramics from the Roman period.
Musee (Museum) Oudaia and Andalusian Gardens
The Oudaia Museum is housed in the palace built by Moulay Ismail. This museum is an excellent place to marvel at Moroccan art such as paintings, jewelry and clothing items.
The Andalusian Gardens are located at the palace’s grounds, and they're a beautiful example of a Mediterranean garden featuring all kind of exotic flowers.
Ruins of Chellah
The ruins of Chellah are located in the outskirts of the city and are basically the ruins of the Roman town of Sala that settled here between the 8th and 12th centuries. At the site, you can find a beautiful garden, a Roman forum and a Roman roadway (Decumanus Maximus).
Things to do in Rabat Morocco: Shopping & Food
If you’ve never experienced the shopping scene in Morocco before and are wondering what to expect in Rabat Morocco, the shopping scene is very similar to that of places such as Izmir and Kusadasi in Turkey.
The Medina of Rabat is the heart of the shopping experience in the city and, here you’ll find many street vendors selling handmade goods such as jewelry and carpets.
Apart from being a great place to shop for souvenir gifts, the Old Quarter (Medina) is a great place to get fresh local produce and enjoy a traditional Moroccan dish in one of the many restaurants there.
Things to do in Rabat Morocco: Nightlife & Entertainment
The city of Rabat has one of the liveliest night scenes in Morocco, and you can find a range of traditional and international bars, cafes and nightclubs.
The Old Quarter of Rabat is where the Moroccans hang out and where you can find traditional Moroccan bars and cafes as well as discos.
Alternatively, the Rabat hotel bars provide another source of nightlife as they feature nightly live entertainment.
Things to do in Rabat Morocco: Events & Festivals
If you are wondering when to travel to Rabat Morocco, it’s a good idea to travel here during one of the major events and festivals happening in the city throughout the year.
For instance, the popular Mawazine Music Festival happens every year in May and it is one of the most popular events of the calendar year. The event brings together musicians and performers from all across Morocco as well as the rest of the world.
In June, the Rabat Film Festival takes place showcasing movies by local and international amateur filmmakers.
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