Overview
Rabat is the quietest of the four imperial cities and the one most travelers skip, which is exactly why it is worth a day. It is the seat of government and the royal palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, and it wears its history lightly: wide boulevards and tramlines on one side, a twelfth-century ribat and a Roman-Islamic necropolis on the other, with the Atlantic at the end of every street.
Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum
The Hassan Tower is the minaret of a mosque that was never finished. Sultan Yaqub al-Mansur began it in 1195 intending the largest mosque in the western Islamic world, died four years later, and left 44 metres of red stone tower and a field of broken marble columns where the prayer hall should have been. Facing it across that field is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, completed in 1971, where Mohammed V and his sons Hassan II and Abdallah are buried under a carved cedar dome, white onyx and gold leaf, guarded by the Royal Guard in full dress. It is open to visitors of all faiths and is one of the finest modern examples of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship anywhere.
The Kasbah of the Udayas
Built as a fortified ribat at the mouth of the Bou Regreg, the kasbah is the oldest part of Rabat and the most charming: a monumental Almohad gate from around 1195, then narrow lanes painted blue below and white above, an Andalusian garden, a cafe terrace looking across the river to Sale, and a platform above the surf where the ocean does most of the talking.
Chellah
Chellah is where Rabat gets strange in the best way. A Roman town called Sala Colonia, abandoned, then reused by the Marinids in the fourteenth century as a royal necropolis, and now a walled garden of fig trees, Roman foundations, a ruined minaret and a large colony of storks that nest on top of all of it. Bring a camera and expect to stay longer than you planned.
The shape of the day
Rabat is around 200 km from Fez on good motorway, about two and a half hours, so you get a full day in the city rather than a glimpse. If you would rather, we can add a stop in Sale across the river, or continue to Casablanca for the Hassan II Mosque. Tell us when you book.
Highlights
- The Hassan Tower and the unfinished mosque of Yaqub al-Mansur
- The Mausoleum of Mohammed V, open to all visitors, with the Royal Guard on duty
- The Kasbah of the Udayas: Almohad gate, blue lanes and Andalusian garden
- Chellah, a Roman city turned Marinid necropolis, full of nesting storks
- The Atlantic coast, the Bou Regreg estuary and the view across to Sale
- Motorway travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle, around 2.5 hours each way
- Optional extension to Sale or on to Casablanca
Itinerary
- 07:30 - Departure
Pickup at your hotel or riad in Fez and onto the motorway west.
- 10:00 - Hassan Tower
The unfinished minaret, the field of columns and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.
- 11:30 - Kasbah of the Udayas
The Almohad gate, the blue and white lanes, the Andalusian garden and the ocean platform.
- 13:00 - Lunch
Seafood by the estuary or a terrace in the kasbah, on your own account.
- 14:30 - Chellah
Roman ruins, the Marinid necropolis, the gardens and the storks.
- 16:00 - City centre
Avenue Mohammed V, the medina and the souks, or a walk along the corniche.
- 17:00 - Return
Drive back to Fez, arriving mid to late evening.
What's included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver from Fez
- Hotel or riad pickup and drop-off in Fez
- All fuel, motorway tolls and parking
- Licensed local guide in Rabat on request
- Photo and refreshment stops
- Lunch and drinks
- Entrance fees, including Chellah
- Local guide fee if requested
- Tips
- Personal purchases
Good to know
Is the price per person?
Yes, from $80 per person. Your total for the group is confirmed in writing before you book.
How long is the drive?
Around two and a half hours each way on motorway, roughly 200 km. It is the easiest long drive we do.
Can we enter the Mausoleum of Mohammed V?
Yes. It is open to visitors of all faiths, free of charge, with respectful dress expected.
Can we add Casablanca?
Yes, many travelers combine the two for the Hassan II Mosque. It makes for a very long day, so we usually suggest an overnight. Ask us for a quote.
Is Rabat worth it compared with Chefchaouen?
Different things. Rabat is monuments, gardens and the Atlantic, with far fewer tourists. Chefchaouen is a single, extraordinary blue town. We are happy to advise based on your interests.
How much walking?
Three to four kilometres over the day, spread across four sites, with the car moving you between them.
Do I pay online?
No. Send a request, receive your confirmed price, then pay as agreed.
