Rabat, the capital city of Morocco, houses 1.7 million people and has been in existence since its days as a settlement in the third century BC. Since then, it has seen a steady stream of foreigners walk its streets, from the Romans to the French.
Nowadays, it is the tourists who occupy the streets, not enemy soldiers. The capital of Morocco used to be located in Fez until 1912, when the French invaded. At that point, General Hubert Lyautey decided to relocate the capital. The sultan, Moulay Youssef, decided to follow the decision. After moving the capital, a new administrative quarter of the city was designed by Henri Prost in 1913.
In 1956, when Morocco achieved independence, Mohammed V, who was King of Morocco, kept the capital in Rabat.
To See in Rabat
There are many things to see in Rabat, which is not surprising considering it is the capital city.
The Hassan Tower is a minaret of an uncompleted mosque that was begun in 1195 AD. It was intended to be the world’s largest but in 1199, the sultan Yacoub al-Mansour died and construction stopped at 140 feet, which is just over half the intended height of 260 feet. The site is an important historical attraction and, if you are looking for stairs, you have come to the wrong place because it can only be ascended by ramps. This was done so that the muezzin could ride a horse to the top of the tower to issue the call to prayer.
The King’s palace is a sight to see indeed and no visit to the city would be complete without it.
The Chellah is a necropolis that has existed since ancient times, which lies on the outskirts of Rabat. This is considered the most ancient human settlement that lies on the mouth of the Bou Regreg River. It has been inhabited by the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians and Romans for a time. In 1154 AD, it was abandoned and became a necropolis during the Middle Ages. The structures of the Chellah were damaged in an earthquake during the 1700s, but most of the site has now been converted into a garden and tourist venue.
Of course, like any Moroccan city, it is enough to simply walk around and tour the amazing cities the country has to offer.
One place to check out is the Oudaia, where there sits a café that overlooks the sea. At this café you can enjoy tea and treats with a friendly staff and amazing atmosphere.
Naturally, no matter where you go in Morocco, the medina is the hub of activity. While the medina in Rabat is by no means as large as the one in Fez, it is still a sight to see for sure. Here you will find some of the most beautiful antiques and pieces of art and crafts anywhere in the world. No visit to Rabat can be called complete without walking through the medina. You can go with a guide, or simply explore it on your own, just don’t get lost.
The Tours
As part of the Imperial Tours package, which takes you to a wide variety of the cities of Morocco including Fez, Marrakech and Casablanca, you will visit Rabat on the second day where you will be taken from Casablanca, by private car. There, you will travel amid the trees and flowers of the gardens in the city and enjoy an overnight stay in the shadow of the Royal Palace, before moving on to the next city.
If you are a golfer, then that Grand Golf Tour is something to be a part of. After visiting some of the best golf courses in the country, you will travel from Fez to Rabat by private car to golf on one of the most famous golf courses in the world, the Dar-Es Salam Royal Golf Club. You will spend an entire day playing on the course that is the home to the Hassan II Trophy Tournament. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones and the three courses the club offers will provide something for every golfer skill level.
Where to stay
When you are in Morocco and you want to stay in the most beautiful place, second only to the palace, then you stay at the Villa Mandarine.
The hotel has rooms to suite every taste, each of which come with internet access, digital safes, satellite TV, a view of the garden and air conditioning. As well, the hotel offers a sauna, hammam or traditional Morocco steam bath, fitness centre and a massage room.
The stunning garden features orange trees and many other beautiful flowers. It also has table tennis, a petanque court and a swimming pool. For the business traveler, the hotel also has conference and business rooms.
Rabat is an amazing city that should be on the top of the list to visit for anyone visiting Morocco. The capital city boasts the royal palace, as well as many ruins and ancient buildings that have been around for thousands of years. As well, the tourist amenities include wonderful cafes, impressive buildings and countless shops to check out while you are in the city. Of course, don’t forget about the golfing either, or the hiking excursions that you can take outside the city.
