Rabat is Morocco's capital — calmer, greener and more orderly than its famous sisters: the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the blue-and-white Kasbah of the Udayas above the river mouth, and the Roman-Merinid ruins of Chellah, all walkable in an unhurried day, 90 km from Casablanca.
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Diplomats' city, gardeners' city: whitewashed Oudayas lanes over the river mouth, a medina without hustle, storks nesting on Roman columns at Chellah. Rabat is what Morocco feels like when nobody is selling anything — which is exactly why it belongs on the route.
What to see and do
- The Hassan Tower esplanade and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V — royal guard included
- Kasbah of the Udayas: Andalusian garden, blue lanes, and the Bou Regreg river view
- Chellah: storks nesting on Roman columns and Merinid minarets
- The medina — Morocco's most relaxed, haggle-light shopping
- The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Planning Rabat
- 90 km / ≈1 h from Casablanca; 1 h 20 from its airport — our transfer grid covers both
- Marrakech is 330 km away (≈3 h 15); our fixed transfer: €350 per vehicle
- A generous half-day to a full day sees the four headline sites at strolling pace
- As the diplomatic capital it is our protocol-transport home ground — see our Rabat VIP transport page
- Featured on all our imperial-cities circuits (5–15 days, from €750)
Tours that go there
- Four Cities in Five Days — from €750
- Imperial Cities of Morocco, 7 days — from €1050
- Imperial Cities & Desert, 10 days — from €1500
- Cities & Nature, 15 days — from €2250
Read before you go
Questions travellers ask about Rabat
Is Rabat worth visiting compared to Marrakech or Fes?
As a contrast, yes: Rabat is what Moroccan city life looks like without the tourist economy — boulevards, gardens, a gentle medina. One relaxed day between Casablanca and the north repays itself, especially at the Udayas and Chellah.
How much time do you need in Rabat?
One day, honestly taken: Hassan Tower and the mausoleum in the morning, the Udayas and lunch above the river, Chellah's ruins and storks toward closing time. Our imperial circuits give it exactly that.
How do you get to Rabat from Marrakech?
330 km by motorway, ≈3 h 15. Our fixed-price private transfer runs €350 per vehicle to the city or its airport; on circuits, Rabat slots between Casablanca (1 h) and the northern road to Chefchaouen or Fes.
Plan a journey through Rabat →
Updated: September 2026
