Discover Rabat

Si vous chercher la mer et d'espaces verts. Si vous aimez la ville et la campagne. Si vous aimez le calme mais aussi le dynamisme. Vous chercher le vrai Maroc mais aussi une ambiance internationale. C'est ainsi que vous choissisez Rabat. C'est Royale et culturelle. Elle a l'histoire et l'innovation.

About Rabat

Rabat, the present capital of Morocco, was founded in the 12th century. It is a town of trees and flowers, and many monumental gateways, including the Gate of the Ambassadors and the Oudaias Kasbah Gate. There is a good selection of hotels and numerous pavement cafes. The nearby Mamora forest and the many beaches are popular, tourist attractions, particularly during the summer.

Other attractions include Tour Hassan, the grandiose minaret of a vast, uncompleted 12th-century mosque; the Mohammed V Mausoleum, an outstanding example of traditional Moroccan architecture; the Royal Palace; the Chellah, with superb monuments, delightful gardens and Roman ruins; the Oudaias; the Archaeological Museum; the National Museum of Handicrafts and the antique Moorish cafe. The battlements surrounding the old town, and part of the new city, date from the mid-12th century. Also worth a visit is Sal�, Rabat�s twin city, at the opposite side of the river, believed to have been founded in the 11th century.

About a million people live in the capital Rabat and its sister city Sale, but wandering around the Medina, the Kasbah or the Modern Town this is not the impression you get. Life is easy. Not many people harrass you. Shopowners are very nice.

For this reason Rabat is a good first base to start exploring Morocco. You can get in touch with life the morrocan way at your own pace.

Watch the changing of the Royal Guard at the Royal Palace (Friday mornings)

Several other interesting sights should be visited if time permits. Chief among these are Bouknadel and its Jardins Exotiques (fascinating gardens)

You might also consider going to the beach in Rabat, although the beaches south of the city are somewhat better than those in town itself. With the total renovation of Rabat. Scheduled to be finished by 2010. The beaches of Rabat itself will be quite nice.

Get Around

Petit Taxi: All blue in color, mostly Fiat UNO. This inexpensive way to get around town usually won't exceed 25 MAD. Avoid the white, mercedes, Grand Taxis when traveling around Rabat, they are much more expensive. Be sure to check the meter is running to avoid being over charged at the end of the trip.

• Buses: Not highly recommended as there are no official listings of bus routes, but at only 4 MAD (50 US cents) a cheap way to get to know the several layers of Rabat. The buses can be of variable quality, but it could be worth taking the chance given the cost-saving and experience of what many locals experience. Bus # 3 goes from Centre Ville (including stops at the Cathedral and the train station) to Avenue Fal Oueld Omair (one of the major streets in the Agdal neighborhood) all the way to its terminus in the upscale and calm new development of Hay Riad.

• Car: Driving around yourself is not recommended. Insurance rates are high and most drivers will avoid hitting you at all costs; however Morocco does have the second highest rate of car accidents in the world, and most drivers do not abide by the traffic laws.

• Walking: If you aren't in a hurry, walking around the area of Centre Ville, Agdal, The University, the Medina, the Ocean/River and the monuments is easy and pleasant. The new Corniche on the river, leading to the Oudaias, has recently been re-done, and there are expected openings of cafes soon. The route cotiere, or coastal road, past the cemetery and the Oudaias has dramatic ocean-side views, especially charming at sunset

Buy

Although the medina here is not as extensive as that of Fez or Marrakesh there are still some bargains to be had. You will find the normal array of baboshka shoes, baggy pants, ornate mirrors and plates etc! Interestingly all the Moroccans can be found in the section of the market that sells imported western style clothing from Asia and all the tourists can be found in the 'traditional' section. The lovely woolen paunchos are well worth a look and the carpet shops near the end of the medina are also very nice.

Eat

• Patisserie La Comedie on Mohammad V. Fancy pastries. Croissants, 4 dh. Ice cream, 6 dh per scoop.

• Cafe 7eme Art next to the movie theater. Has fake movie posters with meals as the stars. Light lunches, popular with business people and the more well-off. Miniature models of local scenes surround the outdoor patio. Pizzas, 35 to 40 dh, bland and tough. Friendly staff, stray cats beg for food.

• Le Majestic

• Ty Potes

• Cafe Weimar

• Le Petit Beur/Dar Tagine Delicious bstilla. Intimate setting.

• El Rancho

• Mega Mall Food Court A true American food-court like in the American shopping malls.

• Pizza de Gourmet

• Paul's The place where rich ex-pats and their children meet for afternoon coffee. Rabat�s answer to: �See and be seen�

• La Mamma

• Syrian restaurant

• Matsuri

• Le Grand Comptoir



• If you find yourself in Agdal, try the brochettes at 'Sucre et Sale'. In Agdal is also the French caf�: �La pause Gourmande�. Old Medina: In the centre there are often inexpensive food stalls around the medina, serving delicious fish and salad sandwiches. Especially found right around the perimeter of the Marche Centrale, these places also serve fresh and simple salads, hot bowls of lubia (beans) or lentils, rotisserie chicken, and home-made tagines. There are also lots of stalls selling pancakes and pain au chocolat. It doesn�t always look so hygienic,but the food is often very good and inexpensive.

Attractions

Near by:

• Mausoleum de Mohammed 5

• Mamora Forest

• Medina

• Megamall

• Kasbah des Oudaias

At a distance:

• Hassan Tower

• Citadel of Chellah Gardens

• Bab Rouah "Gate of the Winds"