Rabat (Morocco)

Rabat (Arabic: الرِّبَاط) is the capital city of Morocco, located on the northwestern coasts of the Atlantic Ocean. Rabat is the country’s seventh-largest city with a population of 515,619 (2024) and the second largest metropolitan area after Casablanca, with a population of approximately 2.1 million (2025). It is also the capital city of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra administrative region. Rabat is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, opposite Salé, the city’s main commuter town. Rabat was founded in the 12th century, by the Almohads. After a period of growth, the city fell into a period of decline. In the 17th century, Rabat became a haven for the Barbary corsairs. When the French established a protectorate over Morocco in 1912, Rabat became its administrative center. When Morocco achieved independence in 1956, Rabat became its capital. Rabat is one of four imperial cities of Morocco, and its medina is listed as a World Heritage Site. It is accessible by train through the ONCF system and by plane through the nearby Rabat–Salé Airport. History Ancient Sala In the first millennium BC, the Phoenicians founded trading colonies along Morocco’s Atlantic coast, though a settlement called Sala or Shallat in the area remains debated by archaeologists. By the first century BC, the region came under Roman influence. The ancient Berber Mauretanian Kingdom controlled the area until Rome formally annexed it. On the site now known as Chellah, just south of Rabat’s walled city, the Romans built Sala Colonia. Excavations revealed older Mauretanian structures beneath Roman buildings. Its port served as a way station for ships traveling to Anfa and Mogador island. Archaeological finds of Visigothic and Byzantine origin indicate continued commercial or political contacts into the 7th century. However, Sala began to be abandoned in the 5th century and was mostly ruins when Muslim Arabs arrived in the 7th century to establish Islamic influence. Medieval Islamic period In the 10th century, the Umayyads of Cordoba or their Zenata allies founded a ribat (fortified outpost) on the site of present-day Rabat to defend against the Barghawata Berbers. Around 1030, the town of Salé was founded across the river. The last Almoravid emir, Tashfin ibn Ali, built a new ribat there, but the Almohads defeated them and destroyed it. In 1150–1151, Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu’min built a kasbah (now the Kasbah of the Udayas) with a palace and mosque, plus an underground canal to enable settlement. Caliph Ya’qub al-Mansur (1184–1199) launched an ambitious project to build a new imperial capital called Ribat al-Fath on the site of Rabat’s medina, with vast walls, an enormous mosque (remains include Hassan Tower), and grand gates like Bab er-Rouah and Bab al-Kbir. During the Marinid period (13th–15th centuries), Salé across the river became more important. By 1515, Leo Africanus reported only 100 inhabited houses remained in Rabat. The Marinids built a Great Mosque in Rabat’s medina and, at nearby Chellah (ancient Sala), constructed a royal necropolis for their dynasty. Corsair republic In 1609, King Philip III of Spain ordered the expulsion of all Moriscos. About 2,000 refugees from Hornachos settled around Salé and occupied the kasbah, attracting between 5,000 and 14,000 additional Moriscos. Rabat and neighboring Salé united to form the Republic of Bou Regreg in 1627. This autonomous republic became a base for corsairs known as the “Salé Rovers,” who preyed on merchant ships off Western Europe. The area below the kasbah on the south bank became more heavily populated. The Street of the Consuls became an important artery. At this time, the name “Rabat” was not yet in use; the south bank was “New Salé” and the north bank “Old Salé.” Corsair activities were based in New Salé, while Old Salé’s inhabitants generally did not participate in piracy. Alawi sultanate The pirates faced no central authority until Alawi founder al-Rashid conquered the area in 1666, uniting most of Morocco. Nonetheless, Alawi sultans allowed piracy to continue until Moulay Slimane’s reign in the early 19th century, leading to Austrian shelling of the city in 1829. During the early Alawi period, sultans took interest in the south-bank city. Moulay Isma’il (1672–1727) expanded the kasbah southward, built a royal residence, and settled the Udayas tribe there as a military counterbalance. Moulay Slimane (1792–1822) built Dar al-Bahr seaside palace, the Moulay Slimane Mosque, and created a Jewish quarter (Mellah). Early 19th-century city walls extended significantly to cover 840 hectares. By the late 19th century, the city had 20,000–25,000 inhabitants. 20th century The French invasion of Morocco began in 1907 with the occupation of Oujda and the bombardment of Casablanca. The Treaty of Fez (or Fes) established the French Protectorate in March 1912. After the riots of 1912, French administrator General Hubert Lyautey decided to relocate the capital from Fez to Rabat, citing its coastal location, accessibility, and proximity to Casablanca (which he expected to become the major economic center). In 1913, Lyautey hired Henri Prost to design Rabat’s Ville Nouvelle as an administrative sector. The colonial period accelerated urbanization. Prior to this, coastal cities were relatively small while Fez and Marrakesh were the major cities. In 1912, Rabat and nearby Salé had at most 35,000–40,000 inhabitants. Rabat’s population grew to about 83,000 in 1936 and 156,000 in 1952. Independence When Morocco achieved independence in 1956, King Mohammed V chose to keep the capital at Rabat. The most important demographic shift after independence was the exodus of foreign nationals and their replacement by Moroccans. In the 1971 census, Rabat’s population had grown to around 368,000, of which only 3.5% were foreigners. Following World War II, the United States established a military presence at the former French air base. By the early 1950s, Rabat Salé Air Base hosted the 17th Air Force and 5th Air Division for Strategic Air Command B-47 aircraft. After Moroccan independence, Mohammed V wanted the U.S. Air Force to pull out, insisting on this after American intervention in Lebanon in 1958. The U.S. agreed to leave by December 1959 and was fully out by 1963. The facility then became Royal Moroccan Air Force Base Nº 1. The fifth Arab League summit took place in Rabat in 1969 to discuss the arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque. That same year, the new Organisation of Islamic Cooperation was at a summit in Rabat. The 1974 Arab League summit, also held in Rabat, recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. In 1985, Rabat hosted the sixth Pan Arab Games. In 2015, the city became part of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra administrative region. Best attractions (TOP 20) Kasbah of the Udayas The Kasbah of the Oudaias (Arabic: قصبة الأوداية) is a kasbah (citadel) is located on a hill at the mouth of the Bou Regreg opposite Salé. It is listed, along with other sites in Rabat, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The “Andalusian Garden” was created between 1915 and 1918, during the French protectorate in Morocco. It is a formal garden inspired by the Moorish gardens of al-Andalus (Andalucia). Chellah The Chellah or Shalla (Arabic: شالة) is a medieval fortified necropolis and ancient archeological site, located on the south (left) side of the Bou Regreg estuary. The earliest evidence of the site’s occupation suggests that the Phoenicians established a trading emporium here in the first millennium BC. Archeological excavations in the 20th century unearthed the remains of the ancient Roman town. Today the site is a tourist attraction and since 2012 it forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Royal Palace The Dar al-Makhzen (Arabic: دار المخزن) is the primary and official residence of the king of Morocco. Inside this area, the palace is fronted by a mechouar (public square or parade ground) surrounded by gardens, the Ahl Fas Mosque, and various residences and official buildings. Hassan Tower Tour Hassan (Arabic: صومعة حسان) is the minaret of an incomplete mosque of the 12th century. The tower was intended to be the largest minaret in the world, and the mosque, if completed, would have been the largest in the western Muslim world. When al-Mansur died in 1199, construction on the mosque stopped. The minaret was left standing at a height of 44 meters. Mausoleum of Mohammed V The Mausoleum of Mohammed V (Arabic: ضريح محمد الخامس) is a mausoleum located across the Hassan Tower. It contains the tombs of the Moroccan king Mohammed V and his two sons, late King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah. Mohammed VI Tower The Mohammed VI Tower (Arabic: برج محمد السادس) is a 55-story, 250-metre (820 ft) skyscraper in the city of Salé, bordering Rabat. It is the tallest building in Morocco and the third tallest in Africa. It is a project by the Moroccan businessman Othman Benjelloun and led by the company O’Tower. It will include a luxury hotel, offices, high-end apartments and an observatory located at the top of the tower. Old Medina Rabat’s Medina, the city’s ancient historic center, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012. The decision was made in St. Petersburg (Russia). The application was submitted under the title: “Rabat, a Modern Capital. The Medina: A Shared Heritage.” Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, abbreviated MMVI, (Arabic: متحف محمد السادس للفن الحديث والمعاصر) opened in 2014. It is one of fourteen museums of the National Foundation of Museums of Morocco. The MMVI houses the works of 200 Moroccan artists, including Hassan Hajjaj and Ahmed Yacoubi. Grand Theatre of Rabat The Grand Theatre of Rabat (Arabic: المسرح الكبير للرباط) is a large performing arts center in Rabat. Planning began for the project in 2010 and construction officially started on October 7, 2014. The theatre was inaugurated on October 29, 2024. As-Sunna Mosque The Assounna Mosque (Arabic: مسجد السنة) is one of the largest mosques in Morocco, completed in 1785. It is located near the Royal palace, on the Avenue Mohammed V. Museum of History and Civilizations The Museum of History and Civilizations (Arabic: متحف التاريخ والحضارات) is a national archaeological museum. Open since 1932, its known for holding the most extensive collection of archaeological artefacts found in the kingdom, most notably a bust of the famous Amazigh king Juba II. The museum’s collections range from prehistory to the Islamic eras, connected through a Roman period evidenced by ancient marble and bronze sculptures found in Morocco. Mohammed V avenue Avenue Mohammed V, sometimes referred to by its old name Avenue Dar al-Makhzen (‘Royal Palace Avenue’), is a major thoroughfare in downtown Rabat. Its main section was created under the French Protectorate in Morocco and mostly developed between 1915 and 1932, when it was also known as Cours Lyautey. At the southern end of that section is the As-Sunna Mosque, whose history dates back to the 18th century like that of the nearby royal palace or Dar el-Makhzen. Bank Al Maghrib Museum The Bank Al-Maghrib Museum, inaugurated in 2002, is a cultural and heritage site in Rabat. It houses an impressive collection of over 30,000 objects, including coins, banknotes, and monetary instruments, tracing the history of currency in Morocco. The museum also displays over 800 works of art by Moroccan and international artists, highlighting the richness of artistic creation in Morocco. St. Peter’s Cathedral The St. Peter’s Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Rabat) is a Roman Catholic church located at Golan Square. It was erected in the early 20th century in the Art Deco style. The cathedral is the ecclesiastical seat of the Archdiocese of Rabat. Nouzhat Hassan Garden Nouzhat Hassan Garden, located in the historic part of Rabat between the ancient walls and modern boulevards, has served as an important recreational site since 1924. In 2018, the garden underwent restoration, restoring its historical and ecological value. The garden features trees with informational plaques indicating their botanical origin and age. Pietri square The Pietri square is a modern space with yellow covered awnings and numerous flower stalls. It is located opposite St. Peter’s cathedral. Beaches The city of Rabat attracts tourists thanks to its rich historical heritage and cultural values. It is also a picturesque seaside resort located on the Atlantic coast. Rabat enjoys a significant number of sunny days per year, making it attractive to both locals and visitors. The city boasts a diverse atmosphere along its entire coastline. List of beaches: Oudayas Beach (Rabat Centre-Ville) Bouznika Beach Shkirat Beach Salé Beach Petit Val d’Or Beach Shopping The capital boasts shopping malls that bring together major brands and offer a wide range of services in one location. For example, the Mega Mall offers visitors a variety of entertainment options, such as bowling and ice skating, as well as cafes and restaurants. The Medina, the capital’s historic district, is also worth a visit. It is home to numerous artisan shops where you can discover a variety of handicrafts. Wandering through the maze of streets, you can discover a variety of products, including leather goods, slippers, bags, traditional fabrics, and clothing. On Souk Sebat and Souika street, stalls abound with leather goods, slippers, bags, traditional fabrics, and clothing. A few meters away is Avenue des Consuls, known for its silver jewelry and the Rabat carpets. The local gastronomy is also worth a visit, offering a variety of dishes, including Moroccan pastries, spices, and other local products. Transport Urban The Rabat–Salé tramway was the first tramway network in Morocco and connects Rabat with Salé across the river. The fleet consists of Alstom Citadis. As of February 2022, the network had two lines with a total length of 26.9 km (17 miles) and 43 stations. The price of a single ticket is 7 MAD. Since 2019, Alsa-City Bus, a joint venture between Moroccan City Bus and Spanish ALSA, operates more than 3000 buses. Railways Rabat has two principal railway stations (Rabat-Agdal and Rabat Ville), and a local station Rabat Riad located in the Hay Riad district, inaugurated in late 2025. Rabat-Ville and Rabat Agdal are the two main inter-city stations, operated by ONCF. Trains runs daily to Casablanca, Marrakesh, Tangier, Meknes, Fez, Taza and Oujda. Airport Rabat–Salé Airport (IATA: RBA / ICAO: GMME) is an international airport serving the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region. It is a joint-use public and military airport, also hosting the First Air Base of the Royal Moroccan Air Force. Main information Region: Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Area: 117 km² Coordinates: 34°01′16″N 6°50′29″W Languages: Arabic, Berber, French Population: 515,619 Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD) Visa: Moroccan Time: UTC+1 (CET) See here Catalonia travel guide See here Pyrenees travel guide See here France travel guide See here Spain travel guideThe post Rabat (Morocco) first appeared on All PYRENEES.