Rabat

A Hidden Gem with Royal Flair

Rabat stands as Morocco’s capital with a population of around three million people. The city spreads along the Atlantic coast and features wide boulevards, modern neighborhoods and historic sites like the Kasbah of the Udayas. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this area includes ancient walls, traditional houses and government buildings. Rabat also serves as an entry point for travelers heading to other parts of Morocco, with a mix of French influence visible in cafes, architecture and daily life. The city balances modern amenities with cultural heritage along the sea.

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City in Morocco

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	5

Read details

3/5

English is moderately spoken, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and larger shops. French is more widely used, so knowing a few French phrases can be helpful.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 28 Oct 2026

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Rabat Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Strong in history and coastal culture. Visit royal palaces, explore historic kasbahs, walk seaside promenades and discover local markets.

Place score

6.6

Best at:

Architecture

Historic sites

Festivals

Large cities

Sea

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🕌 10

Halal

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Morocco – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Moroccan Dirham (MAD) £1 ≈ MAD 13.11
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are increasingly accepted in Morocco, especially in urban areas and tourist destinations. However, cash is still widely used, particularly in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Morocco, with a standard of 10-15% in restaurants. Taxi drivers expect small tips, and hotel staff appreciate a few dirhams for their service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited in Morocco, and it is advisable to consume alcohol in licensed venues such as bars and hotels.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in many public areas, including outdoor cafes and restaurants, but may be restricted in some indoor public places.

Eid al-Fitr (dates vary)	A religious celebration marking the end of Ramadan
Throne Day (30 July)	Celebrating the King’s ascension to the throne

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 19 (Police), 177 (Gendarmerie), 15 (Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Careem
Other:	Morocco offers an exciting mix of cultural experiences, historic sites, and natural beauty. Visitors should prepare for heat and the possibility of basic infrastructure outside major cities.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Rabat, Morocco

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

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Oct

☀️

Nov

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Dec

High season:	April - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, Nov.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset, shorter shop and museum hours

Atlantic water stays cool, so beaches are best from June to September

Don't miss

🏰 Explore the historic Kasbah of the Udayas and gardens
🕌 Visit the stunning Mausoleum of Mohammed V
🕋 Marvel at the unfinished Hassan Tower minaret
🌆 Wander Rabat's vibrant Old Town medina alleys
🌿 Relax in the peaceful Andalusian Gardens sanctuary
🎨 Discover art at the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern Art

You've been here?

Why travel to Rabat?

Rabat offers a unique blend of ancient heritage and modern living. You can wander through its ancient medina, visit grand palaces and relax in beautifully maintained gardens. The city also has a laid-back atmosphere, with fewer tourists and a more local feel. Be mindful of local customs, especially in religious or conservative areas and avoid taking photos of people without permission.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Hassan Tower
2 Kasbah of the Oudaias
3 Mausoleum of Mohammed V
4 Rabat Zoo

🎡Places for activities

1 Bouregreg Marina
2 Grand Theatre of Rabat
3 Royal Golf Dar Es Salam

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Bouregreg
2 منتزه الحسن الثاني
3 Rabat Beach

🛍️Shopping

1 Mega Mall
2 Rue des Consuls شارع القناصل

🎈Events

Mawazine Music Festival
Festival of Sacred Music
Rabat Jazz Festival
Mediterranean Contemporary Art Biennale
International Film Festival of Rabat

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Dress modestly; respect Islamic customs in medina.
Visit Kasbah of Oudaias early morning for best light and fewer crowds on blue streets.
Combine Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum in one walk; modest dress required inside.
Haggle politely in the medina souks for crafts and spices; quieter than Marrakech markets.

How to travel to Rabat

Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA) offers international flights, mainly from Europe. You can also reach Rabat by train from Casablanca, Marrakech and other major Moroccan cities. Ferries connect to Spain via nearby ports.

Access summary

From Rabat–Salé Airport (RBA): Tram, bus or taxi about 20–40 minutes.
From Casablanca: ONCF/Al Boraq trains usually around 1–1.5 hours.
From Casablanca Airport (CMN): Direct trains or train-plus-change roughly 1.5–2.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Rabat

Rabat offers a range of accommodations from luxurious hotels and riads (traditional Moroccan guesthouses) to budget-friendly options. Staying in the medina offers a more authentic experience.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Dawliz Resort & Spa

7.9

Hotel Borj Rabat – A member of Barcelo Hotel Group

Sofitel Rabat Jardin Des Roses Hotel

8.0

Résidence Dayt Ifrah by Rent-Inn

7.8

First Suites Hotel

8.4

Belere Urban Hotel Rabat

7.2

Riad A La Belle Etoile

7.8

The View Hotel

8.7

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Rabat

Rabat has an efficient tram and bus network. Taxis are also common, with petit taxis for short distances and grand taxis for longer routes. The city center is walkable.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-43 %

Daily expenses in Rabat are around 43% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to MAD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£33	£81	£232
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£15	£39	£130
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£4	£12

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£16
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3.30
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.90
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5
☕ Cappuccino	£1.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.41
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£7.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.10

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.80
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£20
🤧 Cold medication	£3.80
💇 Basic haircut	£3.40

Safety information overview

General safety

Rabat is generally safe with low crime rates. Exercise standard caution, especially in crowded markets and at night. Avoid showing valuables openly.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Rabat are good, with both public and private healthcare available. Pharmacies are common and well-stocked with over-the-counter medications.

Accessibility

Many attractions in Rabat are accessible, though some historic sites may have uneven terrain. The city has improved public spaces for better wheelchair access.

Tap water

Tap water is generally safe in Rabat, but many prefer bottled water. Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available at shops and supermarkets.

Packing recommendations for Rabat

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

🌞

Sun cream

🚰

Reusable water bottle

👕

Light, breathable clothing

for changing temperatures

🧕

Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees

for visiting religious sites

Universal travel adaptor

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

Marrakech

Tangier

Chefchaouen

Casablanca

Essaouira

Agadir

Atlas Mountains

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Summary:	Cool and rainy, coldest month
Temperature:	11 – 17 °C
Water temp.:	18 °C
Rain:	17 mm (Frequent, very light rain)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

Summary:	Cool and showery, mostly overcast
Temperature:	10 – 18 °C
Water temp.:	17 °C
Rain:	12 mm (Scattered light rain)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

Summary:	Mild and changeable, spring beginning
Temperature:	12 – 19 °C
Water temp.:	17 °C
Rain:	15 mm (Frequent, very light rain)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Warm and sunny, good for sightseeing
Temperature:	13 – 21 °C
Water temp.:	18 °C
Rain:	13 mm (Scattered light rain)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Warm and sunny, ideal for sightseeing
Temperature:	16 – 24 °C
Water temp.:	19 °C
Rain:	8 mm (Scattered light rain)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists