Two Weeks in Rabat, Morocco: A Cultural Experience

  • Day 1: Kasbah of the Udayas
    20 minutes (4.3 km) from Rabat-Salé International Airport

    Kasbah of the Udayas is a fortress from the 16th century with gorgeous white and blue walls that overlook the Atlantic Ocean, this former royal palace is a must-see. It also offers great views of the Oudaya Gardens, Andalusian Gardens with the Bou Regreg River providing a serene backdrop.

  • Day 2: Hassan Tower
    15 minutes (5.9 km) from the Kasbah of the Udayas

    The iconic monument, dating back to the 12th century, boasts the legacy of the Almohad empire. The tower has a height of 44 m (140 ft) alongside an adjacent mosque that was never completed. Visitors can explore its grandeur from its terraces and gardens.

  • Day 3: Rabat Archaeological Museum
    7 minutes (2.4 km) from Hassan Tower

    A trip to the Rabat Archaeological Museum is the best way to see all about the richness and diversity of the Moroccan heritage. The museum houses an impressive collection of ancient objects of different materials from a range of civilizations dating back to prehistoric times.

  • Day 4: Mausoleum of Mohammed V
    6 minutes (1.8 km) from the Rabat Archaeological Museum

    It’s a grand Mausoleum, built as a tribute to Morocco’s beloved king Mohammed V, who bagged Morocco’s independence from France in 1956. It has intricate design work with impressive details, crystal chandeliers, intricately carved walls, and an aesthetic entrance.

  • Day 5: Chellah Necropolis
    15 minutes (7.8 km) from the Mausoleum of Mohammed V

    Chellah is an ancient ruined Roman city that hosts a (Jewish & Muslim) Cemetery on a site first settled by the Phoenicians. A serene and fascinating place with gardens, fountains, and a charming mausoleum where a small colony of storks live year-round.

  • Day 6: Rabat Medina
    12 minutes (5.9 km) from Chellah Necropolis

    A walk through the winding, bustling streets of the medina is an indispensable visit. The walls are painted white and blue with an impressive crafts market, conventional food vendors, and ancient monuments at every corner. Medersa of Abou Benlassoued, Kasbah des Oudaias, and the Great Mosque are some highlights.

  • Day 7: Hassan II Mosque
    57 minutes (87.5 km) from Rabat Medina

    Located in Casablanca, it is the second-largest mosque in the world and a daring 20th-century feat of Moroccan artisanship. The Mosque’s celebrated architecture consists of zellige tilework, sculptured stucco, and comprehensive woodcarvings providing a perfect marvel to witness.

  • Day 8: Roman Ruins of Volubilis
    2 hours (147 km) from Hassan II Mosque, in Meknès

    It is the ruins of an ancient Roman city, preserved remarkably well. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site with intact mosaics, thanks to its isolation from civilization. It provides an insight into Roman cultural significance and is one of Morocco’s must-see sites.

  • Day 9: The Blue Pearl of Morocco
    4 hours (291 km) from Volubilis, in Chefchaouen

    Boasts some of Morocco’s most iconic streets of unique, powder-blue-rinsed buildings contrasting against the dramatic close-by mountains. Marketplaces, alleyways, dams, hand-made crafts, and storied history make it a lively destination to experience, particularly the Kasbah and its gardens.

  • Day 10: Essaouira
    7 hours (464 km) from the Blue City, in Essaouira

    Surrounded by a wall, built against the rocks of the sea, Essaouira is an ancient walled city with a breathtaking view of the ocean. Here, musicians and artists gather, and the ocean breeze accompanies visitors as they explore its quaint architecture, harbor, and finish with a visit to its marketplace.

  • Day 11: The Skoura Oasis
    6 hours (383 km) from Essaouira

    It is a palm oasis on the edge of the Atlas Mountains, grows fruits such as figs, oranges, and pomegranates. The beauty of the oasis is enhanced by the ancient Kasbahs that still flourish there, including the Amridil Kasbah, an oasis masterwork. Do not miss the stunning Dades Valley.

  • Day 12: Ait Benhaddou
    3 hours (201 km) from Skoura Oasis

    The historic village of Ait-Benhaddou, date back to the 17th century with well-preserved kasbahs and adobe-style homes. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site with numerous films shot in the village such as Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and various others. It presents historical, cultural, and cinematic value.

  • Day 13: Todra Gorge
    1 hour 22 mins (72.8 km) from Ait Benhaddou

    Todra Gorge is a stunning canyon in Morocco’s High Atlas region, with orange and yellow-colored limestone cliffs towering over the crystal-clear river. The gorge is walkable with hikes that take glamorous natural trails and tunnels, accompanied by a scenic view of mountainside villages.

  • Day 14: Fez Medina
    4 hours (315 km) from Todra Gorge

    The heart of Fez, the oldest of the imperial cities, the Medina is one of the largest historically and culturally significant sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its stunning, elaborate storefronts and authentic Moroccan architecture, one can wander the winding alleys filled with markets, souks, and historical sites.

  • Day 15: Cape Spartel
    5 hours (297 km) from Fez

    Cape Spartel, the most westerly point of Africa, is a natural wonder with jagged cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean and the great terrestrial ocean. Visitors can see the Atlantic’s clean blue waters merge with the Mediterranean Sea’s turquoise in a breathtaking view that completes the Morocco circuit.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Kasbah of the Udayas (1-2 hours, free)
  • Hassan Tower (1 hour, MAD 30)
  • Rabat Archaeological Museum (1-2 hours, MAD 30)
  • Mausoleum of Mohammed V (1 hour, MAD 30)
  • Chellah Necropolis (1-2 hours, MAD 30)
  • Rabat Medina (2-3 hours, free)
  • Hassan II Mosque (1-2 hours, MAD 120)
  • Roman Ruins of Volubilis (2-3 hours, MAD 70)
  • The Blue Pearl of Morocco (2-3 hours, free)
  • Essaouira (1-2 days, MAD 200 per person)
  • The Skoura Oasis (1-2 hours, free)
  • Ait Benhaddou (1-2 hours, MAD 10)
  • Todra Gorge (2-3 hours, free)
  • Fez Medina (2-3 days, free)
  • Cape Spartel (1-2 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: MAD 460 per person

Transportation

Travelers can travel between cities via trains and taxis very inexpensively. For solo travel, taxis can be a great alternative to trains. Train fares are based on seat class and distance. Visitors can experience plenty of short taxis and bus rides throughout the cities. A single journey cost from MAD 7 to MAD 177 based on distance. Car rentals are also available from around MAD 200 per day.

Useful Tips

While this itinerary is sixteen days long, it can be modified for shorter trips to Rabat. For instance, if you have a shorter time, pick your preferred top five destinations to avoid exhausting your schedule. For a longer trip, the south of the country boasts numerous other world-renowned tourist resorts.

Airports

Rabat-Salé International Airport serves Rabat, the national capital city of Morocco, and is an excellent way to get to your destination easily. It is just a quick ride from the city centre, roughly 9 km away, and has access to public transport when booking flights through several airlines domiciled at Morocco’s major airports such as Royal Air Maroc and Air Arabia Maroc.

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