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One of Morocco’s four ancient capitals, or imperial cities, Rabat is again the country’s capital, at once historic and contemporary as we discover on today’s tour.
Airport/hotel/port
30 Minutes Before Event Time from your hotel or From airport depends on flight arrival time.
Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, and is suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair.
Next, re-board your coach for the approximately 1.5-hour drive north to Rabat. Founded in the 12th century, Rabat is one of the four Imperial Cities of Morocco, and the Imperial Capital of the nation since 1912. Upon arrival, your tour begins with drive through the city’s parks and gardens along Victory Avenue en route to the Mechouar Precinct of the King’s Palace.
After an exterior visit at the King’s Palace, proceed to Chellah Gardens, once a prosperous Roman enclave called Sala Colonia in their Mauretania Tingitane Province, to be abandoned late in the 5th century, thence to fall into ruins to be transformed, late in the 14th century during the reign of the Merinides Sultanate, into a vast cemetery, their Necropolis, where we find also some Roman excavations. This Necropolis was destroyed by the earthquake of 1755 and is today a garden of date and banana palm trees, hibiscus, bougainvilla, olive and fig trees.
Short drive to the Mohamed V Mausoleum, which is located on the south side of the Great Mosque and is guarded by the mounted Royal Household Guard, the last resting-places of the King Mohammed V and his son. A visit is then made to the minaret of the Great Mosque, also known as the ‘Hassan Tower’. Built in the late-12th century, the 140-foot (44-metre) tower is ascended by ramps.
Following a Moroccan lunch at a local restaurant (OPTIONAL), take a guided walking tour at the 12th-century Kasbah of the Oudayas. The alleyways of the Kasbah are reminiscent of a delightful Andalusian village, and offer splendid views overlooking the BouRegreg River. Your tour concludes with an approximately 1.5-hour drive back to Casablanca. Time permitting; some free time is made available for shopping in the souq or modern shops around the Mohammed V Square before sailing.
I love places like this- all the vendors and tiny shops. It is a maze to find it all. We loved looking at shoes, sniffing spices, taking photos. BUT they are working on the road/alley/path and there is equipment and shovels and lots of mud. Would not be a good time for a stroller or those unable to jump holes and piles.
You can walk through the Medina of Rabat and enjoy it compared to other Medina’s in the more commercial and touristy places. Everything is there to see that you would want in Morocco!
The Medina is a fun place to explore and get lost. The shopping is directed heavily towards tourism, but you can get some good deals; I bought a very nice leather jacket. The best part was walking all over and getting lost. People live here and once you get away from the tourists, you see how people live which I like. Yes, there is a lot of construction, many houses are in disrepair and there are cats everywhere (which means you smell a lot of cat pee), but I still enjoyed my exploration of this neat walled neighborhood.