Morocco’s political and administrative capital, the ‘ City of Light ’ known as Rabat, is an imperial African city that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012. With its unique architectural lines blending Art Deco and Andalusianart, it proudly presents its avenues in this mixed style, vestiges of its turbulent past that is now part of its heritage. It is also a city that reflects the Kingdom’s desire to elevate it to the rank of Morocco’s cultural and modern capital. Would you like to know where to stay in Rabat? Which areas to choose for easy accommodation?
To help you get the most out of the Moroccan city, we’ve put together a selection of riads in the Medina, followed by the Hassan and Rabat Ville station districts, close to the historic sites, with their hotels. Finally, the Ocean district and Agdal station offer affordable hotels and flats.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Rabat, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Rabat:
- $ This Riad ideally located in the Medina, is very affordable,
- $$ This hotel, located in Hassan near the Tour Hassan tramway station,
- $$$ This luxury Riad, perfectly located and offering a panoramic view of Rabat.
Map of different areas to stay in Rabat
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Rabat
Areas where to stay in Rabat
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Rabat.
Choosing to stay in the Medina: the best choice
The Medina is ideally located to the north, served by the Avenue Mohammed V, which runs from Rabat Ville station. Its lively alleyways can be reached in just 15 minutes on foot, which is very convenient for visitors from other towns in the area. The second advantage of this area is its proximity to the coast and the centuries-old cultural sites located throughout the northern part of the city. The Kasbah des Oudayas is one of the major landmarks of this ancient city, which has enabled the Medina to remain in an exceptional state of preservation.
The old market is one of the quietest souks in the coastal area. The vendors are not pushy, so you can enjoy visiting the various stalls and shops without being pressured to buy whatever you want. There are plenty of small, very affordablerestaurants, as well as some more chic ones, to give you the best possible experience of discovering the Moroccan city.
Here is a list of places to see near the historic centre:
- Old Market: the city's historic souk is a must-see.
- Kasbah des Oudayas: A 12th-century fortress overlooking the bay, this is a great place to visit local craftsmen, an Andalusian garden and ancient mosques.
- Plage de Rabat: Currently undergoing work, this beach is home to surfing schools and is waiting to become a major seaside resort in line with the capital's development policy.
If you're looking for accommodation in this area, you'll love the maze of wide, whitewashed streets dotted with chatons, where finding your way around will be less complicated than in other Moroccan cities such as Marrakech or Fez. There are plenty of riads and guest houses to choose from, at prices ranging from the very affordable to the very expensive, which makes it really easy to find what you're looking for. And you'll be won over by the peaceful, authentic atmosphere that reigns in this northern part of the city, making it the perfect place to stay in complete tranquillity.
Our selection of places to stay in the historic centre
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Charmingriad in the heart of the Medina offering a traditional Moroccan style. Staying in its beautifully decoratedrooms will guarantee an authentic stay. A colourful terrace in the sunshine is ideal for enjoying the house's hearty breakfast.
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This beautiful riad is located in a quiet cul-de-sac, where you can stay in a room with a private bathroom. The décor is traditional and elegant, and you will have access to a terrace planted with trees offering a panoramic view of the Medina.
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A magnificent Riad combining traditional and modern styles, where you can stay in spacious rooms decorated with harmony and simplicity. A furnished terrace offers a panoramic view of Rabat, where you can enjoy specialitiesat breakfast.
Stay in the heart of Hassan: close to everything
The Hassan district, named after the unfinished 12th-century minaret that is the symbol of Rabat, is located just to the south-east of the Medina, within easy reach of the train station and a number of official places such as consulates and embassies. Framed by two large gardens, it has a pleasant atmosphere and is easy to keep busy thanks to the presence of several monuments and cultural sites.
There are UNESCO World Heritage sites to the east, including the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V(Sidi Mohammed Ben Youssef). There are also other places of interest that are a must-see. We have made a selection:
- Jardin Tour Hassan : To the north-east of Hassan, a pretty garden surrounding the Hassan Tower near the Al Hassan Mosque.
- Mohammed V National Theatre: A leading cultural venue that hosts international artists.
For accommodation in Hassan, it's easy to find hotels and flats to rent. There are very few riads to stay in this part of the city, which is more modern and business-oriented. As a result, there are both fairly affordable and very luxurious hotels to offer you the best possible experience for your stay in this administrative and political capital.
Our selection of hotels to stay in Hassan
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A beautiful luxury hotel tastefully decorated in a modern and chic style. Staying at this establishment means you can enjoy spacious, fully-equipped rooms. You can also take advantage of the communal dining room and multiple common lounges.
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Close to the Tour Hassan tramway station, this modern hotel with Art Deco accents offers comfortable, fully-equipped rooms. There are several communal lounges and a gym.
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A benchmark hotel in Rabat, this sumptuous hotel blends ancient architecture and modernity for a memorable stay. You can stay in fully-equipped, spacious and comfortable rooms with quality furnishings. A large swimming pool planted with trees and several bars and restaurantscomplete the range of services offered by this exceptional hotel.
Accommodation in the Ocean district: west of the Medina
Situated to the west of the historic centre, after the Avenue d'Egypte, the district known as the Ocean, as its name suggests, borders the sea, making it a pleasant place to stay. It takes around fifteen minutes from the Medina and its old market to reach the Ocean district. A former colonial suburb at the beginning of the 20th century, it is now a dynamic area reflecting the political will to modernise the administrative capital.
One of the main advantages of this area is that it offers plenty of shops and slightly more affordable accommodation. You'll be able to stay in cheap riads or charming guest houses run by locals.
Here are the places to visit in this part of the city:
- The Museum of Photography: Within Fort Rottembourg, an excellent photographic exhibition by Moroccan artists.
- El Mehdi Ben Barka Cultural Centre: Large auditorium located in the Saint Joseph church.
Our selection of accommodation in the Océan district
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A beautiful luxury hotel tastefully decorated in a modern and chic style. Staying at this establishment means you can enjoy spacious, fully-equipped rooms. You can also take advantage of the communal dining room and multiple common lounges.
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Modern and brand new, this large flat, decorated in a classic, modern style, offers accommodation close to the coast, just a few minutes from the Medina. You can stay in 2 bedrooms and enjoy access to a balcony with a beautiful view over Rabat.
Staying near Rabat city station: the practical choice
If you arrive at Rabat Ville station, one of the most centrally-located stations in the city, with links to all the famous cities of Morocco and the surrounding area, you will be ideally placed to stay close to the historic centre and enjoy the best that Morocco's modern capital has to offer. Located around fifteen minutes' walk from the Medina, you will arrive in a rather modern part of the Moroccan city.
The Avenue Mohammed V that crosses the station takes you to the old town to the north, while taking in the view of the Art Deco buildings from the colonial era, most of which were built in France during the French protectorate ofMorocco in the early 20th century. Around the station and on the south side, a number of interesting cultural sites have become a must-see:
- Musée Mohammed VI d'Art Moderne et Contemporain (Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art): A large and beautiful museum exhibiting Moroccan and African art in a beautiful Andalusian-style building.
- Archaeological Museum: Small museum dating from the 1920s and displaying works of Islamic art.
- St Peter's Cathedral : A Catholic and cultural establishment with Art Deco architecture in harmony with the neighbourhood.
If you want to know where to stay in this area, you'll easily find a few hotels, which are more modest and therefore very affordable, or a few flats if you prefer this type of accommodation. If you choose to stay in this area, you'll be close to many of the city's cultural attractions, as well as being within easy reach of the historic quarter.
Our recommended hotels for staying in this central area
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This simple, affordable hotel lets you stay in classically-decorated rooms with all the essentials for a pleasant stay. You can ask to have a balcony adjoining the room, which gives a beautiful view of Rabat.
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This hotel, located right next to the Museum of Modern Art, offers accommodation in rooms tastefully decorated in a contemporary style. You will appreciate the modern facilities and the opportunity to enjoy the café restaurant and bar.
Staying near Agdal station: the second centre
The Agdal district and its eponymous station is a very dynamicarea of Rabat. Located just to the west of the Palais Royal, it is an area for working people and students alike, due to the large number of higher education establishments. It has a second centre, with a wide choice of restaurants and shops to satisfy your desire to discover the city and its modern face.
Here is a list of places of interest to visit in this area:
- Palais Royal de Rabat or Dâr-al-Makhzen: This is the palace of the Moroccan royal family and can only be admired from the outside.
- Jardins D'Essais: A large, beautiful botanical garden with water features, where you can recharge your batteries in the city.
- Arribat Center Agdal: A modern shopping centre where you can find everything at very affordable prices.
It's also a very pleasant place to stay if you choose to do so, especially as the station is connected to the centre, as well as to other nearby destinations such as Casablanca and Marrakech. You'll be able to stay in good-quality flats, or even top-of-the-range hotels. The budget will therefore be higher than in other areas.
Our advice on accommodation in Agdal
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Located in the centre of Agdal, this flat will be perfect to offer you an ideal experience to discover modern Rabat . You can stay in a well-furnished and equipped flat in a classic and modern style.
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This 4-star hotel, located in the centre of Agdal, is the perfect place to stay in Rabat. You will love its chic and elegantdecor, which decorates the large communal lounge and the rooms to create a sublime, contemporary style.
Summary
You now have all the information you need to make the most of your stay in Rabat! As we have detailed, and as with all ancient Moroccan cities, it is best to choose to stay in the Medina if this is your first visit to Morocco and you are looking for an authentic oriental experience, in keeping with the fairytale image of the city. You’ll be close to the capital’s many points of interest. The central train station and the Ocean district are two other great areas to stay close to the historic city.
If, on the other hand, you’ve been here before, or if you’re looking for a different, modern experience, the best option is to choose the more remote administrative areas such as Hassan or Agdal station.
Rabat is very much a city of the future, and well worth a visit. And as it’s only an hour by train from Casablanca, you’d be right to add it to your itinerary for visiting Morocco!