Rabat Travel Guide

Blessed with charming palm-lined boulevards and well-maintained gardens, Morocco's capital, Rabat, is less thrilling than the frenetic alleys of Fez and Marrakech. It's no less steeped in history, though, as it was a haven for ruthless Barbary pirates who captured European trading ships in the 16th century.

Today, the King of Morocco lives in Rabat and it's the country's somewhat conservative administrative capital. Visitors, however, will find colour in the striking Medina (the old part of the city), and the Kasbah, where many of the chief tourist attractions can be found. Recreational opportunities abound by way of a world-renowned golf course (Royal Golf Dar Es Salam), a few lovely beaches, and some ancient ruins nearby.

Rabat's sister city, Sale, lies on the opposite side of the Atlantic coastal plain at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, and is worthing visiting for its relaxing atmosphere. It's a quietly authentic destination of ancient religious monuments and brightly coloured fishing boats, where locals sip coffee at run-down cafes and bake flat bread in communal ovens.