OVERVIEW
About a million people live in the capital Rabat and its sister city Sale, but wandering around the Medina, the Kasbah or the Modern Town this is not the impression you get. Life is easy. Not many people harrass you. Shopowners are very nice.
For this reason Rabat is a good first base to start exploring Morocco. You can get in touch with life the morrocan way at your own pace.
Watch the changing of the Royal Guard at the Royal Palace (Friday mornings) walk the narrow streets of the Casbah des Oudaya and visit the 12th-century Tour Hassan.
Several other interesting sights should be visited if time permits. Chief among these are Bouknadel and its Jardins Exotiques (fascinating gardens) and Chellah which has interesting museums a 17th-century fortress and Roman ruins. And don’t neglect Rabat’s sister city Sale with its Grand Mosque, city gates, markets, small back streets and harbor filled with fishing boats.
You might also consider going to the beach in Rabat, although the beaches south of the city are somewhat better than those in town itself.
SIGHTS
Within the big walls surrounding both Rabat and Sale there are quite a few sights. Most of the fun in Rabat is, however, just wandering through the narrow streets and shopping in the souqs. Rabat does have a few places you can really go in, but they're not many, and you will spend most of your time outside.
Museum of Antiquities
Rue Brihi, closed tuesday. It's the best in its kind in Morocco. Especially the collection of bronzes is nice.
Chellah
Just outside of town. Very nice ruins. This was the town until it was abandoned in the 12-th century. Now there are ruins of a Mosque and graves of Merinide Sultans. This is one of the view mosques you'll see from the inside. The surrounding garden is great, especially when there are storks.
Tour Hassan & Mausoleum
The Tour Hassan, built in Almohadic times, still stands tall. Although it was never finished it is still am very remarkable monument. The tower was built at the same time as the Giralda in Sevilla.
Facing the tower is the Mausoleum of King Mohammed V. On fridays you can see the change of the guards.
Kasbah des Oudaya
With a small museum, a terrific garden, small streets and the best cafe in town, the Casbah should be on top of your list. Entrance is free, except for the museum (10 DH).
Old City of Sale
The old city of Sale is definately worth a visit. There is a good Medersa, there are small winding streets lined with shops as well as very impressive city gates.
Bab Mrisa
The Bab Mrisa is the most interesting Gate of the Walled city of Sale. The gate is higher than you will normally see, this is due to the fact that there used to be a canal going through it, so in the pirate days of the city, the ships could go into the city directly.
Bab Rouah
The Bab Rouah is one of the most beautiful city wall gates in Morocco. It is located at the th south east end of the walled city, near the Royal Palace. You can enter the gate free of charge. There are frequent expositions, mostly focussing on modern Moroccan art and generally speaking they are not too bad.Richard Osinga: There is an small galerie inside which does pretty good expositions.
GETTING AROUND
In the old part of town the best way to get around is on foot, or as the Moroccan's call it, bus number 11. To get to the museum of Antiquities, the Chellah or an other part of town, take one of the blue cabs, fix a price, or ask them to use the meter. To get to Sale or the Jardin Exotique you can get a seat in a grand taxi. Make sure your not renting the whole thing. Taxi's leave when there full. To Sale there's also the option of taking the boat. It's nice, but you always end up walking a lot on the Sale side of the river.
GETTING THERE
Rabat is easily reached from other cities in Morocco. All travel from the south goes via Casa, which is the travel hub. Tanger in the North and Fez and Meknes in the east are also easliy accessible from Rabat. The trainstation is right in the center of town. The busstation is somewhat out of town, so if you have the choice, the train is easier.
SHOPPING
Bab Rouah
Bab Rouah is one of the better galeries in town.
NOTICE
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