Guide to Rabat

Our Guide to Rabat

Getting to Rabat
Visa information
Morocco's capital city
Mediterranean climate & places of cultural interest

Tourism in Rabat

Rabat is a great place for tourism and with the amount there is to do and see here in Rabat, it's no wonder tourism is one of the main industries.

From its high walls to its impressive Atlantic coast, you'll love the Moroccan capital of Rabat. Its history dates back to pre-Roman times, when the Chellah agreement was established at the mouth of the river. Rabat became the capital of Morocco in 1912 and is now a dynamic city.

Sightseeing

When in Rabat, make sure to visit the following highlights of this fantastic city:

Mausoleum of Mohammad V
Rabat city center
Beaches of Essaouira
Hassan Tower

Geography and Climate

In Morocco there are various types of weather depending on the region. On the coast, the weather is warm, but on the mainland, the weather is dry and continental. Towards the south, the weather is hot and dry for most of the year with very cool nights during the months of December and January. Do not forget that the rainy season is from November to March. In the summer temperatures are quite high in general.

Rabat is located on the coast of Morocco, by the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a mild climate, with cool winters and warm summers.

Culture in Rabat

As in most Arabic cultures, the Moroccans are famous for their hospitality. The people of Morocco love to meet international students and they love to share their culture with visitors. Our team also enjoys participating in this exchange of ideas.

Shopping in Rabat

Many shops sell goods at a set price where you can find jewelry, leather, silver, second-hand clothing, oriental rugs, blankets and so on. You can also visit the famous market, known as souks. There you can buy all kinds of souvenirs.

Eating in Rabat

In Rabat is easy to find shops where they sell food at a good price and is generally good quality. Most food is made based on pasta and meat, but don't forget to try the traditional kebab with hot sauce and Harir, which is a typical soup. Though it is unusual to find alcoholic beverages, there are many pubs open until dawn.

Ramadan – a month of fasting

The Islamic fasting month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. The Koran stipulates fasting – abstinence from food and drink – every day, from dawn until sunset.

Although the fast symbolizes devotion to Allah, discipline and spirituality of the Muslim people, non-Muslims must also accept and respect the restrictions on eating, drinking and smoking during Ramadan. Many restaurants may be closed during the day.

The first meal in the evening is often eaten together during Ramadan. The Festival of Breaking the Fast ends the 30-day fasting period. It is celebrated in the first three days of the following month, and is one of the two most important Islamic festivals.

The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar year so, in comparison to the solar year, the fast always takes place at a different time. The start of Ramadan marks the sighting of the crescent moon; as a consequence, the start and end dates also vary between different countries.