The central sights — Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum, the Kasbah des Oudayas and the Medina — are close enough together that most visitors get around on foot, with the odd short taxi ride for Chellah.
Discover Local Rabat: What to Do Around Mercure Rabat
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Rabat, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Rabat in 5 picks
Kasbah des Oudayas
A 12th-century fortress above the river with blue-and-white lanes, an Andalusian garden and ocean views toward Salé. Stop at Café Maure inside for mint tea or a ns-ns (half coffee, half milk) looking out over the water — it's the classic way to end a walk through the Kasbah.
Chellah
A walled necropolis on the edge of the city, built over a Roman settlement with Merinid-era ruins and storks nesting on the old minarets. It's the most atmospheric spot in Rabat and rarely crowded, even in high season.
Rabat Medina
Cleaner and calmer than many Moroccan medinas, with Rue des Consuls the main stretch for rugs, spices, brassware and antique furniture. Good for bargaining, low-pressure browsing, and a real sense of the old city's rhythm.
Hassan Tower & Mausoleum of Mohammed V
The unfinished 12th-century minaret stands across from the marble mausoleum of the late king, guarded by royal sentries in traditional dress. Both sit close together and are easy to combine in one stop.
Plage de Rabat
The city's beach, about 3km from the center, where locals come to walk the promenade or catch the sunset over the Atlantic — a good change of pace after a day in the medina.
FAQ
Tagine and mint tea are the staples — try the tea at Café Maure inside the Kasbah des Oudayas for the view as much as the drink.
About a 15-minute drive.
Where to sleep
See Mercure hotels in Rabat, all within reach of these picks.