2 Days in Rabat

Start at Rabat's jewel — the 12th-century kasbah perched above the Bouregreg estuary. Walk through Bab Oudaia (the monumental gate), wander the blue-and-white streets (reminiscent of Chefchaouen), visit the Andalusian Gardens with their orange trees and fountains, and take in panoramic views over the river and Salé.

Perched on the kasbah walls above the Atlantic, Café Maure is Rabat's most scenic café. Mint tea and almond pastries with views over the estuary mouth and the ocean. Simple, traditional, and unforgettable.

Walk 15 minutes to the Hassan Tower — the unfinished minaret of a 12th-century mosque that would have been the world's largest. The 44m tower stands among 200 remaining columns. Adjacent is the Mohammed V Mausoleum, a masterpiece of modern Moroccan architecture with zellige tilework, carved cedar, and royal guards.

Rabat's medina is one of Morocco's most pleasant — organised, calm, and hassle-free. Walk Rue des Consuls (the main commercial street) for leather goods, carpets, and antiques. The medina has a UNESCO-listed status and is well-maintained. End at Rue Souika for spices and street food.

Eat at one of the medina restaurants near Place Bab Chellah. Try the fish tagine (Rabat is a coastal city) or a traditional Rbati bastilla (pigeon pie). Le Dhow, a restaurant on a boat on the Bouregreg, is a unique alternative.

Rabat's most atmospheric site — a walled medieval necropolis built on the ruins of the Roman city of Sala Colonia. Roman columns, Islamic tombs, wild gardens, and a resident stork colony nesting on the minaret. The site is peaceful, overgrown, and hauntingly beautiful — more like a secret garden than a ruin.

Walk Rabat's grand French Colonial boulevard — Art Deco buildings, the main post office, Bank al-Maghrib, and the Parliament. The avenue captures Rabat's identity as a modern, elegant capital. Stop for a coffee or pastry at one of the boulevard cafés.

Return to the Kasbah des Oudaias area and walk down to the beach at the mouth of the Bouregreg. Watch the sunset over the Atlantic with the kasbah walls above you and fishing boats returning to port. Locals gather here for the evening — it is Rabat at its most relaxed.