Kasbah of the Oudaias

Hasan Tower and the Royal Mausoleum

Old Medina

Chellah

National Archaeological Museum

By Train

Rabat is well served by train and you can get frequent connections to most places. Marrakesh is a pleasant 4 hour journey, Fez 2.5 hours (if you take one of the new express trains, and 3.5 hours on other trains) and Casablanca 1 hour. There are two stations in Rabat - Centre Ville (Medina) and Agdal.

By Bus

It's possible to get a bus from almost any town in the country to Rabat. Note, however, that the buses often do not stop at the central bus station, but instead go through the city. It may be a good idea to ask someone which is the correct stop, or use a decent street map to work out where you are. It is easy to miss the main stop and find yourself heading out into the suburbs again, which is not too bad - about a 20-25 MAD ride in to downtown.

• Petit Taxi: All blue in color, mostly Fiat UNO.
• Buses: Not highly recommended as there are no official listings of bus routes, but a cheap way to get to know the several layers of Rabat. The buses can be of variable quality, but it could be worth taking the chance given the cost-saving and experience of what many locals experience. Bus # 3 goes from Centre Ville (including stops at the Cathedral and the train station) to Avenue Fal Oueld Omair (one of the major streets in the Agdal neighborhood) all the way to its terminus in the upscale and calm new development of Hay Riad.
• Car: The streets of Rabat are big in most areas and driving shouldn't be a problem, though you do want to avoid rush hours since as with any large city congestion can be a problem
• Walking: If you aren't in a hurry, walking around the area of Centre Ville, Agdal, The University, the Medina, the Ocean/River and the monuments is easy and pleasant. The new Corniche on the river, leading to the Oudaias, has recently been re-done, and there are expected openings of cafes soon. The route cotiere, or coastal road, past the cemetery and the Oudaias has dramatic ocean-side views, especially charming at sunset.

Although the medina here is not as extensive as that of Fez or Marrakesh there are still some bargains to be had. You will find the normal array of baboshka shoes, baggy pants, ornate mirrors and plates etc!

Interestingly all the Moroccans can be found in the section of the market that sells imported western style clothing from Asia and all the tourists can be found in the 'traditional' section. The lovely woolen paunchos are well worth a look and the carpet shops near the end of the medina are also very nice.

• Patisserie La Comedie on Mohammad V. Fancy pastries. Croissants, 4 dh. Ice cream, 6 dh per scoop.

• Cafe 7eme Art next to the movie theater. Has fake movie posters with meals as the stars. Light lunches, popular with business people and the more well-off. Miniature models of local scenes surround the outdoor patio. Pizzas, 35 to 40 dh, bland and tough. Friendly staff, stray cats beg for food.

• Le Majestic

• Ty Potes

• Cafe Weimar

• Le Petit Beur/Dar Tagine

• El Rancho

• Mega Mall Food Court

• Pizza de Gourmet

• Paul's

• La Mamma

• Syrian restaurant

• Matsuri

• Le Grand Comptoir

If you find yourself in Agdal, try the brochettes at 'Sucre et Sale'.

• Old Medina: In the centre there are often inexpensive food stalls around the medina, serving delicious fish and salad sandwiches. Especially found right around the perimeter of the Marche Centrale, these places also serve fresh and simple salads, hot bowls of lubia (beans) or lentils, rotisserie chicken, and home-made tagines. There are also lots of stalls selling pancakes and pain au chocolat.

• Hotel Balima, Ave Mohd V.

• Le Bistrot Pietri, Place Pietri.

• 'El Rancho, Agdal.

• El Palatino.

• Ty Potes.

• Las Tapas.