Book hostels in Rabat
Morocco's capital: royal, relaxed, underrated. Quiet medina, big history.
Rabat doesn't shout like Marrakech or Fes, and that's exactly why backpackers are starting to notice it. The Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower, and a calm medina on the Atlantic make it a perfect 1–2 night pit-stop. It's also cleaner, safer-feeling and easier to navigate than any other Moroccan capital of culture.
Highlights
- Kasbah of the Udayas
- Hassan Tower & Mohammed V Mausoleum
- Chellah ruins
- Beach-walk along the Atlantic
- Mohammed VI Museum of Modern Art
Best for
- Travellers coming in via Rabat-Salé airport
- Short-stay culture visits
- Solo travellers wanting a calmer first Moroccan city
- Politics/history nerds
When to visit
Year-round. Atlantic breeze keeps summers in the high 20s°C — more pleasant than Fes or Marrakech. Winters are mild (12–18°C) and the low tourist count means you'll have the monuments nearly to yourself.
Budget
Good value. Dorms €8–12. A sit-down lunch in the medina: €4–6. Most sights are free or €2–3. Tram ticket: €0.60 — Rabat has the cleanest public transport in Morocco.
Getting there
Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA) is small but growing. The Al Boraq high-speed train makes Rabat 50 min from Casablanca and 1h20 from Tangier — easy day-trip material. The main train station is a 10-min walk from the medina.
Safety
Among Morocco's safest cities. The Kasbah and medina are genuinely calm compared to Marrakech or Fes — you can walk them at night without stress. Women travellers report significantly less street harassment here.
Where to stay — neighborhoods
Not all hostels are in the same part of town. Here’s how each area compares.
Medina & Kasbah of the Udayas
Best for: Historic sights, Atlantic views, photo walks
Whitewashed and blue-trimmed old town at the river mouth. Clifftop cafés, Andalusian gardens and the most photographed corner of Rabat.
Agdal
Best for: Cafés, shopping, young professionals
Modern embassy-and-café district. Wide avenues, trendy restaurants and a very different vibe from the medina — useful for longer stays.
Hassan & Waterfront
Best for: Monuments, walking the Bouregreg
Around the Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the modernised Bouregreg riverfront. Great runs, great sunsets, lots of open space.
Tips from us
- Pair Rabat with Casablanca: 50 min apart, one full-day trip each.
- The Kasbah of the Udayas has free entry — just walk in.
- Chellah at golden hour is magic (ruins + storks + jasmine).
- Try 'Andalusian' coffee shops near the medina walls for the café scene.
- Don't skip the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern Art — best contemporary collection in the country.