If you’re visiting Rabat, don’t miss a visit to the Kasbah des Oudayas.
Perched on a promontory overlooking the mouth of the Bouregreg river, this historic citadel captivates visitors with its whitewashed streets, centuries-old ramparts and majestic panorama. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers a peaceful setting in which to stroll and a number of sites to explore to understand Rabat’s history.
Here are our useful tips in pictures to help you prepare for your visit to the Kasbah des Oudayas in Rabat.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit the Kasbah des Oudayas?
Is Rabat’s Kasbah des Oudayas worth a visit? Our opinion:
Absolutely! If there’s one thing you should visit in Rabat, it’s the Kasbah des Oudayas! In addition to its majestic ramparts, this fortified district offers many attractions: charming alleyways, a lush garden, a magnificent museum devoted to crafts and panoramic views of the ocean. All in all, a wonderful time!
Our favorite moment
The Kasbah des Oudayas is a city within a city! A veritable treasure trove of history, this district stands in stark contrast to the rest of Rabat’s perfectly modernized capital.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the capital, this haven of peace owes its serene atmosphere to the absence of cars and dogs. But beyond the calm, behind these ramparts, it’s the impression of being out of time, lulled by the murmur of the ocean in the distance that held us spellbound.
History in brief
A kasbah refers to a citadel in Arabic. The origins of the Oudayas citadel date back to the XIIᵉ century, when the Almoravids built their first fort. It was under the Almohads that it was truly developed into a kasbah and took the name of Mehdiya. This strategic site was home to a ribat, a fortified convent where monk-soldiers, fervent defenders of Islam, set out on expeditions to Spain during the Holy Wars.
Over time, this ribat became “Ribat El Fath”, the Ribat of Victory, thus giving its name to Rabat.
However, it wasn’t until 1818 that the city finally adopted this name, abandoning that of Salé le Neuf, after Sultan Moulay Slimane put an end to the privateering activities for which the region was famous.
Thanks to the strength of its fortifications, Rabat even became the imperial capital during the reign of Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdellah (1757-1790)!
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How to get to the Kasbah des Oudayas: access
Where is the Kasbah des Oudayas?
The Kasbah des Oudayas is located in Rabat, the capital of Maroc, on the south bank of the Bouregreg river, opposite the city of Salé. It is close to downtown Rabat and just a few minutes from the Medina.
How to get there
Access is via Bab Oudayas, the main gateway to the Kasbah.
From the station, you can take the bus (line 102, stop Mosque Ashohada) and walk 15min to the Kasbah des Oudayas.
We recommend, however, that you take a cab that will drop you off directly in front of the kasbah, the most convenient way to access the garden.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN MOROCCO
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Not too wide
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Parking
The Kasbah des Oudayas is entirely pedestrianized. We recommend that you leave your car at the hotel for the duration of your visit. If this is not possible, the nearest parking lot is Plage de Rabat, a 9-minute walk from the museum entrance.
WHERE TO STAY IN Rabat
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Hassan District –
La Tour Hassan Palace Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
Historic Center of Rabat –
Riad Meftaha Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
Marina Rabat-Salé –
Fairmont La Marina Rabat Salé Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
Useful tips: duration, schedules, difficulties…
Best time to visit, opening hours and prices
The Kasbah des Oudayas is accessible free of charge and can be visited at any time of year, so peaceful and pleasant is it.
We do recommend that you come on a day with good weather to enjoy the blossoming Andalusian Garden and an unobstructed view of Salé!
For an even more magical moment, we recommend that you come early in the morning or late in the afternoon for a chance to admire the sunset from the panoramic viewpoint. Don’t forget to check the opening hours of the sites (Museum, Gardens, Café) before your visit.
Length of visit and main difficulties
The length of your visit depends on the sites you choose to visit.
If you only wish to visit the narrow streets of the Kasbah and admire the panorama, 1 hour will be sufficient.
Plan between 2 and 3 hours if you wish to have time to discover the whole (narrow streets, seafront promenade, museum and gardens).
Most of the Kasbah is accessible, but there are a few steps and uneven cobbled surfaces, particularly in the Andalucia Gardens, which can be uncomfortable for wheelchair users.
Advice on how to visit
There’s no set itinerary for discovering the Kasbah des Oudayas, but here’s our suggestion for making the most of your visit:
- Start with the Andalucia Gardens, to immerse yourself in the surroundings.
- Right next door, take the time to visit the National Museum of Finery.
- After this cultural experience, take a break at the Café Maure to recharge your batteries before exploring the whitewashed streets of the kasbah.
- Finish on a high note by heading to the esplanade, where you can gaze down on the ocean and the mouth of the Bouregreg, with the city of Salé opposite!
- You can then head down the Sqala to see the Plage des Oudayas below.
Visiting with children
We didn’t notice any special facilities for children in the Kasbah des Oudayas, but they should enjoy the maze of alleyways and imagine themselves as pirates on the ramparts!
Catering, Toilets and Facilities
The Kasbah des Oudayas doesn’t have many facilities, but you’ll find public toilets close to the Andalusian garden.
For a gourmet break, the Café Maure, a 2-minute walk away, is a Rabat institution. Despite its touristy feel, we recommend a break to enjoy a mint tea with pastries, overlooking the Salé marina.
What to see in the Kasbah des Oudayas?
The imposing walls and main entrance gate
As soon as you arrive, you’ll be impressed by the massive walls surrounding the Kasbah des Oudayas, testimony to its defensive past. But it’s the monumental gate that immediately catches your eye. Formerly known as Bab El Kébir, it was built in 1150 by Caliph Abdelmoumen. A masterpiece of Almohad architecture, it impresses with its dimensions (38m long, 16m wide and 13m high).
Picturesque alleyways: a timeless experience
Step through the monumental gateway and let yourself be drawn into the timeless charm of the alleyways of the Kasbah des Oudayas. Here, the hustle and bustle of the city fades away, replaced by a peaceful atmosphere, where only birdsong and the murmur of the ocean behind the ramparts can be heard. The whitewashed facades, enhanced by bright blue tones, create an enchanting backdrop.
Take a stroll without a precise itinerary, observe the sculpted doors, the delicate mosaics, the flowerpots overflowing with bougainvillea, and let yourself be carried away by the soul of the district.
Here, time seems to stand still!
Les Jardins Andalucia: a haven of peace in the heart of Rabat
Once you’ve explored the narrow streets of this picturesque neighborhood, it’s time to immerse yourself in the Andalucia Gardens. Designed to resemble the gardens of Moroccan riads, they are structured around a geometric layout of flowerbeds bordered by lush vegetation, reminiscent of the famous gardens of Sevilla. This haven of peace seduces with its changing perspectives, bucolic fountains and botanical palette, where orange, olive and fragrant laurel trees create a sensory promenade!
The Musée National de la Parure: a treasure trove of Moroccan heritage
Don’t miss the Musée National de la Parure! We loved this museum devoted to Moroccan craftsmanship! You’ll be captivated both by the magnificent 17th-century palace and by the variety of the collection, which boasts 8,000 works.
The museum is distinguished by its immersive scenography, offering a structured tour to understand the evolution of traditional jewelry and the diversity of regional styles.
Le Café Maure: an unmissable break with a panoramic view
After this cultural discovery, why not take a short break facing the ocean?
Café Maure is a Kasbah institution, and even though it’s a bit touristy, you’ll love relaxing in front of its panoramic view, with a glass of mint tea in hand, while listening to the locals and tourists chatter!
And don’t hesitate to drop by the Café littéraire to browse through one of the many books on display!
The Belvédère des Oudayas: a breathtaking panorama
Your walk through the Kasbah des Oudayas culminates here, on the Semaphore platform. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the view stretches as far as the eye can see, embracing the beach below and the silhouette of Salé on the other side of the Bouregreg.
From this platform, a staircase leads up to La Sqala, a former military bastion whose architecture bears witness to the Kasbah’s defensive vocation. Its vast trapezoidal esplanade, framed by a parapet pierced by 22 embrasures, still shelters its ocean-facing cannons, vestiges of a past when Rabat watched over its coasts.
The Plage des Oudayas: an ideal spot for an iodine-filled stroll
If you still have a little energy left, why not continue your discovery of Les Oudayas with a stroll along the seafront? You’ll discover a beach of contrasts, between rocks and wild flowers, a very pleasant way to end your day!
Find out more in our dedicated article.
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Other nearby attractions
After your visit to the Kasbah des Oudayas, extend your experience by admiring it from a new angle from the Corniche du Bouregreg. From there, you can admire it proudly overlooking the Atlantic. At dusk, the contrast between its ochre ramparts and the golden reflections of the river creates a striking tableau.
The Kasbah is also within easy walking distance:
- Rabat MedinaDive into the hustle and bustle of the colorful souks, where Moroccan craftsmanship reveals itself in woven carpets, intoxicating spices and traditional pottery.
- The Hassan Tower: This unfinished minaret from the XIIᵉ century, remnant of a great Almohad mosque, stands proudly opposite the Mohammed V Mausoleum, offering a fascinating testimony to the imperial history of Maroc.
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