If you’re visiting Rabat, don’t miss a visit to the Andalucia Gardens of the Kasbah des Oudayas. This verdant setting offers a bucolic break between fountains, flowering alleys and fruit trees. A place of serenity, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not to be missed! Here are some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time.
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 Andalucia Gardens of the Oudayas?
Are Rabat’s Jardins des Oudayas worth a visit? Our opinion:
The Jardin des Oudayas is worth a visit for its soothing stroll through the heart of the Kasbah.
It’s also a garden linked to the history of Maroc and the French protectorate.
Laid out in 1912, on the orders of General Lyautey, on the site of the former méchouar (royal courtyard), it was architect Maurice Tranchant de Lunel, the first inspector of Monuments Historiques, who drew up the plans. In 1919, landscape gardener Jean Claude Nicolas Forestier gave it its current appearance, drawing inspiration from the Andalucia gardens of Sevilla and the Alhambra.
A perfect marriage of heritage and nature!
Our favorite moment
We particularly appreciated the peaceful atmosphere of the Jardin des Oudayas, making it a refuge from the hustle and bustle of Rabat. The sensation of entering a cocoon of greenery in the middle of the city won us over.
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How to get to the Jardins des Oudayas: access
Where are the Jardins des Oudayas?
- In the Kasbah des Oudayas
- Opposite the Musée National de la Parure
- In Rabat, capital of Maroc
How to get there
The entrance to the garden is a 2-minute walk from 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.
However, we recommend that you take a cab that will drop you off directly in front of the kasbah, as this is the most convenient way to access the garden.
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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.
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Our selection is coming soon Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
Our selection is coming soon Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
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Useful tips: duration, schedules, difficulties…
Best time to visit, opening hours and prices
We recommend that you come in spring to take advantage of the garden’s blossoming season and mild temperatures, which also make for a more pleasant walk.
The gardens are open daily from 10am to 6pm, closing on Tuesdays. Admission is free.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow around 30 minutes to walk through the gardens at a leisurely pace. The whole site is flat, making it easy to walk around, but the cobbled floors are uneven and can be uncomfortable for wheelchair users.
You’ll notice that the layout of the flowerbeds means that most of the garden can be enjoyed without any particular difficulty.
Advice on how to visit
There is no imposed direction of visit. Let your eye be your guide and observe the different species!
Visiting with children
We didn’t notice any special features for children, but they should enjoy the garden’s colorful plunge. Join them on a snail hunt!
Catering, Toilets and Facilities
There are no toilets in the gardens, but you’ll find them at the Musée National de la Parure just across the street.
There are no restaurants in the gardens, and it is strictly forbidden to eat there.
However, 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.
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A haven of peace in the heart of the Kasbah
Harmonious architecture inspired by Andalucia gardens
The structure of the garden is reminiscent of a riad, a traditional Moroccan house organized around a patio: intimate yet open.
The garden is laid out in four flowerbeds bordered by a variety of vegetation, arranged according to a geometric plan that reveals the Andalucia influence. We remained contemplative in front of this spatial organization, reminiscent of the famous gardens of Sevilla. You’ll notice that each corner of the garden offers a different perspective. Special mention must be made of the wooden pergolas supported by carved stone beams, which create welcome areas of shade on sunny days!
An oasis of freshness
Water plays a fundamental role in garden design, in keeping with the tradition of Islamic gardens. Water is first and foremost utilitarian, allowing crops to be tended. You’ll find a basin for irrigating the rectangular flowerbeds, as well as a noria (wheel) and its basin.
But water also has a spiritual dimension: in the Islamic religion, it symbolizes purity and the renewal of the soul. Its soothing murmur, omnipresent in the garden, invites meditation…
A sensory walk
A green setting in the heart of the Kasbah ramparts
What strikes you when you enter this garden is the impression of finding a timeless refuge. We particularly appreciated the contrast between the large green plants and the ochre walls of the Kasbah standing out in the background.
Pay attention to the other charming details that make up the visit: a carved door, mosaic tiles or simply birdsong!
A botanical collection
During your walk, you’ll also appreciate the sensory immersion offered by the varied vegetation, with its intoxicating colors and fragrances.
We watched with interest as century-old olive trees grew alongside orange, tamarisk, rose, laurel, banana, datura and lemon trees. This plant diversity creates a veritable palette of colors that changes with the seasons.
Other nearby attractions
The Jardin des Oudayas is part of the magnificent Kasbah des Oudayas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which we recommend you discover:
- The whitewashed alleys and blue facades of the houses
- The National Museum of Ornaments, just across the street from the gardens
- Café Maure for a refreshing break overlooking the marina (2-minute walk)
- The Promenade des Oudayas, with views of the ocean and the mouth of the Bouregreg (5-minute walk).
- Rabat’s Medina, with its lively, colorful souk (15-minute walk)
