Visiting Rabat? Don’t miss its fortified old town, more commonly known as the medina. As in many Maghreb cities, the medina embodies the historic soul of the city, with its lively alleys, traditional markets and fortified architecture. Rabat’s medina, however, stands out for its peaceful atmosphere and structured layout, making it a pleasant place to explore.
In this article, discover our useful tips in pictures to help you prepare your visit to the Medina of Rabat 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 Rabat’s Medina?
Is the Medina worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, Rabat’s Medina is well worth a visit. We were seduced by its serene, authentic atmosphere, which contrasts sharply with the more sprawling, touristy medinas of other major cities on Maroc.
You’ll appreciate the colorful spectacle it offers as much as the various places of interest it shelters. It’s one of the best things to do in Rabat!
Why is Rabat’s Medina famous?
Rabat’s medina is distinguished by its peaceful atmosphere, where you can stroll without being overwhelmed by the crowds. Its orderly streets are home to local artisans and traditional markets, offering an authentic, relaxed experience. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Bouregreg River, where the sea air brings a welcome freshness, contrasting with the country’s other landlocked medinas.
WHERE TO STAY IN Rabat
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Our selection is coming soon Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
Our selection is coming soon Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
Our selection is coming soon Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Rabat (coming soon)
Access: Rabat medina, Maroc
Where is Rabat’s Medina?
- Situated between the banks of the Bouregreg and the modern Hassan district
- Close to the Kasbah des Oudayas (10min walk)
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Maroc
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
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How to get there?
Rabat’s Medina is easily accessible by public transport. The nearest streetcar stop is Bab Chellah, located directly at the entrance to the medina. This option is particularly convenient for visitors staying in other parts of the city.
From Rabat-Ville train station, it’s a 15-minute walk to the medina. You can take advantage of this walk to discover part of the modern city center, before plunging into the traditional atmosphere of the old town.
Parking
Parking on the outskirts of Rabat’s Medina can be tricky. You’ll find parking tips on the city’s official parking website here.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
Rabat’s Medina can be visited all year round. If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to visit in the morning, when the stores are just opening and the atmosphere is more peaceful.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow between 1h and 3h to explore the whole of Rabat’s Medina.
This time will allow you to discover the various markets, admire the ramparts and stroll through the Mellah district, the old Jewish quarter.
There’s nothing difficult about it other than getting lost in the narrow streets – and that’s the charm of the visit! Unlike other Moroccan medinas, you won’t be constantly approached by impromptu guides, which makes the experience all the more enjoyable.
Please note, however, that some streets have stairs, and the cobbled surface can make access difficult for wheelchair users.
Advice on how to visit
There’s no particular way to explore Rabat’s Medina. This approach will enable you to discover hidden passages not mentioned on the signposted tours.
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Visiting with children
Rabat’s Medina is a fun place for children to explore, with its maze-like atmosphere. Why not turn your visit into a treasure hunt?
Schedules and rates
Rabat’s Medina is open every day of the week.
Shops and businesses generally follow traditional Moroccan hours, opening around 9am and closing around 6pm.
Access to the medina itself is entirely free, and you’ll only have to pay for what you buy in the stores. Remember to bring change and cash for your shopping.
Catering
There are many dining options in and around Rabat’s Medina. We discovered both stalls where you can eat on the run and more refined restaurants hidden away in old traditional mansions. Most of the establishments are concentrated on avenue Mohammed V, the main pedestrian thoroughfare linking the Medina streetcar stop and avenue Lalou, marking the northern boundary of the old town.
Look out for our selection in our article dedicated to restaurants in Rabat.
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An exceptional architectural heritage
Rabat’s Medina boasts a rich architectural heritage that bears witness to its past. Just look up! The finely carved wooden roofs add a touch of refinement to the whole, and the natural light filtered through moucharabiehs draws elegant shadows on the cobbled floor.
You’ll also discover flower-filled patios and mosaic fountains, adding a touch of poetry to your walk!
Photo enthusiasts, take the time to observe these discreet little spectacles…
Last but not least, some of the medina’s streets reveal facades in vibrant hues. Between carved wooden shutters, doors adorned with copper knockers and wrought-iron balconies, every detail seems made to be photographed!
Different crafts on show
Beyond its elegant architecture, Rabat’s medina beckons with its lively, colorful souks, where every stall is brimming with treasures. Here, visitors are treated to a veritable profusion of colors and materials: finely chiseled lamps, vibrantly patterned Berber carpets, ceramics and decorative wickerwork.
If you’re a fan of jewelry and leather goods, be sure to make a detour to the Souk Es Sebbat, renowned for its specialized stalls, where you’ll find leather shoes in every color!
Are you familiar with foundouks? Foundouks are ancient caravanserais, merchant inns that once welcomed traders and travellers from all over the country. Conceived as true trading centers, they combined storage spaces, craftsmen’s workshops and lodgings for passing merchants.
During our visit, we discovered the Ben Aissa foundouk, specialized in leatherworking. Built in the XVIIᵉ century during the reign of Moulay Ismaïl, it is said to have been built by the daughter of the minister Ben Aicha. Its functional architecture bears witness to its essential role in the local economy: on the first floor, 36 stores, while upstairs, 36 rooms provided accommodation for merchants.
Avenue des Consuls: the beating heart of Rabat’s medina
During your stroll, you’re bound to come across Avenue des Consuls, one of the most emblematic streets in Rabat’s medina. Its name dates back to the XVIIᵉ century, when foreign diplomats were forced to reside here. At that time, piracy was an integral part of the local economy, and the town of Salé le Neuf (Rabat) was an active slave-taking center. Instead of being enslaved, Christian captives had to be bought back by their country’s consuls, who had a dedicated budget for such negotiations. For reasons of convenience, these diplomats settled just a few steps from the Souk El Ghezel, where the auctions took place.
Today, the Avenue des Consuls retains its former dynamism, but fortunately for other reasons! It is now home to the Souk Tahti, or more precisely, the Carpet Souk.
The Mellah, a district steeped in history
And don’t miss Rabat’s old Jewish quarter, known as the Mellah. Created in 1808 under the reign of Sultan Moulay Slimane, this district was a dynamic economic center for many years. It was distinguished by its own way of life, different from that of Muslims.
It had its own markets and services, freedom of worship and administrative autonomy. Fortified and guarded by royal soldiers, it was closed every night by a strict curfew. Its proximity to the royal residence reflected the importance of Jews in the economy and the court, where they often held influential positions under the official protection of the sultan. Today, the silent alleyways of the Mellah contrast with its rich past. The exodus of the 1950s emptied the neighborhood of its community, and the creation of the State of Israel emptied the neighborhood of its community, but its imprint remains.
Other not-to-be-missed discoveries in Rabat’s medina
Venture into the medina’s maze of alleyways, and you’ll discover other points of interest. First, you can admire the minaret of the Great Merenid Mosque, dating from the 14th century and since rebuilt.
The medina is also marked by its impressive ramparts, which tell the story of the city’s various waves of settlement. To the west, the 12thᵉ century Almohad walls, erected under Yacoub El Mansour, bear witness to the dynasty’s ambition. Further south, the Andalusian Wall, built in the XVIIᵉ century by Moriscos expelled from Spain, separates the medina from the modern city. And let’s not forget the two monumental gates: Bab Laalou and Bab El Had, which open up the medina.
Finally, a stroll through the medina wouldn’t be complete without a pause to take in the incomparable view of the Kasbah des Oudayas. Observe this historic district from afar, overlooking the ocean and the Bouregreg river that separates Rabat from Salé, before exploring this other facet of the city!
