We love Morocco as a tourist destination. From the Atlas mountains to the Western Sahara, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea coasts, the country straddles several wonders of nature. City-wise, the kingdom nation has it going on as well. Fes, Meknes and Marrakech are sublime, with fabulous culture, architecture and cuisine galore.
The capital Rabat however, together with nearby Casablanca, seldom make the must-see list of Morocco. The latter, a major commercial port and economic hub, is the most populous city in the country, with close to 4 million people. While on paper Casablanca looks good, many advise first-time visitors to veer clear of the metropolis and head for the cultural gems of Morocco. Rabat, a short drive away on the coast, suffers from similar bad press. As the political capital, it’s true that the city is less vibrant than Marrakech or Meknes for example. However, intrepid tourists with time in Morocco can squeeze the most out of both Casablanca and Rabat by prioritizing attractions such as the ten that follow.
1. Old Medina
Again, Casablanca’s Old Medina is not the equal of the one in Fes. Lower your expectations a little and you’ll have a wonderful time exploring the narrow, bustling quarter.
2. Corniche
Casablanca’s Corniche is a good place to take a stroll and admire some of the city’s past glory. While not as romantic in reality as on screen, most notably in Casablanca of course, the coastal promenade is definitely worthwhile.
By far the most prominent landmark in all of Casablanca, and perhaps even Morocco, the King Hassan II Mosque is immense. With room for some 80,000 adherents, both inside and out, the mosque is the largest in the country and third largest in the world after the mosques in Mecca and Medina.
A leftover remnant of the French colonial period, Casablanca Cathedral was built in 1930 in impressive Neo-Gothic style. Now a cultural center, the Roman Catholic church still evokes a spiritual air.
With well over twenty synagogues, there are many reminders around Casablanca of Morocco’s once vital Jewish population. Perhaps the most paramount and aesthetically singular synagogue in the kingdom is Temple Beth-El.
6. Hassan Tower
As the political capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, Rabat has many fine landmarks on display. Hassan Tower is the most conspicuous and dates back to the late 12th century. The tower was to be a grand minaret for a glorious mosque but alas, benefactor sultan Yacoub al-Mansour met his demise before completion of the ambitious project.
A kasbah can be a medina or fortress and Morocco of course, has many. The Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat was built in the 12th century and is on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
The irony of the Chellah Necropolis outside of central Rabat is that it lies in the city’s Ville Nouvelle. There’s certainly nothing new about this phenomenal set of Roman ruins however, referred to by none other than Ptolemy.
9. Royal Palace
The home of the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, along with wife Princess Lalla Salma and two children, the Royal Palace in Rabat is indeed fit for, well, a king. Public access is not quite on par with Buckingham Palace however, though visitors can mill about outside.
10. National Archaeological Museum
Open since 1932, the National Archaeological Museum of Morocco is a definite must-see. The Rabat facility contains the best collection of artifacts germane to the country and people who inhabit it. From pre-Roman to Islamic archaeology, the museum offers a wonderful education on Morocco’s history and heritage. The photograph below is not of the excellent museum unfortunately but a nice old Rabat street scene nonetheless.
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Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
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