Top Travel Destinations of 2013
Rabat is the capital and second largest city of Morocco with a population of approximately 1.2 million (2012). It is also the capital of the Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer region.
The city is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg. On the facing shore of the river lies Salé, the city's main commuter town. Together with Temara the cities account for a combined metropolitan population of 1.8 million. Silt-related problems have diminished Rabat's role as a port; however, Rabat and Salé still maintain important textile, food processing and construction industries. In addition, tourism and the presence of all foreign embassies in Morocco serve to make Rabat one of the most important cities in the country.
Rabat is accessible by train through the ONCF system and by plane through the nearby Rabat-Salé Airport.
The Moroccan capital was recently awarded second place in "Top Travel Destinations of 2013" by CNN.
Neighborhoods of Rabat
Rabat is an administrative city. It does not have many shopping districts, but many residential neighborhoods. The geographically spread out neighborhoods are as follows:
The heart of the city consists of three parts: the Medina (old town); the Oudayas and Hassan; both located to meet the Bou Regreg; and the Atlantic Ocean.
To the west, and along the waterfront, there is a succession of neighborhoods: First, around the ramparts, the old quarters of the ocean and orange (popular and middle class). Beyond that, a succession of mostly popular neighborhoods: Diour Jamaa; Akkari; Yacoub El Mansour; Massira and Hay el Fath are the main parts of this axis. Hay el Fath, which ends this sequence, evolves into a middle-class neighborhood.
To the east, along the Bouregreg, the Youssoufia region: Mabella; Taqaddoum; Hay Nahda; Aviation; and Rommani (working and middle classes).
Between these two axes, going from north to south, there are 3 main areas (middle class to very wealthy): Agdal (Ward Building lively mixing residential and commercial functions, predominantly habitants are upper middle class); Hay Riad (affluent villas which has been a surge of momentum since the 2000s); and Souissi (residential neighborhood).
On the outskirts of Souissi, as one goes further we get into less dense regions mainly constituted of large private houses to areas that seem out of the city.
Bouregreg Marina
Located between the Atlantic and the Bouregreg Valley, this magnificent river marina is paved with famous historical sites like the esplanade of the Hassan Tower and the picturesque Chellah necropolis which has witnessed many Mediterranean civilizations pass by.
Outfitted with the most modern equipment to host up to 240 boats, the Bouregreg Marina aims to become an essential destination for recreational boaters seeking long stays, or just an unforgettable stopover on their way to West Africa, the Caribbean or the shores of North America.
Transport
Air
Rabat-Salé Airport.
Rabat's main airport is Rabat-Salé Airport, Morocco's busiest airport. Regular domestic flights serve Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir, Oujda, and Tangier, Laayoune as well as other cities.
Trains
Rabat is served by two principal railway stations run by the national rail service, the ONCF. Rabat-Agdal is the main inter-city station, from which trains run south to Marrakech or El Jadida and north to Tanger, and then on either to Meknes, Fes, Taza and Oujda.
Tram
The Rabat-Salé tramway is a tram system which was put into service on May 23, 2011 in the Moroccan cities of Rabat and Salé. The network has two lines for a total length of 19 km (11.8 mi) and 31 stops. It is operated by Veolia Transdev with Alstom Citadis trams.
Main sights
Mausoleum of Mohammed V
Mohammed V University is located in the city.
Hassan Tower
Chellah necropolis
Kasbah of the Udayas
Rabat Archaeological Museum
Rabat is accessible by train through the ONCF system and by plane through the nearby Rabat-Salé Airport.
The Moroccan capital was recently awarded second place in "Top Travel Destinations of 2013" by CNN.
Neighborhoods of Rabat
Rabat is an administrative city. It does not have many shopping districts, but many residential neighborhoods. The geographically spread out neighborhoods are as follows:
The heart of the city consists of three parts: the Medina (old town); the Oudayas and Hassan; both located to meet the Bou Regreg; and the Atlantic Ocean.
To the west, and along the waterfront, there is a succession of neighborhoods: First, around the ramparts, the old quarters of the ocean and orange (popular and middle class). Beyond that, a succession of mostly popular neighborhoods: Diour Jamaa; Akkari; Yacoub El Mansour; Massira and Hay el Fath are the main parts of this axis. Hay el Fath, which ends this sequence, evolves into a middle-class neighborhood.
To the east, along the Bouregreg, the Youssoufia region: Mabella; Taqaddoum; Hay Nahda; Aviation; and Rommani (working and middle classes).
Between these two axes, going from north to south, there are 3 main areas (middle class to very wealthy): Agdal (Ward Building lively mixing residential and commercial functions, predominantly habitants are upper middle class); Hay Riad (affluent villas which has been a surge of momentum since the 2000s); and Souissi (residential neighborhood).
On the outskirts of Souissi, as one goes further we get into less dense regions mainly constituted of large private houses to areas that seem out of the city.
Bouregreg Marina
Located between the Atlantic and the Bouregreg Valley, this magnificent river marina is paved with famous historical sites like the esplanade of the Hassan Tower and the picturesque Chellah necropolis which has witnessed many Mediterranean civilizations pass by.
Outfitted with the most modern equipment to host up to 240 boats, the Bouregreg Marina aims to become an essential destination for recreational boaters seeking long stays, or just an unforgettable stopover on their way to West Africa, the Caribbean or the shores of North America.
Transport
Air
Rabat-Salé Airport.
Rabat's main airport is Rabat-Salé Airport, Morocco's busiest airport. Regular domestic flights serve Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir, Oujda, and Tangier, Laayoune as well as other cities.
Trains
Rabat is served by two principal railway stations run by the national rail service, the ONCF. Rabat-Agdal is the main inter-city station, from which trains run south to Marrakech or El Jadida and north to Tanger, and then on either to Meknes, Fes, Taza and Oujda.
Tram
The Rabat-Salé tramway is a tram system which was put into service on May 23, 2011 in the Moroccan cities of Rabat and Salé. The network has two lines for a total length of 19 km (11.8 mi) and 31 stops. It is operated by Veolia Transdev with Alstom Citadis trams.
Main sights
Mausoleum of Mohammed V
Mohammed V University is located in the city.
Hassan Tower
Chellah necropolis
Kasbah of the Udayas
Rabat Archaeological Museum
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