Rabat
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Rabat (الرباط) is the capital city of Morocco. It is an easy going city by Moroccan standards.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By Train
Rabat is well served by train and you can get frequent connections to most places. Marrakesh is a pleasant 4 hour journey, Fez 2.5 hours (if you take one of the new express trains, and 3.5 hours on other trains) and Casablanca 1 hour. There are two stations in Rabat - Centre Ville (Medina) and Agdal.
[edit] By Bus
It's possible to get a bus from almost any town in the country to Rabat. Note, however, that the buses often do not stop at the central bus station, but instead go through the city. It may be a good idea to ask someone which is the correct stop, or use a decent street map to work out where you are. It is easy to miss the main stop and find yourself heading out into the suburbs again, which is not too bad - about a 20-25 MAD ride in to downtown.
[edit] By Plane
The Rabat International Airport is located in the nearby town of Salé. The city has limited international connections, with most tourist flying into nearby Casablanca and then coming into Rabat by train or coach. The airport itself is very tiny, possessing limited facilities (only one runway, one conveyor belt, etc.) so it's definately not the best way to get into the city. However, the airport is undergoing some major renovations, with the hope of relieving all the flights from Fez, Marrakesh and Casablanca, so it should improve in the not too distant future.
[edit] Get around
- Petit Taxi: All blue in color, mostly Fiat UNO. This inexpensive way to get around town usually won't exceed 25 MAD. Avoid the white, mercedes, Grand Taxis when traveling around Rabat, they are much more expensive. Be sure to check the meter is running to avoid being over charged at the end of the trip.
- Buses: Not highly recommended as there are no official listings of bus routes, but at only 4 MAD (50 US cents) a cheap way to get to know the several layers of Rabat. The buses can be of variable quality, but it could be worth taking the chance given the cost-saving and experience of what many locals experience. Bus # 3 goes from Centre Ville (including stops at the Cathedral and the train station) to Avenue Fal Oueld Omair (one of the major streets in the Agdal neighborhood) all the way to its terminus in the upscale and calm new development of Hay Riad.
- Car: Driving around yourself is not recommended. Insurance rates are high and most drivers will avoid hitting you at all costs; however Morocco does have the second highest rate of car accidents in the world, and most drivers do not abide by the traffic laws.
- Walking: If you aren't in a hurry, walking around the area of Centre Ville, Agdal, The University, the Medina, the Ocean/River and the monuments is easy and pleasant. The new Corniche on the river, leading to the Oudaias, has recently been re-done, and there are expected openings of cafes soon. The route cotiere, or coastal road, past the cemetery and the Oudaias has dramatic ocean-side views, especially charming at sunset.
[edit][add listing] See
- Kasbah of the Oudaias
- Hassan Tower and the Royal Mausoleum
- Old Medina
- Chellah
- National Archaeological Museum
[edit][add listing] Do
There are many things to do here, as with most Moroccan cities it is enough just to wander around and adventure where something takes your fancy.
In the Kasbah (Oudaia) there is an amazing cafe that looks over the sea, where you can drink mint tea and eat sugary treats. The staff are very friendly and you can stay as long as you like soaking up the atmosphere.
There is also a large and tranquil park next to the Hotel Hilton, where people run and play football etc. You can also use the pool at the Hilton for a charge. The park is a 10-15 Dirham taxi ride (10 minutes) from la gare central.
[edit][add listing] Buy
Although the medina here is not as extensive as that of Fez or Marrakesh there are still some bargains to be had. You will find the normal array of baboshka shoes, baggy pants, ornate mirrors and plates etc!
Interestingly all the Moroccans can be found in the section of the market that sells imported western style clothing from Asia and all the tourists can be found in the 'traditional' section. The lovely woolen paunchos are well worth a look and the carpet shops near the end of the medina are also very nice.
[edit][add listing] Eat
- Patisserie La Comedie on Mohammad V. Fancy pastries. Croissants, 4 dh. Ice cream, 6 dh per scoop.
- Cafe 7eme Art next to the movie theater. Has fake movie posters with meals as the stars. Light lunches, popular with business people and the more well-off. Miniature models of local scenes surround the outdoor patio. Pizzas, 35 to 40 dh, bland and tough. Friendly staff, stray cats beg for food.
- Le Majestic
- Ty Potes
- Cafe Weimar
- Le Petit Beur/Dar Tagine Delicious bstilla. Intimate setting.
- El Rancho Tex-Mex restaurant. Good food and one of the few places where you can get a decent beer.
- Mega Mall Food Court
- Pizza de Gourmet
- Paul's Tradional French bakery that serves as a restaurant. Can be quite pricy, but the food is magnificent. Worth a visit for their Olive bread.
- La Mamma
- Syrian restaurant
- Matsuri
- Le Grand Comptoir
If you find yourself in Agdal, try the brochettes at 'Sucre et Sale'.
- Old Medina: In the centre there are often inexpensive food stalls around the medina, serving delicious fish and salad sandwiches. Especially found right around the perimeter of the Marche Centrale, these places also serve fresh and simple salads, hot bowls of lubia (beans) or lentils, rotisserie chicken, and home-made tagines. There are also lots of stalls selling pancakes and pain au chocolat.
[edit][add listing] Drink
- Hotel Balima, Ave Mohd V.
- Le Bistrot Pietri, Place Pietri.
- 'El Rancho, Agdal.
- El Palatino.
- Ty Potes.
- Las Tapas.
- Le Deux Palais, (Between Sofitel and Interior Ministry). 31 dh drafts and 17 dh small beers. Good food and the perfect place to watch a football match, both inside or on the patio. Food is pretty good as well, 10 dh for a plate for fries. edit
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- Hotel Splendide in the Ville Nouvelle, an easy 10 minute walk from the train station. Large rooms and big windows, lots of light, around a central courtyard. Quiet and clean. They offer meals which are just food from the place across the street brought across on a tray. The shared bathrooms are generally clean. 100dh / night. Showers 10dh, hot water only after 9PM. Warning: count your change they may try to cheat you.
- Hotel de la Paix in the Ville Nouvelle. Dingy and dank. 150 dh. Warning: If you don't get a room with an in suite shower, you don't get to take one at all. There are no shared showers. Management gets very angry.
- Hotel Central, 2 Rue Al Basra (Ville Nouvelle). checkin: July 2009. Bright room with shower and sink, toilet outside. 10 minutes walk to Medina. 5 minutes walk from Rabat Ville Train Station. Next to main street Ave. Mohammed V. Dh 120 single. edit
- Golden Tulip Farah Rabat, Place Sidi Makhlouf 10, 10.000 Rabat (Take along the Mohammed V Avenue and then turn right on the Hassan II Avenue.), ☎ +212 5 37 73 47 47, [1]. 192 rooms located on the banks of the Bourgreg river. Practically within the city centre, next to two of the most recognized monuments within Morocco: the Hassan Tower, and the mausoleum of the late King Mohamed V. From 1796dh / night. edit
[edit] Stay Safe
[edit] Cope
[edit] Embassies
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Canadian Embassy in Morocco, 13, bis rue Jaâfa-as-Sadik, Agdal Rabat/ Postal Address: C.P. 709 Rabat-Agdal, Morocco, ☎ +011 (212) 537 68 74 00 (rabat@international.gc.ca, fax: +011 (212) 537 68 74 30), [2]. M-Th 8AM–noon and 1:30PM-5:30PM, F 8AM-1:30PM. The Canadian Embassy also provides services to Australian citizens in Morocco. Call collect from any country at (613) 996 8885 to reach the Emergency Operations Centre. edit
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Embassy of the United States of America, 2 Avenue Mohamed Al Fassi (formerly Avenue de Marrakech), Rabat/ Postal Address: PSC 74 Box 021, APO AE 09718, ☎ +212 (37) 76 22 65 (fax: +212 (37) 76 56 61), [3]. M-F 8AM-5PM. For emergency services after-hours, call the Duty Officer cell phone at +212 (661) 13 19 39. edit
[edit] Get out
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