Rabat

The laid-back Moroccan capital of Rabat is all too often overlooked in favor of its more vibrant neighbors, but the coastal city is more than just a political and administrative center and makes a worthwhile day trip from nearby Casablanca or Fez. Without the frantic traffic jams and frenzied souks that characterize many of Morocco’s big cities, Rabat feels more like a provincial town than a bustling city, but this polite and self-effacing nature is all part of its charm.
This is a city where it’s easy to explore on foot, strolling along the tree-lined boulevards of the French Centreville; shopping for souvenirs and sampling local cuisine in the medina’s many shops and restaurants; and taking in the views from the cliff-top Kasbah of the Udayas. Other key attractions include the landmark Hassan Tower, the lone-standing minaret of Sultan Yacoub al-Mansour’s unfinished mosque; the opulent Rabat Royal Palace; and the Roman ruins of Chellah.