There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Rabat each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national)For the New Year, Rabat offers many evening entertainments. Local gastronomy, spices, and music and dance colour the splendour of the Oriental night, which is celebrated in restaurants and nightclubs throughout the Moroccan capital, making for an unforgettable New Year's Eve.
January 11 : Manifesto of Independence (national)Morocco celebrates the signing of the Manifesto, which symbolises the end of colonisation and the birth of independence.
Third month of the Hijri calendar: Eid Al-mawlid an-Nabawi (national)The birth of the Prophet Muhammad is celebrated each year in Morocco. Prayers and celebrations during these two days make them a family-holiday.
May 1: Labour Day (national)Each year, Morocco celebrates Labour Day with a public holiday.
Ninth month of the Hijri calendar: Ramadan (national)Morocco celebrates Ramadan during the 9th month of the Hijiri calendar (the date changes each year, according to the time of year the Quran was revealed to the Prophet). Fasting starts at dawn and ends at dusk. Rabat slows down during the day and livens up at night!
First day of Chawwal (date set according to the Hijri calendar): Eid al-Fitr (national)This day marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and is a time for celebrations with family and friends.
July 30: Throne Day (national)National celebration commemorating the enthronement of King Mohammed VI. Major festivities mark this holiday: parades, ceremonies, and official speeches and fireworks... The Moroccan capital is jubilant.
August 14: Feast of Oued Ed-Dahab (national)This holiday marks the return of the Saharan provinces to Morocco in 1949.
August 20: Revolution of the King and the people (national)A symbolic day recalling the deportation of King Mohammed V after his dismissal by the French authorities in 1953. Military parades, fireworks, and flags flying from the windows: Moroccans show the attachment they have for their King in a festive celebration.
August 21 : Festival of Youth (national)Moroccan youth celebrate on the anniversary of the birth of Mohammed VI. Shows, dances, happenings: the children of Rabat play joyfully in the streets of the city.
September (date set according to the Hijri calendar): Eid al-Adha (national)It is considered the most important of the yearly Muslim holidays and honours Ibrahim as a model for all believers. This is also an occasion for sumptuous family gatherings, for which it is recommended to multiply offerings and gifts.
6 November : Green March (national)National Day inaugurated by Hassan II, commemorating the march of 350,000 Moroccans to the Spanish Sahara to which Morocco claimed possession.
18 November : Independence Day (national)On this day of national celebration, Morocco celebrates the end of the French protectorate, which occurred in 1955.
Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 9/48.2 | 18/64.4 | 65/2,6 | Not the best period to go |
February | 9/48.2 | 19/66.2 | 63/2.4 | Not the best period to go |
March | 10/50 | 21/69.8 | 65/2.6 | Not the best period to go |
April | 12/53.6 | 23/73.4 | 42/1.7 | Not the best period to go |
May | 14/57.2 | 24/75.2 | 27/1.1 | Good period to go
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June | 17/62.6 | 27/80.6 | 8/0.3 | Good period to go
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July | 18/64.4 | 29/84.2 | 0/0 | Good period to go
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August | 19/48.2 | 29/84.2 | 0/0 | Good period to go
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September | 18/64.4 | 28/82.4 | 10/0.4 | Good period to go
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October | 15/59 | 26/78.8 | 47/1.9 | Good period to go
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November | 13/55.4 | 22/71.6 | 83/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
December | 10/50 | 19/66.2 | 85/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
The Rabat-Salé International Airport is located approximately 8 kilometres (5 miles) northeast of Rabat's city centre.
The airport has 2 terminals:
Traffic in Rabat is sometimes chaotic. The tram, which serves the main roads of the capital, is the ideal way to explore the city easily.
The Moroccan capital is covered by 54 bus lines spread between the cities of Rabat, Salé, and Témara. Buses run from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., every ten minutes. Bus lines 13, 27, 34 and 16 join the cities of Rabat and Salé. Bus 28 stops close to ministries and embassies. You can buy your tickets directly on the bus for MAD 5.
The tram is the safest and fastest means of transport within the city. Rabat has two tramlines (T1 and T2) serving the major areas of the city from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Extensions are in progress, and new lines (T3, T4 and T4 bis) covering the suburbs are being prepared.
The price of a ticket is MAD 6 on sale in kiosks and distributors in tram stations. The ticket allows you to make connections in the hour following the first validation. For more information on fares, schedules and points of sale, visit (www.tram-way.ma/fr/).
In urban areas, the 'small taxis' (blue taxis) are easily accessible. During the day, the price per kilometre is MAD 2.50. At night, it can be increased by 50%. Expect MAD 10 to MAD 40 for a ride. As a precaution, do not hop into a taxi having no counter.
The city of Rabat offers two stations: Rabat-Ville is located in the city centre, and Rabat-Agdal is located two kilometres from the city centre. Both serve most major Moroccan cities. The tramline L1 serves Rabat-Ville station. From Rabat-Agdal, reach Casablanca in an hour for a price between MAD 37 and MAD 47 (second class).
The city of Rabat offers two stations: Rabat-Ville is located in the city centre, and Rabat-Agdal is located two kilometres from the city centre. Both serve most major Moroccan cities. The tramline L1 serves Rabat-Ville station. From Rabat-Agdal, reach Casablanca in an hour for a price between MAD 37 and MAD 48 (second class).
Upon your arrival in Rabat, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Tourist Office of RabatOffers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
Offers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
Offers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The currency used in Rabat is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD).
$1 = MAD8.98
MAD1 = $0.11
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation. Rabat counts several hospitals and medical institutions as well as medical practitioners.
VaccinationsNo vaccine is mandatory to stay in Rabat. However, it is recommended you protect yourself against hepatitis A and B, and typhoid.
For more information, contact your Air France International Vaccination Centre:
There are few risks of food safety in Rabat. However, it is recommended to:
Tap water is safe to drink in Rabat.
Most nationalities visiting Morocco do not require a visa and are allowed to stay in the country for 90 days, if carrying a valid passport (30 days for citizens of certain countries).
However, some foreign nationals are subject to visa formalities before entering Morocco. For more information, visit the website of Morocco's Consular and Social Affairs:
www.service-public.ma/en/web/guest/home
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Morocco, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few useful phrases in Moroccan Arabic that may be useful for your stay in Rabat:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Sabah al-khair
Thank you very much: Shukran jaziilan
Could you repeat ?: Mumkin te'id ?
What time is it ?: Kam el sa'ah?
Train station: Mahattat al-qitaar
I'm looking for (…): Abhass ane (…)
Do you have (…)?: Hal 'indak (…)?
Where can I find (…)?: Ayna ajed (…)?
Tipping
In Morocco, the tip is not included in the bill. It is therefore considered polite to leave a percentage for the service from 10 to 15% of the total bill. Salaries are relatively low, so tipping the housekeeping staff (maids, porters...) in hotels is appreciated.