The capital city of Rabat is a web of pleasant avenues and parks, crowned with one of the best-preserved medieval medina towns in all of North Africa. But, for all its beauty and wealth, it remains one of the hidden gems of the Morocco tourist trail, enjoying relatively small crowds during the high season and exuding an authenticity that can be difficult to find elsewhere in the country.
First time visitors should ask their Rabat tourist guide for some walking route suggestions that encompass all the gems of the historical city centre, from the magnificent seaside Kasbah to the winding cobbled backstreets of the medieval Old Medina. A little further off-the-beaten-track, and the ancient settlement of Chellah is also worth a visit; once Carthaginian, it now bears the marks of a great many subsequent conquerors.
Rabat is also one of the best-established foodie destinations on the Morocco circuit, with traditional eateries serving regional tagines in the night and a great selection of European-style joints cooking pizzas and French pastries in the morning.