Hello steemians!

How are you my steemians? I was brimming with excitement over my Morocco related posts and today I am gonna write you about my experience in this amazing country. I visited Morocco for the first time, last month, it seems like last year to me and I was so impressed by what I have seen, I am sure I will be back anytime soon to discover more. During this holiday I had my accommodation in Fes, but we rent a minibus and visited several places, on the first day we chose Rabat located only 2 hours and a half from Fes.

I think Rabat it’s the first capital I ever visit which is located near the ocean/seaside and this is for sure a major plus. Also, it became the capital of Kingdom of Morocco in 1912 and one hundred years later Rabat became also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Even if we spend only several hours in the city let me share with you some of the main attractions.

Our first stop was at The Mausoleum of Mohammad V where we saw also the impressive Hassan Tower. Unfortunately, it was raining but still was a beautiful experience.

Our guide told us about how Hassan Tower could have been the largest minaret and mosque in the world if the sultan lived more, but unfortunately, after his death, the construction stopped. In the present, the tower has a height of 44 m, but the plan was to have almost a double height. It has been built almost 830 years ago but suffered a lot during an earthquake in the 18th century who affected Lisbon too. The tower doesn’t have stairs, but ramps. It would have been easier to ride a donkey/horse to the top of 86m, instead of climbing the stairs.

Situated opposite of the Hassan Tower is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. It’s such an impressive monument, here is the tomb of the Moroccan King Mohammed V, who died in 1961. Also, I found out from my guide that a reader comes and read the Koran. It was completed after his death in 1971.

Both of these two constructions represent an important trademark of the city.

It was the first time I encounter with the Atlantic Ocean, but unfortunately, in March there wasn’t a great weather to tan and enjoy the waves, but our guide Ali said that in the summer is perfect. In the picture below, you can see a courageous surfer.

Kasbah Oudaya is like a neighborhood in Rabat, where we gotta taste their specific bread and see the mini blue city. It’s located near the ocean and river. Here is located the oldest mosque in Rabat, Kasbah Mosque. Unfortunately during our stay we didn’t visit any mosque, because we weren’t allowed (not muslims). It was built during the Almohads.

Bab Oudaia is in the picture below and it’s the principal gate, built in 1195 by the sultan. it has a great design so the special purpose wasn’t for defense.

I am sure you all noticed the specific Andalusian style, it reminded me of Alhambra a bit. Don’t you agree with me dear @herverisson?

I felt a bit like I was also in Chechaouen, becare there were blue houses, colored doors, cobblet street.

After that we reached to the amazing Andalusian style garden, where all the nature was alive and the smell was so pleasant. We saw orange, lemon trees, red hibiscus, hedges and a lots of cats.

It was such a peaceful are, not that full of tourists, I really loved my time there. Ali told us that the gardens were built by the French in the 20th century , wow I didn’t expect that.

We were really hungry so we went to a traditional morocco restaurant where we served delicious Tagine. I chose the vegetable version, but also with meat is good.

Before we left back to Fes, we convinced Ali to take us to the Medina, which is a UNESCO SITE. There we saw a variety of products from spices to clothes. It was a nice experience and I was glad to see that the whole medina is being reconsolidated. We entered lots of boutiques, I am sure if you visit you will find beautiful gifts, and actually it’s quite cheaper than Fes Medina, so you shouldn’t hesitate. We also saw their traditional rugs.

For my next visit in the city I really want to visit the ruins of the old Roman city of Sala Colonia and the Chellah Necropolis.

Why to visit this city

• History. If you love history I am sure you already know that Morocco had four imperial cities and the capital is one of them.
• Food. If you like your food to have lots of flavors and spices, it’s a perfect destination.
• Beach. Rabat has beaches along the Atlantic Ocean
• Shopping in their well-known souks.

How to get from the airport to the city

• Salé Airport is located only 8km from the capital. Just in front of the terminal building you can find the Stareo Bus, which leaves you after 40 minutes trip just in front of Rabat Ville Train Station. You can find the program of the bus in the station. It cost 20 dhm, less than 2 euro one way.
• Blue Petits Taxis – If you’re in a hurry it will cost you around 10 euro (110 dhm), but I think you can huggle.

Accommodation

• You can find hotels but the conditions aren’t that great even if it has 3 or 4 stars, it’s actually 2 stars in Europe.
• If you want to live a traditional experience choose a Riad.
  The prices are acceptable, but it’s more affordable to live near the old Medina and more expensive in the suburbia of the city or close to the royal palace.

When it’s the best time to visit

• You can visit all year around, isn’t it a great news?! There are a few cities you can visit all year round, but Rabat is great, warm winter, not that hot summer, because there is the breeze coming off the ocean.

Public Transportation
It depends where you have your accommodation, if it’s central, you can totally walk, it’s safe don’t worry.

• Bus – but I wouldn’t recommend because it’s not that modern and it’s often crowded. A ticket cost around 4 dirhams.
• Rent a car and travel whole city and country.
• Taxis: there are two types of taxis

• petite taxis which are blue and can’t leave the town
• grande taxis which are bigger, can take you everywhere you need, even if it’s outside the town and you can huggle with the driver.

• tram – I was impressed by their tram, it’s so modern, looks a bit with the metro of Dubai. There are two lines, and a ticket cost 6 dirhams. For your return to the airport, you can take the tram to Sale Gare and from there a petite taxi. Here are more infos

Did you know that?
I am sure most of you heard about the Blue moroccon city called Chefchaouen, but also Rabat has blue city in the city located in the Kasbah of the Udayas.

Day trips from Rabat

There are a lot of options, it depends only on what you want to see. I would recommend you the following:

• Sale
• Cassablanca
• Fes
• Temera – for surfers and beach lovers

To visit Morocco is still like turning the pages of some illuminated Persian manuscript all embroidered with bright shapes and subtle lines.
Edith Wharton

Have you visited the capital of Morocco? Or other morocco cities? Did you like it? Stay tune for more.

Best regards,
@alexandraioana26

All rights reserved.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org

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