56 Best Sights in Rabat, Casablanca, and the North Atlantic Coast, Morocco

At the foot of the village, near the sea, you'll find the tomb of Moulay Bousselham, which attracts hundreds of pilgrims every summer. Like Sidi Abdel Jalil's somewhat smaller one, it is a white building capped with a dome.

Formerly known as the Musée Archéologique, this museum originally opened in 1931 and displays prehistoric, Roman, and Islamic-period artifacts discovered throughout the country. Roman pieces include many inscribed tablets; the Chellah and Volubilis sites are particularly well represented, and there's an ample collection of Roman bronze items from archaeological sites such as Volubilis. Also noteworthy is the plaster cast of the early human remains found at the Dar Es-Soltane caves, on the coast south of the city.

The country’s first national photography museum is set in the repurposed 19th-century Borj El Kebir (aka Fort Rottembourg) in the L’Ocean district. The small but superbly curated museum showcases well-known, up-and-coming, and young Moroccan photographers with a roster of temporary exhibitions.

Set in a lovely villa in the suburb of Oasis, this museum has a permanent exhibition of traditional ceremonial objects, clothing, lamps, and furniture from various synagogues around Morocco. There's also a temporary exhibition space that often shows photographs and art. Phone ahead to make sure it's open.

The main medina gate sits next to the minaret-like Clock Tower, a city landmark on the perpetually busy Place des Nations Unies, with its famous Zevaco-designed dome. European consuls lived here in the 19th century and its simple whitewashed houses, particularly those closest to the port, form a marked contrast to Morocco's economic and commercial nerve center just a few hundred yards away. On its north side, you’ll see the last remains of the city’s 18th-century fortifications, known as the sqala. Today it boils over with busy Moroccan shoppers and vendors and  there’s a conglomeration of stalls and shops selling watches, leather goods, crafted wood, and clothes. It's best avoided at night unless you're accompanied by a local you know well. 

Downtown Casablanca's historic green lung has been revived and is now home to a skate park and playground, palm tree-lined promenades, exotic plants and water features. The dazzlingly white Art Deco edifice at the park’s northwestern corner is L’Église du Sacré-Coeur, built in the 1930s by a French architect. The now-deconsecrated church has been restored, although it is only open to the public for special events.

The Borj Adoumoue, or Bastion des Larmes (Fortress of Tears) was a pirates' prison in the city walls of Salé and is now a museum. It was built by the infamous Salé Rovers, a group of Barbary pirates, as their headquarters. Cannons pierce the walls and there are underground dungeons were slaves were once kept.

Downtown Casablanca's version of London's Trafalgar Square has illuminated fountains and plenty of pigeons, and is flanked by grand Mauresque—a mix of Moorish and Art Deco—buildings. Coming from the port, you'll pass the main post office on your right, and on your left as you enter the square is its most impressive edifice, the courthouse, built in the 1920s. On the other side of Avenue Hassan II from the post office is the ornate Bank Al-Maghrib; the structure opposite, with the clock tower, is the Wilaya, the governor's office. 

On the opposite side of the square to the Wilaya, the ultra-contemporary Grand Théâtre de Casablanca was designed by a Pritzker Prize-winning architect. The multi-disciplinary art space includes two halls holding 2,400, and a music space for 300, and it will be one of the largest theaters in Africa when it's fully open. And it's easy to get here by tram from almost anywhere else in the city.

This magnificent beach, also known simply as "Nations," is so long that even during the busiest times you’ll probably find some space along the stretch. The water is swimmable, but there may be strong currents, so caution should be observed. The sands are cleaned daily in summer, although some litter is possible in colder months. It's a hot spot for surfers and paragliders; sunbathers can rent parasol and loungers for reasonable prices. The beach is accessed by driving along the N1 from Salé and turning left just north of the small town of Sidi Bouknadel; or ask your hotel to organize a round-trip by taxi. Amenities: lifeguards (in season); parking; food and drink. Best for: swimming; surfing; walking.

Before the Mazagan Beach Resort was built between Azemmour and El Jadida, you could walk along the sand from one community to the other. While that's no longer possible, this is still a stunning beach and one of the cleanest on the coast. There's also a shipwreck that's fun to explore. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (in summer). Best for: sunsets; surfing; swimming; walking.

This long sandy bay attracts swarms of surfers, sunbathers, and families in summer when temperatures can get very high. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (in summer); parking. Best for: sunbathing; surfing; swimming; walking.

Also known as the New Medina, the Quartier Habous was built by the French in the 1930s as a modern version of a traditional medina. Today it's an attractive mix of French colonial architecture with Moroccan details. Capped by arches, its small shops are the best place in Casablanca to buy handicrafts, from rugs and slippers to kaftans. Don’t miss the olive souk, with its pyramids of multi-hue olives; there are several bookshops, too.

As you enter the Habous, you'll pass a building resembling a castle; this is the Mahkama de Pasha, or court, completed in 1952. It has an ornate interior courtyard but is currently used for district government administration. On the opposite side of the square is the Mohammadi Mosque built in the 1930s—this and the Moulay Youssef Mosque, in an adjacent square, are among the finest examples of traditional Maghrebi (western North African) architecture in Casablanca. Look up at the minarets and you might recognize a style used in Marrakesh's Koutoubia Mosque. Immediately north of the Habous is Casablanca's Royal Palace with an impressive gate; it's heavily guarded and you can't go inside.

Rabat’s zoo is home to 1,800-odd animals representing 150 species, most of them residing in relatively wide enclosures. Covering more than 120 acres, it’s divided into five themed ecosystems—Atlas Mountains, desert, savannah, rain forest, and wetlands—with the first of these being the highlight due to the presence of Atlas lions, which only exist in captivity. Elephants, giraffes, hippos, and hordes of magnificent oryx and gazelles also call this place home. After ogling them, you can learn more by visiting the educational farm or catching one of the scheduled daily events.

Built in the early 20th century, Rabat's Royal Palace is a large, cream-color building set back behind lawns. Its ornamental gate is accented by ceremonial guards dressed in white, blue, or red. The complex houses the offices of the cabinet, the prime minister, and other administrative officials. The official residence of the king, the palace is usually occupied by members of the royal family, so you can only see the exterior. 

Rabbi Moul Niss is the most revered of the Jewish saints in Azemmour and his shrine draws many local and international pilgrims. Little is known of him but it's said that miracles have happened here for hundreds of years. His shrine contains a cave with a plaque and some ceremonial objects, and there's a courtyard outside with benches, which makes this a pleasant place for reflection. It's not always possible to get inside, but ask locally for the guardian and give them a small tip. 

One of the streets in Salé's medina is named after Sidi Abdellah Ben Hassoun, the town's patron saint who died in Salé in 1604. His magnificent mausoleum is situated here, next to the Great Mosque. Non-Muslims cannot enter but if you are lucky, the doors may be open, and you can peek inside. 

Northwest of the medina, by the sea and next to the Pirates' Prison, is the white mausoleum of Sidi Ahmed ben Achir, a much-venerated saint and Sufi. No entry to non-Muslims but if you look through the windows in the wall, there's a fine view over the cemetery to the rocks and the ocean.

This beautiful stretch of sand extends southwest away from El Jadida; you can access it by taking the coastal road about 5 km (3 miles) out of town. It's an ideal place to stroll or watch the sunset. Swimming is great here, too, although currents can be strong; there are lifeguards on duty in summer.

To say that Skhirat Plage is loved by Moroccans during the summer months—and by some faithful souls year-round—is an understatement. The long stretch of fine, golden sand lying just beyond the Royal Palace of Skhiratis is perfect for strolls but also a known surfing spot, as the plethora of boards reveals. Swimmers love it, too, but beware of dangerous currents—lifeguards are not always present. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (in summer); parking. Best for: swimming; surfing; walking.

When you come out of the Abou el Hassan Merenid Medersa, turn right and take the first street on the right, heading farther into the medina. Turn left at the end of the street and you'll find a large triangular area on your right, the Souk El Kabir, or Big Market, in the center of the medina. Stalls are piled high with household goods and fresh produce, including an array of plump olives.

Rabat's largest and most important mosque was originally erected in the 18th century. Since then it's undergone various rebuildings but has nonetheless been sheltered from architectural anarchy, retaining its beauty and dignity to this day. The French had wanted to extend Avenue Mohammed V through the site; however, Moroccans resisted. Thanks to the martyrs of that confrontation, the mosque still stands on its sacred ground. Non-Muslims may not enter.

This small beach with wonderful sand can be empty during colder months, but it's very much the opposite in summer. It's a short walk from the train station. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (in summer); parking. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

This large, fenced park has several wide, well-packed dirt trails that pass through wooded areas, perfect for a run or a walk. There are always gardeners around to keep it tidy and plenty of other people taking the opportunity for some exercise close to the city center. Access is next to the Sofitel Jardin des Roses. 

This small art gallery, set in a stunning, 1930s Art Deco villa, holds interesting temporary exhibitions by contemporary Moroccan artists, and works to promote art and culture, especially to young people; it has an equally striking sister gallery in Rabat.

This beautifully restored, dazzlingly white 1920s Art Deco villa is home to contemporary art exhibitions which put the focus on Moroccan artists, culture, and heritage, alongside cultural events; the large garden is the perfect spot for a sightseeing break. It has a sister gallery in Casablanca. 

Slightly inland from Mehdiya is the lovely freshwater Lake Sidi Bourhaba, internationally famous for the number and variety of birds that pass through on their way to the south side of the Sahara desert. Ornithologists flock here nearly as eagerly as the itinerant birds themselves, looking especially for the rare marbled teal along with another 200 species.