Rabat or Casablanca: Which City to Visit?
About an hour apart by train, Morocco's political capital and its economic capital show two very different faces. One is calm and historic, the other huge and modern. Here is how to choose, or how to combine both.
Choose Rabat for a calm, clean and historic city: Morocco's capital has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012 and packs the Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower, the Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Chellah necropolis into a small area, ideal on foot or by tuk-tuk. Choose Casablanca for its landmark, the Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims on guided tours, for its Art Deco centre and corniche, and because Mohammed V Airport is the country's main international hub. Casablanca can be seen in one day; Rabat deserves a full day too. Trains link them in about 1 hour: if you land in Casablanca, see the mosque on day one, then do Rabat as a day trip or a stop on the way to Tangier or Fes.
At a Glance
| Criterion | Rabat | Casablanca |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Calm, green, administrative | Big, lively metropolis |
| Landmark | Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower, Chellah | Hassan II Mosque |
| UNESCO heritage | Yes (2012) | No |
| Architecture | Ramparts, medina, gardens | Art Deco, Habous quarter |
| Beach | Oudayas beach, urban coast | Ain Diab corniche |
| Air access | Rabat-Salé airport | Mohammed V Airport, international hub |
| Suggested time | 1 day | 1 day |
What You Come to See
In Rabat, everything fits in one day: the Udayas in the morning, Hassan Tower and the mausoleum, then the Chellah and the medina. See Rabat in 1 day and what to do in Rabat. In Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque alone justifies the stop, rounded off by the Habous and the corniche. See Casablanca in 1 day and the Hassan II Mosque.
Tours to Book
| Tour | City | Rating | Reviews | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Hassan II Mosque visit with ticket | Casablanca | 4.5 | 3810 | 45 min-4 h | €14 |
| City tour with mosque ticket | Casablanca | 4.6 | 1318 | 4.5 h | €32 |
| Guided day trip to Rabat from Casablanca | Rabat | 4.7 | 406 | 6 h | €67 |
| Private tuk-tuk tour of Rabat | Rabat | 4.8 | 82 | 3 h | €33 |
| Rabat medina food tour | Rabat | 5.0 | 62 | 3 h | €64 |
Ratings, reviews and prices taken from GetYourGuide; they vary with the season.
See tours in Casablanca· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
See tours in Rabat· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
Doing Both
The most efficient plan: land in Casablanca, visit the mosque, then take the train to Rabat and sleep there before heading north. See trains in Morocco and day trips from Casablanca.
Where to Stay
Rabat is more restful for a night; Casablanca is handier for an early flight. See where to stay in Rabat and where to stay in Casablanca.
See accommodation in Rabat· Booking.comFree cancellation on many properties · the best-rated places fill up firstNo prepayment needed on many offers: lock in your room now
Our Verdict
| Your plan | Our pick |
|---|---|
| Just one city, history and calm | Rabat |
| Seeing the Hassan II Mosque | Casablanca |
| Layover between flights | Casablanca |
| Stop on the way to Tangier or Fes | Rabat |
| Big-city vibe | Casablanca |
FAQ — Rabat or Casablanca
Rabat or Casablanca: which is more beautiful?
How long is the train between Rabat and Casablanca?
Can you visit Rabat from Casablanca in one day?
Where to stay if I land at Casablanca airport?
Can non-Muslims visit the Hassan II Mosque?
In Short
- Rabat → UNESCO capital, calm, monuments.
- Casablanca → Hassan II Mosque, Art Deco, main airport.
- Both → 1 hour by train, one day each.
