Chellah Necropolis and Mohammed V Mausoleum in Rabat
Two of Rabat's most striking sites can easily be visited on the same day: the walled Chellah necropolis, with its Roman ruins and Merinid royal cemetery taken over by nesting storks, and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, a national tomb open to every visitor right next to the Hassan Tower. Here's how to plan your visit and which option to pick depending on your budget and time.
Chellah necropolis can be visited with a simple entrance ticket from €6 on a self-guided basis (1-2h), or with a guided tour at €34 (2h) to understand the site's history — this guided option is still fairly new on booking platforms and has only 2 reviews so far, so treat it with some caution. The Mohammed V Mausoleum, meanwhile, is free and open to everyone, including non-Muslims, unlike most active mosques in the country. For a guided visit that combines the mausoleum with other Rabat highlights, a 4-hour private tour is available at €91 (4.6/5, 100 reviews) — notably pricier, since it covers much more than Chellah alone. Both sites sit within Rabat itself and combine easily into one day, with the necropolis visited separately and the mausoleum open access.
Entrance ticket, guided tour, or a full excursion?
Three approaches depending on your profile:
- Chellah entrance ticket only: for independent travellers who'd rather wander the gardens and ruins at their own pace, on a tight budget.
- Guided tour of Chellah: to understand the site's layered history — a Roman trading post, later a royal Merinid necropolis — with a guide on hand.
- Private excursion including the mausoleum: the most complete option, pairing the Mohammed V Mausoleum with other Rabat sites in a single guided outing.
Comparison of the best visits
| Visit | Duration | Price | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chellah entrance ticket | 1-2h | €6 | 4.5/5 | 20 |
| Guided tour of Chellah | 2h | €34 | 5.0/5 | 2 |
| Guided Rabat tour with the Mohammed V Mausoleum | 4h | €91 | 4.6/5 | 100 |
Prices per person, free cancellation on all three options. The guided Chellah tour is a newer listing with only a handful of reviews so far — check the latest ratings before booking.
See all Chellah tours· GetYourGuide
How the visit unfolds
- Entering Chellah through the fortified gate south of Rabat's medina, near Bab Zaer
- Walking the Roman ruins of the former Sala Colonia (baths, forum, columns)
- Merinid necropolis with royal tombs, the old minaret with its nesting storks, and shaded gardens
- Visiting the Mohammed V Mausoleum, open access and free of charge, near the Hassan Tower (a short petit taxi ride away)
- Seeing the Hassan Tower, the unfinished 12th-century minaret right next to the mausoleum
- Both stops combine easily into the same day out in Rabat
Do you have to pay to visit the Mohammed V Mausoleum?
No, entry to the Mohammed V Mausoleum is free and the site is open to every visitor, including non-Muslims — a notable exception, since most active mosques in Morocco remain closed to non-Muslims. Modest dress and a quiet, respectful attitude are expected, as the mausoleum holds the tombs of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II.
What else to see in Rabat after Chellah and the mausoleum
Once you've covered both sites, round out your day in Rabat with our things to do in Rabat guide for the capital's other highlights, and our where to stay in Rabat picks for a well-located base between the medina and the new town.
FAQ — Chellah and the Mohammed V Mausoleum
How much does it cost to visit Chellah and the Mohammed V Mausoleum?
What's the difference between the self-guided Chellah ticket and the guided tour?
Is the Mohammed V Mausoleum open to non-Muslims?
Can you visit Chellah and the mausoleum on the same day?
What makes Chellah distinctive?
In short
To plan your visit to Chellah and the Mohammed V Mausoleum:
- Tight budget, self-guided visit → the standalone Chellah entrance ticket, from €6.
- Want to understand the site's history → the €34 guided tour of Chellah, keeping in mind it's still lightly reviewed.
- A full day out in Rabat → the €91 guided excursion that includes the Mohammed V Mausoleum and other city sites.
- The mausoleum alone → open access and free, easy to pair with the nearby Hassan Tower.
