Rabat

Rabat, the capital of Morocco in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region, lies about 90 km northeast of Casablanca and is the most straightforward day trip from the city. ONCF trains run from Casa Voyageurs to Rabat Ville every 20 to 30 minutes, taking 50 to 70 minutes depending on whether a standard or Al Boraq service is used, with fares of roughly MAD 40-90. Rabat Ville station sits in the centre of the modern Ville Nouvelle, so most sights are reachable by a short tram ride or petit taxi. The core of the visit is the Kasbah of the Udayas, a twelfth-century fortified quarter above the Bou Regreg estuary, reached through the Bab Oudaia gate. Its whitewashed lanes painted in blue, the Andalusian Gardens and the Cafe Maure terrace overlooking the river mouth make a relaxed first stop. From there the medina and the Rue des Consuls, a lane of carpet and craft shops, lead back toward the centre. The Hassan Tower, the unfinished minaret of a twelfth-century mosque, stands beside the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a royal tomb notable for its marble and carved cedar ceiling. The Chellah necropolis, with Roman ruins and a medieval Merinid complex, is a short taxi ride south of the centre. A workable one-day arc is an early train, the Kasbah and medina in the morning, lunch in or near the Udayas, the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum in the early afternoon, and a return train before dark. Chellah fits only if the pace is brisk. Spring (March to June) and autumn (September to November) offer mild weather; midsummer afternoons can be hot, though the Atlantic breeze helps. Food stops range from simple fish and tagine restaurants near the Kasbah to cafes along Avenue Mohammed V. Total spending for train, entry fees and lunch is typically MAD 250-450 per person. Trains are busiest on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings, so returning outside those windows is more comfortable.