Rabat City Beach

Rabat City Beach is the sandy Atlantic shoreline running beneath the old Kasbah of the Udayas in Morocco's capital, about 200 km west of Fes. It is an urban beach: the sand is fairly fine, the water is Atlantic grey-blue and cool, and the open ocean brings steady swell that makes the area popular for surf lessons and bodyboarding as well as summer sunbathing. Currents and waves can be strong, so swimmers should stay where seasonal lifeguards are on duty and follow posted flags.

The beach is long and open rather than a sheltered cove, and its character shifts with the season. In summer, residents of Rabat and Sale crowd the sand, with a lively, mixed atmosphere of families, groups of friends and young surfers. Outside summer it is quieter and used mainly for walking, with surfers taking advantage of autumn and winter swells. A promenade runs along part of the shore, lined with cafes that serve drinks, snacks and seafood, and surf schools nearby rent boards and offer lessons.

The setting is the main attraction. The whitewashed and blue walls of the Kasbah of the Udayas rise right beside the beach at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river, so visitors can pair a swim or walk with a stroll through the kasbah's lanes and its gardens. Sun loungers and umbrellas are generally available from local operators in season, and basic toilets and changing facilities exist nearby, though standards vary and hours should not be assumed.

Access is easy compared with most coastal sites. From Fes, the ONCF train to Rabat Ville takes about 3 hours and costs roughly 90–170 MAD. From the station, a petit taxi or the Rabat-Sale tram plus a short taxi reaches the beach area in a short ride. By car, the journey from Fes is roughly 200 km. Street parking near the kasbah fills quickly on summer weekends, so arriving early or using public transport is advisable. Because of the travel time, most visitors from Fes plan an overnight stay in Rabat rather than a same-day return.