In a nutshell
- The best area for your hotel in Rabat is the Medina (Old Town). Here you’ll experience authentic Morocco and can walk to many of the most important highlights in Rabat.
- In the Medina, we recommend staying in a riad. Our top pick: Dar Shâan — elegant, modern design and a rooftop pool.
- Also a great choice but more affordable: the Hotel des Oudaias. A riad with historic charm and a prime location right across from the Kasbah of the Oudaias.
- Prefer something quieter but still central? The Hassan District is a solid pick — mostly classic hotels and apartments. Our recommendation: AZ hôtel des arts.
Where to Stay in Rabat? Neighborhoods on a Map
In Rabat, Morocco there are two neighborhoods we recommend for your hotel in Rabat:
- Medina: The most popular area to stay in Rabat. Lively, full of traditional riads, and with a genuinely Moroccan feel. Ideal for shorter stays. ➞ Dar Shâan
- Hassan District: Quieter, yet still centrally located between the main sights and the train station. More modern hotels. Perfect if you prefer a more relaxed pace. ➞ AZ hôtel des arts
So you know exactly where both neighborhoods are, we’ve marked them on a map. It gives you a great sense of orientation right away.
Our Hotel Recommendations for the Medina in Rabat
If you’re doing a road trip through Morocco for the first time and want to discover authentic Rabat, book your accommodation in the Medina.
You’ll be right in the heart of it all — surrounded by some of the top attractions in Rabat, the famous souks (Moroccan markets), and countless cafés and restaurants serving delicious Moroccan food.
Unlike in Marrakech and Fès, the Medina in Rabat is noticeably more relaxed — and not just during Ramadan in Morocco. From here you can also walk to the Kasbah of the Udayas, which is one of the real highlights of Morocco.
We’d strongly recommend staying in a riad — these are Morocco’s traditional courtyard townhouses. The riads in Marrakech and the riads in Fès are also stunning, by the way.
Our Recommendations for Your Hotel in Rabat's Medina
Good & affordable
Better
Luxurious
Our Hotel Recommendations for the Hassan District in Rabat
If you prefer quieter surroundings and modern hotels, the Hassan District is the right call.
It’s a mix of residential area and city center — overall much more laid-back than the Medina, which can get a little hectic even in Rabat. That said, you’re still within easy reach of the main sights.
Transportation connections are better here too. The train station is right in this neighborhood (great if you’re continuing on to Meknès or Fès), and parking is much easier here if you’re exploring Morocco by car. A few of our picks even have their own parking.
You’ll mostly find standard, modern hotels in the Hassan District, though there are also some apartments with a small kitchenette.
Our Recommendations for Your Hotel in Rabat's Hassan District
Good & affordable
Better
Luxurious
Is a Beachfront Hotel in Rabat Worth It?
Honestly, no. We don’t recommend booking a beachfront hotel in Rabat. On our first trip to Morocco we thought it would be a great idea — it wasn’t.
Rabat’s beach isn’t among the most beautiful beaches in Morocco, there are no places to stay right on the sand, and at most spots near the beach you still have to cross a busy main road to reach the water.
There are a handful of options in the Medina, near the Kasbah of the Udayas, that offer ocean views — nice picks there include the Dar Korsan and the Riad Ocean View. But personally, we think a hotel right in the Medina is the better choice.
Everything else near the beach is very far from the center — we had to take a 15-minute taxi ride to the Medina every single time.
If a beachfront stay is what you’re after, Morocco has far more beautiful spots where it’s truly worth it. Taghazout is a fantastic option, and there’s also a genuinely stunning riad in Essaouira with ocean views.
Check out the most beautiful beaches & beach hotels in Morocco here
