Morocco - West Africa - page 594

THE ATLANTIC COAST

Morocco's Atlantic shoreline is surprisingly varied, with sweeping beaches and lagoons,
the economic motor of the urban sprawl around the political and economic capitals of
Rabat and Casablanca, respectively, and the pretty fishing ports/tourist drawcards of Es-
saouira and Asilah.

TOP OF CHAPTER

Rabat
POP 1.7 MILLION
Relaxed, well kept and very European, flag-waving capital Rabat is just as cosmopolitan as
Casablanca down the coast but lacks the frantic pace and grimy feel of its economic big
brother. Its elegant, tree-lined boulevards and imposing administrative buildings exude an
unhurried, diplomatic and hassle-free charm that many travellers grow to like.

Sights
Barely 400 years old, Rabat's medina is tiny compared to that of Fez or Marrakesh, al-
though it still piques the senses with its rich mixture of spices, carpets, crafts, cheap shoes
and bootlegged DVDs.
The Kasbah des Oudaias sits high up on the bluff overlooking the Oued Bou Regreg and
contains within its walls a 12th-century mosque OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP . The southern
corner of the kasbah is home to the Andalucían Gardens OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP ( sun-
rise -sunset) , laid out by the French during the colonial period. The centrepiece is the grand
17th-century palace containing the Musée des Oudaia OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (

0537

9am-noon & 3-5pm Oct-Apr, to 6pm May-Sep) . 731537; admission Dh10;