Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Jardin Nature
, plantations that evoke the exotic vegetation the horticulturalist encountered
on his many travels; the
Jardin Culture
, referring more to the philosophy of the garden in
different cultures; and the
Jardin Didactique
, with birdcages, an aquarium and a vivarium.
Colour-coded paths lead through overgrown Brazilian rainforest, Polynesian jungle,
Japanese pleasure grounds and an Andalucian garden. Jardins Exotiques is managed by
the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Protection of the Environment.
The gardens are tranquil on weekends, and are a great place to bring children. It's also a
popular spot for courting couples.
The gardens are 13km north of Rabat on the road to Kenitra. Take bus 28 from Ave
Moulay Hassan in Rabat, or Bab Fès, the main gate at Salé medina.
Musée Belghazi
( 0537 82 21 78;
www.museebelghazi.com
;
main collection Dh50, private rooms by reservation Dh100;
9am-7.30pm)
The first museum in Morocco has a vast collection of traditional Andalu-
cian, Jewish Moroccan and Islamic arts and crafts amassed by the Belghazi family.
Displays include measuring instruments (one of the first Belghazis was an astrologist at
the Qarawiyin court in Fez), 17th-century carpets, exquisitely carved wooden
minbars
(mosque pulpits), doors and ceilings dating from the 10th century, intricate gold and silver
jewellery, exceptional pottery and embroidery from Fez, and miniature copies of the Qur-
an. There is a boutique with souvenirs and a restaurant.
The museum is 17km from Salé on the road to Kenitra. Take bus 28 from Ave Moulay
Hassan in Rabat or from the main gate of the Salé medina.
MUSEUM
Temara Plage
There are beautiful beaches close to Rabat, such as the wild and sandy Temara Plage,
13km southwest of the city, popular with surfers and sunbathers alike. It can be reached
on bus 17 from Bab al-Had in Rabat.
BEACH
Plage des Nations
The clean, sandy strip of beach at Plage des Nations, 17km north of Rabat, is a popular
spot with Rabat locals. It gets some serious wave action good for surfers, but the currents
can be dangerous for swimming.
markable for its original '70s decor. The peeling paint, rusty radiators and threadbare car-
BEACH
