Day 1 – Arrival in Rabat: Sunshine, Skewers & Strolling the Medina
We were up and out the door by 5:00 a.m., beginning our Moroccan adventure with an early morning drive to Dublin Airport. Our Ryanair flight (FR162) to Rabat departed right on time at 7:40 a.m., and we made the most of the journey by watching downloaded videos on our phones—a great way to pass the time.
By 11:10 a.m., we touched down in Rabat under clear blue skies. First order of business: withdrawing some cash (€200 or MAD 2000) and picking up two local SIM cards—20GB each for just €10. Not a bad deal!
We hopped on the AE airport bus which took us directly to the train station near our apartment. After climbing to the third floor of the building, we were greeted by Brahim, who arrived just a minute or two later. Super friendly guy and very welcoming.
Feeling a bit peckish, we took a short walk to Restaurant Marocain Dar Safran where we both enjoyed skewers of meat with chips and bottled water. It was a simple but satisfying meal, and at only €8 each, great value for our first Moroccan lunch.
After lunch, we wandered over to a local supermarket, hoping to find some gluten-free options—no luck this time. So, we continued on to explore Hassan Tower, the striking, unfinished minaret that has become one of Rabat’s most iconic landmarks. Just next to it is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a stunning, tile-covered resting place that impressed us with its craftsmanship and serene atmosphere.
From there, we followed the Bouregreg River Walk, a peaceful and scenic route that eventually led us into the shady paths of the Andalusian Gardens and then on to the historic Kasbah des Oudayas, a white-and-blue hillside fortress with beautiful views and narrow alleyways.
We wrapped up our walking tour with a visit to the bustling Rabat Medina, where we soaked up the lively atmosphere and ended the day with dinner at Dar Naji, a rooftop restaurant offering casual Moroccan cuisine and panoramic views.
The weather? 21°C and sunny all day—the perfect welcome to Morocco.