Rabat
Rabat is the fourth of the imperial cities, the official residence of the King and the political capital. It’s most famous site is probably the Tour Hassan, an incomplete minaret of the great mosques. An earthquake halted construction in 1755.
Alongside is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the present king’s father.
There’s a fairly even mix of European and Islamic influences in Rabat – it has also been known as the Moroccan Versailles – and the tourist trade is fairly relaxed, which makes shopping in the markets a more low key experience than other parts of Morocco.
Skiing, hiking and rock climbing are all popular in Morocco’s countryside.
The Todra Gorge, near the town of Tinerhir, is a spectacular gorge with a river running through it and a vertical rock face perfect for climbing. Hikers rave about the two day trek up Jebel Toubkal in the High Atlas Mountains, although there are a number of longer and equally beautiful trails between Tacheddirt and Imlil. Once you are up near the snowline in the High Atlas Mountains, Oukaimeden, about 70kms from Marrakech, is a prime ski spot.
