As the sun begins to set, the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Bouregreg waterfront become two of Rabat’s busiest gathering places. Between 7 p.m. and midnight, families, groups of friends and visitors head there to escape the lingering daytime heat. Some even travel from other Moroccan cities to discover these two landmark sites.
“It’s a magnificent place. The Kasbah, with its exceptional location, tells part of Morocco’s thousand-year history all by itself,” said Saïd, who came to admire the panoramic views from the ramparts overlooking the mouth of the Bouregreg River and the Atlantic Ocean.
Perched above the estuary since the 12th century, the Kasbah of the Udayas is one of Rabat’s architectural treasures. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is renowned for its whitewashed streets accented with blue, the monumental Bab El Kebir gate, its Andalusian gardens and its famous Moorish café. From its elevated position, visitors enjoy sweeping views of the Atlantic and the neighboring city of Salé.
Below the Kasbah, the Bouregreg promenade continues the walk in a modern setting. Stretching between Hassan II Bridge and the Kasbah of the Udayas, the waterfront follows the riverbanks and has become one of the Rabat-Salé metropolitan area’s most popular leisure destinations. In the evenings, walkers gather to stroll along the promenade, watch the sunset or simply enjoy the cool ocean breeze.
Serving both as places to unwind and showcases of the capital’s heritage, the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Bouregreg promenade continue to attract growing numbers of visitors each summer in search of cooler weather and exceptional scenery.
