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Morocco🇲🇦 | attractionsKasbah of the UdayasAlmohad gate, blue-washed lanes, river platform, mint-tea terrace | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Kasbah of the Udayas
👍 Recommendedattraction ranked #10
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Entry to the Kasbah of the Udayas costs nothing, and the lanes are open all day, so you can wander it at your own pace. It sits in the north of Morocco, in Rabat, on a bluff above the Bou Regreg estuary where the river meets the Atlantic. Skip the hunt for big monuments; there are none inside. The value is in the blue-and-white alleys, the river-view platform and the tiny garden. I expected a quiet fortress and found a neighborhood: a man was repainting his doorstep while kids played football against a 12th-century wall. The gate area gets guide touts, so ignore them. Unlike Chefchaouen, whose blue streets are mostly for visitors, this one is lived in.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #10 attraction in MoroccoWhy Kasbah of the Udayas should be on your travel list

Kasbah of the Udayas gives you a real residential quarter inside 12th-century Almohad walls, which is rare for a capital city where most old fortifications are empty shells. The monumental Bab Oudaia gate, carved in stone around 1195, is among the finest Almohad gates anywhere in Morocco, and it works as a clean introduction to the style before you see the larger gates elsewhere. Then there is the position. The platform above the river gives you a clear look across to Salé and out to the ocean, which explains why the site was fortified in the first place. It also fits neatly into a Rabat route alongside the medina and the Hassan Tower, and it is the easiest place in the city to photograph without elbowing through crowds. If you only have energy for one old-town stop in Rabat, make it this one.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Bab Oudaia: The massive horseshoe-arched Almohad gateway, richly carved, is the sight everyone comes for. Stand back for the full face of it.
  2. Rue Jamaa: The main lane runs from the gate through the whole kasbah, lined with whitewashed houses with doors painted in blue.
  3. Andalusian Garden: A small, shaded garden of orange trees, palms and flowering beds, laid out in the early 20th century and quiet even when lanes are busy.
  4. Café Maure: An old terrace café above the river, serving mint tea and pastries with views toward the sea. Prices are modest.
  5. Oudaia Museum: Housed in the former palace of Moulay Ismail, with traditional costumes, jewelry, musical instruments and a courtyard worth a look. Small entry fee.
  6. Platform du Sémaphore: The lookout at the end of the kasbah, with cannons pointing toward
… read more 👉
  1. Bab Oudaia: The massive horseshoe-arched Almohad gateway, richly carved, is the sight everyone comes for. Stand back for the full face of it.
  2. Rue Jamaa: The main lane runs from the gate through the whole kasbah, lined with whitewashed houses with doors painted in blue.
  3. Andalusian Garden: A small, shaded garden of orange trees, palms and flowering beds, laid out in the early 20th century and quiet even when lanes are busy.
  4. Café Maure: An old terrace café above the river, serving mint tea and pastries with views toward the sea. Prices are modest.
  5. Oudaia Museum: Housed in the former palace of Moulay Ismail, with traditional costumes, jewelry, musical instruments and a courtyard worth a look. Small entry fee.
  6. Platform du Sémaphore: The lookout at the end of the kasbah, with cannons pointing toward the Atlantic and the sweep of the Bou Regreg estuary beneath.
  7. Blue-and-white alleys: The side lanes beyond Rue Jamaa are where the best photographs are, and where residents actually live. Be respectful with cameras.
Kasbah of the Udayas takes about two hours to see properly, or three if you linger over tea.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Kasbah of the Udayas

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Make Msemen and Harcha Amlou and Tea with a Local Family in Rabat

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🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Kasbah of the Udayas

  • Spring (March to May): Days run 18 to 25°C (64 to 77°F), the whitewashed lanes stay dry and the gardens bloom. Crowds are moderate and prices sit mid-range.
  • Summer (June to September): Atlantic breezes keep Rabat at 24 to 29°C (75 to 84°F), cooler than Marrakech or Fez. Domestic holidaymakers fill the nearby beach and the terraces over the river, and rooms cost more in July and August.
  • Autumn (October to November): Highs of 20 to 26°C (68 to 79°F) and softer light make this the easiest season for long wandering. Crowds thin out.
  • Winter (December to February): Highs of 14 to 18°C (57 to 64°F), lows near 7°C (45°F), with rain on several days. Streets are quiet and beds are cheapest.
Arrive in the morning on a weekday, when tour groups are scarce and the lanes are empty enough for photos.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Morocco

The Rabat medina, a ten-minute walk south of the kasbah gate, is the best base for backpackers. Its narrow lanes hold most of the city's budget guesthouses and hostels, and the Rue des Consuls and Rue Souika markets are on your doorstep. The mood is social and the crowd is mostly solo travelers and small groups, so it is easy to find company for dinner. Streets are busy until late evening and well used, though the usual pickpocket care applies after dark.

Agdal and the area around Rabat Ville train station suit those who want quick onward travel. It is quieter, with cafes, supermarkets and tram … read more 👉
The Rabat medina, a ten-minute walk south of the kasbah gate, is the best base for backpackers. Its narrow lanes hold most of the city's budget guesthouses and hostels, and the Rue des Consuls and Rue Souika markets are on your doorstep. The mood is social and the crowd is mostly solo travelers and small groups, so it is easy to find company for dinner. Streets are busy until late evening and well used, though the usual pickpocket care applies after dark.

Agdal and the area around Rabat Ville train station suit those who want quick onward travel. It is quieter, with cafes, supermarkets and tram access, and you reach the kasbah by a short taxi ride or tram.

The Oudayas neighborhood itself has a few small guesthouses inside the walls. Rooms are few, and nights are silent once the day visitors leave. Book ahead for it, and pick the medina if you want more variety and nightlife.
Best hostels in Morocco


Best quality hotels in Morocco

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Kasbah of the Udayas costs about US$21 to 43 a day for a backpacker, with the walls and lanes free to enter. The figures below assume a hostel bed or simple guesthouse room in Rabat.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entry to the kasbahFreeThe gate and lanes are open to walk through. Locals live here, so keep voices down.
Andalusian GardensFreeGardens inside the kasbah have no ticket.
Oudayas MuseumUS$2 to 3Small museum in the old palace, paid in cash.
Cafe des OudayasUS$2 to 4Mint tea with pastries on a terrace over the river.
Accommodation (high season)US$10 to 20Medina dorm bed or basic guesthouse room. Low season runs US$8 to 15.
MealsUS$6 to 12Street food, sandwiches and tagine in the medina.
Local transportUS$1 to 4Tram rides cost under US$1, and a petit taxi across town runs US$2 to 4.
Total
… read more 👉
Kasbah of the Udayas costs about US$21 to 43 a day for a backpacker, with the walls and lanes free to enter. The figures below assume a hostel bed or simple guesthouse room in Rabat.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entry to the kasbahFreeThe gate and lanes are open to walk through. Locals live here, so keep voices down.
Andalusian GardensFreeGardens inside the kasbah have no ticket.
Oudayas MuseumUS$2 to 3Small museum in the old palace, paid in cash.
Cafe des OudayasUS$2 to 4Mint tea with pastries on a terrace over the river.
Accommodation (high season)US$10 to 20Medina dorm bed or basic guesthouse room. Low season runs US$8 to 15.
MealsUS$6 to 12Street food, sandwiches and tagine in the medina.
Local transportUS$1 to 4Tram rides cost under US$1, and a petit taxi across town runs US$2 to 4.
Total Daily BudgetUS$21 to 43Covers one day, including the museum entry.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Kasbah of the Udayas

Allow 1 to 2 hours for Kasbah of the Udayas. That covers the blue-and-white lanes, the Andalusian Gardens and the river-view terrace, with the small museum adding 30 minutes. Pair it with the medina and Hassan Tower to fill a full day in Rabat.
Kasbah of the Udayas costs nothing to enter, so the question is only the museum at about US$2 to 3. The walls, gardens and lookout over the Bou Regreg estuary are free, which makes this one of the best-value stops in Rabat. Most travelers find the lanes and terrace worth an hour or two even with no purchase.
Kasbah of the Udayas sits at the mouth of the Bou Regreg, a 10-minute walk from the Rabat medina. From Rabat Ville train station, take the tram to the Bab el Had or Tour Hassan stops, then walk 10 to 15 minutes, or take a petit taxi for US$2 to 3. Trains from Casablanca run about an hour and from Tangier around 1 hour 20 minutes on the high-speed line.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Moroccan attractions near Kasbah of the Udayas

Explore more nearby:

  • Mausoleum of Mohammed V—Onyx sarcophagus, gilded cedar ceiling, ceremonial guards, column field| 2 km away
  • Chellah Necropolis—Stork-nest minaret, Merinid ruins, eel pool, Roman forum| 3 km away
  • Hassan II Mosque—200-meter minaret, Atlantic platform, retractable roof, guided hall tour| 87 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Kasbah of the Udayas suits slow walkers, photographers and anyone who likes a place with people still living in it. If you want ticked-off monuments or big thrills, it will feel small. I would go early, say no to the first guide at the gate, and keep an hour for tea.

✈️ When did I visit Morocco?
In October 2011, I backpacked Morocco for two weeks, with climbing the Mount Toubkal in summer clothing as a highlight.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Morocco, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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