Kasbah of the Udayas
A fortified historic district at the mouth of the Bouregreg, known for its narrow lanes, Andalusian garden and views towards Salé and the Atlantic.
Allow 1–2 hoursRabat cultural city guide
Things to Do in Rabat — Culture, Events & Places to Explore
Rabat is Morocco’s political capital, but it is also one of the country’s most rewarding cities for culture, heritage and contemporary arts. Between museums, theatres, galleries, independent spaces and the historic medina, the city offers a calmer way to explore Moroccan cultural life.
Use this living guide to discover what is happening in Rabat this week, where to go for art and culture, which neighbourhoods to explore, and how to move around the city.
Live cultural calendar
What’s on in Rabat this week
A rolling seven-day selection from Culturama’s published English calendar.
Festival
Teresinha Landeiro at Fado Festival Morocco in Rabat
10 Sept · Théâtre National Mohammed V
Portuguese singer Teresinha Landeiro opens Fado Festival Morocco at Rabat’s Mohammed V National Theatre. Festival
Fado Festival Morocco: The Magic of Lisbon in Rabat
11 Sept · Théâtre National Mohammed V
Fado Festival Morocco dedicates its second Rabat evening to Lisbon’s neighbourhoods and musical culture at the…Where to go
Museums, art, cinema and cultural venues
Museums & visual culture
Performance, cinema & programmes
D
Downstage (Tatmin)Theatre · 8 rue Aknoul, Hassan, Rabat 
Heritage & context
Understand Rabat through its culture
Use heritage as part of the cultural itinerary rather than as a separate checklist.
Hassan Tower & Mausoleum of Mohammed V
One of Rabat’s landmark heritage ensembles, set within the UNESCO-listed modern capital and historic city.
Easy to combine with central RabatChellah
An archaeological and historic site where ancient remains, medieval architecture and landscaped spaces reveal several layers of Rabat’s history.
Allow around 1.5–2 hoursExplore by area
Rabat by neighbourhood
Hassan
A central base for museums, monuments and major cultural institutions, with easy access to the Mohammed VI Museum, Hassan Tower, the medina and Rabat Ville station.
Museums · Heritage · WalkingMedina & Udayas
Explore the medina on foot, then continue towards the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Bouregreg for one of Rabat’s most atmospheric cultural walks.
History · Crafts · PhotographyAgdal
A lively district combining cafés, universities, cultural institutions and cinemas, with useful tram and rail connections.
Cafés · Cinema · Evening outingsL’Océan
A residential district close to the Atlantic, home to the National Museum of Photography and a mix of cultural and community spaces.
Photography · Local life · CoastHay Riad
A newer district of broad avenues, offices, restaurants and event venues, useful for specific programmes and contemporary city life.
Events · Contemporary venues · DiningPractical city guide
Getting around Rabat
Keep travel practical: cultural venues can sit in very different parts of the same city.
Tram
The Rabat–Salé tramway is one of the simplest ways to move between central Rabat, several major neighbourhoods and neighbouring Salé. Check the official network before travelling.
Official Rabat–Salé tram information ↗Petit taxi
Rabat’s blue petit taxis are useful for short trips within the city, especially when a museum, theatre or cultural space is not close to the tram.
Walking
Central Rabat rewards walking. The Mohammed VI Museum, Hassan Tower, the medina and the Kasbah of the Udayas can be combined into a cultural route.
Train
Rabat Ville serves the historic centre while Rabat Agdal is a major rail hub for intercity connections.
Check ONCF trains ↗One-day idea
A cultural day in Rabat
A flexible route that can be adapted around opening times and the live events calendar.
- 1Morning
Start at the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, then continue towards Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.
- 2Lunch
Choose the medina or central Rabat, keeping the afternoon route walkable.
- 3Afternoon
Explore the medina, then walk towards the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Bouregreg.
- 4Evening
Use Culturama’s live calendar to find a concert, theatre performance, screening or cultural event happening tonight.
Plan ahead
Coming up in Rabat
Sacred Music Evening with the Zawiya Charkawiya in RabatThéâtre National Mohammed V→Said Berrada & Lamiae Zaidi — Issawa and Moroccan Tarab in RabatZénith Center→Rose Royal in RabatThéâtre Bahnini→Akim Omiri — “Contexte” in RabatSalle Haj Bahnini→YO! FEST 2026 in Rabat — 13th EditionINSMAC et Institut Cervantes de Rabat→Linkin Park Tribute Live in Rabat 2026Théâtre National Mohammed V→Amal & Mazzika Orchestra Live in RabatThéâtre National Mohammed V→This Is Michael — Michael Jackson Tribute in RabatThéâtre Royal de Rabat→
Cultural context
Go deeper
An institutional capital with a living scene
The Mohammed V National Theatre, the National Library and the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art make Rabat a reference point for performance, visual arts and conservation. Its modern city and historic fabric are also recognised as shared world heritage.
Independent spaces, cultural associations and neighbourhood centres sustain a more experimental scene. They support younger creators, artistic research and formats that complement the programmes of national institutions.
What to do in Rabat for every interest
Theatre and music occupy major stages, while visual arts unfold through museums, foundations and photography venues. Film screenings, talks and festivals add a regular programme throughout the year.
Heritage can be a cultural outing in its own right: the Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower and Chellah offer different readings of the city, which can be combined with an exhibition or evening performance.
Plan a cultural outing in the capital
Some events take place over several days and across different venues, so confirm the exact address before travelling. Institutes and associations also announce free or low-cost screenings and meetings, sometimes at short notice.
Culturama updates this guide from published events and links each recommendation to a precise localized page instead of a generic magazine or search destination.
Explore Morocco
Continue your cultural trip
Move between city guides without leaving the English cultural ecosystem.