The Kasbah des Oudaïa dominates the mouth of the Bouregreg, facing Salé, and marks the historic entrance to Rabat. A 12th-century Almohad fortress, former corsair stronghold and then residential district with blue and white alleyways, it has been inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage since 2006.

Why visit the Kasbah des Oudaïa

The site concentrates nearly nine centuries of Moroccan history on a rocky headland spanning some ten hectares. Within it, you'll find a monumental 12th-century gate, a mosque dating to 1150, a museum housed in an Alaouite pavilion, and a garden created during the French protectorate. The walk remains accessible: alleyways are short, elevation changes minimal, and the semaphore platform offers panoramic views across the Atlantic Ocean, the Bouregreg river, and the medina of Salé on the opposite shore. A visit to the free-access residential quarter takes one to two hours.

History of the Kasbah

The fortress was built in the 12th century by Almohad sultan Abdelmoumen ibn Ali Al Goumi, founder of the dynasty. It was then called Ribat Al Fath, "camp of victory,