Sunrise and Sunsetin Rabat, Morocco

Rabat sits on Morocco's Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river, with a northwest-facing shoreline that makes it one of the better cities in North Africa for sunset watching. The Salé riverbank to the east offers the inverse: sunrise light hitting the Kasbah des Oudayas across the water.

Best sunrise spots in Rabat

1. Kasbah des Oudayas

   The eastern ramparts overlook the Bou Regreg estuary; sunrise catches the whitewashed houses of the kasbah from the river side. The kasbah is free to enter, and the Andalusian Garden inside is a quieter viewpoint before the day-trippers arrive.

2. Chellah Necropolis

   These Roman and Merinid ruins stand on a hill at the southeastern edge of the city, open to the east. Admission is 70 MAD; arriving at opening time (8:30 a.m.) means the sun is still low, catching the minaret and the nesting storks in direct light.

3. Tour Hassan

   The unfinished 12th-century minaret stands on an open plateau with no tall buildings blocking the eastern horizon. The site is publicly accessible at all hours and free of charge.

4. Salé Medina Waterfront

   The ferry from Rabat to Salé costs around 5 MAD and takes five minutes; from the Salé bank you look back west toward Rabat, with the Kasbah des Oudayas catching the first morning light. The stretch near Bab Mrisa gate has the clearest view.

Best sunset spots in Rabat

1. Kasbah des Oudayas

   The western wall of the kasbah sits directly above the Atlantic, giving an unobstructed view of the sun setting over open water. From the terrace café near the gate, the sight line is clear to the northwest horizon.

2. Plage de Rabat

   The city beach runs about 3 km along the Atlantic facing northwest, with no offshore islands or structures interrupting the horizon. Parking is available along Avenue Mohammed VI; the beach is a short walk from the Agdal tram stop.

3. Tour Hassan

   Looking west from the Hassan II Mausoleum esplanade, the view extends across the Bou Regreg toward Salé and the Atlantic beyond. The flat, elevated terrace gives a wide sight line in the late afternoon.

4. La Corniche de Rabat

   The coastal promenade stretches roughly 2 km along the waterline facing northwest, between the port and the northern city limits. On clear evenings, the sun drops into the ocean well clear of the port breakwater.