Rabat · Half day
Hassan Tower & Mohammed V Mausoleum
Rabat's great unfinished minaret and the royal marble mausoleum
Duration
Half day
Group size
1–6 travellers
Difficulty
Easy
Languages
English, French, Arabic
From / person
$95
Overview
A half-day on the Yacoub al-Mansour esplanade: the 12th-century Hassan Tower — the minaret of a mosque that was never finished — and the white-marble Mausoleum of Mohammed V opposite, with its royal guard and zellige interior.
The most recognisable image of the capital. The Hassan Tower was begun in 1195 under the Almohad sultan Yacoub al-Mansour as the minaret of what would have been one of the largest mosques in the Muslim world; the sultan died before it was finished, and the 44m red-sandstone tower and the field of broken columns are all that remain. Across the esplanade stands the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, completed in 1971 — a jewel of modern Moroccan craftsmanship in white marble, carved cedar and zellige, where the late king and his sons Hassan II and Prince Abdallah are buried, watched over by the royal guard.
Your private guide reads the site as one composition — Almohad ambition and modern dynasty facing each other across the columns — and explains the architecture, the calligraphy and the protocol of the mausoleum, which is open to respectfully dressed visitors of all faiths.
Trip highlights
- The 44m Almohad Hassan Tower (begun 1195) and its field of columns
- Interior of the white-marble Mausoleum of Mohammed V
- The mounted and ceremonial royal guard on the esplanade
- Carved cedar, onyx and zellige craftsmanship up close
- Views over the Bouregreg estuary to Salé
Photo gallery
Inside the trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
Rabat → Rabat
- 1
09:00 · Hotel or riad pickup
Rabat / SaléYour driver-guide meets you with bottled water and a short drive to the Yacoub al-Mansour esplanade.
- 2
09:20 · Hassan Tower
The esplanadeThe unfinished minaret and the 200-plus columns of the never-completed mosque, with the story of al-Mansour's Almohad capital.
- 3
10:15 · Mausoleum of Mohammed V
Opposite the towerInside the mausoleum: the onyx cenotaph, the carved cedar dome and the zellige walls, with the etiquette of the royal guard.
- 4
11:15 · Estuary viewpoint & tea
Above the BouregregA short walk to the terrace overlooking the river to Salé, with optional mint tea before drop-off.
- 5
12:00 · Drop-off
Rabat / SaléBack at your hotel or riad with the rest of the day free.
Cities & regions on this trip
You'll experience 1 destination.
Each stop has its own deep-dive guide — geography, history, best season, things to see, and other tours that visit it. Tap any card to open its dedicated page.
The route
Map of Hassan Tower & Mohammed V Mausoleum
3 stops across Rabat. Distances and timings are flexible — every itinerary is reshaped to your pace.
- 1
Rabat medina
Pickup
- 2
Hassan Tower
Tower
- 3
Mausoleum of Mohammed V
Mausoleum
What's included
- Private English-speaking driver-guide for the duration
- Air-conditioned car or minivan with fuel, tolls and parking
- All listed monument and site entrance fees
- Hotel or riad pickup and drop-off in Rabat or Salé
- Bottled water on board
- 24/7 WhatsApp concierge based in Rabat
Not included
- International flights to/from Morocco
- Accommodation unless an overnight is noted in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (we recommend a provider)
- Lunch and personal drinks unless noted
- Tips for your driver and guides
What to bring
Pack light, pack smart.
- Comfortable walking shoes (medina lanes and uneven ruins)
- Sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 30+
- Light layer — the Atlantic breeze cools Rabat evenings
- Modest cover-up for the mausoleum and mosques
- Reusable water bottle (we refill on the road)
- Adaptor for Type C/E plugs (220V)
Frequently asked
Questions about this tour.
Is "Hassan Tower & Mohammed V Mausoleum" private or a group tour?
100% private. Just you and the people you book with — your own Rabat driver-guide, vehicle and pace from start to finish. We never pool travellers.
Can I change the itinerary or start time?
Yes. Every itinerary is a starting point. Shift the start time, swap a site, add the Mohammed VI Museum or a riverside lunch — we'll re-quote in 24 hours and lock the price in writing before any deposit.
Where does the tour start?
We collect you from any hotel or riad in Rabat or Salé, or from Rabat–Salé airport (RBA) or the Rabat-Ville / Rabat-Agdal train stations. Tell us where you're staying and we'll confirm the pickup point.
When should I book?
Most day and half-day tours can be arranged with a few days' notice; weekends and holidays fill faster, so a week ahead is safest.
Can non-Muslims enter the Mausoleum of Mohammed V?
Yes. Unlike most working mosques in Morocco, the mausoleum is open to visitors of all faiths, provided you are modestly dressed (shoulders and knees covered) and quiet inside. There is no entry charge.
Is there much walking?
Very little — the tower and mausoleum face each other across one flat esplanade, so this is an easy, mostly level half-day suitable for all ages.
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