Rabat · Half day
Kasbah of the Udayas & Andalusian Gardens
Blue-and-white lanes, an Andalusian garden and the ocean ramparts
Duration
Half day
Group size
1–6 travellers
Difficulty
Easy
Languages
English, French, Arabic
From / person
$80
Overview
The 12th-century Kasbah of the Udayas above the river mouth: the monumental Almohad gate, the blue-and-white painted lanes, the Andalusian Gardens and the café terrace looking out to the Atlantic and across to Salé.
The oldest part of Rabat, perched on the cliff where the Bouregreg meets the Atlantic. The Kasbah of the Udayas grew from an Almohad fortress; its grand gate, Bab Oudaia (c. 1195), is one of the finest pieces of Almohad stone-carving in Morocco. Inside, the houses were painted blue and white by Andalusian refugees from Spain — a quiet, residential warren of lanes far calmer than the souks below.
With your guide you'll walk the ramparts above the ocean, visit the Andalusian Gardens laid out in the colonial era within the old palace grounds, look into the small Oudaias museum courtyard, and finish with mint tea at the famous clifftop café over the estuary. A gentle, photogenic half-day that pairs naturally with the medina just below.
Trip highlights
- The carved Almohad gate Bab Oudaia (c. 1195)
- Blue-and-white painted lanes of the Andalusian quarter
- The Andalusian Gardens within the kasbah walls
- Ramparts over the Bouregreg mouth and the Atlantic
- Mint tea at the clifftop Café Maure looking across to Salé
Photo gallery
Inside the trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
Rabat → Rabat
- 1
09:30 · Hotel or riad pickup
Rabat / SaléShort transfer to the foot of the kasbah, beside the medina wall.
- 2
09:50 · Bab Oudaia & the lanes
Kasbah of the UdayasThe Almohad gate, then up through the blue-and-white painted alleys with their doorways and cats.
- 3
10:40 · Andalusian Gardens
Inside the wallsThe shaded garden and the courtyard of the Oudaias museum, with the story of the Andalusian refugees.
- 4
11:20 · Ramparts & Café Maure
Above the estuaryThe ocean ramparts and mint tea on the café terrace looking across the river to Salé.
- 5
12:30 · Drop-off
Rabat / SaléBack at your accommodation, or continue on foot into the medina below.
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 Kasbah of the Udayas & Andalusian Gardens
4 stops across Rabat. Distances and timings are flexible — every itinerary is reshaped to your pace.
- 1
Rabat medina
Pickup
- 2
Bab Oudaia
Almohad gate
- 3
Andalusian Gardens
Gardens
- 4
Café Maure
Tea terrace
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 "Kasbah of the Udayas & Andalusian Gardens" 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.
Is the kasbah still lived in?
Yes — the Udayas is a residential quarter, so we walk quietly and respectfully past front doors. The lanes are repainted blue and white by residents, which is what gives the kasbah its colour.
Can we combine this with the medina?
Easily. The kasbah sits directly above the Rabat medina and the Rue des Consuls. We can extend the half-day into the souks, or pair it with our medina and Andalusian-gardens tour as a full day.
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