Morocco Travel Guide

B3

C3

C4

C4

C3

(see    37)

C4

C4

B4

D4

D3

C4

A2

C4

33   Cinéma Renaissance

Information

34   CAP    Tours

35   Carlson    Wagonlit

36 French   Consulate-General

37 German   Embassy

Spanish Embassy

Transport

38   Avis

39   Budget

40 Bus  3   to  Agdal

41 Bus  Stand   (16 &   28)

42   Europcar

43   Hertz

44 Intercity    Buses

45   Royal  Air Maroc

If you continue past the Rue des Consuls (so called because diplomats lived here until 1912),
you’ll come to the mellah (Jewish quarter) with an interesting flea market going down to Bab
el-Bahr and the river. Turning north along Rue des Consuls is one of the more interesting areas
of the medina, with craft shops and some of the grand diplomatic residencies. After the carpet
souq Offline map Google map ( the street ends in an open area lined with craft shops, which was

once the setting for the slave auctions in the days of the Sallee Rovers. From here you can
make your way up the hill to the kasbah.

KASBAH LES OUDAIAS

The kasbah  (Offline    map )   occupies    the oldest  part    of  the city,   the site    of  the original    ribat,  and commands    magnificent views

over    the river   and ocean   from    its cliff-top   perch.  Predominately   residential,    with    tranquil    alleys  and whitewashed houses  mostly

built   by  Muslim  refugees    from    Spain,  this    is  a   picturesque place   to  wander. Many    foreigners  are buying  up  the houses  here,

and it’s    easy    to  see the appeal. Some    ‘guides’    offer   their   services    but there   is  no  need.

The 12th-century    Almohad Bab Oudaia  Offline map Google  map the most    dramatic    kasbah  gate,   is  elaborately

decorated   with    a   series  of  carved  arches. Inside  the gateway,    the main    street, Rue Jamaa,  runs    straight    through the kasbah.

About   200m    ahead   on  the left    is  the Mosque  el-Atiqa    Offline map Google  map,    the oldest  mosque  in  Rabat,  built   in  the

12th    century and restored    in  the 18th    century.    You’ll  also    find    a   number  of  low-key tourist shops   and a   couple  of  art galleries,

such    as  the Galerie d’Art   Nouiga  Offline map Google  map,    along   this    street.

At  the end of  the street  is  the Plateforme  du  Sémaphore   (Signal Platform)   with    sweeping    views   over    the estuary and

across  to  Salé.   The elevated    position    provided    an  excellent   defence against sea-going   attackers   negotiating the sandbanks

below.

Returning   from    the Plateforme, turn    left    down    Rue Bazzo,  a   narrow  winding street  that    leads   down    to  the popular Café

Maure   (Click  here )  and a   side    entrance    to  the formal  Andalusian  Gardens (    sunrise-sunset)    .   The gardens,    laid    out by

the French  during  the colonial    period, occupy  the palace  grounds and make    a   wonderful   shady   retreat.