LANGUAGESLIVE MUSICLIVE MUSIC, FILMHOTELInstitute for Language & Communication Studies
Offline map Google map ( 0537 67 59 68; www.ilcs.ac.ma; 29 Rue Oukaimeden, Agdal) Offersintensive courses and private tuition in Modern Standard and Moroccan Arabic, as well as
Amazigh.
RABAT FOR CHILDREN
Hassle-free shopping in the souqs and the impressive kasbah make Rabat a pleasant place to visit with children. The Chellah
offers a wide open space. However, there are few specific attractions in the city for younger visitors. The best bet is to head
out of town to the beach, or the Jardins Exotiques .
The 52-hectare Jardin Zoologique de Rabat (zoological gardens) northwest of Temara was being upgraded at the time of
research. Long a neglected place with concrete pens for the animals, the new zoo, due to open at the end of 2011, is partially
funded by the Emirates and will offer an aquarium, night safaris and children’s activities in large, park-like surroundings.
The Poney Club de Rabat ( 0537 66 63 63; www.poneyclubderabat.ifrance.com; 45min private lesson Dh150) , to the
west of town, offers riding lessons and events for children and has English-speaking staff.
Across the river in Salé is the Magic Park Offline map( 0535 88 59 90; Rte N6; admission Dh10; 12.30-11pm Mon-
Fri, 4.30-11pm Sat & Sun) with rides and cafes, providing just about enough entertainment to while away an afternoon.Festivals & Events
Rabat hosts a number of festivals and events each year.
Festival Mawazine
(www.mawazine.ma) Held in May, this festival draws big names from the world-music scene.
Festival International de Rabat
(www.rabatfilmfestival.org, in French) The biggest drawcard, attracting hoards of music lovers
and film buffs to the capital for two weeks in late June and early July.
Sleeping
Most of Rabat’s better accommodation is in the new city between Ave Mohammed V and Ave
Abderrahman, while the old medina has a host of low-budget dives and a couple of upmarket
riads (townhouses set around an internal garden). Rabat caters mainly for business travellers
and has a disproportionate number of top-end hotels.
The medina and kasbah are full of budget hotels that are pretty basic and many lack any kind
of creature comforts, including showers. However, there are some good options, too, listed
here. Rabat has a limited choice of midrange accommodation, most of it located on or just off
Ave Mohammed V. The city offers all the usual top international chain hotels, but for something
with a little more local flavour the medina options offer ultrachic style and service.