The 4 Best Beaches in Rabat

The main urban beach of Rabat stretches along the Atlantic coast near the Oudayas and the mouth of the Bou Regreg river, offering wide sandy shores with strong Atlantic waves. It is the go-to spot for Rabatis on summer weekends, with lifeguards on duty in season and a lively promenade scene. The water is cold and currents can be powerful, so swimming requires caution; non-swimmers are better off paddling at the edges. Arrive early on weekends to claim a good spot before the crowds descend.

Tucked just below the iconic Kasbah des Oudayas at the mouth of the Bou Regreg, this compact beach offers one of the most photogenic settings in Rabat with the blue-and-white medina walls as a backdrop. It is popular with younger locals and families who combine a beach visit with a stroll through the Kasbah. The beach is smaller and can fill up quickly; the currents at the river mouth make swimming tricky, so most visitors come for the scenery and atmosphere rather than serious swimming.

A short drive or grand taxi ride south of central Rabat, Plage de Témara is a long, relatively uncrowded Atlantic beach that discerning Rabatis prefer when they want more space and cleaner sand than the city beach. The waves are consistent and attract a small surfing community, and the surrounding pine forest adds a pleasant backdrop. Facilities are minimal outside summer season, so bring your own supplies; the road access is straightforward but public transport options are limited.

Skhirat is a beloved weekend escape for Rabat's middle and upper-middle class, featuring a broad sandy beach flanked by beach clubs and seafood restaurants along the coast road. The beach itself is free and public, though many visitors rent sunbeds through the adjacent clubs. It is busiest on summer Saturdays and Sundays when Rabatis and Casablancans converge, so a weekday visit is far more relaxed. Note it sits about 30 km from central Rabat, requiring a car or grand taxi.