At the mouth of the Bouregreg River on the Atlantic coast is Morocco’s capital and second largest city of Rabat.  Originally a small settlement on the banks of the river, it became a Roman colony for around 300 years before being abandoned to local Berber tribes.  In the 12th century it was increasingly fortified, and served as the base for attacks into Spain.  Its name is in fact derived from Ribatu l-Fath meaning “stronghold of victory”.  After the 13th century however, the city declined dramatically losing much of its importance to Fez.  Refugees from Spain in the 17th century increased the population once more, and like Casablanca the city became a stronghold for pirates.  In retaliation for the loss of one of their ships, the Austrians attacked the city in 1829.  It was after the French invasion that the capital was relocated here from Fez. 

See:

• Tour Hassan (Hassan Tower) – Began in the late 12th century, this structure was intended to be the world’s tallest minaret for the world’s largest mosque.  However just a few years later, construction stopped and this vision was never completely realised.  According to legend, the architect of the original Giralda in Seville also designed the Tour Hassan.  Both towers were based on his earlier project, the minaret of Marrakesh’s Koutoubia Mosque.
• Mausoleum of Mohammed V – Completed in 1971, this fine building next to ruins of the Tour Hassan’s adjoining mosque, contains the tombs of the Moroccan king and his two sons.

Experience:

• Salé – On the opposite bank of the river is now a highly polluted and badly planned town, home to thousands of poor factory workers.  So much so that parts of the Hollywood film Black Hawk Down, set in war-torn Mogadishu, Somalia were filmed here.  It is however one of Morocco’s most historic places, and considered to be the first city built by the Berbers. 
• Beaches – The Atlantic coastline has numerous beaches with nearby restaurants and recreational facilities popular with locals and tourists alike.