The blue and white Andalusian garden inside the Oudaias Kasbah, Rabat

Kasbah of the Udayas

Hours

Always open

Entry

Free

Duration

45 minutes

Location

Mouth of Bou Regreg river

Rabat's original fortress, turned home by Andalusian refugees after 1609. Blue and white streets, flower pots on steps, cats in doorways — the palette came before Chefchaouen.

The Fortress Above the River

The Kasbah of the Udayas is Rabat's oldest neighbourhood — a 12th-century Almohad fortress perched above the mouth of the Bou Regreg river. Andalusian refugees from Spain settled here in the 17th century and brought their architecture with them: whitewashed walls, blue trim, narrow streets, flowering courtyards. The result is a village that looks like it was transplanted from southern Spain.

Blue and White

The monumental gate — Bab Oudaia — is Almohad and magnificent. Inside, the streets are Andalusian: white and blue, intimate, planted with bougainvillea. The Andalusian Garden within the kasbah walls is formal, shaded, tiled, and among the most peaceful public spaces in Morocco. The platform overlooking the river mouth and the ocean is the payoff — Salé across the water, the Atlantic beyond.

Visiting

Free access. Enter through Bab Oudaia. Wander the streets, visit the garden, stand on the platform. Allow 45 minutes. The Café Maure inside the kasbah serves mint tea with the river view — one of the better tea experiences in Morocco.

Best Time to Visit

Late afternoon for the light on the river. The Café Maure at sunset.

Getting There

In northwestern Rabat overlooking the Bou Regreg river. A 10-minute walk from the Rabat medina entrance.

Local Tip

The Andalusian Gardens inside are peaceful

Common Questions

Yes. The kasbah, garden, and viewpoints are all free.

Similar blue-and-white palette but different origin — these streets are Andalusian, brought by Spanish refugees. Smaller and quieter than Chefchaouen.

Walking Distance