Rabat

You will be surprised by the straight layout of the city's historical heart in sharp contrast to the usual maze of streets. A walk through Rabat's medina could look like this: start your visit at the Bab El Had gate and take Souika Street, the largest and probably busiest street in the medina. You will arrive in the Es Sabat souk, the shoe market, covered with reed mats and overflowing with babouches (leather slippers) as well as silver and gold jewellery. You then come to the partially glass-roofed Rue des Consuls where craftsmen make woollen carpets, fabrics and copperware. The medina also offers low-priced and local food, so do not hesitate to try mint tea, pastillas or tagine.

Once a year, the city of Salé celebrates the birth of Muhammed (the prophet of Islam) with a Candles Convoy, also known as the Festival of Cierges. Accompanied by musicians and flag bearers, a long parade of men in colourful attire and carrying huge wax lamps comprised of thousands of sculpted and dyed pieces moves through the city's main streets to arrive at the Mausoleum of Sidi Abdallah Ben Hassoune, the city's saint.

Once intended to be part of the largest mosque in the world, Hassan Tower overlooks Bouregreg river and offers a fantastic view. Equally spectacular is the square in front of the tower, with multiple columns. Every day at 10:45am, you can enter the court of the barracks of the royal guard to attend the ceremony of the hoisting of the colours (the national flag). Also worth a visit is the changing of the mounted guard, which takes place every day at 7:00am in front of Hassan Tower.

Don't miss strolling through the gardens of Bouknadel 12 kilometres north of Rabat. Covering 4 hectares, exotic plants from around the world have been planted here in five educational circuits. In the vivarium, you can watch reptiles and amphibians.