Kasbah des Oudayas

Built in the 12th century by the Almohad dynasty on a site fortified as early as the Almoravid era, the Kasbah of the Udayas stands atop the cliff at the mouth of the Bouregreg River, facing the Atlantic Ocean and the city of Salé. This fortified village with its blue-and-white painted streets takes its name from the Udaya guich tribe that settled here, and in the 17th century welcomed Moriscos exiled from Andalusia.

Visitors enter through the monumental Bab Oudaïa, one of the finest Almohad gates in Morocco. Inside, the Andalusian Garden unfolds with bougainvillea, orange trees, and fountains in a peaceful setting, while the terrace of the Café Maure offers one of Rabat's finest panoramas over the estuary and the Atlantic. The National Museum of Jewelry, housed in the former Oudaya palace, rounds out the visit for those wishing to discover traditional Moroccan jewelry and costumes (separate paid entry).

Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2012 as part of 'Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City,' the kasbah remains a lively residential neighborhood — craftsmen and small galleries share the space with visitors.